Quick! Can you name the last time the Buffalo Sabres defeated the St. Louis Blues?

The answer is October 22, 1995…. a 5-2 win at the Aud. The Sabres are winless in their last 10 games against St. Louis, going 0-7-1-2 during that stretch, and have never defeated the Blues at HSBC Arena.

Nonetheless, Lindy Ruff discounts any such streaks and records as the two teams prepare to meet. “I remember the last game, a low scoring affair where we had a goal disallowed and we ended up losing in a shootout. Other than that reaching out over the years really makes no sense.”

Former Sabres defenseman Jay McKee is making his first return to Buffalo since his departure at the end of the 2005-06 season and will clearly be the center of attention when the players take the ice tonight. “It’s a special feeling” said McKee after the morning skate “being able to skate out there and look up at the rafters and just remember the special moment and teams you were a part of.” McKee stated that he had no regrets leaving, saying he doesn’t live his life that way. He also admitted that he came very close to quitting hockey for good this past summer, battling through a severe pelvic injury. “I battled through the pain and it’s all behind me now. I feel real good.”

McKee spoke about the magical 2005-06 season which ended in the conference finals against Carolina. “I truly believe that we had the best team in the league that year. But injuries happen and when the story line is written on those teams it is those things which come into play. But that year and the ‘99 run is what I will most remember about the time I spent here.”

Drew Stafford will be in the lineup tonight, perhaps returning a bit early from his shoulder injury, but it is a move of necessity. Forward Andrew Peters has the flu, which got worse overnight, so he will be a scratch tonight. Stafford will be paired up on his familiar line with Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy.

Game time is 7:00 PM, and there aren’t even scraps available at the box office for this VALUE priced game, so look for a very packed house on hand. Peter has the AV chair tonight and will have a post game wrap up.

RSS 2.0 Respond Trackback