No Stafford, Lalime likely
OTTAWA -- Drew Stafford, who suffered a lower-body bone bruise during Friday's 2-1 overtime loss to Boston, will not play tonight against the Ottawa Senators.
"He's too sore today, so he won't be available," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said after an optional morning skate in Scotiabank Place.
The Sabres, down to 11 forwards, will not recall a player from Portland to fill Stafford's spot. Instead, Ruff will put Andrej Sekera in the lineup and choose either Sekera or fellow defenseman Steve Montador to play up front.
"We could go various ways," Ruff said. "Montador could play forward. Andrej's played some forward in practice, so we'll just use the option that is there.
"We're not going with seven D. That's too disruptive, so we'll use one of those guys up front, and if it works, it works. If not, we'll just go with 11 forwards and one defenseman will spot in and out."
Ruff would not say who would start in goal for the Sabres, but it appears Patrick Lalime will play for the first time in three weeks. Ryan Miller took shots from the handful of players on the ice while Lalime stayed off to rest. The opposite scenario would have played out if Miller was slated to start.
Lalime, a former Senators netminder, lost a 6-3 decision in Ottawa last season while making 30 saves.
---John Vogl
What is Ruff's man-love with Hecht?
He has no right to touch the puck in the offensive zone.
He has the most shots and the lowest shooting pct. and you put him on the top line?
Roy looks like Max. Vanek looks like a St. Bernard and Pominville has no clue wha tto do when he doesn't have the puck...and even when he does have the puck, he can't get it on net. Rivet is way beyond his prime...he is geting worse every game. Give the "C" to Gaustad please.
Posted by: dannymiamibeach | November 21, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Sabres need to play with GRIT
everynight. They need to bring up either COWAN OR MCCORMICK and sit Hecht for
a few games.
Hecht is of no help offensively to the Sabres Team.
Posted by: joe | November 21, 2009 at 05:15 PM
I think we all know Regier is interested in Biron. Marty outed him when he said he was in discussions with Buffalo this summer before choosing to go to Long Island for more starts. But howling for Biron isn't going to make it happen any quicker. The Islanders aren't moving any goaltenders until DiPietro returns and shows he can stay healthy. Problem is, the guy is as durable as a watch you'd buy out of a briefcase in Manhattan. But trading for Biron is a non-starter until DiPi returns and plays a few games and stays healthy.
Posted by: Greg B. | November 21, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Please tell Regier that Biron is going to be expendable in Long Island when DiPietro comes back. Lalime is a great guy but won't win any games for us. Biron would come back here in a blink! And the fans love him! It's a no brainer! Miller deserves better!
Posted by: Bander1n | November 21, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Would have liked to have seen Gerbe get a look now that he's healthy and playing well. He's averaging over a point per game for the Pirates.
Posted by: Bill | November 21, 2009 at 01:35 PM
The Sabres need a win of course but even more important than that IMO is that they get a solid performance from Lalime. If Lalime has another mediocre or weak outing, it will only triple the number of doubts that Ruff, the other players and fans have in their backup goaltending - which will lead to overplaying Miller even more than he has been already.
Posted by: TJ | November 21, 2009 at 01:16 PM
This is so ridiculous...the Senators own this team and now you're going to give them every chance to win. Hecht in the top 6, Lalime in net, No Stafford or Ennis, a Defenseman at forward....is this team that cheap or what?
Posted by: Bob | November 21, 2009 at 01:05 PM
After his first call-up, I was hoping to see Ennis get the call again. I don't care if he spends half the season on a plane.
Posted by: Chris | November 21, 2009 at 12:52 PM