congrats on that win. the Sabres did get some good news though.
The Sabres are getting healthier just in time for the playoffs, with f Ales Kotalik the latest player ready to return. Kotalik, who's missed 16 gms with a right knee injury, practiced fully on Mon. and is expected to play in Buffalo's home game against Jersey on Wed. "If things keep going the way they've been doing so far, I'm not seeing any problems playing Wed," said Kotalik, who added he will have to play with a knee brace. Kotalik is a sharp-shooting f who had 14 gls and 36 pts in 59 gms before he was hurt. He practiced on a line with c Chris Drury and Dainius Zubrus, acquired last month in a trade with Washington. Besides welcoming back Kotalik, coach Ruff said d Toni Lydman, who's missed 5 gms with an undisclosed upper body injury, and rookie forward Daniel Paille, who's missed 15 gms with a broken left index finger, are also close to returning. That's good news for the Eastern Conference-leading Sabres, who have 7 gms left and have a shot at finishing with the NHL's best record. Buffalo, which has already clinched a playoff spot, had 103 points as of Mon, tied for first overall with West-leading Nashville. Once all 3 players return, the Sabres would be the healthiest they've been in mths, missing only 2 regulars: rw Maxim Afinogenov, who's missed 17 gms with a broken left wrist, and center Tim Connolly, who's missed the entire season because of concussion-related symptoms. Afinogenov could be back in time for the playoffs, and will be evaluated next week to determine his progress, Ruff said. Connolly's return hit a setback last month when he sustained a stress fracture in his leg. He resumed practicing last week, but has not yet been cleared for contact.
but then this
Maybe coach Lindy Ruff now has the Sabres' attention.
Unhappy with his team's performance of late, and with 2 wks left in the regular season, Ruff put the Eastern Conference-leading Sabres through a grueling 90-min practice Mon: a not-so-subtle reminder that this is not the time to let up. "There were some parts of our game I was embarrassed about," Ruff said, still stewing over a 4-1 loss at Toronto on Saturday. "We're not going to hide from it. We're not happy with the way we played."
It didn't matter that the Sabres split the home-at-home series with the Maple Leafs or have registered at least a point in six of their past seven games, going 4-1-2 over that stretch. Ruff was more disturbed that the Sabres were out-shot 79-54 during the two-game series, and would have lost both had they not rallied from a 3-goal 3rd-period deficit to pull out a 5-4 win Fri. "Every game has playoff ramifications," said Ruff, who's team has a chance to finish 1st in the overall standings for the first time in franchise history. "We need to answer the bell because that's the type of hockey you're going to need to play going into the postseason." Message received.
"Hopefully, it's the last one," co-captain Chris Drury said. "I think the overall theme was, 'You're not going to win them all, but you certainly can control your effort, your focus and competitiveness.' We lacked that for a big chunk of 6 periods this weekend." The Sabres have 7 gms left, starting with a home game Wed against New Jersey, which has 96 pts and is tied with Pitts for the Atlantic Division lead. With 103 points, Buffalo is 5 ahead of Northeast Division rival Ottawa and tied with West-leading Nashville for first overall. By finishing first, the Sabres would gain home-ice advantage through the playoffs. The added benefit would be Buffalo entering the postseason on a roll. "This isn't a situation where we should be letting each other off the hook," goalie Ryan Miller said. "I think there were some situations where we weren't competing hard enough." Miller's comments echoed those he made immediately following the loss Saturday, a game in which he was pulled early in the second period after allowing three goals on 21 shots. "I was a little ticked off after the game," Miller said. "Maybe I went a little too far, but I think everybody would say that we didn't compete hard enough to a man. And sometimes you've got to voice your opinion." "He was right," co-captain Daniel Briere said, referring to Miller. "We didn't play very well in front of him those two games." Ruff said he wasn't aware of Miller's outburst. But he didn't disagree with his goalie. "It's OK to be angry," Ruff said. "As long as the player takes care of his area before speaking out, I'm OK with that. ... Everybody should be upset with what went on in those two games. And he should be one of them."
Let the NHL season Begin!!!!!
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sgt.null
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Buffalo 4, New Jersey 3
N.Y. - Now this was more to Ryan Miller's liking. Unhappy with the Sabres' last outing, the goalie was impressed with the patience Buffalo displayed in a 4-3 win over the Devils on Wed night. Not only did the Sabres beat the opportunistic and defensive-minded Devils at their own game, the win inched Buffalo closer to clinching the Eastern Conference title. Not a bad way for the Sabres to bounce back from a sloppy 4-1 loss at Toronto last weekend, a game in which the goalie questioned his team's effort. "We got the rewards for playing the right way," said Miller, who stopped 28 shots. "The Devils play a very patient system that benefits them come playoff time. And we feel if we can play against that, we can play against a lot of teams in this league." Jochen Hecht scored twice, while the Sabres also got goals from rookie Daniel Paille and Ales Kotalik -- both forwards playing their first games after missing extended stretches due to injuries. With six games left, the Sabres (49-20-7) extended their lead atop the East standings to seven points over the Devils, as well as idle Pittsburgh and Ottawa. Buffalo also moved into a tie for first place in the NHL with Nashville. Scott Gomez, Paul Martin and Zach Parise scored for the Devils (45-24-8), who were coming off a 3-2 victory at the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Martin Brodeur stopped 19 shots and remains three wins short of matching Bernie Parent's single-season record for victories. Brodeur has 44 wins, tied with Vancouver's Roberto Luongo, for the NHL lead.
