Edmonton (8-8-2) at Buffalo (9-4-1)

  • Game info: 7:00 pm EST Wed Nov 11, 2009
  • TV: TSN, MSG

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO, STATS Writer Nov 11, 12:39 am EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap | Highlights
  • Print

Losing three of four has cooled the Northeast Division-leading Buffalo Sabres, so the return of Ryan Miller(notes) might be just what they need.

Miller figures to be back in net Wednesday night when the Sabres try to avoid a season-high third straight loss in a matchup with the visiting Edmonton Oilers.

Buffalo (9-4-1) opened this season 8-1-1 to climb to the top of the Northeast after missing the playoffs for a second consecutive time last season.

The Sabres, however, haven’t been quite as sharp lately. They’ve dropped three of four after falling 4-2 at Boston on Saturday following Friday’s 5-2 defeat to Philadelphia. Despite those two losses, Buffalo and New Jersey are tied with a league-best 33 goals allowed.

“The greater issue is our game has lacked energy the last three games,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “I think the old me might have gone irate and done something a little bit stranger.”

Ruff will likely insert Miller after he was rested in favor of Jhonas Enroth(notes), who made 33 saves in his NHL debut Saturday.

Miller has been a big reason for Buffalo’s success, ranking among the league leaders with a 9-2-1 record and a 1.89 goals-against average while recording two shutouts in 12 games.

The goaltender, however, didn’t fare too well in his last start, giving up a season-high four goals on 36 shots against the Flyers. He should get a chance to improve on that against Edmonton (8-8-2).

Miller has helped the Sabres win their last three meetings with the Oilers, posting a 1.33 GAA. Buffalo hasn’t lost to Edmonton since a 4-1 road loss Oct. 16, 2003.

The Sabres took the lone matchup last season on Jan. 27, as Miller made 36 stops and Drew Stafford(notes) notched a hat trick to spur a 10-2 victory at Edmonton.

The Oilers are 2-6-1 since a 6-2-1 start but the team feels it’s showing improvement after Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss at Ottawa. That came two nights after a 5-3 win over NHL-leading Colorado snapped a five-game road losing streak.

“It was probably our best three periods in a long time, and we maybe (could have) had a better result but we didn’t,” coach Pat Quinn said. “And in the shootout we couldn’t score.

“I don’t like the goals that went in on us again … But overall, thinking in terms of improvement, we were a little better in Colorado than we have been and this was a better effort. Hopefully that will continue.”

Jeff Deslauriers made 22 saves in a rare start Tuesday, paving the way for Nikolai Khabibulin(notes) to return Wednesday. Khabibulin, who ended a personal three-game skid with 34 saves against Colorado, has a 1.39 GAA in his last five starts against Buffalo.

Dustin Penner(notes) has been one of the bright spots for the Oilers this season, leading the team with 11 goals and 22 points after posting 17 and 37, respectively, all last season. The left wing has a goal in each of the last two games, while also getting an assist against the Avalanche.

Penner saw all seven of his shots stopped by Miller on Jan. 27, failing to record a point in his only game against Buffalo.

Updated Nov 11, 12:39 am EST
digg del.icio.us
more

Team Comparison

Team G W L OTL Pts Standings GF GA Road/Home
Edmonton 25 10 12 3 23 4th, Northwest 73 78 2-7-2 Road
Buffalo 21 12 7 2 26 3rd, Northeast 54 52 7-3-2 Home

Notes

D Tom Gilbert scored the final goal of Edmonton's season. ... Edmonton fired 36 shots on goal. ... Oilers lost 38 of 58 faceoffs. ... G Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers made 41 saves.

Apr 12, 1:01 am EDT

The Sabres finished the season with 250 goals for and 234 against, ending up as one of two teams that failed to reach the postseason despite having more goals than allowed. The other team was Minnesota. ... LW Thomas Vanek scored twice against Boston to reach 40 goals in a season for the second time in the last three years. ... D Teppo Numminen completed his 20th and potentially last season with an assist in his final game. The 40-year-old, who had heart surgery in late 2007, is unsigned.

