No one in the Canes locker room is underplaying the significance of tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres. The standings are easy to read and the math pretty simple at this point.
The Canes are ninth in the Eastern Conference, a point behind Buffalo and the Florida Panthers, and three points behind the New York Rangers. The Panthers and Rangers play tonight in New York, so one of those teams will pick up another two points.
"It's a fun time of the year, a great time of the year," defenseman Tim Gleason says. "We have a great opportunity to move forward in the standings.
"It's a big opportunity for us. It's a four-point game. We're just going to look at it like that."
Coming off the 4-2 loss Tuesday in Ottawa, the Canes will be looking for tighter defensive play from everyone, for better goaltending, for more offensive production, for a better start.
The most important thing?
"Win," Gleason said. "Two points.
"It's an important game. Keep it simple. Simplify our game. Keep pucks going to the net. Be physical, be in their face.
"At the end of the day, we want those two points."
The Canes can't be sure who will be in net for the Sabres tonight. Ryan Miller is out with a high ankle sprain and Patrick Lalime has been slowed this week by the flu.
It's possible Jhonas Enroth, a 20-year-old rookie from Sweden, could be goaltender although Lalime is on the trip. Enroth, a second-round draft pick by the Sabres in 2006, has an 18-17-5 record at Portland (AHL) but is winless in his last nine games (0-6-3).
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Buffalonians
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 18:22 — tobacco_money_p...I have such clear memories of the visiting Buffalo fans from the 2006 playoffs. Every one of them that sat near me was fat, drunk and had a mustache... the women too.
You- Blow-Buffalo!
gee that's ...
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 12:41 — esteban1949Gee, That's funny...didn't someone already mention something like that already ? Naw..no one here plagerizes anything from other sources...do they ?
Go Canes !!
I Disagree
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 12:37 — hckseyI think this is just what we need our guys have been flying around lately. If this young goalie plays tonight I have a feeling he wont know what hit him. Bottom line is if the effort is there we win tonight. No miller, No Vanek this Buffalo team is ripe for the taking. GO CANES!!!!!!!
No hot goalie???
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 11:39 — galatians220Enroth cannot be termed a hot goalie, can he?
Just Great
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 10:19 — mokimanoJust great...a 20 year old kid with no NHL experience may be in goal for the Sabres tonight...the Canes have a way of making every team's backup or rookie goalie look like a God or Patrick Roy most of the time. Cue the cliches...a must win game, a 4 point game, a team we need to catch in the standings...bottomline just win the friggin game and start putting yourself in a playoff spot instead of always chasing a playoff spot. This team is maddening to try and figure out...they talk and talk and talk about what they should be doing but why not start putting their money where their mouth is for a change???
same thoughts
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 11:43 — GoShelfSame thoughts about the goalie, this is a disaster waiting to happen - I can just see the stats 46-18 shots for a the canes and 2-1 loss. This is a brutal time of year.
wow, you both have this as
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 12:39 — jgrant641wow, you both have this as an automatic loss before the puck even drops? Ouch!
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I am Johnnyg and I approved this message.
Not automatic... maybe not
Thu, 02/26/2009 - 15:55 — RaisinCaneNot automatic... maybe not even likely.. BUT based on following this team for years it would certainly not be shocking!!! We have lost a ton of games that fall into this category.
We all want the 'Canes to win of course but the 'Canes can be heart breakers to fans!
Go 'Canes