Mar

20

Imagine a game where the Sabres enter the third period down 4-1 from a serious lack of energy and chances. The odds are against them, but we all have a little sense of hope. Then, two goals are scored in 16 seconds, followed by another three minutes later. A dream? Not at all. This was the exact scenario last night, and Buffalo didn’t just stop to tie the game: They scored three more times to take home a very important and hard-earned two points! Tampa Bay looked like they were going to pull off an easy win after skating all over HSBC Arena like they owned it. The strategy was to give them that false sense of security, and then strike at the 15:00 mark in the third period. It was, quite possibly, the most perfect comeback in a very long time. It also proved that the Sabres CAN stage a comeback in the third period. Even after struggling through the first two periods, they knew what they were capable of and did it.

Similarly, the last few games have simply been great hockey. Some might say it was a shame that the Buffalo Sabres waited until the end of the season to whip out all the talent, but we all can agree that it is better late than never! Maybe somebody went out and listened to a little Vanessa Williams… Add that song to the game playlist! The Sabres are still in a precarious situation, situated between Philadelphia and Washington in the ninth spot. Everything is going quite well, though, and does not appear to be slowing down. Word even has it that Numminen is skating with the team in practice! How I miss Teppo and his smile. The rest of the blueline is pretty banged up, yet I see no reason to panic. The only issue is being careful about pronouncing #3’s last name in an adrenaline-filled moment!

The Sabres take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, March 21st, at 7:30 PM. Be prepared for another great rivalry, some possible fights, and more unbelievable hockey moments!

Mar

5

Last night was yet another two-goal scoring plateau for the Sabres, as they rushed out to an early lead. Predictably, the Flyers came storming back to tie the game up at 2-2 and force Buffalo to focus on the importance of winning the game in the third period. Something happened during that second intermission, though, sending the Sabres into a goal-scoring frenzy for the first six minutes of the final 20 minutes. Derek Roy, Jason Pominville, and Max Afinogenov each netted a goal in the third to seal the win, and send Philadelphia into a tailspin… Finally! Seeing the guys ensure a win prior to overtime and the dreaded shootout was quite exciting! It was a full team effort, with pretty much every line doing something or other to put themselves out front. This win put the Sabres just one point behind the Flyers for the final playoff spot: Still a precarious situation, but much better to be in striking distance!

On a bit of a random tangent, is it just me, or do the Versus announcers absolutely hate the Sabres? Every goal we scored was blamed on Biron being out of position… But how common is it for a guy to get a puck through a six-inch area?! There was more talent than the announcers cared to share. Or maybe I was just going through withdrawal without my Jeanneret-Neale team.

The Sabres next play tonight at 7:30 PM against the Washington Capitals. Both of these teams are hovering around the bottom of the playoff rush, with the Sabres ahead of the Capitals by a somewhat comfortable three points. Fatigue might be a factor for Buffalo, after coming off of last night’s rough and tumble match. One thing is true, though: This is another must-win situation that can be achieved.

Mar

4

Tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers is about as crucial as a hockey game can be. I have been absolutely thrilled with the Sabres’ last two games… If you can call low scoring losses thrilling. The frustrating part of the matter is that this team is not in character to be struggling! February 27th saw the Sabres win with eight goals. Since then, they have scored two goals per game and lost to the Canadiens and Red Wings. Why?! Personally, the returns of Afinogenov and Stafford brightened my days and made me excited to see some offensive talent return. The problem is that the lines were mixed up, and all of that good chemistry disappeared. That is not to say that change is necessarily bad, but what else is there to conclude at this point? Buffalo is on the verge of just making the playoffs… Or just missing them. Rather than looking at the short-term, it really is time to look ahead to that uncertain future. I would rather go three or four months without Sabres hockey, rather than four or five. This is a do or die situation, no matter how early it may be.

Make sure to tune in to Versus tonight to see the Sabres and the Flyers go at it at 7:00 PM. Expect some sparks to fly, as these two teams have never been all too friendly, and both are grasping at the bottom rung of the playoff ladder. Go Sabres!

Feb

28

No need for anyone to worry about Tuesday’s trade that saw Brian Campbell become an ex-Sabre. There was no doubt that he was one of the more popular defensemen: Who else could pull off that spin-o-rama without making a fool of themself?! Steve Bernier was acquired from the San Jose Sharks, along with a first round draft choice in this year’s entry draft. It takes time for a new player to be welcomed on the team, but this right winger apparently knows how to make his presence appreciated! He scored the first two goals in last night’s game, while also picking up an assist late in the second period. Right off the bat, we now know that the Sabres have another young player to turn to for offensive production. Additionally, Bernier was difficult to ignore on the ice: He backed up Ryan Miller a few times, while also throwing in a bunch of hits. Could there be more? Take a look at the third period, when Derek Roy was tackled. Bernier was there to back up a guy he’s known for a day or two. Welcome to the team!

