Grier out; Olympic matchup in net
Mike Grier skipped the morning skate for the Sabres, meaning there's a 99.9999 percent certainty he won't be in the lineup tonight when the Flames visit HSBC Arena. Patrick Kaleta will fill his spot on the line with Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht, while Adam Mair gets his shot at redemption after being waived earlier in the week. I won't predict he gets in a fight, but I do have a hunch.
The real attraction should be in the crease, where two likely Olympians will set up. USA's Ryan Miller is starting for the Sabres, while Finland's Miikka Kiprusoff is going for Calgary. Miller's numbers: 10-2-1, 1.82, .938. Kiprusoff: 10-3-1, 2.49, .917.
---John Vogl
This team is tougher and more physical than last year's, but they fight less. I'll take that any day. The significance of fighting is massively over-rated.
Posted by: Jeff | November 13, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Good scrap...it's not to late to 'not predict' a win, you know.
Posted by: Sabresfan88 | November 13, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Lindy Ruff's Sabres have become known for their lack of intestinal fortitude. Rivet has bought into the softness and it looks like Kaleta has realized he doesn't have to fight anyone either. Now Mair is getting his chance to get back in the lineup. He should fight and hit and battle Calgary until he's bloodied in order to earn his way back into this lineup. Instead he'll throw a couple of hits, pick up his check and receive his pat on the back from the least demanding coach in the NHL.
Posted by: Jwolfe | November 13, 2009 at 05:30 PM
I'm voting for a 7-6 final score in favor of Buffalo. goal scorers on both sides are gonna light it up!
Posted by: rmc | November 13, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Greg B. You are probably right, but only because Kipper does not much like the Finnish Ice Hockey federation and normally declines their invitations. Just keep someone on Iginla; he has scored 6 of Calgary's last 12 goals. And leave Jokinen alone; he is a stiff going through the motions.
Posted by: CalgarySabre2 | November 13, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Kipper isn't Finland's netminder, Backstrom from the Wild is.
Posted by: Greg B. | November 13, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Great matchup tonight. Calgary is still one of the premier teams in the Western Conference. Sabres will need to pepper Miikka and keep a hat on Iginla. The Flames also have the rugged Dion Phaneuf (love that name).
Swordsmen go from the frying pan into the fire Saturday at Philly, which is on a five-game tear and has been getting good tending from Emery.
Posted by: Greg | November 13, 2009 at 04:33 PM
hey ggc,
It was a typo. For clarification, the line will be Hecht, Kennedy, Kaleta. There is that better?
Posted by: trunnis | November 13, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Grier is out, so Kaleta will fill in on a line with Kennedy and Grier? How many Griers do we have?
Posted by: ggc | November 13, 2009 at 03:05 PM