Courtesy of NHL.com:
Flames-Sabres Preview
"The Calgary Flames are surging even though they aren't getting much scoring from anybody other than Jarome Iginla. They may need more offensive balance at Buffalo if they want to continue their run.
Winners of four straight thanks in part to Iginla's four-game goal-scoring streak, the Flames look to end a six-game road skid to the Sabres on Friday night.
Calgary (11-4-1) has matched its longest winning streak of the season despite getting just nine goals during that span. Iginla has five of them, the most recent coming in the Flames' 1-0 victory over Montreal on Tuesday night.
Scoring against the Sabres (10-4-1) would give the veteran right wing a five-game goal streak for the first time since Dec. 11-18, 2007. He was named the NHL's first star of the week Monday.
____________________________________
...Ryan Miller, has been even better this season, going 1.82 GAA with a 10-2-0 mark. He has not been as dominant in his career versus Calgary, though, posting a 3.36 GAA in two games.
Miller will finally have Patrick Lalime as his backup again Friday. Lalime, out since Nov. 2 due to a groin strain, is expected to return.
Buffalo may be without one of its best penalty killers, as Mike Grier is nursing a groin injury suffered in the second period of a 3-1 win over Edmonton on Wednesday night. Grier missed practice Thursday and is day to day.
"We don't anticipate it being too long but he could miss a little bit of time," coach Lindy Ruff told the Sabres' official Web site. "He could, but I mean there's still a chance he could play (Friday) too."
Even without Grier, Buffalo killed off a late 5-minute penalty against the Oilers. The Sabres stopped six of seven power-play opportunities, helping them win after allowing nine goals in losing their previous two contests."
...A tough, tough, physical team, with an All-Star defensive corps in Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, Regehr and Sarich, and the perennial "Kipper" between the pipes.
Sutter seems to have motivated the team toward a greater urgency and consistency. Though, both their PP and PK percentages lag behind the Sabres.
Sound money would see Miller starting for Buffalo, as Lalime (should he be tagged) would face a barrage of shots, from the point - His sketchy rebound-control might make for a long night, for Sabres' fans...Calgary are currently averaging ten more shots per game, than Buffalo.
