(WGR 550) -- After a year in Russia, an old nemesis is back in the States and ready to renew acquaintances with an American foe.
It's not Ivan Drago, it's Ray Emery, but Sabres fans probably have as much vitriol for the Flyers goaltender as moviegoers had for the man who killed Apollo Creed in "Rocky IV." Emery battled then-Buffalo goaltender Martin Biron and then-Buffalo goon Andrew Peters at HSBC Arena minutes after Chris Neil's infamous open-ice demolition of then-Sabres captain Chris Drury.
Forget the netminder, though, the Sabres would like to issue payback for the on-ice beatings they endured at the hands of last year's Flyers. The 7:30 p.m. face-off between Philadelphia and Buffalo marks a notable test for the 9-2-1 Sabres. Buffalo has proven it can score, beat the lowly and rebound after a loss, but the Flyers are a big, bruising, skilled team that topped the Sabres four times in 2008-09. Philadelphia out-scored Buffalo 20-9 in those contests.
Jeff Carter was a stud in those games, netting five times for Friday's visitors. Mike Richards was even better, as the gritty young captain posted four goals and six assists.
Ryan Miller faced the Flyers just twice last season, recording a 3.04 goals against average and .897 save percentage.
Philadelphia will be missing Simon Gagne (hernia) and probably Daniel Briere (groin). They've won their last two contests, both at home, by a combined score of 12-3. The Flyers (7-4-1) stand in eighth place, which is a bit misleading. Along with Buffalo and Atlanta, the Flyers' twelve games played are a league low.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
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