Gameday 2009-2010 – Red Wings at Sabres

The Detroit Red Wings are in town tonight to face the Sabres at 7pm on VERSUS (sorry, DirecTV subscribers!), but at least it’s Doc Emrick and not the lesser announcing crew. Detroit had an odd start to the season, dropping both games played over in Europe to the Blues despite it basically being Sweden basically being home for half of the Wings. They recovered with two wins on US soil against the Blackhawks and Capitals to even their record up at 2-2. They do have a big injury to deal with, though, as Johan Franzen is out up to 4 months with an ACL tear. But being the Red Wings, they’ll just plug the next guy in and be fine.

The Sabres are on their own 2 game win streak, and have Toni Lydman returning to take the place of the injured Andrej Sekera (rib). Buffalo has struggled to score despite leading the league in shots on goal per game (38.6). Thankfully, the D and Ryan Miller have been even better, allowing only 3 goals so far. I don’t believe either will last, so at some point there will be some ugly 5-3 or 6-4 type games where the numbers get put back in line…just have to make sure Buffalo is on the winning side on those.

I don’t think tonight is one of those games, as Osgood has been solid lately too (will update with starting goalies as I learn them). I’m feeling a 2-1 win tonight, with Vanek and someone from the 3rd or 4th line chipping in the goals.