Fantasy Focus: 11/8 – 11/14

After a week that saw the Sabres drop their record to 9-4-1, there is a silver lining for those of us that happen to be both Buffalo and fantasy fans.  Even though the Blue & Gold took consecutive losses for the first time this year, the top fantasy players got their act together and are starting to register on the score sheet consistently.

Derek Roy led the Sabres recommendations with 3 goals and a single assist, while Tyler Myers (1 G, 2 A’s) and Tim Connolly (3 assists) also posted point per game efforts for the week.  Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville both put up a goal and an assist.  Surpisingly, Craig Rivet is moving up the ladder with 3 points (3 A’s) in his last 3 games.

Let’s go ahead and take a look at the week ahead, where once again the Sabres will be off until Wednesday, then play back to backs on the weekend.

Matchups

1. Wed., Nov. 11  vs. Edmonton Oilers (8-8-1) 7:00 PM - The Oilers will be coming into Buffalo on the second end of back to backs, they’ll be playing in Ottawa on Tuesday.  This bodes very well for the rested, flu ridden bodies in the Sabres locker room.  Statistically speaking, the Sabres should dominate the Oilers, as the Oilers average barely 25 shots per game, giving up nearly 35, while they have a FO% of just 47.1%.  Special teams could play a role, but look for the beginning of this week to start just like last.  With just 6 games on the docket on Wednesday, look to start all the names.

Starts: Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek, Tim Connolly, Jason Pominville, Tyler Myers, Ryan Miller

Sits: None

Filling Roster Holes: Craig Rivet

2. Fri. Nov. 13, vs. Calgary Flames (10-4-1) 7:30 PM – Once again the Sabres will get a test of their mettle in a set of back to backs, which as we all know, they failed last week.  Calgary will come in fresh, seeing as how they’d have last played on Tuesday in Montreal.  The same stats that Buffalo dominated Edmonton, they dominate Calgary.  But with star power in net, on the blueline, and up front, the Flames aren’t the Oilers.  Special Teams should play a major role in this game, with Calgary’s near 25% PP could cause major issues for the struggling Sabres PK.  For the Sabres to win, offensively they’ll need to match wits with an offense averaging 3.4 goals a game.

Starts: Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek, Tim Connolly,  Tyler Myers, Ryan Miller

Sits:

Filling Roster Holes: Craig Rivet, Jason Pominville

3. Sat., Nov. 14 @ Philadelphia Flyers (9-4-1) 7:00 PM – We will see Ryan Miller play all 3 games this week.  I’m almost 100% sure.  He has to be absolutely devastated by his play, namely, the Powe and Van Riemsdyk goals from last Friday night.  Historically, the Sabres never fare well during back to backs (0-3 this year alone), but last season when Miller played both ends, it was a different story.  This should be a revenge game for the Sabres, while the Flyers will be coming off a Thursday home meeting with Ottawa.  Any and all inclinations should lead you to believe this will be a train wreck of a performance by the boys in Blue and Gold, so play at your own risk (especially with 11 other games on the docket).

Let’s go with this if Miller starts, then play ‘em all, if he doesn’t, I’d sit them all.

So let’s see how this week goes, good luck all.

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Fantasy Focus