No morning skate for Sabres
ASTORIA -- The Sabres usually don't take a morning skate on the second day of back-to-back games, and they were quick to cancel today's outing. Several players are ill. Coach Lindy Ruff said he expects the energy level to be low tonight against the Islanders, so no reason to skate this morning.
We'll find out this evening who will be able to play (Paul Gaustad has already been ruled out), but it wouldn't be a surprise if Patrick Kaleta is among the ill. He was skipped on the first shift of Friday's 3-2 overtime victory over Toronto and played just one shift in the third period. Fellow linemates Adam Mair and Matt Ellis played just two in the final period; that may be because Ruff didn't want to break up any other lines.
As Bucky Gleason wrote, Ryan Miller was the reason the Sabres won Friday. The NHL stats have been updated for the day, and Miller remains at the top in goals-against average and save percentage.
---John Vogl
allhopeisgone -
Random bitterness amuses me - thanks for the entertainment. Sorry you take 4 hours to play such a short course - I usually finish in 3:30. But I'm happy you shoot in the 70s there - I would think someone so skilled at Golf wouldn't be so bitter. I guess "all hope is gone."
Posted by: ElmaGolf | November 01, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Migosh, I'm going to have to credit Larry Quinn with keeping a low profile (where he should stay). It couldn't be happenstance, but Regier and Ruff and Quinn likely had some summertime lunches knowing they were on the menu and grill if things didn't turn out well. Did Big Tom have a final say, ala George Steinbrenner in his heyday? The Sabres (with Mike Grier back in the fold), and some desire and grit showing, team play, and a monumental Miller Time, have actually put the fear in Philly and tweaked the Devils tail. Now if only PittWash would cooperate. And let's hope contracts can be negotiated in-season.
Posted by: David,Amherst | October 31, 2009 at 05:48 PM
This is an obvious Lalime game and an easy call for Lindy. His trouble using backups comes when Miller loses the first of back to backs, then he feels like he has to use Miller again.
This is a big start for him. A second weak game is going to have a lot of people screaming for his head.
Posted by: Jeff | October 31, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Goaltender and Captain Roberto, Luongo, Vancouver Cannucks ... He is the captain ... on ice chats with referees are handled by his designee ... that said, I like Miller without a C. Rule 14D may prohibits it only as it applies to on ice duties involving the referees.
Posted by: Neo | October 31, 2009 at 04:16 PM
elmagolf- are you one of the hacks that play at Elma Meadows? You guys think you own the course, but you stink and you make it a 6 hour round when it should be 4 on a short little course. I shoot 70s there with my eyes closed.
Posted by: allhopeisgone | October 31, 2009 at 02:57 PM
sadly, ruff does not know how to manage that energy level. this should absolutely be a lalime game, and maybe one for ellis and mair and others to get 15 minutes. but then again, that makes sense . . .
Posted by: roy | October 31, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Hi John
Are we going to see Lalime tonight since it is a back-to-back situation?
Posted by: Roger K. | October 31, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Really doesn't matter if Miller is wearing a "C" or not - leadership goes way beyond a few stitches.
I think I saw a quote many years ago about the great Oilers' teams, when someone asked a former player about Gretzky as Captain. He just laughed and said something to the effect of "Gretzky wore the C, but Messier was the captain."
I've always felt that the fact that this team had been together for so long had the potential to be their greatest strength or weakness. On the dark side, they were afraid to call each other out because they were too close. Perhaps with a little "outsider influence" from Grier / Rivet / Montador, they're starting to realize the positive side of that potential.
Hopefully it still feels the same in a few more months.
Posted by: ElmaGolf | October 31, 2009 at 01:16 PM
"I would not mind him wearing a captain's C on his jersey or helmet."
except that- as has been mentioned every other single one of the thousand times that this has been brought up- a goalie, by current NHL rule (14D to be specific), CANNOT be a captain....
Posted by: Hockey fan | October 31, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Not surprised by the news. I was wondering during the game how many were battling the flu. They just seemed a little slow. Better to get it over now, I say.
(Hoping they keep Ryan Miller in isolation!)
Posted by: SueInVirginia | October 31, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Toronto really put the heat on the Sabres for much of the 3rd period last night. Miller has been the biggest factor in the team's success thus far this season. He has been a good goalie, but he is starting to push his way into the elite category. I really like his approach to the game and he is not afraid to ruffle feathers. I would not mind him wearing a captain's C on his jersey or helmet.
Posted by: realNFLfan | October 31, 2009 at 12:13 PM