"They hit their shots," said Brodeur, referring to the Sabres' final three goals coming on one-timers or off rebounds. "They sat back and were a pretty patient team. They didn't give us too much and they capitalized on their opportunities." Just the way Sabres coach Lindy Ruff drew it up. It wasn't pretty, leading to a dull first two periods, but it was effective.
"I think this was a real good win for our team," Ruff said. "The fact that we had to tone down the style of our play, that we had to be a lot more patient. And I thought we cleaned up a lot of the careless errors and the careless turnovers." The Sabres, who never trailed, took control when Paille and Hecht, with his second of the game, scored 4 minutes apart in the third period to put Buffalo ahead 3-1. Paille, back after missing 15 games with a broken finger, scored after Brodeur made the initial save on Adam Mair's shot from the right circle. Paille then beat Martin to the rebound and slid it through the goalie's legs. Hecht scored on a one-timer from the right circle, set up by Daniel Briere's cross-ice feed during a 3-on-2 rush. Martin cut the lead to 3-2 with 6:11 left, but Kotalik sealed the win 2 minutes later with a one-timer from the left circle. Kotalik returned after missing 16 games with a knee injury. "Now they have to go a long way to catch us," Kotalik said of the Sabres' conference rivals. "It's always a little confidence-booster for upcoming games." The Devils have the Atlantic Division race to focus on -- they're tied with Pittsburgh and both teams have five games left. The Penguins are on roll, 8-2-0 in their last 10, while the Devils are slumping, having lost five of their past eight. "They're not losing any games. They're just getting points left and right," Brodeur said of the Penguins. "So that's what we're aiming, to win every game and getting on a roll before the playoffs start."
N.Y. - Now this was more to Ryan Miller's liking. Unhappy with the Sabres' last outing, the goalie was impressed with the patience Buffalo displayed in a 4-3 win over the Devils on Wed night. Not only did the Sabres beat the opportunistic and defensive-minded Devils at their own game, the win inched Buffalo closer to clinching the Eastern Conference title. Not a bad way for the Sabres to bounce back from a sloppy 4-1 loss at Toronto last weekend, a game in which the goalie questioned his team's effort. "We got the rewards for playing the right way," said Miller, who stopped 28 shots. "The Devils play a very patient system that benefits them come playoff time. And we feel if we can play against that, we can play against a lot of teams in this league." Jochen Hecht scored twice, while the Sabres also got goals from rookie Daniel Paille and Ales Kotalik -- both forwards playing their first games after missing extended stretches due to injuries. With six games left, the Sabres (49-20-7) extended their lead atop the East standings to seven points over the Devils, as well as idle Pittsburgh and Ottawa. Buffalo also moved into a tie for first place in the NHL with Nashville. Scott Gomez, Paul Martin and Zach Parise scored for the Devils (45-24-8), who were coming off a 3-2 victory at the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Martin Brodeur stopped 19 shots and remains three wins short of matching Bernie Parent's single-season record for victories. Brodeur has 44 wins, tied with Vancouver's Roberto Luongo, for the NHL lead.
"They hit their shots," said Brodeur, referring to the Sabres' final three goals coming on one-timers or off rebounds. "They sat back and were a pretty patient team. They didn't give us too much and they capitalized on their opportunities." Just the way Sabres coach Lindy Ruff drew it up. It wasn't pretty, leading to a dull first two periods, but it was effective.
"I think this was a real good win for our team," Ruff said. "The fact that we had to tone down the style of our play, that we had to be a lot more patient. And I thought we cleaned up a lot of the careless errors and the careless turnovers." The Sabres, who never trailed, took control when Paille and Hecht, with his second of the game, scored 4 minutes apart in the third period to put Buffalo ahead 3-1. Paille, back after missing 15 games with a broken finger, scored after Brodeur made the initial save on Adam Mair's shot from the right circle. Paille then beat Martin to the rebound and slid it through the goalie's legs. Hecht scored on a one-timer from the right circle, set up by Daniel Briere's cross-ice feed during a 3-on-2 rush. Martin cut the lead to 3-2 with 6:11 left, but Kotalik sealed the win 2 minutes later with a one-timer from the left circle. Kotalik returned after missing 16 games with a knee injury. "Now they have to go a long way to catch us," Kotalik said of the Sabres' conference rivals. "It's always a little confidence-booster for upcoming games." The Devils have the Atlantic Division race to focus on -- they're tied with Pittsburgh and both teams have five games left. The Penguins are on roll, 8-2-0 in their last 10, while the Devils are slumping, having lost five of their past eight. "They're not losing any games. They're just getting points left and right," Brodeur said of the Penguins. "So that's what we're aiming, to win every game and getting on a roll before the playoffs start."
