For hockey fans in Buffalo, it\u2019s been a marathon \u2013 14 seasons since they\u2019ve seen a playoff game.<\/p>\n
That ends today, when the Sabres, 50-23-9 for a mammoth 109 points, second in the Eastern Conference, host the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center.<\/p>\n
Tage Thompson led all Buffalo skaters in points against the Bruins this season and has nine goals in his last 16 games against the Bruins. The burly, 6-foot-6, 220-pound center led the team this season with 40 goals, 41 assists. So, he\u2019ll lead the charge in Buffalo tonight, along with team leaders like Alex Tuch (33G) and Rasmus Dahlin (19G, +18).<\/p>\n
We\u2019re not sure we will see a series scene-setter like we saw in Carolina last night \u2013 captains Brady Tkachuk and Jordan Staal dropping the gloves right off the opening draw, Staal landing a right to Tkachuk\u2019s jaw \u2013 but we might. <\/p>\n
Bruins coach Marco Sturm was trying to set stage the other day with comments about how his team was bigger and stronger than Buffalo and will come out of the chute playing physical.<\/p>\n
Sabres players and coaches didn\u2019t take the bait. The Sabres have five defencemen over 6-foot-3. Left winger Beck Malenstyn is 6-foot-3 and was fifth in the NHL in hits. Left winger Jordan Greenway is 6-foot-6, 231 pounds. The Sabres are a fast team, but physicality is not going to be a problem.<\/p>\n
But we\u2019ll see. The KeyBank Center is going to be rabid, a whole other level of electric. Cars all over Buffalo have Sabres flags attached to them these days. There are pro-Sabres signs everywhere. It\u2019s great to see.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe difference right now is the city is incredibly jacked up,\u201d Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said yesterday. Ruff told reporters he\u2019d rather have his players too amped up rather than not amped up at all. That\u2019s not going to be a problem tonight in Buffalo.<\/p>\n
Strap on your seatbelt.<\/p>\n