Underdogs No Longer: Sabres Knock off Sens in Shootout

Link: ESPN.com - NHL - Screen Shots: Sabres Biggest Underdogs.

This is a game we needed to play the way we played it.  It was a tough, physical, end-to-end game.  From the Peters/McGrattan tilt early in the first to Vanek's sick move to freeze Hasek and go... where else(?)...glove-gide high, this was a preview of the playoffs-to-come and I don't care what anyone else says, I'm looking forward to it with all of my being.

Buffalo vs. Ottawa, Saturday February 4th:

Coming into this game there were a lot of lingering questions about the Sabres in my mind.  I wanted to believe that they could skate with the Sens, they did.  As well, I wanted to believe we finally had a collection of shooters who could put a puck past Hasek.  Kotalik's one-timer was other-worldly.  Lastly, I wanted to believe that we could match whatever level the Sens took the game to and best it.  There were times in the 1st and 3rd period where I thought that the Sabres completely dictated the play.

What I believe now is that this Sabres squad is capable of all of those things and a few more.  With the return of Pyatt and Dumont this team has more edge, more sand.  With every game he plays Ryan MIller is solidifying his stranglehold on the Buffalo crease, and beginning to erase the disappointments of the past seasons and purge the ghost of Dom, with no biger step taken towards doing so than out dueling him in tonight's shootout. 

From the middle of the third period on, I knew this game was going to the shootout, I just felt it in my bones.  I didn't think either team would be able to break through the other's committment to not allowing another goal.  The Ottawa penalty killers were amazing in the third.  I've lost none of my respect for the club John Muckler has given Brian Murray to coach.  I've only gained respect for the squad that wears the sweaters I love to root for. 

Points of Interest:

• Jason Pominville and Paul Gaustad have truly arrived as NHL'ers.  Both were all over the ice tonight doing all the things that were expected of them and som that weren't.  Remember, I haven't seen a game in nearly amonth, and the difference for me was striking.
• Taylor Pyatt is beginning to show bits of being the power forward he was drafted to be.  And, he is a lot faster skater than I remember him being. 
• Ryan Miller has developed ice water in his veins.  At the beginning of the season I was still very worried about his mental toughness.  I don't worry about that anymore.  He has become nigh-unflappable. 
• The Sens ability to counterpunch is downright scary.  I noticed a lot fewer drop-passes and cute moves at their blueline late in the game than there were earlier.  It was trying to be fancy that got us into trouble against them earlier in the season and after a couple of attempts by Roy and, I think, Max early in the game I didn't see much of that after that stuff almost landed the puck in the back of our net.
• Our Power Play could survive the loss of Briere, but it can't survive losing Timmah! as well.  Connolly brings that rare combination of strength along the boards to control the puck and make the great pass to settle the power play down to set plays up. 
• This was Andrew Peters best game as a Sabre, and it was a great move by him to take mercy on McGrattan after breaking his nose and drawing blood.  Maybe we should send a tape of that to The Kaspar-fish, he might learn something.
• My heart couldn't take a 7 game series between these two teams.

That's two huge victories in the past 2 games, thoroughly out-skating the Flyers and playing Ottawa to a stand-still. For this effort we'll probably drop in the TSN standings because Kalinin got injured. 

Ta,

p.s. Don't just take my word for this, check out The Mirtle's thoughts on seeing the game live here.   Pay close attention to his praise for Goose and JPom.  My eyes misted over... :)

Comments

[mark seland]

fyi...anybody watching the buffalo / ottawa game last nite just got a glimpse of the eastern conf. finals this year...the u.s. olympic committee needs to get miller in the nets if it wants any chance of gainning a metal in the olympics this month...pop a beer it's miller time!!!!!

[David Lee]

"For this effort we'll probably drop in the TSN standings because Kalinin got injured."

It seems like no matter what you guys do, TSN won't rank you higher than 8. My good friend Amanda says this all the time, and at first, I thought she was just a little too sensitive about it.

I can't wait for next Sunday. I've always been sort of partial to the Sabres, and the way both of our clubs have been playing make it a dream matchup.

You'll hear all about it either way.

-d

[Tom L]

Mark,

Do not count out D-Lee's Carolina Hurricanes. The Lavalamp has them playing nigh-perfect hockey and with the addition of Doug Weight, they might have the best corps of pivots in the league. Mobile Defense, solid goaltending and a great transition game...

Ta,

[Tom L]

D-L,

It's become almost comical what that guy's excuse will be this week. Honestly, if I wasn't such a nit-picker about them I'd be outraged.

But, with wins over Ott and Philly this week I expect us to drop off the rankings completely and the Leafs will probably show up twice.

I'm really looking forward to the next game between our clubs... it should be an outright blast.

Ta,

[Cat P.]

SO HAPPY to see Ryan Miller doing so well. Always knew the MSU Spartan had it in him! :)