Pregame
Sabres' opening lineup: Hodgson-Reinhart-Gionta, Moulson-Ennis-Stafford, Foligno-Girgensons-Stewart, Deslauriers-McCormick-Flynn.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) October 9, 2014
Sabres' defense: Gorges-Myers, Benoit-Meszaros, Weber-Ristolainen. Goalie: Enroth.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) October 9, 2014
One possible change to Sabres' fourth line: Torrey Mitchell may be in for Brian Flynn, who did line rushes but also did post-practice skate.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) October 9, 2014
This is the line up that the Sabres have been touting for quite a while. Their first and second lines are interchangeable, while the bottom six is trying to be as gritty as possible. Reinhart will be getting a nine game look early. He will be given all the opportunities to succeed in their top six. While the team is obviously in tank mode they have some great pieces moving forward. The future is very bright in upstate New York.
#CBJ lines: Foligno – Johansen – Atkinson; Hartnell – Anisimov – Dano; Calvert – Letestu – Wennberg; Skille/Cracknell/Tropp – Chaput – Boll
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 9, 2014
Every indication thus far says that Johansen is in the lineup. The rookies are playing a prominent role in the Top 9 and will do so for the next month or so. This is as close to a warmup game as the Jackets will get and should be able to take advantage of it this evening. This first month or so is sink or swim territory for the team, lets hope they can keep their head above water.
Told #CBJ not pleased with Ryan Johansen's conditioning level. Asked GM Jarmo Kekalainen about it: "No comment."
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 9, 2014
Welp. Seems as if this will be something to monitor. I doubt as a 22 year old professional athlete he is truly that out of shape. This season should be a roller coaster ride of fun, eh?
.@Aportzline just telling us that there are 'whispers around the league that Horton is done, as in done with hockey" Ive heard similar.
— Beau Bishop (@BeauBishop) October 9, 2014
Ok, lets put everything from today aside, if this is true then this has truly thrown a wrench into an already muddied season. Similar to what has been done with Chris Pronger and the Flyers, he would be put on LTIR (long term injured reserve) and would still be paid but not against the current cap. Immediately this puts the Jackets on the market for a marquee top six winger. Evander Kane anyone?
In Game
First Period:
- Early in the first period it has been rough going for the Jackets. Not much time in the offensive zone. A tentative start to be sure.
- Bobrovsky being tested early. He will need to be sharp if the Jackets want to stay in the playoff conversation amidst injuries.
- PP looks good to start. Couple of quick early chances had the Sabres sweating.
- Clean hit leads to a fight involving Weber and Boll. One of the most annoying parts of the NHL is the obligatory fight after a clean hit.
- Back to the PP after a trip on Foligno (Nick). Ineffective but it looks as if both teams are settling down quickly. The post seems to be the best defender for the Sabres who are defending poorly on the PK.
- Swiss cheese would be a food that aptly describes the Sabres defense. An undermanned Jackets team is gaining the zone with relative ease.
- The period ends with a flurry of shots on the PP and the Jackets look to be the stronger team thus far.
https://twitter.com/WeHaveACannon/status/520359012445863936
Second Period
- Jackets moving puck crisply something at times evaded them last period. Enroth playing an absurdly good game keeping the Sabres in the game single handedly.
- Wennberg looking like a savvy veteran out there. My goodness does he have slick mitts.
- Johansen being a little too cute with the puck out there. Poor conditioning or not, he has shown at times why he is the best player on either team.
- Just a reminder if you want in game advanced stats for tonight’s game you can go here.
- Anisimov with a wide open net but Enroth’s voodoo is in full effect.
- JACK SKILLE WITH THE GOAL. SNIPE. RIP WATER BOTTLE.
- Welp. Girgensons with the near immediate response. Complete defensive breakdown by the Jackets.
- Little Foligno on Foligno action after the play. Getting a little chippy at the end of the second.
That's a guy in a Connor McDavid jersey behind Enroth right now, btw.
— Matt (@zekebud) October 10, 2014
Third Period
- Gameplan is working thus far. Man, oh, man is Enroth having himself a game, huge stop on Atkinson.
- Prout with a poor pinch in the offensive zone leads to a 2 on 1 the other way. First “big” mistake from him this game. Looked rather pedestrian during the preseason.
- Fourth line with a very, very good game thus far. Hemming the Sabres into their own zone most of this game.
- Big time penalty kill for the Jackets, a bit of an undisciplined play for them.
- 4 on 4 leads to a PP opportunity that leads to an Atkinson goal. A lot of frustration lifted after that goal.
- Did I just spot Johansen pull up lame at the blue line? Yikes. No more injuries please. (Reported after the game that it was only a cramp.)
- Weow. Anisimov with a quick shot. Hartnell and Wennberg will be getting their first points with the Jackets on that goal.
- JACKETS WIN. 3-1.
Tweet of the Game
@RedditCBJ @_BSHockey never let another man’s stick cut your pp.
— This tweet is 6 ft away. (@RadiantRG) October 10, 2014
Post Game
A game that tried its hardest to not go the Jackets way. Shots were the name of the game today. 37 saves were made by Enroth tonight, who seemed to have had an out of body experience tonight. The score doesn’t really do this game justice, the injury decimated Jackets could have won this game by a MUCH bigger score. A warm up game of sorts, they will be facing a much better opponent on Saturday against the Rangers. A nice win tonight but this game should already be in the rearview mirror. See everyone on Saturday!
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