Just as the six-game home stand a few weeks back was supposed to define the Sabres’ season, the recent seven-game road swing was tabbed to do the same. I just love living in the present, don’t you?
Unlike the wasteful string of home games, the Sabres ran up a 4-2-1 record and vaulted into a playoff spot. While I never take too much stock in games in hand, they still have a few on the teams they are battling with in the race. Last night’s loss to Toronto cast a pall over the previous success because it was one of those “four point games”. Had Buffalo won, they would have taken a two point lead over the Rangers (albeit a brief lead), a four point lead over Carolina and effectively eliminated the Buds from any playoff contention. With the loss Buffalo dropped to eighth after New York’s shootout win and the Leafs are still within striking distance.
This all makes today’s game with Ottawa that much more important. While I don’t want to dwell too long on this set of back-to-back games, I kind of hope Jhonas Enroth lights it up today. My thinking is two-fold. The obvious point is the Sabres need a win to keep rolling in the playoff race (this is a game in hand). The second point is that I hope he plays well so that he gets another start, right away. Ryan Miller looked rather average last night and I think another couple of days off would suit him quite well.
If you can get Ryan Miller to a level where is able to steal some more games for you, that is what you need. In Carolina and Toronto he didn’t steal much of anything. With a little extra time off here and there I feel that Miller will make the entire team better.
One thing that did show in the road trip is the ability to rally against quality teams. Both Boston and Philly took two-goal leads that the Sabres quickly erased. All season this team has been better playing from behind than with the lead early in games. I think that may remain the case for the remainder of the year.
The one thing that needs to be remembered is that every game is now a big game, so to speak. I hear a lot of people whining and complaining about losses (especially after the Carolina game) that are detrimental to the playoff push. Funny enough, that game isn’t even relevant at this point in time. Sure, Miller allowed two bad goals and it resulted in a loss. Don’t forget that if Buffalo had gotten just one good bounce in regulation, that game ends with a Buffalo win. Hell, if Brad Boyes’ shot last night had been an inch or two higher it goes in. Not to mention they earned a point against the Hurricanes.
That may be a big point once April 9 comes along. If Buffalo is going to lose you want them to do it in a shootout or overtime. Get the bonus point if you can, especially when it is against a Western Conference opponent or a team way up in the standings. Of course most of this will be a moot point when it is all said and done. This season will be decided by the final two games against the Hurricanes and the three-game stretch when they face the Devils, Maple Leafs and Rangers in one weekend. Those ten points are pretty much must haves.
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