The Boston Bruins meet the Buffalo Sabres tonight at the First Niagara Center. Surely, this game will be exciting. No, not because they're division rivals. No, not because the Boston Bruins are currently on a nine-game, winning streak. And no, not because both teams currently have near-identical records. This game will be exciting because the Sabres want revenge on Milan Lucic for his hit on Ryan Miller, who incurred a concussion on the play and has yet to play since.
In the back of their minds, the Sabres' players have saved this date. Darcy Regier, general manager of the club, called out his team for their response, or lack thereof. The players were disappointed in themselves as well. Lucic received a two-minute penalty on the play and avoided a suspension due to lack of intent. How? I'm not sure. So, what's his consequence? My guess, Paul Gaustad.
When the buzzer sounded in the previous match-up, Gaustad had these words to share: "I'm embarrassed that we didn't respond the way we should have. We didn't push back. There's no reason to be scared. We had to go after it, and we didn't." This game offers the forward some redemption. He's no stranger to scraps with 541 penalty minutes in his seven-year career - all with Buffalo. Many believe he bleeds blue and gold. We will likely get proof of that tonight.
To my surprise, the Bruins are starting their Vezina-winning goalie Tim Thomas. Dangerous business. Obviously the league will be watching the game very closely. I believe Brendan Shanahan was misguided in not suspending Lucic. He won't make the same mistake twice. Unfortunately for Sabres' fans, any retaliation will come with harsher consequences in suspensions, fines, what have you.
In any case, I can't wait. Drop the puck already!
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