Game #33 - vs Buffalo Sabres

2011-12 Game 33

Buffalo Sabres (16-12-3, 35 points) at Pittsburgh Penguins (17-11-4, 38 points)

Yes, Ryan Miller's wife has her own hockey card.  Want to see their wedding registry?  It's right here (seriously).

Why does it matter?

The Sabres are up and down right now, and the Pens need to get something going.  Games against the Sabres are usually entertaining too, with lots of end-to-end action and puck possession.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Teetering dangerously close to a serious funk with losses in four of the past five games.
• Sabres - Not really having any sustained success, but they're not tanking their season either.  The Sabres are 4-5-3 since their high-water mark of 12-7 back on November 18th.

Questions to be answered

• Can we get a goalie to allow less then three for a game?  That would be a nice change.
• Along the same lines, can the PK shut someone out?  They've allowed a goal in six straight.
• Can Pascal Dupuis be a positive in the faceoff circle if Staal doesn't play?

Keys to the game

• Consistency is important.  No mental breakdowns - it seems like every time we see one, it ends up behind Fleury or Johnson these days.
• Get the puck deep.  No screwing around near the blue lines - if there isn't an obvious play, keep it going north and live to try another day.
• Focus on the PK - the Sabres just scored three power play goals last night against the Leafs.