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sgt.null
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congrats.
Buffalo 6, NY Islanders 4
N.Y. (AP) -- Chris Drury and the Buffalo Sabres received a timely late-season reminder of how important it is to not take any lead -- even a four-goal edge -- for granted. At least it didn't cost them. Drury scored twice and added an assist to spark a five-goal first period, and the Sabres hung on for a 6-4 win over the New York Islanders on Friday. Besides inching to within a victory of clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Buffalo (50-20-7) also gained sole possession of first place in the NHL. "The first period was obviously our best, and then we got pretty sloppy after that," Drury said. "But at the end of the day, it's still a `W,' and it's better than getting on the plane with a loss. ... Sometimes you win ugly." Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford had a goal and assist each, while Jason Pominville added three assists in helping the Sabres build a 5-1 lead before the game was 15 minutes old. It took Dainius Zubrus' goal with 7:29 left to seal the victory, putting the Sabres ahead 6-3. Buffalo which travels to play at Montreal on Saturday, became the first NHL team to reach 50 wins this season. With 107 points, Buffalo moved one ahead of Detroit in the league race, following the Red Wings' 4-3 shootout loss to Dallas.
The Islanders took little solace from their late-game rally in which they twice cut Buffalo's lead to two goals. What hurt is how the injury-depleted Islanders (36-29-12) are struggling to remain in the playoff hunt. The Islanders, who have five games left, remain tied with Carolina for 10th in the East in a tightly contested race between six teams separated by four points vying for the final three playoff spots. "I don't feel good about any way you lose, whether it's 4-3, 5-3 or 15-1," New York coach Ted Nolan said. "It doesn't matter. You have to find a way to win one." Besides missing starting goalie Rick DiPietro (concussion) for a second straight game, New York was also minus high-scoring left wing Ryan Smyth, who's listed day-to-day because of a leg injury.
DiPietro's injury hampers the Islanders the most, considering backup Mike Dunham allowed five goals on the first 10 shots he faced and was pulled after the first period. Dunham has lost five straight starts, a stretch in which he's allowed 24 goals. Viktor Kozlov led New York with two goals, while Tom Poti and Jason Blake also scored. Wade Dubielewicz, called up this week from the minors by the Islanders, stopped 17 shots. No excuses, said Nolan. "We have to ... concentrate on what we have to do to make the playoffs," he said. "It has nothing to do with Dunham's play. You give them three or four breakaways and that's tough on a goaltender." Nolan was referring to Derek Roy's game-opening goal and Drury's second of the game, both coming on short-handed breakaways. Buffalo took control by scoring three goals during a 3:01 span to build a 4-1 lead before the game was 11 minutes old. Vanek opened the surge by scoring from behind the net, slipping the puck in with Dunham looking the wrong way. Drury then one-timed a shot in from the left circle, while Stafford capped the run by collecting a rebound in front and backhanding it over a helpless Dunham. Buffalo also converted 3-of-7 power-play opportunities. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff called a timeout after the Islanders scored twice in the third period to cut the lead to 5-3. "Yeah, he didn't have to say much but ask, `Are we ready to play?"' Roy said. "They made it a game and I think that helped us mentally."
Buffalo 6, NY Islanders 4
N.Y. (AP) -- Chris Drury and the Buffalo Sabres received a timely late-season reminder of how important it is to not take any lead -- even a four-goal edge -- for granted. At least it didn't cost them. Drury scored twice and added an assist to spark a five-goal first period, and the Sabres hung on for a 6-4 win over the New York Islanders on Friday. Besides inching to within a victory of clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Buffalo (50-20-7) also gained sole possession of first place in the NHL. "The first period was obviously our best, and then we got pretty sloppy after that," Drury said. "But at the end of the day, it's still a `W,' and it's better than getting on the plane with a loss. ... Sometimes you win ugly." Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford had a goal and assist each, while Jason Pominville added three assists in helping the Sabres build a 5-1 lead before the game was 15 minutes old. It took Dainius Zubrus' goal with 7:29 left to seal the victory, putting the Sabres ahead 6-3. Buffalo which travels to play at Montreal on Saturday, became the first NHL team to reach 50 wins this season. With 107 points, Buffalo moved one ahead of Detroit in the league race, following the Red Wings' 4-3 shootout loss to Dallas.
