Here are a few things I've noticed looking at some stats and trends that Buffalo can build on to start playing some better hockey and make a run up the standings.

1. Derek Roy is 9th in NHL scoring. He is currently over a point per game, and currently sits above the likes of Alex Semin, Daniel and Henrick Sedin, Cory Perry, Danny Heatley, Patrick Kane, and Eric Staal. Pretty impressive.

2. Buffalo is tied for the 2nd best road record in the East with Pittsburgh. The only team currently above them is Boston. Our 0-6-1 home record stings, but I don't see the Sabres continuing to roll over and die in their own building.

3. A win tonight would place them 1 point out of a playoff spot. As bad as we've been, we're not very far behind.

4. Steve Montador is tied for 4th in the NHL in +/-. Golf clap for Darcy Regier.

5. Jordan Leopold is quietly 2nd on the team in points with 10, and sits 12th in the NHL among defenseman in scoring. Again, golf clap for Darcy.

6. Tyler Myers looked great last night. He's starting to turn his game around. He's still playing physical, but he's got his feet moving better and he's been a more dominant presence in the past 4 games. And he'll get better.

7. Pominville, Vanek, and Connolly are getting their acts together. I see them skating harder and making better decisions with the puck. If these 3 continue to improve, and Roy continues on pace, our offense is going to start cranking some goals.

8. Sekera has played excellent hockey. He's extremely quick, he's making good decisions with the puck, he's actually played physical (gasp!), and he's getting better at making sure his shots get through. He's looking like the Sekera from the olympics last year. Also, I love that Ruff has paired him with Myers.

9. All of this improvement has come with Miller out of the goal. I think being forced to play without him early was one of the best things that could have possibly happened to this team. Both Lalime and Enroth have been shaky, but we've still cranked out a couple of wins.

Does anyone else smell some confidence building? Does anyone else see things starting to come together?

We'll see how they play tonight.

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Wheelhouse

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I don't even...


..anyways I think TM had his best game of the season last night. Wicked goal, slick game tying assist, and some good defensive play. Great game from the young man! Can't get 3 points every night, but he can do those sorts of things every night.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

I'm both mesmerized and confused by this...


As to PSP's points...FUCK YEAH! I feel some confidence building in them, they are starting to see that they CAN score/win/be-clutch. Now if they can just start doing it in regulation...

I saw it somewhere and found it hilarious, and just needed someplace to post it.

PSP - you're spot on.

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Sorry...couldn't resist.

You remembered my old Avatar and sig.

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Wheelhouse

The "winning" aspect of the teams last 2 games are more than positive, they were needed.

Yes Myers is coming around, none of us should be surprised. And you are correct in your assesment of what ails him PSP.
Leopold was a decent pick up for Darcy. It quieted me down about Kaberle being available over the summer.
Nice to see Ennis finding success at the NHL level.
Montador is a solid 3/4 d man.

I am crossing my fingers they pull a repeat performance tonight and show me they can put on a sustained winning streak. They are going to need it in order to ensure a playoff birth.

A couple of victories doesn't quiet me though on a call to action for a trade (specifically Connolly or Stafford) in order to better the club.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

The only thing I noticed last night about Myers was his physicality. It really wasn't there, I saw plenty of times where he could have just nailed a guy into the board but pulled up and didn't take the hit like he should have. Maybe him pulling up is going to help him out right now so he gets his positioning back down and skating together again.

Another thing you didn't mention was Butler, yea, his skate caused a goal but that happens to everyone, he really is nowhere godawful like he was last year either. He has played a very sound game and isn't sticking out to me at all when he's on the ice, the only times he sticks out are when he does something good again.

I do agree TV, TC, and JP are picking it up, I excuse Pommers because of his absence lately, but his goal was sick. TC, I still hate him on the PP, he is the anti-powerplay guy.

I loved seeing Ennis play with Roy and Vanek last game too. That line needs to stay no matter what.

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Yeah, their road record is impressive...but I still can't believe this team hasn't won a single game at home yet. How embarrassing. But you're right, I don't see that lasting.

The Sabres do have some good positives that they can build from, but I have to disagree with you about Connolly. I can see improvement from Vanek and Pominville, and I don't think it's far fetched to see them break out in the near future, but the jury's still out on Connolly. I hope he can prove me wrong.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

I have to harp on #3 a little bit. It's early enough in the season that every team is only __ pts out of a playoff spot. What's more concerning is the number of teams they have to leapfrog to get into that spot, which is still a lot.

That having been said, a few wins puts us right back in the mix, and that's definitely a good thing.

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