We’ve got 81 more games to figure this out but watching the Sabres’ opener on TV left us scratching our heads. Was it the 0 for 7 performance on the power play? Nope, saw that coming. Was it the 2 Detroit goals scored 36 seconds apart? Nah.

It’s the jersey numbers.

We know there are a lot of new (or new-ish) faces on the roster this time around and we’re prepared for the proverbial #suffering. But we weren’t expecting the confusion generated by putting all of these guys on the ice at the same time.

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We see number 3. We think it’s Jordan Leopold.

It’s not. It’s Mark Pysyk.

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We see number 10 and remember that Henrik Tallinder returned to Buffalo during the offseason. But wait…

That’s not Henrik Tallinder. Oh yeah, it’s Christian Ehrhoff.

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We see number 12. We don’t really know what to think. Ales Kotalik? Sean McKenna? Jim Kelly?

No, sir, that’s Kevin Porter.

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We see number 20. Mike Hartman and Don Luce come to mind.

Ah, THERE’S Henrik Tallinder. You trying to fool us, Hank?

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We see number 21, and we hope it’s not still Drew Stafford. In the name of all things holy, please don’t let that still be Drew Stafford.

Balls. It’s Drew Stafford.

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We see number 28, we think Paul Gaustad.

With one deft flick of the wrist, we have established that it certainly is NOT Paul Gaustad. Welcome to the NHL, Zemgus Girgensons.

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We see number 55. He’s too lanky to be Jochen Hecht… and he’s playing D. A bad giveaway in his own end leading to the game-winning goal. Is that Tyler Myers?

Nope, Myers still wears 57. That’s 2013 first round pick Rasmus Ristolainen.

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We see number 65– did Darcy Regier bring back Mark Napier?

No, sir. That’s Brian Flynn.

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We’ll figure it out. Game on.