The Islanders took little solace from their late-game rally in which they twice cut Buffalo's lead to two goals. What hurt is how the injury-depleted Islanders (36-29-12) are struggling to remain in the playoff hunt. The Islanders, who have five games left, remain tied with Carolina for 10th in the East in a tightly contested race between six teams separated by four points vying for the final three playoff spots. "I don't feel good about any way you lose, whether it's 4-3, 5-3 or 15-1," New York coach Ted Nolan said. "It doesn't matter. You have to find a way to win one." Besides missing starting goalie Rick DiPietro (concussion) for a second straight game, New York was also minus high-scoring left wing Ryan Smyth, who's listed day-to-day because of a leg injury.
DiPietro's injury hampers the Islanders the most, considering backup Mike Dunham allowed five goals on the first 10 shots he faced and was pulled after the first period. Dunham has lost five straight starts, a stretch in which he's allowed 24 goals. Viktor Kozlov led New York with two goals, while Tom Poti and Jason Blake also scored. Wade Dubielewicz, called up this week from the minors by the Islanders, stopped 17 shots. No excuses, said Nolan. "We have to ... concentrate on what we have to do to make the playoffs," he said. "It has nothing to do with Dunham's play. You give them three or four breakaways and that's tough on a goaltender." Nolan was referring to Derek Roy's game-opening goal and Drury's second of the game, both coming on short-handed breakaways. Buffalo took control by scoring three goals during a 3:01 span to build a 4-1 lead before the game was 11 minutes old. Vanek opened the surge by scoring from behind the net, slipping the puck in with Dunham looking the wrong way. Drury then one-timed a shot in from the left circle, while Stafford capped the run by collecting a rebound in front and backhanding it over a helpless Dunham. Buffalo also converted 3-of-7 power-play opportunities. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff called a timeout after the Islanders scored twice in the third period to cut the lead to 5-3. "Yeah, he didn't have to say much but ask, `Are we ready to play?"' Roy said. "They made it a game and I think that helped us mentally."
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Leafs play 3 games in 4 days... the tally:
2 losses one win.
GADS! How are we ever going to get a playoff spot like this?!!!!
OK, we will likely get 2 points vs. the FLyers, then its the Islanders and Montreal the last two games. At least agianst terams ahead of us... MUST WIN!!!!
And the Sabres couldn't help out, could they?.. they lost against Montreal on Saturday!!! C'mon!!!!
2 losses one win.
GADS! How are we ever going to get a playoff spot like this?!!!!
OK, we will likely get 2 points vs. the FLyers, then its the Islanders and Montreal the last two games. At least agianst terams ahead of us... MUST WIN!!!!
And the Sabres couldn't help out, could they?.. they lost against Montreal on Saturday!!! C'mon!!!!
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
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sgt.null
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Sabres clinch Eastern Conference title
Buffalo 4, Pittsburgh 1
PIT - The streets lining Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena are draped with banners celebrating the Penguins' first playoff appearance in 6yrs. The Sabres gave the home team a reminder of what it takes to win in the postseason. The Sabres clinched the Northeast Division and wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in 27 years, slowing Pittsburgh's rush to the postseason with a 4-1 victory on Tue night. In a possible playoff preview, Thomas Vanek scored his 40th and Jason Pominville scored slightly more than a minute later in the third period to put the Sabres up by 3 in only their 4th victory in Pittsburgh in 10yrs. They had been 3-12-5-1 there since the 1996-97 season. Clearly, the Sabres weren't awed by the huge sign celebrating Penguins stars such as Sidney Crosby that covers nearly one side of a building near the arena. "We took care of the puck, we didn't make a lot of mistakes and we didn't give them a lot of opportunities," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "We took a lot of pride in playing in our own end." And of winning the conference, too, though there weren't any champagne bottles or celebratory T-shirts on display. The Sabres made certain their final 3 games, all against non-playoff teams, will effectively mean nothing as Dmitri Kalinin and Derek Roy scored in Buffalo's 51st victory. "It's a nice accomplishment, but it's not the ultimate goal," All-Star Daniel Briere said. "There's a lot more to be done. We don't get too carried away with that. It's nice to have home-ice advantage at the start of playoffs, but that's where it stops." Buffalo last won a conference title, the Prince of Wales, in the 1979-80 season and hadn't won its division in 10 years. "We set lofty goals and to secure home ice is a heck of an accomplishment," Ruff said. The Sabres remained one point behind Detroit (110-109) for the Presidents' Trophy, which goes to the team with the most points during the season. The Red Wings beat Columbus 3-0, but have one fewer game remaining than Buffalo. By losing, the Penguins fell three points behind Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey -- a 2-1 shootout winner over Ottawa -- for the division lead and second place in the conference. Both teams have two games remaining. The Penguins also dropped two points behind Ottawa, 103-101, for fourth place in the conference and home ice in a first-round playoff matchup. Pittsburgh plays at Ottawa on Thursday and at home against the Rangers on Saturday. The Penguins' first letdown in weeks -- they were 12-3-2 last month, the most March victories in club history -- came at an inopportune time. The Sabres held NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby (117 points) without a point and seemed to take advantage of any mistake the Penguins made. "They came into our building and played better than us and that hasn't happened very often," Mark Recchi said. "It was a good wakeup call for us because we've got two big games coming up, and we've got to play a lot better, be more intense and focused." After Kalinin and Recchi scored in the first period, Recchi's 23rd goal but his first in 21 games, Roy's 18th goal early in the second proved the biggest of the game. Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stuck out his right pad to stop Drew Stafford's shot but Roy skated hard to the lower right circle and put the rebound past Fleury. Early in the third, the Sabres had just killed off Briere's delay of game penalty when Vanek also scored on a rebound, sweeping the puck around Fleury after the goalie stopped Stafford's shot from the slot. Vanek became the first Sabres player to score 40 goals in a season since Miroslav Satan also had 40 in 1998-99, when Buffalo lost to Dallas in the Stanley Cup finals.
