WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Ryan Miller played like a star last week, and the NHL formally recognized it today. The Sabres' goaltender earned First Star of the Week honors after going 3-0 to help Buffalo get on the edge of a playoff spot.
Miller stopped 82 shots in back-to-back blankings of Anaheim and San Jose, then played well in a 5-3 victory over Vancouver. He'll be in net again tonight when the Sabres visit Winnipeg with eighth place in the Eastern Conference available for the winner.
"We know that he’s the most important piece to our team, and he puts a lot of confidence in our team when he plays well," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in MTS Centre.
Defenseman Robyn Regehr, who missed the Vancouver game with knee injury, made it through today's morning skate and hopes to face the Jets.
"I hope to play tonight," Regehr said. "I skated a little bit yesterday and felt OK, and today I felt a little bit better. ... It’s good enough to play."
Regehr got hurt Thursday in San Jose on a check delivered by Patrick Marleau.
"My whole body was past him except my trailing leg, and then he came in and finished his check and that’s what was left to hit," Regehr said. "I aggravated it a little bit, but the good news is there’s no major damage. I just have regular knees like guys in here who are used to the wear and tear of the game."
Sabres forward Marcus Foligno, who left Winnipeg on Sunday after being an emergency recall for the Vancouver outing, flew back to the prairie today on another emergency recall.
"It’s been nuts, but it’s where you want to be so you’ve got to do it," he told The News.
---John Vogl
Robyn Regehr
Lindy Ruff
