Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres

The Montreal Canadiens (33-27-6 = 72) head south to HSBC arena to battle the red-hot Buffalo Sabres (42-16-5 = 89). When these two teams get together, the games are always exciting. I guess that's what you get when you get the two hardest working teams in hockey together in a game.

With the pressure off of Ryan Miller, left, to perform flawlessly, he should be even better than he was. Martin Biron wasn't just a safety net to Miller, he was a potential threat. With him gone, and Miller able to relax, he should perform as well during the first 65:00 as he does in the shootouts. That, SABRES NATION, is scary. Miller also loooooooves to play the Canadiens. In his career, he is 7-1-2 against them with a 2.23 goals against average and a .925 save percent.

The season series in Buffalo's favor at 3-2 this year. Each team has a victory in the opponents' building by three goals, two games have gone into a shootout (Buffalo taking both, behind Ryan Miller's spectacular keeping), and one being decided by Alexei Kovalev's goal with less than ten seconds left in overtime.

These two teams are not considered a rival, but for some reason, Buffalo always plays well and hard against the Canadian big-market teams. I personally think it's because until recently, Buffalo has had little or no respect from the league. I also think a small part of it is that the distance to Canada from Buffalo is less than thirty miles, forcing a bit of extra tension, because a lot of fans from each team will show up at the games.

Montreal and Captain Saku Koivu look to stay in the playoff hunt. Currently the last (number eight) seed in the playoff chase with the Carolina Hurricanes, NY Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs all nipping at their heels, Montreal will come out playing like the desperate team they are. Coupled with their usual good games against Buffalo, this will probably be a very good battle to watch.

If Buffalo wants to win this game, they must make sure Sheldon Souray does not get the opportunity to shoot from the point. Souray leads the Habs in goals this season with 23 and is first amoung NHL defensemen in that category and third with 53 points.

Habs wing Michael Ryder is the player that has caused the most damage to Buffalo this season with six points (3+3) and a game winning goal. He's not very strong and easy to push off the puck. Lydman and Tallinder (who hasn't been healthy against the Canadiens yet) should have no problem with him tonight.

Dainius Zubrus will see his first game on a winning team in the last three years with Mike Ryan on his left and Adam Mair on the right. Look for him to have a good game...he'll want to at least make his presence widley acknowleged in his first game at HSBC arena as a Sabre. A few big checks, strong penalty kill performance, and an assist at least. Zubrus has been told, I'm sure, how important it is to Buffalo players.

Drew Stafford will look to add even more points to his resume and effort to start next season. Patrick Kaleta just loves to hit...and Saku Koivu will be skating with his head down tonight. The Habs Captain is only 5'10" 180, but tends to play much bigger and not worry about being hit. Hopefully their lines cross.

Look for Montreal to leave four men back tonight and capitalize on any mistake Buffalo mistakes. Montreal usually plays a defensive game against Buffalo, but tonight should be their biggest defensive effort, especially with a shaky rookie goaltender in. Star keeper Cristobal Huet tore his ACL about a month ago and since, the Habs have been struggling.

Tonight, I say their struggles continue. Buffalo wins in a shutout behind spectacular goaltending by Ryan Miller, 4-0.

Drury Out All Weekend; Return Against Former Team Colorado

Chris Drury has been ruled out of tonight's game against the Canadiens and tomorrow's rematch against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Drury looked more like the Terminator from the 1992 blockbuster than his normal self in his press conference yesterday.

Drury doesn't plan to change his game after recovering from the vicious shot by Ottawa's Chris Neil. He also says what happened is over, and there's nothing left to do but move on. He should be ready Wednesday against his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, where he first became known as Captain Clutch.

In other injury news, Jaroslav Spacek and Daniel Paille may be back within the next two weeks. Spacek and Paille have been skating in the last couple weeks and should need no extra time one their respective injuries are healed to get back in shape.