Pominville made it 4-1 only 66 seconds later after Jochen Hecht put a long pass on his stick in the right circle following a Pittsburgh turnover in the neutral zone. "We had opportunities on the power play and we didn't take advantage of them," Crosby said after the Penguins went 0-for-8 on the power play. "I think if we score on one of those power plays, it's a whole different game." Sabres goalie Ryan Miller made 22 saves in his 38th victory, matching Don Edwards' team record set in 1977-78. "It was a good example of playing smart hockey, and that's what wins in playoffs -- being patient, waiting for your opportunity and being solid," Miller said.
Buffalo 4, Pittsburgh 1
PIT - The streets lining Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena are draped with banners celebrating the Penguins' first playoff appearance in 6yrs. The Sabres gave the home team a reminder of what it takes to win in the postseason. The Sabres clinched the Northeast Division and wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in 27 years, slowing Pittsburgh's rush to the postseason with a 4-1 victory on Tue night. In a possible playoff preview, Thomas Vanek scored his 40th and Jason Pominville scored slightly more than a minute later in the third period to put the Sabres up by 3 in only their 4th victory in Pittsburgh in 10yrs. They had been 3-12-5-1 there since the 1996-97 season. Clearly, the Sabres weren't awed by the huge sign celebrating Penguins stars such as Sidney Crosby that covers nearly one side of a building near the arena. "We took care of the puck, we didn't make a lot of mistakes and we didn't give them a lot of opportunities," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "We took a lot of pride in playing in our own end." And of winning the conference, too, though there weren't any champagne bottles or celebratory T-shirts on display. The Sabres made certain their final 3 games, all against non-playoff teams, will effectively mean nothing as Dmitri Kalinin and Derek Roy scored in Buffalo's 51st victory. "It's a nice accomplishment, but it's not the ultimate goal," All-Star Daniel Briere said. "There's a lot more to be done. We don't get too carried away with that. It's nice to have home-ice advantage at the start of playoffs, but that's where it stops." Buffalo last won a conference title, the Prince of Wales, in the 1979-80 season and hadn't won its division in 10 years. "We set lofty goals and to secure home ice is a heck of an accomplishment," Ruff said. The Sabres remained one point behind Detroit (110-109) for the Presidents' Trophy, which goes to the team with the most points during the season. The Red Wings beat Columbus 3-0, but have one fewer game remaining than Buffalo. By losing, the Penguins fell three points behind Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey -- a 2-1 shootout winner over Ottawa -- for the division lead and second place in the conference. Both teams have two games remaining. The Penguins also dropped two points behind Ottawa, 103-101, for fourth place in the conference and home ice in a first-round playoff matchup. Pittsburgh plays at Ottawa on Thursday and at home against the Rangers on Saturday. The Penguins' first letdown in weeks -- they were 12-3-2 last month, the most March victories in club history -- came at an inopportune time. The Sabres held NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby (117 points) without a point and seemed to take advantage of any mistake the Penguins made. "They came into our building and played better than us and that hasn't happened very often," Mark Recchi said. "It was a good wakeup call for us because we've got two big games coming up, and we've got to play a lot better, be more intense and focused." After Kalinin and Recchi scored in the first period, Recchi's 23rd goal but his first in 21 games, Roy's 18th goal early in the second proved the biggest of the game. Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stuck out his right pad to stop Drew Stafford's shot but Roy skated hard to the lower right circle and put the rebound past Fleury. Early in the third, the Sabres had just killed off Briere's delay of game penalty when Vanek also scored on a rebound, sweeping the puck around Fleury after the goalie stopped Stafford's shot from the slot. Vanek became the first Sabres player to score 40 goals in a season since Miroslav Satan also had 40 in 1998-99, when Buffalo lost to Dallas in the Stanley Cup finals.
