Nashville Predators lose 2-3 to Buffalo Sabres
In front of a sold out crowd, Nashville was not able to win the game. The Predators out shot the Sabres 34-14 in this game. The Preds just ran into a great goalie coming off injury, Ryan Miller.
Line Up News
Starting Goalies: #39 Anders Lindback with 11 saves. #30 Ryan Miller with 32 saves.
Predators Scratches: #51 D Francis Bouillon, #23 W Brian McGratton, and #74 Sergei Kostitsyn
Chris Mueller has been recalled up from Milwaukee
Sabres Scratches: #3 D Jordan Leopold, #36 W Patrick Kaleta, and #42 C Nathan Gerbe
Period by Period Thoughts
I didn’t get to see the 1st half of the period and I apologize for that. The replay I saw for the first goal was frustrating. Kassian got around the defense after chipping the puck in. The cycle was going and after the 2nd rebound Lindback put out, Luke Adam put it in. On the Kassian goal, the defense got lazy and this kid wanted to score. Kassian has been brought up from Rochester in the AHL and would like to stay in the NHL. Ryan Miller looked fine in the period by stopping all 8 shots. Nashville out shot Buffalo 8-7 but Buffalo was up 2-0.
The second period was very interesting. No scoring, but exciting. The play that changed this game was Jordin Tootoo’s hit on Ryan Miller. Tootoo was going towards the net with the puck and lost it from a Sabre defender about 7 feet from the net. Tootoo jumped into Ryan Miller, who was in his crease. Miller started raining punches at Tootoo as well as other Sabres. Here is what I think, Tootoo’s momentum carried him into Miller, but he jumped and raised his arm. It isn’t totally his fault. Jordin Tootoo received a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. I do think he will get a suspension, but only 1 game. Nashville out shot Buffalo 9-3 in the 2nd. The Sabres led 2-0 through 2.
Early in the 3rd, Nashville went on the Power Play for the 2nd time this period. Craig Smith scored on a cross ice one-timer from David Legwand. The Predators finally found a way to beat Ryan Miller. That made it 2-1 Sabres. Tyler Ennis scores in the 3rd from a turnover in the Nashville zone by Roman Josi. That made it 3-1 Sabres. David Legwand scores while the net was pulled to make it 3-2 Sabres. With all the pressure that Nashville put on in the last 2 minutes, they weren’t able to score 2 goals. Nashville out shot Buffalo 17-4 in the 3rd. The Predators out shot the Sabres in the game 34-14.
Sabres Players To Watch: #29 W Jason Pominville with 0 points, #26 W Thomas Vanek with 0 points, and #10 D Christian Ehrhoff with 0 points.
Goals & Assists of the Game
Luke Adam – Leino and Ehrhoff at 10:00 in the 1st
Zach Kassian – Adam and Leino at 17:27 in the 1st
PP Craig Smith – Legwand and C.Wilson at 4:54 in the 3rd
Tyler Ennis – Roy at 15:45 in the 3rd
David Legwand – Josi and Blum at 18:25 in the 3rd
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