Cam Gore: Sharks get blanked by Sabres’ Ryan Miller

It's Miller time.........(too bad it only took for February to get his game back after getting crushed by Looch)

What's the word on Couture? Was really looking forward to watching his play tonight. A bit disappointed. Hope he's back Saturday.

Tough loss for the Sharks. They played a very strong game however, minus two weak power play appearances and of course the bad turnover from Burns.

Miller was just a brick wall tonight and when a goalie plays like that, his team won't lose too often. Tonight was no exception.

And I agree with the guy above me, when is Couture getting back into the lineup? The Sharks have CLEARLY missed him these past two games with a combined 1 goal in 120 minutes without him.

What's the word on Couture? Was really looking forward to watching his play tonight. A bit disappointed. Hope he's back Saturday.
- TheSabresTaco

He's day to day. I expect he'll be back within the week, but i'd rather he rest up for the playoffs if he's not 100%.

Pretty strong game from both teams. Buffalo REALLY ran out of gas for the 3rd. I thought they'd never pull it out after Regehr went down in the 2nd.

Gritty win, Miller was lights out. Not a huge fan of his price tag but he's really turned it up lately.

Good to see West coast hockey fans representing for SJ. Good crowd from what I could tell. Anaheim on the other hand...

Some additional notes for you Cam....

Contenders :

Patrick Marleau - I know he was the whipping boy a few seasons ago, but he is a very good player and showed it last night in a variety of ways. Buffalo would be lucky to have him on the team.

Joe Pavelski - incredibly underrated, should get more credit for the way he plays.

Miller - obviously

Buffalo D Core - even with Regehr down after the 2nd, they played very well. They are a strong group and they are getting better with each game.

Pretenders :

Buffalo wingers/finishers - if they buried even a fraction of their chances, the team would look a lot better. They consistently find ways to miss glorious chance after chance. It's maddening to watch if you are a Sabres fan.

I said on the Sabres blog yesterday that this would be a low scoring game. I didn't think it would be another 1-0 game though.

Wow, Miller what can you say... When he's on his game there are few better in the league. Way to represent America like a boss. What did he have 40 saves?

It's crazy how one turnover can be the difference in 1 or possibly 2 points in the standings versus a bit fat zero. Thank God Calgary put a beating on Phoenix and we didn't lose any points to them.

Good defense but the Sharks really need to score some goals. I cannot wait for Couture, Murray, and Havlat to all come back.

He's day to day. I expect he'll be back within the week, but i'd rather he rest up for the playoffs if he's not 100%.
- Hockeygirl101

lol...rest up for the playoffs? he better be back asap or they won't be playing in the postseason. have you checked the standings lately?

lol...rest up for the playoffs? he better be back asap or they won't be playing in the postseason. have you checked the standings lately?

- troon

Exactly. It's funny how people just assume we make the playoffs. Yes we cheer for a team who normally makes the playoffs (16 out of 21 seasons if we make it this year) but it's not a guarantee.

The Sharks better step their game up for this last portion of the season or it will be a long break for the boys in teal this summer.

Id say the Sharks coching staff was on the pretender list last night. In the 3rd when we finally got a powerplay Thornton was gased and wanted a time out, while I dont think the Sharks need to use a time out, I would have put the seconf PP unnit on for a shift. He kept Thorton and company on and they basically squandered the powerplay. Then with a minute and change left in the game, there was a faceoff in the Buffalo end and they didnt pull Niemi and they didnt call a time out.

lol...rest up for the playoffs? he better be back asap or they won't be playing in the postseason. have you checked the standings lately?

- troon

I know the Sharks are 7th, but I still have faith in them making the playoffs. I assume they'll make the playoffs because they're good enough to make the playoffs when they play their best. I think they'll turn it up and win the Pacific.

BUT even if they didn't make the playoffs, i'd STILL rather have Couture rest rather than try to play too soon and injure himself worse. The players are human, and their health comes first.

Id say the Sharks coching staff was on the pretender list last night. In the 3rd when we finally got a powerplay Thornton was gased and wanted a time out, while I dont think the Sharks need to use a time out, I would have put the seconf PP unnit on for a shift. He kept Thorton and company on and they basically squandered the powerplay. Then with a minute and change left in the game, there was a faceoff in the Buffalo end and they didnt pull Niemi and they didnt call a time out.
- SJFreez19

I agree, I still don't know what possessed the coaches to throw Thornton and company back out there.

I know the Sharks are 7th, but I still have faith in them making the playoffs. I assume they'll make the playoffs because they're good enough to make the playoffs when they play their best. I think they'll turn it up and win the Pacific.

BUT even if they didn't make the playoffs, i'd STILL rather have Couture rest rather than try to play too soon and injure himself worse. The players are human, and their health comes first.
- Hockeygirl101

Well the guy I wanted to replace McLellan when he GETS fired at the end of the season was Randy Carlyle. He would have been the perfect fit for this underachieving team. But instead we are stuck with a coach with no clue and 2 assistants who are just as clueless.

I agree, I still don't know what possessed the coaches to throw Thornton and company back out there.
- Hockeygirl101

Pretty easy our coaches are stupid, and not very good either.

Some additional notes for you Cam....

Contenders :

Patrick Marleau - I know he was the whipping boy a few seasons ago, but he is a very good player and showed it last night in a variety of ways. Buffalo would be lucky to have him on the team.

Joe Pavelski - incredibly underrated, should get more credit for the way he plays.

Miller - obviously

Buffalo D Core - even with Regehr down after the 2nd, they played very well. They are a strong group and they are getting better with each game.

Pretenders :

Buffalo wingers/finishers - if they buried even a fraction of their chances, the team would look a lot better. They consistently find ways to miss glorious chance after chance. It's maddening to watch if you are a Sabres fan.
- kingcong39

Marleau a contender? How can anyone on a team that played just 30 of 60 minutes, and scored 0 goals have a contender at all. Seriously Marleau seemed to be missing in action. In fact a friend told me (anyone that has twitter can verify) that Kevin Kruz said the same thing on twitter last night.

Marleau a contender? How can anyone on a team that played just 30 of 60 minutes, and scored 0 goals have a contender at all. Seriously Marleau seemed to be missing in action. In fact a friend told me (anyone that has twitter can verify) that Kevin Kruz said the same thing on twitter last night.
- Sharkfan48

Yes, Kevin Kurz mentioned that Marleau was struggling. Although I don't think he struggled last night any more than the team in general did. The pretty-passing/perfect-play crap is killing the Sharks, especially on the power play. Just crash the net and score some dirty goals.