Pominville made it 4-1 only 66 seconds later after Jochen Hecht put a long pass on his stick in the right circle following a Pittsburgh turnover in the neutral zone. "We had opportunities on the power play and we didn't take advantage of them," Crosby said after the Penguins went 0-for-8 on the power play. "I think if we score on one of those power plays, it's a whole different game." Sabres goalie Ryan Miller made 22 saves in his 38th victory, matching Don Edwards' team record set in 1977-78. "It was a good example of playing smart hockey, and that's what wins in playoffs -- being patient, waiting for your opportunity and being solid," Miller said.
nice.
BTW null, where do you get your reviews from? They have an obvious Buffalo slant so I'm guessing from some Buffalo on-line source.
OK, now the LEafs:
They beat Phili last night, but only barely! (sh!t) Lazy lazy play... sheesh! However! your old goalie Biron was pretty amazing actually. Made some key key saves when Phili needed to stay alive.
so it was 3-2 in overtime.
NOW...
Leafs still in 9th place with 89 points (one out of a playoff spot). Montreal (90) and Rangers (91) are in 8th and 7th respectively.
Best case senario for the last two games... Thursday: Leafs win over Islenders, Montreal beats Rangers... Then Saturday Penguins beat Rangers and Leafs beat MOntreal in regulation (thereby not giving them 1 point) and we have Leafs in 7th and Montreal in 8th (points tied with Rangers but more wins).
There.
yah... easier said than done...
BTW null, where do you get your reviews from? They have an obvious Buffalo slant so I'm guessing from some Buffalo on-line source.
OK, now the LEafs:
They beat Phili last night, but only barely! (sh!t) Lazy lazy play... sheesh! However! your old goalie Biron was pretty amazing actually. Made some key key saves when Phili needed to stay alive.
so it was 3-2 in overtime.
NOW...
Leafs still in 9th place with 89 points (one out of a playoff spot). Montreal (90) and Rangers (91) are in 8th and 7th respectively.
Best case senario for the last two games... Thursday: Leafs win over Islenders, Montreal beats Rangers... Then Saturday Penguins beat Rangers and Leafs beat MOntreal in regulation (thereby not giving them 1 point) and we have Leafs in 7th and Montreal in 8th (points tied with Rangers but more wins).
There.
yah... easier said than done...
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
I think I mentioned this before, but the end of this season has a distinctive feel like the scene from "Bruce Almighty" where Jim Carry gets to be God. At random he just anwers a bunch of people's prayers. Cut to a bunch of fans screaming with joy "The Sabres won the Cup!"....
Not so fantastical now, eh?...
Not so fantastical now, eh?...
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
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sgt.null
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well there has been Hull in the crease and the fog. so i'm not holding my breathe just yet. and now I have to rent the film.
Buffalo 4, Boston 2
N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres matched a franchise record with their 52nd win and did it the hard way. With top spot in the Eastern Conference already secured, the Sabres rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the Boston Bruins 4-2 Thursday night. Thomas Vanek scored twice and added an assist, and goaltender Ryan Miller stopped 22 shots to win his 39th and set a franchise record -- one ahead of the mark set by Don Edwards in 1977-78. Better still, Buffalo moved into a tie for first place in the overall NHL standings, after West-leading Detroit lost 3-2 in shootout at Chicago. All in all, it was an entertaining way for Buffalo to close out its home season. "Ah, I don't think we've panicked all year," Vanek said. "You look at our offensive firepower and you're not allowed to panic. And then you have a goalie like Miller back there, when we give up two as a team, we know we can win 3-2, 4-2 like we did tonight." It marked the 10th time Buffalo has won by overcoming a two-goal deficit, and it provided a fitting bookend after the Sabres opened their home schedule by twice rallying from two-goal deficits to beat Montreal 5-4 in a shootout in October. "It shows good character," Miller said. "We feel like we're in every hockey game. As long as we can stay close and stay composed." The Sabres almost made it look easy in beating a Bruins team that lost its fifth straight and was already eliminated from playoff contention. The key was Ales Kotalik's goal, which came 21 seconds after Patrice Bergeron scored to give Boston a 2-0 lead. Vanek tied the game before the first period was over, and then scored the go-ahead goal by capping a great individual effort 4:26 into the third period. Getting to a loose puck at his own blue line, Vanek streaked up the right wing ahead of defender Dennis Wideman. Approaching the Bruins' net, Vanek cut in front by outmuscling Wideman and then slipped a shot in through the legs of Hannu Toivonen. "In the third period, they turned it up a bit and we just didn't respond," Bruins coach Dave Lewis said. Then again, Lewis added, the Sabres "are a pretty powerful team." Andrew Ference also scored for Boston, which dropped to 1-9-1 in its past 11 games. The Sabres, by comparison, are on a roll, improving to 8-2-1 in their past 11. With two weekend road games left, Buffalo (52-21-7) has already matched its win total from last season. And they upped their league-leading total of goals scored to 303. The Sabres are also getting healthier, welcoming back Maxim Afinogenov, who played his first game after missing 21 with a broken left wrist. Afinogenov, who assisted on Derek Roy's goal, showed he hadn't lost a step midway through the second period, when he got around Ference and cut to the front of the net before having his sharp backhander stopped by Toivonen. Afinogenov forgot all about the injury after his first shift ended when Ference opened the scoring. "For the first game it was OK, but I had the one mistake on the first shift," Afinogenov said. "But after that, I think I played pretty well." Miller was solid, too, stopping all 11 shots he faced after allowing two goals. His biggest save came in the second period, when he got across to rob Ference, set up for a one-timer at the right post. Miller is looking ahead to the playoffs, and would gladly trade his 39 wins for 16 in the postseason. He's ready. "I don't want to call it playoff mode because I don't think we need to change anything," Miller said. "I don't want these guys thinking that we have to hit a switch. There's no switch. It's just what we do."