Apr 11, 8:38 pm EDT
NHL

14 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Jennifer
    14. Posted by Jennifer Thu Nov 12 5:10pm EST

    Report Abuse

    If you watch the hit, it is clear that MacArthur was off balance, if you look at him during the hit, MacArthur's leg bends in a way it is not suppose to. There is a very good chance that Clarke got a "lower body injury" as well. Besides, if it was intentional, Do you think MacArthur would have been asking him if he was alright? I don't think so. How many times do Chris Neil and other hard hitters stick around when they know they hit someone with the intentions of injuring them? Never.
  2. <i>sabre3011</i>
    13. Posted by sabre3011 Thu Nov 12 2:53pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Oh, but Pat Quinn thinks there's no question what MacArthur was doing!

    Give me a break. Every coach says that. You got your 5-minute power play, what more do you want? An automatic goal? It's not our fault that our PK was able to shut down your anemic PP. So cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it.
  3. Lori
    12. Posted by Lori Thu Nov 12 10:33am EST

    Report Abuse

    The replays quite plainly show that the MacArthur hit was accidental. He was losing his balance as he went after a player who was going after the puck. How often does a player who maliciously hits another stay by them to make sure they are alright...never. There are dirtier hits that need to be worried about than Pat Quinn whining about this like a little girl, Pat you've been in the league long enough, deal with it. Oh, I love how absolutley nothing was done on the hit from behind on Rivet in the Boston game last week...Maybe he should have laid on the ice like he was injured and something would have been done...
  4. Whoabot
    11. Posted by Whoabot Thu Nov 12 10:21am EST

    Report Abuse

    You're insane if you think MacArthur did that on purpose. It's obvious he lost balance, and it's obvious it was a total accident. Just look at his reaction after it happened. A suspension would be a poor choice. Even a five-minute for boarding was a stretch.
  5. M F
    10. Posted by M F Thu Nov 12 6:18am EST

    Report Abuse

    BUBBY.....Edwards is back (Vick talked to the Bills but they wouldn't allow for him to have his own Dawg Pound in the endzone each home game) and T.O. is joining the Hurricanes.
  6. Mr. B
    9. Posted by Mr. B Thu Nov 12 1:45am EST

    Report Abuse

    @ #1:

    That's right, go oilers.

    And don't come back.

    GO SABRES
  7. Tacks
    8. Posted by Tacks Thu Nov 12 1:34am EST

    Report Abuse

    mcarthur should get one game for that - he still kind of leaned into reddox as they approached the boards.
  8. Hotski
    7. Posted by Hotski Wed Nov 11 11:58pm EST

    Report Abuse

    McArthur's hit on Reddox was more of an accident than anything - he tripped and fell into Reddox, pushing him into the boards. I'll be mighty p*ssed if he gets a suspension. Anyway, strong game for the Sabres.
  9. Dementedly Twiztid
    6. Posted by Dementedly Twiztid Wed Nov 11 11:02pm EST

    Report Abuse

    as long as Patrick the Lame isn't playing, we might score 120 points this season!

    Go Sabres Eh!
  10. ZSBrian
    5. Posted by ZSBrian Wed Nov 11 10:59pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Good Lord, I loves me some Buffalo Sabres!!!!! Go Buffalo and thank you Veterans!!!!
  11. Luke H
    4. Posted by Luke H Wed Nov 11 10:26pm EST

    Report Abuse

    best Buffalo year since the briere and Drury season
  12. <i>sabre3011</i>
    3. Posted by sabre3011 Wed Nov 11 10:24pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Another incredible game for Ryan Miller. It's not that bad, Oiler fans . . . few teams have been able to score on him so far this season.
  13. Chickenmapapa
    2. Posted by Chickenmapapa Wed Nov 11 10:06pm EST

    Report Abuse

    oilers just suck ...tired of cheering an awful team that can't score
  14. <i>velcro1949</i>
    1. Posted by velcro1949 Wed Nov 11 7:07pm EST

    Report Abuse

    go oilers rot buff rot
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Team Stat Leaders

Goals
Assists
Points
Plus/Minus

Scoreboard

Wednesday, Nov 11
Watch Live Hockey Online with GameCenter Live™

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.