Ryan Miller Calls Out Defense; Injured Limp Back On Ice

"If we wanna be the big, bad team we THINK we are, we're gonna have to show a little more effort, that's for sure. Earlier in the games, at least. We KNOW we have the capability to score, but we gotta start playing complete hockey. You know, we better start learning some lessons, because we can't come back every night. It's not the way we wanna play hockey. It's nice to have that capability, but you can't get outshot two nights in a row, and look at it like we're happy with our game....We just have to be hungrier. There's no excuse.

(Asked about how Toronto has been playing with such desperation....) We should use it, too, you know, that was a team we couldn't match up against. You've gotta play your best hockey every night, and not give the other team any kind of confidence..... You know...... we're gonna find soon that WE'RE gonna be the desperate team if we don't start playing good hockey."

- Ryan Miller after the loss at Toronto, Saturday, March 24th

While grit, determination, and flat-out hard work may be the three most cliche elements of victory in sports, they are only outperformed by the two most cliche elements of sports- heart and hustle.

Unfortunately, very few members of the Sabres have been playing with any of the five aforementioned characteristics. And those are the things that win championships.

I've been argued with countless times that when our injured heal we need a checking line. I don't think rolling four scoring lines will help our plight. We need guys on the ice that can scare the other team. Force them to think twice about hitting our star players hard or cheap.

Buffalo's lackluster play has largely been at fault for the funk we've been in. 6-4-2 in the last 12. With our high-octane, five man up five man down attack, there is no room for slow, lazy play, or we give up odd man rushes and gift wrap scoring chances like it's Christmas.

And we have been. Ryan Miller was the first person to stand up and say it, and hopefully that will light a fire under the Sabres' butts. Maybe they will remember digging out those first ten victories of the season and how accomplished they felt, especially after winning a couple in a shootout, after sixty-five minutes of pure dogfight.

Or maybe Ottawa and New Jersey sneaking up on us is something that is frightening them. I would be scared- Ottawa has been playing some excellent hockey as of late, led by Dany Heatley.

Either way, Buffalo needs to turn it on now- and hopefully get 23 more wins. As long as 16 of them come after April 8th, I'll be happy. But if they don't, SABRES NATION, don't be surprised if you don't get to see Chris Drury and Daniel Briere pick the Stanley Cup over their heads in their alternate jerseys.

Injury Update

Ales Kotalik will be back Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils.
Toni Lydman and Daniel Paille expect to return to action this weekend.
Don't be surprised if Paille goes back down to Rochester to get back into the swing of things. It wouldn't be a bad idea because Ryan, MacArthur and Stafford are used to the speed and still carry the conditioning.
Maxim Afinogenov has had no change, still the last game or two is possible.
And finally, Tim Connolly is on pace to be back for the last couple games of the season. If he gets his wind back quickly, he could be back as early as this weekend as well.


Season Scenarios- Seven games left

The Magic Numbers are now reflective of the games on 3/27.

-For Buffalo to win the Northeast division, any combination of Buffalo points and opponents squandered points that equals
a) Ottawa Senators- 8

-For Buffalo to win the Eastern Conference, any combination of Buffalo points and opponents squandered points that equals
a) New Jersey Devils- 8
b) Pittsburgh Penguins- 6
c) Ottawa Senators- 8

-For Buffalo to win the President's Trophy, any combination of Buffalo points and opponents squandered points that equals
a) Nashville Predators- 13
b) Detroit Red Wings- 13
c) Anaheim Ducks- 12
d) New Jersey Devils- 8
e) Vancouver Canucks- 10
f) Dallas Stars- 8
g) Pittsburgh Penguins- 6
h) Ottawa Senators- 8
i) San Jose Sharks- 8
j) Minnesota Wild- 7