Game Preview: Wings @ Sabres

Red Wings (50-19-9, 109 pts)
Sabres (38-31-9, 84 pts)

Coming off a big win at the Joe, the Wings look to make it two in a row against a Buffalo team fighting for a playoff berth down the stretch.

Sabres outlook: Buffalo is in need of a win if it wants to stay alive for a chance at the post season. The Sabres have been treading water lately at 4-4-2 over their last 10 and need to win out to ensure their own destiny. The team has lacked big name star power but still finds a way to get it done, thanks in large part to Ryan Miller minding the goal. The problem with the Sabres winning out? The schedule is as follows: Wings, Maple Leafs, Canes, Bruins. Only one of those is one that they're expected to win.

Red Wings outlook: Detroit is coming off a big win on the stick of Marian Hossa late in the third period against the Wild. Not much else you could ask for out of a player like him than to come through when its needed the most. Anyway, the Wings have four games left before the season ends and need all four to win the Conference most likely. San Jose has three games left and all three are against sub .500 teams so the President's Trophy and Western Conference title looks out of reach. Nevertheless, we need to win as many as possible to get ourselves on a roll for an opening round bout with a division rival most likely.

What to look for: The Sabres have a mediocre home record while the Wings have one of the league's best road records. Look for Detroit to tighten up it's defense but the Sabres could be able to stretch the Wings with their speed. From Buffalo: Derek Roy, Craig Rivet, Tomas Vanek, and Ryan Miller. From Detroit: I'm going with underdogs, Val Filppula, Tomas Kopecky (if he plays), and Brett Lebda. Okay...and Henrik Zetterberg.


Puck drops at 7 PM ET and the game can be seen on Versus, if you have it. GO WINGS!