~ Hank ~

Boys played the New Jersey Devils tonight.  First home game after a very long road trip.  They'd been playing fairly well fighting their way back into the play off race.  Getting 9 out of a possible 10 points.   The Devils play a very defensive game, called the trap.  They clog up the zone making it difficult to get into their end.   Their goalie, Marty Brodeur is one of the best in the league and is like having another defenseman back there.  The game was good, but I was disappointed we gave up a 2 goal lead and ended up going into OT.  I prayed we would score as our luck in the shootouts has been horrible.   Well, we didn't.  We were going to a shootout and the last three games against the Devils we lost at that point.  Sure a point would be good, but I wanted 2.  The boys NEEDED 2!   They announce the players for the shootout and I thought I heard incorrectly.  We were going to use Henrik Tallinder.   Hank is a great defenseman, but he is not a goal scorer.  I thought the coach had lost his mind.  Why he was not using his scoring guns had me confused.   Stafford went first for Buffalo and beat Brodeur.  Yeah baby!!!  Miller stopped the shot by Parise, well... Parise shot wide.  Then it was Tallinder's turn.  I watched and was amazed.  He undressed Brodeur!!  Scored in the shootout and I wondered where he learned his move.  Gionta took his shot for the Devils, he knew he had to score to keep them in it.  Miller made a spectacular save and it was over.  We broke the shootout jinx.  Earned two more points and  are 2 points out of the playoffs.  On Friday we play the team that is ahead of us, the Boston Bruins.  Welcome home boys...  lets get 2 more points!

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, henrik tallinder