An aloof Sabres squad leaves eight critical points on the table as the Eastern Conference standings continue to harden. I'm not sure why these Sabres are so nonchalant at times like these. Things won't get any easier this week with games against Boston, Carolina, and San Jose.Can Lindy implore his charges to hold thhe fort?
Will the Sabres remain in first place? Is Ottawa worthy of another streak? Will Ryan Miller fix the funk before he deaprts for Vancouver? will the Buffalo D corps get their heads out of the collective patoot and support their goaltenders? Will 26, 9, 29, 55, 41, 19 tickle the twine and lead their team?
To understand the future, we must first flashback to the recent past.
Monday February 1. Fresh off one goal wins vs. Joisey and Boston. Buffalo travels to Pittsburgh. They build a two goal lead in the second period. Inexplicably, they doused theselves with lighter fluid, and then handed a lit match to Sidney Crosby. 5-4 loss.
Two nights later, Mike Underwood, Spezz, and Alfie skated into HSBC Arena with a sense of purpoose, to say nothing of a nine game winning streak in tow. Ottawa built a two goal lead, Buffalo fought back to square the score at 2. Then, the D and forwards commit d zone treason and lord Alfie pots the game winner with 59 ticks left on the clock. 3-2 Sens.
Friday night at home, Eric Staal and his Canes flipped the script and made Buffalo look like one of the NHl bottom feeders. This time, the culprit was Ryan Miller and his catching mitt. Somehow, after the Sabres had tied the score at 3s in the third period, Miller's glove turned into a tfal coated frying pan that would end up betraying Team USA's starting goalie. Jussi jokinen scores with a spitball from 37 feet out. The shot was clean. Miller had an eagle eye on the puck. Buffalo's offensive players--Vanek, Roy, Pommer--- fail to pull their usually reliable goalie out of the fire. 4-3 Canes.
No time to bitch and moan. Hop the charter to Columbus to seek redemption. Yeah, right. No passion. No jam. No desperation. No sense of urgency. No Sabres pride. No goals.
Buffalo's only highlight of the game: Drew Stafford beat down RJ Umberger. Lose the game, win the fights.
The week from H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS is over. Or is it?
_______________________________________________________________________
Join the Discussion:
»