http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/ ... id=5087549

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Sabres right wing Drew Stafford likely will miss the opening game of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series Thursday against the Boston Bruins.

Stafford still hasn't been cleared for full contact after sustaining a concussion four days ago. He proclaimed himself headache-free and practiced with the team Wednesday, but wore a non-contact yellow jersey.

"I want to make sure I'm 100 percent before I come back," he said.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said center Tim Connolly (foot) "looks like a go," but forward Jochen Hecht (upper-body injury) is questionable for Game 1.

Hecht, who missed the final three games of the regular season, had his left pinkie wrapped when seen in the locker room.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Let me be the first to say THANK GOD

although I guess that means Mair and Ellis will both dress...which gives me a sad

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Ennis and Gerbe in instead.

So do we play Torres/Kennedy/Ennis/Gerbe in the Stafford spot?

With Staff out I'd say these lines:
Vanek, Roy, Ennis
Torres, Connolly, Pominville
Kennedy, Goose, Grier
Gerbe, Ellis, Kaleta

Swap Gerbe, Kennedy, and Ennis throughout the lines I'd say, or move Griere with Ellis and Kaleta and put Gerbe with Kennedy and Goose.

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I'd be inclined to play Mair against Boston.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

True, would probably be a better idea.

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Am I the only one a little uncomfortable playing Gerbe in the playoffs?

In a series deciding game, I have a feeling he won't be very effective (heck, we wasnt terribly effective in the regular season either, just spunkier than we're used to seeing). Teams will bulldoze through that poor little guy if he tries to be tough. I'd almost rather have Stafford in, almost...

How does this sound?
Vanek, Roy, Ennis - A hungry play-maker with a good head and 2 proven scorers.
Kennedy, Connolly, Pominville - A solid playmaker centering a feisty rookie and a 20+ goal scorer.
Torres, Hecht, Grier - A hard checking winger with two solid defensive forwards, plus a little scoring touch.
Mair, Gaustad, Kaleta - Hard hitting, fighting, energy line. Should be effective as long as they are smart and don't take any dumb penalties, and actually hit hard and grind to the net. Maybe even pot 1 or 2. I can imagine they'll all be going full force given it's the playoffs though.

That's assuming Stafford is out though, and Hecht is in, of course. If it works out that way, I actually really like the sound of that lineup lol. Maybe put Ellis to center the 4th line and bump Gaustad up to the 3rd if Hecht can't play.

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With Hecht and Stafford out...

Torres - Connolly - Pominville
Kennedy - Roy - Vanek
Ennis - Gaustad - Grier
Ellis - Mair - Kaleta