GDT: #18 – Sabres at Leafs – Thu Feb 21 – 7:00PM ET – TV: MSG-B – Radio: WGR-AM

[Woodhouse]

GDT #18: SABRES (6-10-1) at LEAFS (10-7-0) – THU FEB 21 – 7:00PM ET – TV: MSG-B – RADIO: WGR-AM

2.19 – Toronto Maple Leafs lose to Tampa Bay Lightning (Kevin McGran – The Toronto Star)

2.20 – Nothing to cheer about (John Vogl – The Buffalo News)

2.20 – Sabres notebook: Power play has another poor night (Mike Harrington – The Buffalo News)

2.20 – Sabres talking about other moves after waiving McCormick (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald)

2.20 – Sabres fire Ruff; name Rolston as interim coach (John Wawrow – Associated Press)

2.20 – It’s time for Gardiner to return, but it’s not that easy (Bob Mitchell – The Toronto Star)

2.20 – Sabres-Maple Leafs Preview (Associated Press)

2.20 – Ron Rolston brings technically sound plan to Buffalo (Elliotte Friedman – CBC)

2.20 – Lindy’s time was up – but what a time it was (Bucky Gleason – The Buffalo News)

2.20 – Firing Ruff is too late, and it’s too little (Jerry Sullivan – The Buffalo News)

2.21 – Sabres’ stunning regression ultimately doomed Ruff (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald)

2.21 – Sabres’ slide costs Ruff after 26 years with franchise (John Vogl – The Buffalo News)

2.21 – Firing brings Ruff era to startling end (Mike Harrington – The Buffalo News)​

BUFFALO SABRES

Projected Lineup

26 Thomas Vanek ("A") - 19 Cody Hodgson - 29 Jason Pominville ("C")
82 Marcus Foligno - 63 Tyler Ennis - 21 Drew Stafford ("A")
9 Steve Ott - 12 Kevin Porter - 42 Nathan Gerbe
32 John Scott - 55 Jochen Hecht - 36 Patrick Kaleta

24 Robyn Regehr - 57 Tyler Myers
10 Christian Ehrhoff - 52 Alexander Sulzer
33 TJ Brennan - 6 Mike Weber

30 Ryan Miller
1 Jhonas Enroth

Lineup News & Notes

Mikhail Grigorenko, Ville Leino (IR; hip), Jordan Leopold and Andrej Sekera (charley horse) were scratched in
Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Winnipeg. Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Ennis each took maintenance days yesterday and sat
out practice. Ryan Miller will start in goal, while Grigorenko, Leopold (UBI) and Sekera (LBI) are scratched.

Weekly Transactions

Buffalo fired head coach Lindy Ruff yesterday, naming Ron Rolston the interim coach. They also made two roster
moves, with Cody McCormick clearing waivers (sent to Rochester) and recalling Kevin Porter.

According to the Stats

Buffalo are 1-0-1 versus Toronto this season, with Ryan Miller playing both games and stopping 54 of 59 shots
against (2.40 GAA, .915 SV%). Jason Pominville, with two goals and one assist, is their leading scorer in the
season series.
​

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Projected Lineup

21 James van Riemsdyk - 42 Tyler Bozak - 81 Phil Kessel
41 Nikolai Kulemin - 84 Mikhail Grabovski - 11 Jay McClement ("A")
16 Clarke MacArthur ("A") - 43 Nazem Kadri - 47 Leo Komarov
38 Frazer McLaren - 20 David Steckel - 18 Mike Brown

3 Dion Phaneuf ("C") - 55 Korbinian Holzer
36 Carl Gunnarsson - 53 Mike Kostka
45 Mark Fraser - 4 Cody Franson

30 Ben Scrivens
40 Jussi Rynnas

Lineup News & Notes

Matt Frattin (IR; knee), Mike Komisarek, John-Michael Liles, Joffrey Lupul (IR; arm), James Reimer (IR; knee)
and David Steckel were scratched in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay. Lupul and Reimer skated in yesterday's
optional practice, but remain out of the lineup. Ben Scrivens will start in goal, while Colton Orr (LBI) is out, with
Steckel drawing back into the lineup.

Weekly Transactions

None.

According to the Stats

Toronto are 1-1-0 in two games versus Buffalo this season, with Ben Scrivens playing once and stopping 18 of 20
shots against (2.09 GAA, .900 SV%). Matt Frattin, with two goals, and Cody Franson and Nazem Kadri, each with
one goal and one assist, are their leading scorers in the season series.
​

A/V CLUB

2.19 – Highlights of Buffalo's 2-1 loss to Winnipeg. <3:58>

2.19 – Lindy Ruff speaks with the media following Buffalo's 2-1 loss to Winnipeg. <3:42>

2.19 – Highlights of Toronto's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay. <4:06>

2.19 – Randy Carlyle speaks with the media following Toronto's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay. <2:14>

2.20 – Lindy Ruff speaks with the media following Buffalo's practice. <3:53>

2.20 – Darcy Regier announces the firing of Lindy Ruff. <14:53>

2.21 – Ted Black discusses the Lindy Ruff firing on WGR's Howard Simon Show. <14:22>

2.21 – Randy Carlyle speaks with the media following Toronto's morning skate. <6:46>

2.21 – Ron Rolston speaks with the media following Buffalo's morning skate. <11:40>


GAMEDAY CHAT

IRC Server: irc.esper.net .. Channel: #sabres .. If you have questions: FYI - Sabres Chat​

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[Rhett4]

What's the more interesting storyline...

