The conditions following the outdoor practice of the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday were reviewed by coach Don Granato.
It was cold.
The other thing Granato noticed?
The wind.
The Toronto and Buffalo teams are preparing to face some challenges when the puck drops on Sunday.
The weather is expected to be the same as it was on Saturday, with temperatures around 10 degrees, wind gusts around 30 mph, and a chance of snow. Buffalo is prepared for the possibility of snow on Sunday, but only Toronto had an appearance of snow on Saturday.
There is a dramatic difference in how you execute if the wind is like it is today. Our guys are snapping the puck with less speed. It is good to get out there today and have that one-day acclimation, because you need to acclimate and test it.
At these NHL events, meteorological uncertainty is a tradition. The Winter Classic in January was played under extreme cold and the outdoors game was delayed eight hours because of the sun.
Craig Anderson knows to expect the unexpected. He will be playing his third career outdoor game on Sunday. Anderson is happy to share what he has learned with his teammates.
Anderson said that the ice is a lot colder than usual. The stick has a different flex. Guys are trying to figure out what they want to wear. Today is the day to figure out what you like.
The positive of unpredictable conditions is that both teams have to deal with them together.
This is cold. Marner said that everyone kept saying it. It feels like you are outdoors on a pond. It is a little cold. Just trying to find ways to make it not as cold, try new gear and things that are not used to.
Auston Matthews, who leads the NHL with 44 goals, said the high winds reminded him of being back home in Arizona. There will be no heat in Toronto on Sunday.
Matthews said that it was difficult to practice in the wind and snow.
That is especially true for goaltenders. Anderson is 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217 800-273-3217
Anderson said that you don't sweat when it's that cold. You have to go through all your shirts to decide what to wear because it is so cold.
The amount of joy that comes from playing under unique circumstances is something Granato hopes his team will be prepared for.
Granato said that he could not project the weather effects, but that the games were all about different elements. It adds to the excitement of the game and it also adds to your preparation. I know our guys take that seriously, and we have to be ready for what you think might happen.
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