Take the point and run
NEWARK, N.J. -- As road games against elite teams go, it's hard to gripe about the final 45 minutes of the Sabres' 2-1 shootout loss to the Devils Friday night in the Prudential Center.
The Sabres had the better of the play much of that time, only to be foiled by Devils legend Martin Brodeur. Ryan Miller was equally good until a freak bounce off the boards led to the tying goal with 6:23 left. Buffalo was a no-show in the first period, registering just two shots on goal and staying afloat only because of Miller.
"We set a record for the number of times we got to their blueline and turned the puck over," scowled coach Lindy Ruff. "We talked about that for 10 minutes after the period. ... Then the second period was basically all ours and we sat on it a little bit in the third period. It was the type of game we knew we'd be in and we thought we could get through it."
Too bad the Sabres didn't. It would have been nice to get the two points, especially since they got caught giving up a goal in the final seven minutes with a lower-rung quintet on the ice (Adam Mair, Clarke MacArthur, Mike Ryan, Nathan Paetsch and Dmitri Kalinin). That group probably doesn't see the ice again in regulation if it gets through that shift.
Still, if Miller isn't way above average, there's no point to be had in this one at all.
So it's on to Pittsburgh and we can finally get the Ice Bowl hype revved up. Turns out it's a big series too, with the Sabres and Pens part of a four-way logjam for fifth place in the East five games away from the halfway mark.
---Mike Harrington
(Photo: Martin Brodeur foils Ales Kotalik in the shootout/Associated Press)
Pretty funny how James Z became James A--how could anyone crack that code? Must be some kind of evil genius. Oh, and just for the record James, Z or A, you can't call your hand your "wife," even if you do put lipstick on the thumb.
Posted by: Geoffrey Anger | December 29, 2007 at 04:52 PM
That Martin Brodeur is something. He is playing like James Z from Kaisertown.
Posted by: Harry Neale | December 29, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Dave, I think that James from Kaisertown's alleged wife would love to leave him if she could free herself of the chains and duct tape she is being held against her will with.
Posted by: Concerned Citizen | December 29, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Dave, I agree with you 110%. I guess "fighting for the last playoff spot" is boring hockey. Please stop watching the Sabres. Please stop commenting on the Sabres. Please stop calling yourself a fan. You don't have to, really, you don't. There used to be a time when the prospect of making the playoffs excited people. Who gives a damn where you're seeded as long as you get in. I think teams have more than proven that over the years.
Posted by: Frank | December 29, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Buffalo was outshot and outplayed in both the first and third periods. This is a team that does not appear able to retain its intensity for most of the game. There is no flow to the offense. Ruff's main strategy appears to be "shoot from the point while screening the goalie".
Posted by: Don H | December 29, 2007 at 10:41 AM
I cant stand people like James A from KT. How could anyone live with this guy? His wife is probably planning on leaving him right now. Yeah it does seem like Miller loses a lot of shutouts late in the game, but most of those are games the Sabres are well ahead. A shutout is what was needed to beat Jersey, but youre going to lose 95% of your games scoring only one goal. People seem to compare Miller to Hasek. Buffalo fans know he was one of a kind - the best ever. Miller is an excellent goalie but he nor anyone else will be another Hasek.
Posted by: Dave | December 29, 2007 at 08:07 AM
Ryan Miller can't get a shutout to save his life.
I'd bet that Miller is the worse goalie that played over 30 games when it comes to getting a shutout.
With about 7 minutes left I told my wife, watch, this guy and get a shutout. NJ is going to score and I'll bet the house on it." They did score and the Sabres did lose.
It's like GroundHog Day with this team. Same old garbage.
They'll be fighting for the last playoff spot. Wow, big deal. The Penguins will clean their clocks Saturday.
Posted by: James A from KT | December 29, 2007 at 12:57 AM
It was another exciting game that forced us to watch it from start to finish. I am so excited to be coming to Buffalo for Tuesday's game. Any special New Years Eve party plans for us lucky visitors?
Posted by: Norm Toastmaster | December 28, 2007 at 11:30 PM