Buffalo Sabres (12-7-2, 26 pts) at Philadelphia Flyers (13-8-1, 27 pts)
Wachovia Center - 1:00 PM EST - Philadelphia, Pa
TV: CSN Philly HD
Radio: 610 WIP, XM 205
This is the open game thread.
Behind Enemy Lines: Die By The Blade
Black Friday, matinee hockey. Today, the Flyers return home from their five-game road trip to face the Buffalo Sabres, only to get back on a plane to face the Thrashers tomorrow. After playing uninspired hockey for nearly the entire road trip, today could be a trap game. Hopefully, the Flyers take advantage of the home-ice that they haven't seen in a week and a half, and won't see for another week.
The Sabres, meanwhile, haven't won a game since they beat the Flyers back on the 14th of November. Since then, the Sabres have gone 0-3-1, most recently losing to Washington 2-0, scoring a mere six goals. Because of Buffalo's disappearing offense, Die By The Blade called for the Flyers to install a neutral zone trap if they want to win. (For the record, there's no way the Flyers know how to play the trap effectively.) Either way, this is a perfect opportunity to grab a win at home against a good team.
Ray Emery will be in net today (11-6-1, 2.57, .910) with Danny Briere serving the second game of his two-game suspension. That means more Riley Cote! He played a season high 5:38 against the Islanders, so look out. Presumably (I haven't found anything), Ryan Miller (12-4-2, 2.61, .912) will go for the Sabres.
Short preview today, so after the jump, Questions to Answer.
Questions to Answer:
- How much ice time does Riley Cote get today?
- The Flyers are better than the Sabres at even-strength play, on the penalty kill, and the power play. Can they show that's true today?
Do the Flyers show up today, or are they stuck between lazy off day and travel day? - Does Ray Emery rebound from a bad road trip with a strong game today?
Join us here for the game thread. Go Flyers!