New top scoring line

WASHINGTON -- The Sabres are splitting up the longtime tandem of Jason Pominville and Jochen Hecht in an attempt to get both scoring again.

Pominville, who has one goal in the past 16 games, will line up alongside center Derek Roy and left wing Thomas Vanek tonight when the Sabres visit the Washington Capitals in Verizon Center. The move unites the Sabres' top three scorers from this season and last.

Hecht, who has one goal in 13 games, will skate with left wing Clarke MacArthur and right wing Drew Stafford.

Patrick Lalime will start in goal for the Sabres. Lalime is 2-4-1 with a 3.09 goals-against average this season. Ryan Miller is expected to be back in net Saturday when the Sabres host the New York Islanders in HSBC Arena.

---John Vogl

Comments

[Todd]

When will someone step up to replace Tallinder and Lydman? These are two of the most incompetent defensemen in the history of this now average organization.

[Chad]

I don't like putting those three together. Seems like we're putting all our (scoring) eggs in one basket. If I'm wrong, I'll happily admit it. As I've said before, Hecht should move back to wing when Gerbe gets back. And hopefully Tammy Connolly decides to return, too. If that happens, here's what I think could be the most effective line combos:

Vanek-Gerbe-Kotalik
MacArthur-Roy-Stafford
Pominville-Connolly-Hecht
Paille-Gaustad-Mair/Kaleta/Peters

Forget titles of who's first, second and third-liners. Think of the matchup problems those lines would cause for opponents. Are you going to put your 3rd line against one of the best goal scorers in the league? Against guys who consistently put up a point/game when they're together in Connolly and Pominville? Are you going to let Roy kill secondary lines the way he has the last two weeks. Even our grind line would be pretty good.

Of course, this will never happen because they won't let go of Max and Lindy probably doesn't move Hecht back to wing. But it's fun to dream.