Both the acquisition of a powerful forward and a solid win are exactly what the Buffalo Sabres have been looking for. There were some sticky spots from time to time, such as when a 3-0 lead was cut to 3-2 in a matter of minutes. Fortunately, the Sabres had a lot of fight in them. Once again, this proves that they have the talent to score enough goals to paralyze their opponents. For heaven’s sake, Peters scored his fourth career goal! Physically speaking, Nashville was bowled over on many different occasions. I still have the opinion that the team is still maturing, but with so many young players willing to do anything towin, every Sabres fan can rest assured that there will be many good seasons to come.

The Sabres will next play tomorrow, February 29th, at 7:30 PM against the Montreal Canadiens. This is a vital divisional game, seeing how Buffalo is at 71 points and Montreal is at 77 points. Another star performance from the team could put them in a much more comfortable position within the standings.

Feb

25

Sabres (5) vs. Maple Leafs (1): Attack!

This was a game that was very much needed. With such a close playoff race, even one point can mean a huge difference. There was very little to complain about… Aside from a missed shutout opportunity! Buffalo Sabres hockey is all about scoring and continuing to attack. There is no reason to sit back, even with a three or four goal cushion. Last Thursday proved this point.

Sabres (3) vs. Rangers (4): Simply Not Enough

The final seconds of Saturday’s game were heartbreaking. After seeing the Sabres fight their way back in the game three times, the dying seconds sopped up any and all energy left on the ice. The puck barely moved, even though I was holding my breath for a tying goal at 19:59. Not tonight, apparently. The Rangers outplayed the Sabres at some points, but this was a game that we should have taken. The one saving grace was the awesome Buffalo crowd who booed Chris Drury every step along the way! Sad to see him be on the winning side of a game against the team he ran away from. The Sabres might feel a little demoralized after this loss, but there were a lot of positives. They never gave up, and are still 100% in penalty killing against the New York Rangers. Not too shabby… Aside from falling in the standings.

The Sabres will next play tonight, February 25th, at 7:00 PM against the Philadelphia Flyers. An almost reunion of those two co-captains, now known as co-conspirators. At least in my book. The Flyers have been struggling lately, and hopefully the Sabres will be able to take advantage of this.

Feb

21

Last night’s game looked like it would be another loss, up until the last 15 minutes. Truly, the Buffalo Sabres looked like they were sleeping on the job without a care in the world. I was depressed, the team was depressed, and we all needed some kind of miracle. Ladies and gentleman, that is precisely what happened. Just as I expected, Ryan Miller made a crazy stop to spark a little offensive rush. Derek Roy ended up scoring, and perhaps it was his goal that threw the Sabres into overdrive. Technically, Thomas Vanek went into overdrive reminiscent of a rampaging loon. In a good way, of course! That man suddenly woke up and went to town! He scored two goals to force an overtime period, which was something no one expected. Want more? He scored the game winner at 2:25 to give the Sabres a very surprising win! This was the opposite of what usually happens: The team plays an amazing first period, and gradually falls apart. This time around, they lulled Tampa Bay into a false sense of security, only to strike in the last few minutes. In the true sense of the saying, it is never too late to win!

The boys next play tonight, February 21st, at 7:30 PM against the Toronto Maple Leafs. As much as anyone, I would love to see a complete game, but a few miracle moves saved up for the last period will work just fine. Go Sabres!

Feb

18

What was learned this past week? The Sabres have some issues with afternoon games and Sunday night games. Or, maybe it was just the thrill of doing so well that killed them this weekend. Naturally, I was horrified at Saturday’s game against the New York Rangers. Nobody was on for the first 20 minutes, and Buffalo could not recover from such a devastating start to a hockey game. I had a few thoughts about each of the last three games, and since they tie together quite nicely, a little break-down seems appropriate. Break-dancing, on the other hand, is not included.

Wednesday, February 13th: Sabres (1) vs. Maple Leafs (0)

A little bit goes a long way sometimes! Although the scoring was virtually absent from this game, the Sabres were alive in every department. Toronto played a solid game, yet we were there to hold them off and give them a taste of their own medicine. Ryan Miller was the difference throughout the three periods, looking good on every save and coming alive whenever he was needed. As much as I hate to point out the leadership issues with the Buffalo Sabres, the loss of a stable captain has hurt the team. A goaltender is an unlikely candidate for being a leader, but Miller fills those shoes… Or skates. Many offensive rushes are the result of a big save, and he rarely disappoints. Speaking retrospectively, it was shocking to see what happened next in the Sabres’ playing history. Although this win was not the best one, it was still a continuation of a successful burst.

Saturday, February 16th: Sabres (1) vs. Rangers (5)

Numbfully painful. Maybe afternoon games are just not the right thing for the Sabres… What other explanation is there?! The Rangers attacked right off the bat, while the Sabres looked like they were ready for a nap. Ryan Miller surprised me, most of all, by simply being BAD. One easy save turned into a goal, which turned into two, then three, and pretty soon, it was a runaway game. When a goalie is not on par, it obviously upsets the team and brings about a feeling of losing before the game even begins. However, it was possible for the team to turn around and eclipse one bad period with two good ones. Not so, and I doubt I need to re-hash the details of the loss.

