A big win and plenty of help
That's six wins in seven games. Plenty of offense from every line. Some strong two-way defensive play. And, often overlooked during this streak, some terrific goaltending from Ryan Miller.
November began as an utter disaster and finished strong for the Sabres. December couldn't have started any better with Saturday's 8-1 destruction of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Things are tightening up in the Northeast Division as well. Ottawa lost again as the Rangers drubbed the Sens, 5-2. Montreal blew a three-goal lead in the final 7 1/2 minutes (at home!) and lost to Nashville in a shootout, 5-4. The Bruins fell at Tampa Bay, 4-1. Sure, the Maple Leafs stayed one point ahead of Buffalo with their 4-2 win over Pittsburgh but are you really worried about them? Didn't think so.
No question, the rest of the division is seeing the Sabres team everyone figured had to be in there somewhere during those dark November days when no pucks were going into opposing nets. Right now, the Sabres are easily playing better than anyone else in this division.
Now it's off to the West Coast for three toughies at Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose. Let's hear your thoughts on Saturday's big one and what you want to see out west -- Three points? Four? Five?
---Mike Harrington
(Photo: Tim Connolly celebrates his first-period goal/Mark Mulville-Buffalo News)