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sgt.null
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Buffalo 2, Washington 0
DC: Tim Connolly's first goal of the season came in the Sabres' most significant win. Connolly scored in his return from a concussion sustained in last year's playoffs and Buffalo beat the Capitals 2-0 on Sat. to clinch the best record in the NHL. "It's a big monkey off my back," said Connolly, who scored his first goal in almost a year. "It wasn't something I was really thinking about. I was just going to try to come out and keep it simple out there and try to make the game as easy as possible. But it was really nice to get that." The Sabres' franchise-record 53rd win was enough to lock up the team's first Presidents' Trophy title and home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs that begin next week. Buffalo will wrap up the regular season Sunday at Philadelphia. "It's well-earned, but it's a small step on the way to where we want to get," coach Lindy Ruff said. Buffalo wasted no time ending Washington's disappointing season. Derek Roy and Connolly scored in the first 10 minutes, giving the Sabres a sufficient cushion and ensuring that the last-place Capitals would finish the season with the same point total (70) as last year. In the locker room after the game, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis vowed to be more aggressive in free agency this offseason. "We'll add to the team until we're like Buffalo," Leonsis said. "I really take heart in looking at some of these teams that were on the bottom. Buffalo wasn't a very good team for a long time and had a very good business model, the same with Pittsburgh, and now both of those teams are 100-point teams and have very high expectations, and I think that's where our bar is going to raised." Ryan Miller preserved Buffalo's lead with his second shutout of the season. One game after setting a franchise, single-season record for wins, he stopped 26 shots for his 40th victory. The All-Star goalie stopped four difficult shots in the second period and made a dazzling save from the seat of his pants in the third, prompting chants of "Mil-ler!" from the sizable group of Buffalo fans. "It's nice if you get a few fans in there that remind you you're not in quite as hostile an environment as you thought," Miller said. He stopped Alex Ovechkin's stuff attempt of a rebound one minute into the period and snagged a deflected shot out of the air 90 seconds later. When Miller gloved Ovechkin's wrist shot at 10:51 of the second, the fans began their serenade. For an encore in the third period, he slid to his backside on a cross-ice pass to Kris Beech and denied Beech from point-blank range. Roy put Buffalo ahead 96 seconds in. Olie Kolzig denied Maxim Afinogenov after Afinogenov's rush down the right wing, but Kolzig lost sight of the rebound, which lingered in the crease. Roy raced in and shot the puck in. Connolly added an insurance goal halfway through the period. After Daniel Paille forced a turnover inside Washington's blue line, he dropped a pass to Connolly, who fired a low shot that flew through traffic in front of Kolzig and in.
"Dan Paille made a great play because I was really caught flat-footed on the breakout," Connolly said. "He was able to strip the guy of the puck and left it there for me." Connolly had been sidelined by post-concussion symptoms and a broken leg that delayed his comeback six weeks ago. The Sabres limited Ovechkin to eight shots and no points. He entered the game needing two goals to reach 100 for his two-year career. Instead, he finished the season with 46 goals and 92 points.
