On their first game back from the 2008 NHL trading deadline the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Nashville Predators 8-4. The big story in this game was Steve Bernier, the 22 year old forward the Sabs dealt away defenseman Brian Campbell for. In his first game with Buffalo, Bernier scored 2 goals with an assist. The team had 33 total shots on net.

“When your confidence is not where you want it to be and the first shot you make you score, it helps,” said Bernier, who spent three total seasons with the Sharks. “I’m glad everything went the way I wanted everything to go. … Yeah, it’s a good start, but nothing is done yet.”

The sloppy goalkeeping for the Predators was handled by Chris Mason and Dan Ellis. Mason, the starter, let in 14 of 19 attempted shots. Ellis wasn’t too much better, letting in 11 of 14 shots on goal. Predators center Jason Arnott says the blame for the loss of this game doesn’t rest solely upon the shoulders of Ellis and Mason.

“We can throw blame on the goaltenders, but defensively people are allowing the opportunity for shoot one-timers from the slot,” Arnott said. “Not many goaltenders are going to stop those.”

A scary moment occured in the 2nd period, when Sabres goalie Ryan Miller was struck in the nose from a slapshot off the stick of Marek Zlidlicky. Miller began bleeding through his mask, and was replaced from the game with backup goalie Jocelyn Thibault.

“Fortunately, we answered the call,” said Miller, who had to wait for a new cage to be attached to his mask. “I was anxious to get back out there, just get the bleeding stopped and go.”