1) How will the Sabres perform under their new coach?
2) Will Kaleta mash Brown from behind in payback?

I vote...2.

 

[zenthusiast]

no matter what, me irl VVV

 

[DeadGhost]

Really hope to see Grigs with some (relatively) quality minutes. Let him make mistakes.

 

[sabresfan129103]

They'll probably win this one. They should play hard for a new coach, but who knows with this group. 3-1 Sabres. Hodgson, Myers, Ehrhoff

 

[Royisgone]

This game starts a new era for the Sabres.

Let's hope they come out flying and look like a transformed team.

I say the Sabres win soundly.

 

[5 Minute Major]

I fully expect a lackluster effort tomorrow. Not for any other reason that I bet the players on this team will have a hard time wrapping their heads around what happened today. I think it may take a couple games before they settle in and we see what a Lindy Ruff-less team has to offer.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

4-0 win
Ennis
Stafford
Vanek
Ehrhoff

 

[ryanbiggame*]

I fully expect a lackluster effort tomorrow. Not for any other reason that I bet the players on this team will have a hard time wrapping their heads around what happened today. I think it may take a couple games before they settle in and we see what a Lindy Ruff-less team has to offer.

WRONG. These guys are going to play hard and take care of buisness. Change is good, your going to see some guys step up and be the leaders in the locker room.

 

[vcv]

Love the photograph selection, Woodhouse.

 

[Zman5778]

I fully expect a lackluster effort tomorrow. Not for any other reason that I bet the players on this team will have a hard time wrapping their heads around what happened today. I think it may take a couple games before they settle in and we see what a Lindy Ruff-less team has to offer.

Fully agreed. I wouldn't be surprised to see us get WAXED tomorrow.

 

[Paxon]

Fully agreed. I wouldn't be surprised to see us get WAXED tomorrow.

I fully expect a win, personally

 

[Myllz]

Most interesting game of the season?

 

[Royisgone]

I fully expect a lackluster effort tomorrow. Not for any other reason that I bet the players on this team will have a hard time wrapping their heads around what happened today. I think it may take a couple games before they settle in and we see what a Lindy Ruff-less team has to offer.

This is a possibility. Let's all hope you are wrong though.

If these guys can't come out like caged animals for a single game against a rival like Toronto, under these circumstances, we're screwed.

This isn't chess. It's hockey. It's not that complicated at the end of the day. A lot of what goes into winning in this league comes down to heart, hustle, and attitude.

 

[Daz28]

Most interesting game of the season?

I say interesting in the sense that I have absolutely no idea what to expect. The Laffs are no laff anymore, and we're pretty much in limbo.

I am however, VERY interested in what happens.

Really hope to see Grigs with some (relatively) quality minutes. Let him make mistakes.

You should. The only real positive I see from Rolston is his ability to work with youngsters.

 

[Royisgone]

Most interesting game of the season?

Probably! I am dying to get this one started. I can't wait to find out what they look like.

Either these guys are going to be transformed, or they aren't. We'll know which it is in 5 minutes.

 

[Zman5778]

Most interesting game of the season?

It's certainly the most interesting buildup.

I doubt we'll see an overnight change in the guys, but you never know.

 

[Royisgone]

A guy to keep an eye on will be Foligno. He makes for a good canary in the coal mine.

Ott is another.

I'd like to see Marcus make a Leaf a permanent part of the boards on his first shift.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

Anyone remember the last time we were going into a game with a new coach? I was about 2 years old so I have no idea what to expect

 

[Daz28]

Watching to see if Rolston crosses his arms when we go down by that 2nd goal.

lol

In honesty, I will be watching to see if he's active. I'd like to see him talking to guys after every shift.

Anyone remember the last time we were going into a game with a new coach? I was about 2 years old so I have no idea what to expect

Your forgetting about when windy faw down.

 

[ZZamboni]

Most interesting game of the season?

Followed by the most interesting two months in years

 

[Woodhouse]

Note: OP Additions

2.20 – Ron Rolston brings technically sound plan to Buffalo (Elliotte Friedman – CBC)

2.20 – Lindy’s time was up – but what a time it was (Bucky Gleason – The Buffalo News)

2.20 – Firing Ruff is too late, and it’s too little (Jerry Sullivan – The Buffalo News)

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

Watching to see if Rolston crosses his arms when we go down by that 2nd goal.

lol

In honesty, I will be watching to see if he's active. I'd like to see him talking to guys after every shift.



Your forgetting about when windy faw down.

True, but wasn't he still on a headset from the press box? This is a way bigger change

 

[Squantosawuss]

I fully expect a lackluster effort tomorrow. Not for any other reason that I bet the players on this team will have a hard time wrapping their heads around what happened today. I think it may take a couple games before they settle in and we see what a Lindy Ruff-less team has to offer.

This.

I think they will play very tentatively, not sure exactly how they're supposed to play yet for the new guy.

This team is not exactly known for mental toughness, so I do not expect some big rally-blowout.

 

[Eichel 9]

Lose and continue our downward spiral to the bottom to get a top pick.

Hope the new guy doesn't mess with the plan..