Morning Skate: Wednesday, 3/4

Tonight’s Slate:
Canadiens @ Sabres, 7:30 ET
Red Wings @ Avalanche, 9:00

Game of the Night:
Montreal Canadiens @ Buffalo Sabres
7:30 ET… TV: TSN, NHL Net. (US), Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Canadiens (34-22-7) … Sabres (31-25-7)
Last Ten: Canadiens (5-4-1) … Sabres (3-5-2)
Away/Home: Canadiens (14-16-3) … Sabres (17-12-2)
Season Series: Tied 2-2

Players to watch:
MTL- Mathieu Schneider
Schneider’s arrival has really sparked the Habs’ man advantage.
BUF- Thomas Vanek
If Vanek returns, that would be a big boost for a struggling Sabres offense.

Projected Goaltenders:
MTL- Jaroslav Halak (08-09 stats: 16-10-1, 2.89 GAA)
BUF- Patrick Lalime (08-09 stats: 2-9-2, 2.91 GAA)

Injury Report:
MTL- Robert Lang (Achilles, out), Guillaume Latendresse (shoulder, out), Alex Tanguay (shoulder, out), Francis Bouillon (groin, out)
BUF- Ryan Miller (ankle, out), Thomas Vanek (jaw, probable), Maxim Afinogenov (groin, out)

Game Thoughts:
Montreal is absolutely rolling into this one, while Buffalo is going in the opposite direction. The Sabres have been reeling since the injury to Miller, and currently sit in 10th in the East. Other players to watch in tonight’s game would be any players acquired by today’s 3 PM ET deadline. This game will be decided by the Habs’ power play. If they keep chugging, I think Montreal could win this going away. If the Buffalo PK stops ‘em, it’ll be close. Go with the former…

Prediction: Canadiens 5, Sabres 3
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Red Wings over Avalanche