Article Written By: Adam Wible
The NHL regular season is set to resume Tuesday in Buffalo, as the Olympic break comes to an end.
Buffalo and Carolina are set to finally play the Jan. 7 contest that was postponed due to a blizzard.
With the season back in full swing, many questions linger when it comes to the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
The Sabres (15-34-9) are set to welcome back a few players from injury; Cody McCormick (upper-body), Matt Moulson (ribs), and Tyler Myers (lower-body) while the lone Hurricane, John-Michel Liles (lower-body) is questionable.
Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Monday, Ryan Miller will get the start in net. Miller represented Team USA in Sochi, and won his only start against Slovenia (5-1).
The Sabres and new GM, Tim Murray, have some tough decisions to make. In recent reports Murray is said to be heavily shopping Miller and Moulson.
In a rebuilding process it’s a tough call. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to have as many first-round picks as possible for next years draft. I like the thought of keeping Miller and Moulson, this looks like a long term rebuild though. If they finish last next year, they’ll be a shoe-in for the Connor McDavid race.
For those who live under a rock. Here he is.
Buffalo is looking for Drew Stafford to stay hot. Prior to the break, Stafford had six goals and nine points in his last seven games. The Sabres will need all the help they can get, as they closed the season on a four game losing streak entering the olympic break.
Carolina has a long five-game road trip ahead that will take them across the country. Starting tonight in Buffalo, Carolina will then travel to Dallas, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Jose.
Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner is tied for sixth in the NHL with six game-winning goals. Skinner also leads the Hurricanes, with 23 goals.
The Hurricanes (26-22-9) are currently sixth in the Metropolitan Division, and trail the fifth-place Washington Capitals by two points with two games in hand. The Hurricanes are three points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second and final wild card playoff spot.
“With the way we are in the standings and how tight it is, we’re going to have to step into this road trip and go with it,” Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal said. “It’s going to be a really big test for us.”
It’s safe to say like always, this final stretch of NHL season will be amazing.
Game Pick- Buffalo 4-2
p.s. Here at AOSN, we are having a contest sponsored by Spartan Race. Here is a link to the contest rules. And if you don’t win, we still have 15% off any race in the U.S. Good Luck!
Cage of the day. Sabres AHL goalie, Matt Hackett, throwing it back with his retro Bills cage.