ekansekans's blog: "df"

(Sports Network) - A pair of Northeast Division foes will square off for the first time this season tonight, as the Buffalo Sabres take on the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Eric Decker Youth Jersey . Buffalo won five of the six matchups between the clubs a year ago and has won four straight and six of the previous seven encounters with the Senators. The Sabres have prevailed in four straight games as the visitors and havent lost in Ottawa since Dec. 16, 2009. Ottawa will resume a three-game homestand and has dropped two in a row since prevailing in six consecutive contests. In a 2-1 loss versus Montreal last night, Zack Smith scored the lone goal and Craig Anderson stopped 24 shots for the Senators, who will also host the New York Rangers on the residency. "We had the puck on the first goal and we didnt have real good support on the wall and it ends up in the net," Senators head coach Paul MacLean said. "On the second one, we go to execute in the d-zone, we had some miscommunication and the puck goes to the wrong guy." Senators defenseman Filip Kuba has five assists over the last four games. The Sens are 5-3-0 at home this season. Captain Daniel Alfredsson missed his third straight game because of a concussion and is not expected to play tonight. He is seven goals shy of 400 in his career. The Sabres ended a two-game slide and won for the second time in six tries with last nights 2-1 victory over the visiting Calgary Flames. Nathan Gerbes goal early in the third period proved to be the difference and Drew Stafford netted the other goal for Buffalo, which got 29 saves from Jhonas Enroth. "I just wanted to one-time it as quick as possible," Gerbe said of his goal. "It was a pretty lucky chance there." Buffalo forward Patrick Kaleta missed his first of four games after he was suspended by the NHL for an illegal hit on Flyers forward Jakub Voracek on Wednesday. Enroth improved to 3-0 with a 1.29 goals-against average and .958 save percentage. Ryan Miller could return to the crease tonight. Thomas Vanek was held without a point for only the second time this season on Friday and leads the Sabres with eight goals and 16 points. Buffalo closed out a five-game homestand with only two wins last night and will hit the road for the first time since Oct. 22 at Tampa Bay. Peyton Manning Orange Jersey . Ludwig posted a total score of 376 in the qualification round and did not advance to the final. Joel Dreessen Womens Jersey . New general manager Marc Bergevin reached into the teams past Tuesday when he named 48-year-old Therrien to replace Randy Cunneyworth as coach of the team that finished last in the NHLs Eastern Conference last season. http://www.denverbroncosfansprostore.com/demaryius-thomas-jersey . -- Barbara Jardin of Montreal highlighted a big medal day for Canada at the U. Jacob Tamme Womens Jersey . 1 Maria Sharapova and outgoing former top-ranked star Kim Clijsters bowed out of The Championships on Monday, while reigning champion Petra Kvitova and four-time winner Serena Williams moved into the quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2012. Champ Bailey Orange Jersey . Doesnt matter one bit, of course. After year upon year of underachieving in the post-season, the seventh-seeded Capitals finally are overachievers: Theyre headed to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs after getting past the Boston Bruins in overtime of Game 7, the first time in franchise history Washington eliminated the reigning Stanley Cup champion. Mikael Granlunds arrival in Minnesota has been eagerly awaited by frustrated Wild fans looking for more star power and offensive skill on a team stuck in mediocrity since entering the NHL 12 years ago. If the 20-year-old forward turns out to be as good as advertised, he could wind up sharing a spotlight with the likes of Adrian Peterson, Ricky Rubio, Jared Allen, Joe Mauer and Kevin Love. Granlunds profile here, however, will never match his fame in Finland. "In some ways and some situations, he can be a little bit like Lennon and McCartney walking in the streets over there," Granlunds agent, Todd Diamond, said Wednesday after his client signed a three-year, $2.7 million entry-level contract with the Wild. Diamond said Granlund has become Finlands "most-Googled" athlete, and there are no search results more fitting than the clips on YouTube of his lacrosse-style goal during the World Championships last spring. He picked up a puck behind the net and lifted it into the air as if it were super-glued to the blade, using a sling-shot move from the side of the net to sneak it in for the score. Each version of the videos on YouTube has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. The ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft wanted to finish his schooling, his required military service and another season for Finlands national team and HIFK Helsinki in his countrys top league before finalizing his first NHL contract. After waiting for two years for him to develop further, the Wild have been anticipating his arrival this year as the headliner of a heralded group of prospects that will compete for playing time in training camp. The organization offered the first 64 people to buy season tickets an autographed Granlund jersey -- his number is 64. Granlunds roster spot, in case there were any questions, is already sewed up. "Were projecting based on what weve seen, but certainly I think hes ready to play in the NHL and certainly the expectation is hell play for our club next year and be able to contribute," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. Champ Bailey Womens Jersey. Granlund had 41 goals and 86 assists in three seasons for HIFK. He joined the team as a 17-year-old and was named his leagues top rookie for the 2009-10 season after tallying 13 goals and 27 assists in 43 games against much-older players. Hes 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, but being overwhelmed in the NHL shouldnt be an issue. "Im never going to be the biggest or the toughest guy, but I try to work hard and be smart," said Granlund, whose first name is pronounced mee-KYE-uhl. Diamond, on a conference call with Fletcher and Granlund for Minnesota reporters, praised Granlunds ability to blend in with his elders. "They respect him so much because of his approach and because of his skill level," Diamond said. The Wild need a lot of that. They were last in the NHL in goals per game last season with an average of 2.02. Asked whether Granlund could play on a line with friend and fellow Finn Mikko Koivu, Fletcher said that was too soon to determine. "Over the course of his career Im sure hell play centre and right wing and left wing and on the power play and on the penalty kill. As to where he starts? Who knows?" Fletcher said. With forwards Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker, Brett Bulmer, Johan Larsson and Zack Phillips also turning pro this year, the Wild have a lot more to work with for this seasons team. They wont all make the roster right away, but the lack of depth exposed during the injury-filled 2011-12 season should begin to shore up. "Whether its October or the spring or maybe the following year, at some point were going to have a lot of talent infused in our lineup," Fletcher said. ' ' '