posted January 12, 2007 at 14:08 EST in NHL Free Picks

Tampa Bay Lightning (22-21-2) vs. Buffalo Sabres (31-10-3)
Saturday, January 13th - 7:00pm EST

The Lightning are coming off an impressive win over the Washington Capitals, and they’ll need all the momentum they can get when they face the Sabres on Saturday night. Buffalo has been the ‘beast of the east’ thus far, but the Lightning can keep up with the fast paced tempo set by Chris Drury and the gang. The problem will be getting past all-star goalie Ryan Miller, of the Sabres.

 

Tampa’s key strengths are in their top line and their team defense. They allow the third fewest shots on net at 26.0 per game. Much of that is attributed to the duo of Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, who are both ranked in the top five in goals scored  with 28 and 26, respectively. Keeping teams on their heels is what the Lightning do best.

Unfortunately, it’s what Buffalo does better. Buffalo plays an up-tempo style of play, maximizing speed over power. With forwards Donald Briere and Chris Drury leading the way, the Sabres will force the Lightning to play Sabres hockey. When that happens, the Lightning are in serious trouble.

If Tampa makes any mistakes, they will certainly pay for them. They are the worst penalty killing team in the league.

Look for the Sabres’ goalie, Ryan Miller, to be tested early by Lecavalier and St. Louis. However, the Sabres, who played sloppy against Toronto on Thursday, will burst out of the gates determined to right the ship. They have beaten Tampa six straight times, with the scores totaling 30-13.

Sabres – 6
Lightning - 2

Atlanta Thrashers (24-13-8) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (24-18-4)
Saturday, January 13th --- 7:00pm EST

The Thrashers’ Marion Hossa is campaigning for more media attention, and he’s doing it with his stick instead of his mouth. He currently ranks third in the league in scoring, and would love to have a big game against goalie Cam Ward and the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Can the new dirty birds of Hotlanta escape Carolina with a win?

 

If the same offense that emerged in Carolina’s latest victory shows up on Saturday, there is little hope for the Thrashers. The Canes scored six goals in the third period, in an improbably victory over the Florida Panthers. To make matters even more interesting is that they only allowed seven shots on net in the 3rd.

Their main concern will be Cam Ward’s resiliency. After allowing three goals in the second against Florida, he was benched. Going up against Hossa and the Thrashers does not seem like the best time to bring him back.

The Thrashers are reeling in the middle of a four game losing streak. None of those games have been particularly good for any of them, but they have had two days off. The Canes are vulnerable defensively and the Thrashers are ranked 11th overall offensively.

The Canes may have the edge in depth and talent, but the Thrashers have had two days to right their wrongs. Look for Atlanta’s Marion Hossa to have a big game, as Ilya Kovalchuk chips on a goal for good measure.

Atlanta – 4
Carolina - 2