Signs point to Enroth

If the Sabres' morning skate was any indication, rookie goalie Jhonas Enroth will make his NHL debut tonight against the Boston Bruins in TD Garden. The Bruins were expected to play backup Tuukka Rask, who shut out Edmonton a week ago in his last start.

Enroth, 21, worked out for only about 20 minutes this morning before retreating to the dressing room. He would have taken extra shots with his teammates if he was certain he would be warming the bench tonight. Ryan Miller did not practice this morning after giving up four goals in the 5-2 loss to Philadelphia on Friday night, so the Sabres were without a goalie for much of their pregame workout.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was not available this morning. Enroth offered little when asked about his prospects for tonight. Defenseman Toni Lydman asked the rookie if he was ready, another sign the kid was preparing for his first NHL game. The Sabres are playing their third game in four nights. They're playing a Bruins team that has scored one goal in three games over the past week.

Enroth had a 3-7-0 record with a 3.90 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage this season in Portland when he was promoted Nov. 4. He had a 26-23-6 record, a 2.75 GAA and a .914 save percentage last season in the AHL.

--- Bucky Gleason

Comments

[JD In Vegas]

That's funny Kevin.

[TJ]

If Miller didn't practice, that tells me that Ruff gave him the morning off because he expects to play him - again - on back to back nights.

[Kevin]

Steph, I know that sweetie. It was sarcasm. Do you seriously think this team is going to win a road game with a rookie goalie making his first ever NHL start, who has a 3.97 goals against in the AHL and the team is playing its second game in two nights? Yeah its called a two game losing streak.

[twoeightnine]

So Miller gave up an empty goal goal?

[The Central Scrutinizer]

The Sabres will bounce back ... not their best game last night -obviously- but the Flyers came out rough and ready and Miller let in a couple he should have stopped - the other 2 he had no chance. Too many shots from the Sabres going wide and the Flyers got some lucky deflections.

I don't think the Sabres played that bad ... it just wasn't their night and Philadelphia has a very good team.

It's a long season and we'll see them again.

[Steph]

Check your sources, they're not on a two game losing streak. They shut out the Islanders 3-0 on Wednesday.

[Kevin]

Well at least if your a Buffalo news sportswriter you can submit your story now about the Sabres two game losing streak and the horrible backup goalie situation which will likely cost this team a playoff appearance for a third straight season now, and have the rest of the weekend off.