Philadelphia at Buffalo tonight

Last year was a tough one for Sabres fans, what with the Sabres missing the playoffs and all.  But one thing besides the playoffs that has stuck with me was the Sabres 0-4 record against the Flyers last year.  After the Leafs, which has really become a one-sided joke of a rivalry, there is no team in hockey I despise more than Philly.  So getting swept last year demands vengeance.

I mentioned yesterday that Danny Briere will miss tonight’s game, along with Ryan Parent.  Add to that the issues the Flyers are having combating the flu and the Sabres are dealing with a Philadelphia team that is at less than full strength.

Best of all should be the return of Ray Emery to HSBC Arena.  Emery has always fared well against Buffalo during the regular season, going 10-4 against them over his last three NHL seasons.  He’s been fairly solid this year with a .916 save percentage while everyone around the NHL waits for him to implode.  Still, it seems like every year we’re waiting for Emery to melt down and he never really does.

For Buffalo, Andrej Sekera is healthy enough to play while Toni Lydman will be out with a groin injury (or as Dick Jauron would say, Lydman is a groin).  Sounds like everybody else is good to go despite some players dealing with the flu this week.  Remember the good ol’ days when a player having the “flu” meant he was either too hung over to play or didn’t want to go against “Tiger” Williams.  Euphemisms – another casualty of H1N1.

7:30 start tonight.  Family commitments will be keeping me from attending, but I’ll be watching thanks to the miracle of DVR.