Buffalo outlasts the Oilers; Nashville acquires Forsberg

Buffalo's game against the Oilers Thursday night came with huge penalties. Maxim Afinogenov, right, arguably the Sabres' most dynamic and exciting player, broke his wrist in the loss, and Jiri Novotny, the replacement forward, reinjured his ankle, and is expected to lose at least three weeks. Add these injuries to Jaroslav Spacek, Paul Gaustad, and the eternally injured Tim Connolly, and you get a great elixir of wow, Buffalo's-in-a-hell-of-a-lot-of-trouble.

The very same energy and resilience Buffalo showed in the playoffs last year was showed in the last two periods of the Edmonton game. Afinogenov actually broke his wrist a few shift before scoring his 23rd goal of the season; which happened to be giftwrapped by Thomas Vanek. Afinogenov played a few shifts and then was x-rayed after the second period, revealing the break.

Novotny, in his first week back from an ankle injury, reinjured the very same ankle as he went to check Oiler Mike Greene against the boards. Novotny's skate stuck in a rut and the ankle twisted enough to sprain.

Buffalo will have a difficult time winning the President's (most points by a team) trophy this year. With their injuries, the next month will be the telltale streak of the season, and will help decide whether Buffalo could win it's first Stanley Cup.

In a short recap of the Oiler game, both goalies played phenomenal and deserved to be the #1 and #2 stars without a doubt. Buffalo did a good job containing Ryan Smith, but both Jarrett Stoll and Fernando Pisani missed the game when they were listed as questionable with concussions. The Shawn Horcoff-Smyth-Ales Hemsky line really did cause problems for the first forty minutes of the game, (also scoring Edmonton's only goal) but Buffalo's second line really matched up and shut them down in the 3rd and overtime.

Thomas Vanek wrapped opponents up all night, and did everything but push the puck in the net on Afinogenov's goal, gettign my #3. Danny Briere had a good game, and did score the game winner in overtime, but Jochen Hecht fed Briere like a two year old baby on that play. Briere made a nice deke to pull the puck out of the way of a diving defenseman, however.

Tonight's game against the Boston Bruins (26-26-4 = 56) will be a difficult challenge for the Sabres, now 39-15-4 = 82. After five days off and their first game back being as physical and grueling as it was Buffalo may be wishing they had another day off. Buffalo did recently come off a home and away sweep of the Bruins jsut last month, though, so expect them to come out swinging.

Boston only has one key to victory tonight. Goaltender Tom Thomas, right, must stay on his hot streak. His spasmodic goaltending style was very effective through November and December, but up until about five games ago, Thomas has been giving up soft goals and been giving third and fourth chances to opposing lines. Thomas did just shut out Edmonton on Tuesday, and has won four of his last six overall. Thomas need to have a good at worst game to lead his team to victory.

Buffalo's keys to victory are more difficult. Buffalo must have short shifts, thirty to forty-five seconds at most. Because of their injuries and lack of experienced NHL-ers, Buffalo needs to keep Chris Drury, Briere, Hecht, Vanek, Jason Pominville, and Derek Roy fresh for the entire game.

Buffalo must convert opportunites when they are present. The Sabres have a tendency to get complacent with a tie or a one goal game, and with as many players injured as they have, they need to builda lead and keep building.

Buffalo's fourth line will most likely be Adam Mair, tough-guy Andrew Peters, and either Drew Stafford or Clarke MacArthur, who were both recalled from the Rochester Americans of the AHL. This fourth line would really help the team by being physical and playing well enough to get 15 minutes of ice time each. The good news is that at least the two rookies will be playing hard, because they're fighting for permanent spots on the roster and maybe a starting spot next year.

Solely because Buffalo has dominated Boston all year, I think they can pull it off again. Buffalo 4, Boston 3.

President's Trophy to Nashville after Forsberg Deal Coupled With Injuries to Buffalo

The Nashville Predators may have sealed their bid to win the President's Trophy with the blockbuster move of the year, and probably the biggest since Joe Thornton was sent to San Jose in November 2005.

Nashville's only weak spot this year has been their powerplay. Forsberg, seen right putting on his Preadtors jersey this afternoon, is arguably the best passer the world has ever seen and specializes with a man advantage.

Nashville most certainly paid the price, though, giving up forward Scottie Upshall, defenseman Ryan Parent and Nashville’s first and third-round selections in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Forsberg will probably thrive in Nashville, where he doens't have to lead the team. There are many other talented players that relieve Forsberg of the pressure. Nashville also isn't the hockey city that Philidelphia is, taking even more weight off Forsberg's shoulders. Forsberg has shown he is most efficient in a relaxed enviornment (see his stats in Colorado and the Olympics), he will thrive.

The only drawback for Nashville is that they have Forsberg for just this year, and were given no inclination by Forsberg that he would sign with them come July. Do or Die for Nashville. Forsberg's injuries in the last four years also look to be at an end, as he's scored more than a point a game in forty games this year.

Philly looks to be on the five year rebuilding plan, obtaining young players, draft picks, and moving out the age and bunches of cap room. All in all, I have to say this trade was perfect for both teams.