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Sterling Sabres
By Rich Carlson
Posted: 1:00 am PDT 2006-10-20 |
Courtesy Of Wager
Web Sportsbook |
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The Buffalo Sabres have cemented
their status as the favorites to win the Northeast Division and contend for the Eastern
Conference title by starting out the year 6-0-0. G Ryan Miller has been solid in
net, registering a league-high five wins. The Buffalo offense has been virtually
unstoppable so far this season, leading the NHL is goals per game (4.67). The Sabres
have three players ranked in the top five in total points scored: Chris Drury (10
points), Maxim Afinogenov (9) and Daniel Briere (9). During their 9-1
victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday, the Sabres had six different players score
goals.
Although Miller is 5-0 in net, he has definitely benefited from the Sabres' offensive
explosion, as his 2.48 GAA and .921 save percentage are good numbers but not great. If the
Sabres' offense slows down at all, Miller will need to step up his game to compensate.
However, the Sabres show no signs of slowing down offensively and are a legitimate threat
to challenge for the Stanley Cup.
Burning Down The House
Pittsburgh rookie phenom Evgeni Malkin started his NHL career with a bang
by scoring a goal in his professional debut Wednesday. With Malkin anchoring the second
line and Sidney Crosby leading the first line, the Penguins have two of the top
centers in the NHL. ... Minnesota G Manny Fernandez has started the season 5-0-0
with a league-leading 1.63 GAA and .943 save percentage. Fernandez is the main reason the
surprising Wild are unbeaten. ... Chicago G Nikolai Khabibulin appears to have put
a disappointing 2005 campaign behind him, as he has started out the year 4-1-0. However,
Khabibulings 3.22 goals against average is mediocre and is some cause for concern.
Cold As Ice
Philadelphia G Robert Esche allowed a career-high 9 goals in a 9-1 loss to
the Sabres on Tuesday. Esche had been involved in a war of words with Coach Ken
Hitchcock, who apparently decided to send a message to Esche by letting him get pounded by
the Sabres. ... The Islanders' $67.5 million man, G Rick DiPietro, has been a bust
so far this season, losing his first three games while logging a 4.54 GAA. DiPietro has
been plagued by a groin injury, which could hamper him the entire season.
Significant Transactions
After their 9-1 drubbing by the Sabres, the Flyers waived veteran Petr Nedved,
Niko Dimitrakos and Nolan Baumgartner. Nedved is a career 300-goal scorer
and could be a valuable addition to a team looking for a third- or fourth-line
center.
Injury Report
Islanders G DiPietrogs groin injury has improved enough for him to resume
practicing on Wednesday. Until he has a few games under his belt to prove he is completely
healthy, NHL betting fans should stay away from the Islanders. ... Colorado D Jordan
Leopold is out until late October while recovering from hernia surgery.
WagerWeb.com Betting Updates
Philadelphia is currently listed as a +1600 favorite to win the Stanley Cup, but
NHL betting fans should avoid the Flyers for the time being. There is some
dissension in the locker room after Esche was hung out to dry in the 9-1 loss to the
Sabres. Coach Hitchcock is in danger of losing control of the team, and things could get
even uglier for the Flyers, who return to the ice Thursday night in Tampa. Philly is a
+$105 underdog.
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