Luke Adam

Not even ten games into the 2011 season, a number of surprises have popped up in the NHL. Not too many people would have thought that Toronto would be 3-0-1 and leading the Northeast Division or that Colorado would start the year off with five road wins. And not too many people would have thought that a rookie center for the Sabres would be second on the team in points with six and tied for the lead in goals with three.

Forward Luke Adam started training camp fighting for a spot on the roster and managed to make the team when veteran center Jochen Hecht went down with an injury. He moved up the depth chart and has been centering a line of Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek since the season kicked off. Picking up his third goal of the year in Pittsburgh this past Saturday, Adam has found chemistry with his line-mates and hopes to keep generating offense tonight when the Sabres take on the Canadiens in Montreal.

The team skated this morning at the Bell Centre in preparation for the game and with Montreal still struggling to find their identity Buffalo can jump out and take a quick lead in the Northeast Division. Goaltender Ryan Miller knows exactly what it takes to beat the Canadiens. The goalkeeper is 19-8-5 in 32 games against the Canadiens and looks for his 20th win tonight.

“They’re a division rival, and I want to beat everyone I can” Goaltender Ryan Miller on playing the Canadiens.

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MORNING SKATE PODCASTSM

Lindy Ruff Interview

Ryan Miller Interview

Luke Adam Interview

Gragnani Interview

Defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani is set to play tonight. The blueliner has struggled since returning from the NHL Premiere Series and most notably in Pittsburgh this Saturday night. Gragnani knows he needs to play his game and be better if he wants to remain in the lineup for Buffalo. “If you look at the guys we have on this team, it’s a hell of a D-corp. So if I’m not performing like I should be, it’s only right that I shouldn’t be in the line-up.” Gragnani will have the opportunity to bounce back tonight when he takes the ice in front of his hometown fans.

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All is calm on the injury front for the Sabres. Jochen Hecht continues to progress and is listed as day-to-day. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on MSG. Don’t forget to tune into MSG a half hour before game time to check out the Tops Game Night pregame show.