National Hockey League Updates – Northeast rivalry continues as Boston Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres
Boston Bruins will be hosting the first game of Thursday at the TD Garden as they play host to their Northeast rivals, Buffalo Sabres. Four out of six scheduled meetings between the two sides have seen Boston win the first two while Buffalo Sabres have won
the last two meetings.
The last time these two were up against each other, the match turned into a goal fiesta with the scores 6-6 at the end of regulation time. However, Tyler Ennis’s goal in shootout proved to be the difference as Sabres won the match 7-6.
Drew Stafford was the hero for the Buffalo Sabres in the third game for the Sabres as he scored at a crucial time with 28 seconds left to play and won the match 3-2. However, times have changed now as Buffalo Sabres are in the bottom half of the table in
25th position.
Both teams have started to pile up good results recently after not such a good December. Boston Bruins have gotten stronger heading into the New Year as they have almost doubled their offensive output. Boston Bruins have been able to capitalize from every
chance they got and their major source of wins has been due to splendid performances during power plays. On the other hand, Buffalo Sabres have not been able to do so which is why they are eight points behind the last playoff spot which is currently held by
the Atlanta Thrashers.
Buffalo Sabres would be hurt great deal by the absence of Drew Stafford as he has not only been the key player during matched against Boston but in all matches. However, he certainly has had an impact while facing Boston Bruins with seven goals scored against
them out of his fifteen so far. Not only this but in the 30 games that Drew Stafford has played so far in the season, the converting percentage of Sabres is much higher than in matches without him.
Coach of the Buffalo Sabres after the win 2-1 against the Montreal Canadiens was glad to see team work hard after Stafford was missing.
"Every game means a lot," Ruff said. "We battled hard through the road trip, we came home, we've played some good hockey, we played a couple periods we'd like to throw out, but we know it's going to take everything to keep winning, especially with Staff
and Derek out at the same time, it's going to be a little bit of a struggle to put the puck in the net. But some guys taking up the task and doing really well.”
Buffalo Sabres have played 45 games in the season so far out of which they have won 20 games in regulation time, 5 in overtime and scored 45 points. Boston Bruins have played 46 games in the season out which they have won 26 games in regulation time and
seven in overtime scoring 59 points.
Boston Bruins are in hot form currently as they have managed to get past the six goals scoring mark on three occasions already in the New Year. The last performance saw them thrash the Carolina Hurricanes 7-0. The match is surely expected to be tight encounter
but Boston Bruins are certainly stronger with the match expected to be another high scoring game.
Tags: