Lindy Ruff has confirmed that he will start young
Enroth in Montreal.
Ryan Miller will start at home vs. Tronna on Wednesday.
Apparently, Lindy's chat with
Patty Lalime on the ice at practice on Monday was indeed simply about the weather forecast in their Clarence neighbourhood.
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Tough sledding in Denver. Bad week for the Colorado Avalanche. Peter Forsberg returns, then retires after two games. They've lost nine times in their past ten games, including eight straight losses.
They were punched in the face by Calgary to the tune of a 9-1 loss on Monday night.
A week ago, it appeared as though the Avs were looking to bolster their lineup to make a late charge at the eighth seed in the Western standings. They are now 25-26-6 for 55 points. They enter Tuesday's action ten points out of eight place with St. Louis (59), Columbus (61), Chicago (62), LA (65), Minnesota (65), and Calgary (66) ahead of them in the fight for the eighth Playoff seed. Let the deals begin!
Keep an eye on the Sabres and the Avalance. I've heard that Buffalo have been interested in centreman Paul Stastny for some time. Stastny, a complete package of a player, was Colorado's second round pick in 2005.
The left handed shooting centre has 17 goals and 24 assists this season. He has 3 PPG, 1 shortie and 2 GWG.
Colorado are said to be interested in a centre and a Dman. Paul Gaustad's name has been connected to Coolrado in recent weeks. Chris Butler's name has also come up. Butler played at the University of Denver, as did Stastny.
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February 22 is a week away. Thats the defacto day that new owner Terry Pegula is slated to take over control of the Buffalo Sabres. Tonight, WKBW TV in Buffalo is reporting that former a former Pittsburgh Penguin exec will be joining the Sabres front office next week.
According to the report, Ted Black will be joining the front office after the ownership change. Black was the Penguins Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs from 1999-2008. He recently worked as the Senior Vice President/General Manager at FSN Pittsburgh.
More as this story develops.
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A composed and relaxed Ryan Miller just addressed the media after practice, before heading out to catch the charter to Montreal.
Dressed in his charcoal grey suit with pink shirt, Miller stood tall and answered questions openly and honestly.
How will he approach this next week of games?
"Just prepare to play and go off of what Lindy has set up. I'm just letting Lindy handle all of that. You know, we had talked, and talked about woirking in some breaks. I you said, its busy and for me its seeking out some rest and finding time to get goalie practice in and getting in some rest", Miller said.
The reigning Vezina has started 31 staright games for his club and it would stand to reason that he is in need of a break. The nine days off the ice at the All Star break gave him physical rest, however, did it give him the mental cleansing necessary to compete on an game-very-other night in the dog days of hockey?
"Yeah, I mean there is a wear and tear to that (starting 31 staright games). But what I was talking about was the schedule moving forward is having to work in breaks. The last stretch of games its been more of an anomaly, its more of uh.. the team, and a Lindy's feel than anything. I wasn't.. quite what we set out to do. I think when I started the year with injuries it kinda threw a wrench into that, and Lindy wanted to get me rolling but it kinda got sort of a little bit long, so , we're going to have to make a plan to make sure that mentally and physically I'm where I need to be".
Miller is in line for a needed rest. He's been a warrior for his team since mid December. His 12-4-2 record is the reason why the team is better positioned to make the Playoffs today than it was in December.
Miller assessed his play in that stretch as follows:
"It kinda snuck up. Obviously after last night, i feel like... not playing at the level as expected after last season (his Vezina winning season) i feel like I'm contributing and playing decent. i obviously want to improve and now that's the name of the game to try to improve everyday, and you try to win everyday. I'm not going to be perfect. I'm certainly judged at a higher standard. Ya know, you're going to go through stretches, you're going to have games where you just don't win, and you're going to have games where you can't do anything right, but, you still win. I'm just going to shake it off and be a veteran player. It was a frustrating loss last night, but, looking back on the stretch of game, we've become a better team to get ourselves in a positive situation, but we can't let last night turn into a negative".
Is Miller okay with being judged at a "higher standard"?
"Its part of the gig. I'm not going to be perfect every time. I'm not going to handle it perfectly. I'm not a machine. Ya know? Thats how it goes. But, I'm going to come in to do my job. I'm always gonna try, and I'm always gonna be the guy, as far as winning the game. Ya know? It is what it is. its a tough situation if you let it become too much, but for me, I know what I have to do and I have a room full of guys who will help me do it. for me its just right now, find points in the schedule to get rest, get goalie practice, when I'm in there (the net) conserve energy and try and win games".
Lindy Ruff chatted up Patty Lalime on the ice towards the end of practice.
"We were talking about the weather in Clarence", Lindy deadpanned after the skate.
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Lindy also mentioned that he was not particularly thrilled with the play of Pat Kaleta in his return game from the busted hand.
Look for Paul Byron to get more playing time.
"Paul has played well for us. Even when his offense tapered off, he played good defensively".
Lindy said that he was going to discuss a Byron stay in Buffalo with his coaches this afternoon.
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I'm curious to hear your takes.
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