Flying In Briere-less

CAN'T BE BOOED TONIGHT

The Broad Street Bullies will be without one of there French Canadian wonders as former Sabres captain Danny Briere will not play tonight due to a nagging groin injury. Although still a big game for both struggling clubs, the Sabres faithful nonetheless must be a little disappointed as they will not be able to shower Briere with boos every time he touches the puck tonight (a la Satan, Chara, and Drury).

But Briere aside, tonight is an important game for Buffalo as they try to stop the bleeding caused by the current losing streak which stands now at 8 games. Tonight is the first of a four game home stand in which the Sabres probably want at least 6 points in order to consider it a successful step back towards where they should be in the standings. Poor goaltending behind even worse defensive play has brought them back to reality after a 6-0-1 start.

Ryan Miller has looked ordinary while stalwarts like Henrik Tallinder and Craig Rivet have looked downright horrific.

The bright side is that Thomas Vanek continues to find the back of the net while Derek Roy looks like he may be ready to emerge from his early season slump.

Also worth mentioning is that Lindy Ruff seems to be a little bit impatient in scratching both Tallinder and Max Afinogenov from tonight's lineup, which is in stark contrast with last year's "stay the course" philosophy which found the Sabres on the outside looking in after the season ended.

Gametime: 7:30 --- hopefully Harry Neale will not aggravate me tonight as he has been doing lately with his obvious and half witted comments that must make Jimmy Lorentz cringe (and hopefully want to come back).