Sunday, February 17th: Sabres (1) vs. Penguins (4)

Anyone notice a pattern with these lone Sabres goals? Not enough in most cases! Last night was another fairly downhill game, despite the team looking much better. They could have done a lot better, though. We could blame it on Tim Connoly’s facial hairstyle, just in time for the Old West classics! Good ol’ TC, putting a smile on my face even when the Sabres have absolutely no idea what they are doing. I know I am being harsh about their losses, but it is only because this team is not a losing one. Again and again, people will point out all of the losses the team suffered prior to October. Yet, more focus should be put on the progress of new talent, in the ranks of Mike Ryan, Kaleta, Paille, and MacArthur. Back-to-back weekend losses are never all too wonderful, but this season is far from over. With a little more patience and determination on the part of everyone, Buffalo will be able to go far. A year without any playoff beards (or lack thereof) is simply disastrous!

The Buffalo Sabres will next play on Wedneday, February 20th, at 7:00 PM against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Feb

12

February has been a charm for the Buffalo Sabres, as they have picked up 10 out of a possible 12 points. For anyone aware of how close the Eastern Conference teams are, every point counts for much more than usual. Last night was another spectacular win, played all the way through with all the passion and determination that we have been looking for. Furthermore, Thomas Vanek came alive to be rewarded with his first career hat trick! A lot of controversy has been surrounding him this season, due to the infamous contract of 2007. I have been one to criticize his play and wonder whether or not he would be able to like up to the expectations. It is undeniable that he has struggled, but I am a lot more confident with him on the ice these days. Every Buffalo Sabre has struggled at one point this season, and it is important to recognize the positive aspects. This team is fighting for every play, and playing with a renewed vigor. The playoffs are still some time off, and I prefer to focus on the present, but things are clearly looking up for the Sabres!

The team’s next game is on Wednesday, February 13th, at 7:30 PM against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Keep an eye out: This is another crucial game where Buffalo must make their presence known very early on.

Feb

10

First and foremost, we would like to extend our best wishes to Richard Zednik, who was seriously injured in the third period of tonight’s hockey game. It was an eerie incident to witness, and showed just how real the game can be. NHL.com has listed Zednik in stable condition, and we will continue to keep our readers updated on the situation. The medical staff at HSBC Arena did a wonderful job, and really took control of the situation. As Mike Robitaille and Kevin Sylvester stated in the post-game show on MSG, there are no guarantees, but we hope that all will work out for the best.

Looking to the game, the Sabres played very well, despite letting the Panthers score first. The second period was, in all honesty, an explosion of goals! Patrick Kaleta scored his first NHL goal, only to be followed by Pominville and Roy. For the first time in many games, the power play unit looked very good! There is no question that Buffalo has a good deal of talent within their ranks: It just seems to take its time coming to the surface. I was also very impressed with Kaleta’s style of play, and what he represents. There are many young guys still working their way up in the minor leagues, and they all have a lot to offer this hockey club. We might struggle offensively here and there, yet Buffalo’s ability to use three or four lines effectively is quite the achievement. The third period was te determinant of the winner, although there were more factors at play than simple hockey. The final 10 minutes were played solemnly on both sides, understandably. Although it was difficult to go celebration crazy at a solid Sabres win, this puts the team in a much better position within the Eastern Conference. Two points mean everything these days.

The Buffalo Sabres will next play on Tuesday, February 12th, at 7:30 PM against the Ottawa Senators. This proves to be a somewhat difficult game, but one that our Sabres are very capable of winning. With the drive to finish off every play, we should be all set to crash the net. Make sure to tune in to MSG for the game!

Feb

8

The easy answer to tonight? A hockey game requires much more than 40 minutes of work condensed into about 5 minutes. Spacek scored with about 4 seconds remaining in the first period: Exciting and a good way to break a scoreless tie. It seemed like deja vu in the second period, when Vanek scored at 19:22. Perhaps this was an exercise to work on those last minute goals that Buffalo was notorious for last year? Not quite the positive team-building experience it might have been! Sure enough, the Boston Bruins scored their own pair of goals in the third period. To be honest, I was very impressed with how the Sabres began the game. The physical play was there, the offense was able to figure out how to get to Auld, and our own defense looked decent. It seemed to be the formula for a win, yet the team fell apart during the third period. There is no better way to describe what happened than to say that they lost their way and all the energy built up during the first two periods.

 Oh my. Any game that goes into overtime gets me worried, simply because they often result in shootouts. Minus the miraculous shootout win on Wednesday, one-on-one attempts seem to spell disaster. The one thing I should mention, however, is how good Ryan Miller is, and always has been. He has wavered here and there, but this team would be muddling about at the very bottom of the league without him. Fortunately, one point is much better than nothing. Did anyone realistically expect much more from a shootout?! Nope, sorry.

Where will the Sabres end up this year? No one really knows. However, the Sabres will next play on Sunday, February 10th, against the Florida Panthers (25-26-5). This is a team also hovering around the same area in the Eastern Conference. This game is quite important in the standings, for many reasons. Buffalo also needs a good win: They have their signature confidence every now and then, but nothing will give them that extra boost more than a notch in the win column. Go Sabres!

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