If there’s any game to get the adrenaline going for the Sabres, tonight’s game against Boston should do just that. The Bruins come into Buffalo with a nine game winning streak on the line and look to make it double digits at the First Niagara Center.
Revenge is on the minds of the Sabres and their fans, but ending the Bruins’ winning streak may be even better than physical force.
Not only are the Bruins searching for 10 straight wins, but goaltender Tim Thomas enters the game coming off two consecutive shutouts. His shutout streak is at 133 minutes and four seconds.
“We’re not focusing on [the streak],” Thomas said. “We’ve done a good job of settling it down to one game at a time and staying in the here and now. It’s mentioned every once in a while to keep it going, but that’s it. I think that’s the key.”
Boston has scored 43 goals during their winning streak, and Jhonas Enroth may have quite a challenge in front of him.
A win against Boston would put the Sabres back on top of the Eastern Conference. Toronto currently leads the division with 26 points, but Montreal is in 5th with 21, so the Northeast is still up for grabs.
The Bruins handed Buffalo a convincing 6-2 defeat in the teams first meeting this season. The Sabres have struggled at home to say the least, posting a 4-6 record at the First Niagara Center.
With Tyler Myers out with a broken wrist, T.J. Brennan will make his NHL debut.
“It’s important that we each try and step up a little bit and fill that void. And there’s also a real good young call-up with T.J. (Brennan) here,” fellow defenseman Robyn Regehr said. “I know he’s really looking forward to getting in the lineup and helping us out as well.”
Jochen Hecht is also ready to be back in the lineup.
Tonight’s faceoff is set for 7 p.m.