Sitting gets old for Auld
WILMINGTON - Alex Auld's recent memory of game action involves a whole lot of red.
In the 20 minutes Auld last played, Jan. 22, the red light behind him at the Bell Centre flashed four times, enough for coach Claude Julien to yank him in mercy after the first period of Boston's 8-2 loss to Montreal.
But Auld is aiming to return to the crease. Julien hasn't decided who will start tonight against Buffalo, but Julien said Auld will most likely play tonight, or tomorrow against Florida.
"You always want to get in again," said Auld. "Back-to-back is usually the opportunity for it."
In his first six starts since being acquired from Phoenix for forward Tyler Redenbach, Auld went 4-2, with a 2-0 shutout of Columbus. But Auld has struggled in his last five starts, winning only once. He has backed up Tim Thomas the last five games.
So while Auld has waited for his turn, the netminder's days have become longer - usually he hits the ice early to work on his game and stays late to serve as a target for his teammates.
"You've got to work hard to do all the extra things," said Auld. "Sometimes you've got to go out early to get what you need. Because sometimes after practice, you've got to do things that other guys want. You've got to make sure you're getting what you need but also doing what's expected of you. Sometimes there are fun games after or things they want to work on. So there's a balance."
Schaefer stays home
Peter Schaefer did not travel with the team to Buffalo because of a cut on his shin he suffered while blocking a shot Tuesday. Schaefer, dressed in the crimson practice jersey of the fourth-line forwards, only made it through part of yesterday's session. Julien said Schaefer took a whack on the shin yesterday and didn't feel ready to play. "There's always a risk of infection with those," said Julien. "So you've got to be careful."Tonight will be the first game Schaefer will miss because of injury. He was a healthy scratch for two games, and missed one with flu-like symptoms. Either Petteri Nokelainen or Jeremy Reich will dress in place of Schaefer.
Full flight
Shane Hnidy (finger) didn't practice but made the trip to Buffalo. Also on the flight was Bobby Allen (back), who practiced the last two days. Either Hnidy or Allen will be the sixth defenseman tonight . . . San Jose acquired former Boston College defenseman J.D. Forrest from Carolina yesterday. Forrest was teammates with Allen and Chuck Kobasew on BC's 2001 championship team . . . With a win tonight, the Sabres will tie the Bruins with 59 points. "The team that played us the other night is not the same team that played us at the beginning of the year," said Julien, whose club went 3-0-1 against Buffalo in the first four meetings this season. "A lot of that comes with confidence. When you get on a roll, those things come a lot easier."