DC: Tim Connolly's first goal of the season came in the Sabres' most significant win. Connolly scored in his return from a concussion sustained in last year's playoffs and Buffalo beat the Capitals 2-0 on Sat. to clinch the best record in the NHL. "It's a big monkey off my back," said Connolly, who scored his first goal in almost a year. "It wasn't something I was really thinking about. I was just going to try to come out and keep it simple out there and try to make the game as easy as possible. But it was really nice to get that." The Sabres' franchise-record 53rd win was enough to lock up the team's first Presidents' Trophy title and home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs that begin next week. Buffalo will wrap up the regular season Sunday at Philadelphia. "It's well-earned, but it's a small step on the way to where we want to get," coach Lindy Ruff said. Buffalo wasted no time ending Washington's disappointing season. Derek Roy and Connolly scored in the first 10 minutes, giving the Sabres a sufficient cushion and ensuring that the last-place Capitals would finish the season with the same point total (70) as last year. In the locker room after the game, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis vowed to be more aggressive in free agency this offseason. "We'll add to the team until we're like Buffalo," Leonsis said. "I really take heart in looking at some of these teams that were on the bottom. Buffalo wasn't a very good team for a long time and had a very good business model, the same with Pittsburgh, and now both of those teams are 100-point teams and have very high expectations, and I think that's where our bar is going to raised." Ryan Miller preserved Buffalo's lead with his second shutout of the season. One game after setting a franchise, single-season record for wins, he stopped 26 shots for his 40th victory. The All-Star goalie stopped four difficult shots in the second period and made a dazzling save from the seat of his pants in the third, prompting chants of "Mil-ler!" from the sizable group of Buffalo fans. "It's nice if you get a few fans in there that remind you you're not in quite as hostile an environment as you thought," Miller said. He stopped Alex Ovechkin's stuff attempt of a rebound one minute into the period and snagged a deflected shot out of the air 90 seconds later. When Miller gloved Ovechkin's wrist shot at 10:51 of the second, the fans began their serenade. For an encore in the third period, he slid to his backside on a cross-ice pass to Kris Beech and denied Beech from point-blank range. Roy put Buffalo ahead 96 seconds in. Olie Kolzig denied Maxim Afinogenov after Afinogenov's rush down the right wing, but Kolzig lost sight of the rebound, which lingered in the crease. Roy raced in and shot the puck in. Connolly added an insurance goal halfway through the period. After Daniel Paille forced a turnover inside Washington's blue line, he dropped a pass to Connolly, who fired a low shot that flew through traffic in front of Kolzig and in.
"Dan Paille made a great play because I was really caught flat-footed on the breakout," Connolly said. "He was able to strip the guy of the puck and left it there for me." Connolly had been sidelined by post-concussion symptoms and a broken leg that delayed his comeback six weeks ago. The Sabres limited Ovechkin to eight shots and no points. He entered the game needing two goals to reach 100 for his two-year career. Instead, he finished the season with 46 goals and 92 points.
well with all that hulabaloo, Leafs beat Montreal however Islanders beat both their teams to take the 8th spot. No Leafs vs. Sabres series null... 
Not even New Jersy could see past beating those bums!
So, all I want right now is for the Sabres to open a can of woop-ass on the islanders.
OK?
Not even New Jersy could see past beating those bums!
So, all I want right now is for the Sabres to open a can of woop-ass on the islanders.
OK?
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
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sgt.null
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Buffalo 4, NY Islanders 1
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Second season, familiar result. The Buffalo Sabres can still score and still win.
Chris Drury and Brian Campbell each scored two goals, helping the top-seeded Sabres open the playoffs with an efficient 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders in their Eastern Conference series Thursday night.
As they did in finishing the season with a league-leading 53 wins and 308 goals, the Sabres showed off their balanced offense. Campbell's game-opening goal was set up by fourth-line center Tim Connolly, and Buffalo converted two of six power-play chances.
Better still, Buffalo was sound on defense, limiting the Islanders to 21 shots, including just one in the first period.
Arron Asham scored for New York, which clinched the East's eighth and final playoff berth by winning its last four games of the regular season.
Minor league goaltender Wade Dubielewicz wasn't to blame in making his career playoff debut filling in for starter Rick DiPietro, who's out after sustaining two concussions last month. Dubielewicz kept the Isles in by stopping 20 of the first 22 shots, and finished with 31 saves.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is at Buffalo on Saturday.
The Sabres never trailed, with Drury scoring the go-ahead goal on a power-play in the second period. Driving into the slot, he flipped in a loose puck after Campbell's shot was blocked in front.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Second season, familiar result. The Buffalo Sabres can still score and still win.
Chris Drury and Brian Campbell each scored two goals, helping the top-seeded Sabres open the playoffs with an efficient 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders in their Eastern Conference series Thursday night.
As they did in finishing the season with a league-leading 53 wins and 308 goals, the Sabres showed off their balanced offense. Campbell's game-opening goal was set up by fourth-line center Tim Connolly, and Buffalo converted two of six power-play chances.
Better still, Buffalo was sound on defense, limiting the Islanders to 21 shots, including just one in the first period.
Arron Asham scored for New York, which clinched the East's eighth and final playoff berth by winning its last four games of the regular season.
Minor league goaltender Wade Dubielewicz wasn't to blame in making his career playoff debut filling in for starter Rick DiPietro, who's out after sustaining two concussions last month. Dubielewicz kept the Isles in by stopping 20 of the first 22 shots, and finished with 31 saves.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is at Buffalo on Saturday.
The Sabres never trailed, with Drury scoring the go-ahead goal on a power-play in the second period. Driving into the slot, he flipped in a loose puck after Campbell's shot was blocked in front.
Crosby's fantastic, but he needs a little bit more of a supporting cast... 
Buffalo is scary, however, the Pen's you are talking about... Crosby DOES have a great supporting cast! ... Malkin, Stahl ... there are a bunch of them. They just need a consistent goalie. I like Feury, but he is worse than Raycroft in the hot/cold department...
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~