Seamless Sabres Double Up Flunking Flyers

The Sabres may have played their best game of the year, injuries aside. From the opening faceoff Buffalo dominated through the entire game. After six one goal games, the Sabres finally put some distance between them and the opponents and didn't have to look over their shoulders for the whole game.

Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, Jason Pominville (even strength scoring leader for the Sabres), Adam Mair, Andrew Peters, and Derek Roy all netted goals for the home team. The Sabres were dynamic on the powerplay, scoring three times in five chances. Their penalty kill was also efficient, stopping both of Philly's chances.

Simon Gagne did score twice for the visitors, and nearly got a hat trick, but Ryan Miller made an incredible save to keep the Flyers franchise player from recording the third goal. All together on the night, Miller, right, made 32 saves on 35 shots.

Quick notes: Flyers G Robert Esche was pulled after allowing four goals on fourteen shots and looking especially sloppy in the second...Nathan Paetsch, Jochen Hecht, Daniel Briere, Chris Drury, and Jason Pominville all had multipoint nights...Flyers Mike Richards had three assists.

Buffalo Rookies Used to the Game

Buffalo's seamless play comes from the close network between Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and their AHL counterpart Rochester Americans coach Randy Cunneyworth. Lindy Ruff has asked Cunneyworth for the last few years to have the same type of game plan for the Amerks as he does with his Sabres. That way, if something is to happen to a Sabre (or six of them), an Amerk is there to step up and take their place. This creates a more relaxed atmosphere and lets a player realize they don't need to learn more than one game, especially in Drew Stafford's case. The young wing has been called up seven times this season.

You have Now Entered The Twilight Zone

Brian Campbell dropped his gloves for the first time in his career. R.J. Umberger, after getting DESTROYED by Campbell on a vicious, but clean open ice hit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, finally fought back. The hit (viewable here) helped Buffalo win that game in overtime. Umberger most likely fought back in the team's third meeting since because Campbell was not as protected as he was in the previous games, and I'm sure Umberger thought that he could set the tone for Philly to remain hot. It didn't work out for them.

Adam Mair and Andrew Peters are known as the bash brothers for this Sabres club. It's not a guarantee that they will even dress for a game, but tonight, where their roles were deepened due to the injury list, they stepped up. Peters scored his first goal since his rookie campaign, and Mair, right, scored only his second goal of the season on a beautiful redirect. Peters finished an assist short of the Gordie Howe hat trick (a goal, assist, and fight).

Both players stepped up their ice time a very significant amount and both stepped up their play at least that much. Coach Lindy Ruff must feel better about his current situation knowing that these two can handle the extra time on ice.

And Now, A Reserve Is Hurt

Daniel Paille, right, will miss at least two weeks with a broken index finger. He was checked and slid into the boards, but it is unclear which contact broke his finger. Coach Ruff couldn't do anything but laugh at the news. "What can you do? The doctors said two or three weeks. That's just a short one for us."

Paille has been with the Sabres for almost two weeks straight and has been learning every game. He is a student of the game, and when he gets back, look for him to play with renewed energy.

Check in tomorrow for trade deadline possibilities.