All, NHL

Quick Hits: Sabres vs. Stars / at Maple Leafs

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Monday’s matinee matchup was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Buffalo Sabres. Looking to rebound from a tough ending to an important week of games, the Sabres rolled over the Stars 4-1.

Buffalo looked to claw their way back into the playoff hunt against their division foes in Toronto. Buffalo started off unstoppable, grabbing 2 early goals. Unfortunately, the party ended there. Toronto would go on to score 4 unanswered goals as the Sabres saw their playoff hopes again torpedoed.

For the first time all season, according to the Sabres PR Dept., the Buffalo Sabres collected exactly 2 of 4 potential points in a back-to-back scenario. Monday and Tuesday’s games marked the 7th of 19 back-to-back games for Buffalo this season.

Buffalo has a few days to relax and calm their nerves, before Detroit comes to town on Friday night. This game marks the 8th back-to-back set for Buffalo, as they’ll travel to Montreal on Saturday night to take on the Canadiens.

You sure you want the quick hits?

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    • Let’s Make A Deal.

With another goal on Tuesday night, Evander Kane’s potential trade value continues to rise. Kane now has 12 goals in 33 games, which is a rapid pace considering he scored 20 goals in 65 games last season.

Kane appears to be taking better quality shots this season, as evident by his 11.3% shooting percentage. Last season, Kane sat at 7.4% and his career average is 8.9%.

Is this season an aberration for Kane or has he taken the constructive criticism to heart and decided quality is better than quantity? This is something GM Tim Murray needs to determine between now and this season’s trade deadline.

Also playing into this decision is this summer’s Expansion Draft. Will Kane be protected? At this point, you have to think it is a no-brainer but is he more valuable if traded? Let the debate continue.

    • 716 Sports Network

We’ve joined a new local venture that features local podcasts being played on a radio station-like setting. Embedded below is a feed to the 716 Sports Network, where the BLTD Podcast can be heard.

716 Sports Network is on Mixlr

    • 500 Career Games

Cody Franson suited up tonight for the 100th time with the Buffalo Sabres and the 500th time in his National Hockey League career.

Franson started his career off with the Nashville Predators in the 2009-10 season, after being drafted in the 3rd round (79th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Level Draft. In 164 career games with the Predators, over two stints with the franchise, Franson tallied 54 points (15 goals, 39 assists).

Sandwiched between the two stops in Nashville, Franson suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  In 236 career games with the Maple Leafs, Franson racked up 115 points (20 goals, 95 assists).

Cody Franson has been a member of the Buffalo Sabres since signing as a free agent in September 2015. Franson has seen his production dip since joining the Sabres, with only 26 points (5 goals, 21 assists) in 100 games.

    • Standings Update

Following Monday’s 4-1 matinee victory over the Dallas Stars, Buffalo’s playoff probability jumped 2.9% to 7.2%.

Tuesday’s game took away that positive momentum. Buffalo now sits at 4.9% playoff probability, a 2.3% drop after the loss.

    • Tweets of Games


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