Is goal scoring up or down through the first three weeks of the season? League wide it has dropped, but not to the extent that some may think. Using October 25 as the benchmark date for the past two seasons:

2010-11 (116 GP)
Eastern Conference: 318 goals for (2.74/game)
Western Conference: 322 goals for (2.78/game)

League Total: 640 goals for (5.52/game)

2011-12 (121 GP)
Eastern Conference: 337 goals for (2.79/game)
Western Conference: 305 goals for (2.52/game)

League Total: 642 goals for (5.31/game)

The biggest drop off is in the Western Conference where goal scoring is down .26 game, while the East has seen a bump of .05 – likely thanks to the 63 combined goals scored by Pittsburgh (33) and Washington (30) through 18 games. At this time last season, the top two Eastern teams – Tampa (27) and Pittsburgh (27) – combined to score 54 goals in 17 games.

The Sabres have scored 23 goals in the first eight games, compared to 24 in the first nine on this date last season.

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Ryan Miller (Photo: Bill Wippert)

The Sabres wore their royal blue pants and helmets in practice today, in preparation for their first “third jersey” game of the season tomorrow against Columbus. They are scheduled to wear the thirds in eight games this season, including twice on the road. The eight-game schedule is as follows:

• October 27 vs. Columbus
• November 5 @ Ottawa
• November 16 vs. New Jersey
• December 3 @ Nashville
• December 9 vs. Florida
• January 3 vs. Edmonton
• February 10 vs. Dallas
• March 14 vs. Colorado

Buffalo will also wear white at home against Toronto on January 13 because the Maple Leafs will be wearing their new third jersey that night.

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