Die By The Blade

Sabres 6 Lightning 2:Pominville's Hat Trick Leads Sabres Victory

2010-03-19T03:10:54Z

about 4 hours ago: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Kurtis Foster, left, reacts as Buffalo Sabres, including Jochen Hecht (55) and Tim Connolly celebrate their third goal of the first period in an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 18, 2010, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Browse more photos »

If you tuned in late to this game, you weren't surprised by the score when you tuned in, but you were surprised the Sabres were winning 3-0. After three consecutive bad starts the Sabres turned things around against the Lightning. Jason Pominville scored twice in the first period, including a power play goal, and Tyler Myers added his 10th goal of the season in the first frame.

The tone of this game was set early for the Buffalo Sabres. Chris Butler was hit hard into the boards by Todd Fedoruk, Craig Rivet played the part of captain and immediately went after Fedoruk. After a spirited bout with no clear cut winner, the Sabres found themselves down two defensemen with Butler down and Rivet receiving an instigator penalty. The team picked up their captain by killing off the ensuing power play and then they went on the offensive.

Despite the Sabres dominating the first 20 minutes, the Lightning would not go quietly. They started to generate some offensive chances in the second period but the Sabres and especially Ryan Miller made sure to keep them of the board. Miller made plenty of good saves and none was more important than stopping Vinny Lecavalier on a breakaway.

The Sabres played well tonight and when you play well you usually get some good bounces. Derek Roy got the best bounce of the night when his pass was deflected right back onto his stick for an easy shorthanded goal. With a four goal lead the Sabres went into a defensive shell and hung on for the victory.

There were some anxious moments late when the Lightning scored a power play goal to cut the lead to 4-2. There was no panic in the Sabres and Vanek iced the game with an empty net goal. Jason Pominville added a late goal for his second career hat trick.

This was the type of the game the Sabres needed to get back some confidence as they head down the stretch. The skeptics will chalk this game up as a game the Sabres "should have won" and they are right. This is a game the Sabres should have won but its a game against the type of team the Sabres have struggled against recently. Its another two points and an opportunity to gain some momentum.

Corsi Ratings | Event Summary | Sabres vs Lightning coverage | Raw Charge

Final Thoughts

It was great to see the Sabres score a power play goal but they were still only 1-for-6 with the man advantage. Hopefully the goal will give them some momentum but they still need to be better.
It was also great to see Rivet stick up for Butler but the NHL instigator rule put the Sabres in a tough position. They didn't allow it to become an issue but they played almost the entire first period with only four defensemen. They need to do something about the instigator rule because if more guys had to answer the bell after a big hit we might not see so many cheap hits in the league.
It might have been the result of a tightly called game but both teams took way too many penalties in this game. This is another area the Sabres are going to have to clean up. They scored six times tonight but this team has been offensively challenged this season and they have to limit their shorthanded opportunities.
Most teams are better when they have a lead but the Sabres have been one of the best. They are now 23-0-0 when they lead after two periods. This is a big difference from last year when no third period lead was a safe lead.

Buffalo Sabres @ Tampa Bay Lightning [Game Thread}

2010-03-18T22:30:34Z

Buffalo Sabres(36-22-10, 82pts)	Game #69	Tampa Bay Lightning(28-29-12, 68pts)
	@

Date:	March 18, 2010	Location:	Tampa, FL
Time:	7:30 p.m. ET	Arena:	St. Pete Times Forum
TV:	MSG-B	SB Nation Affiliate	Raw Charge
Radio:	WGR (550AM)	SB Nation Game Page	Sabres vs Lightning coverage
Season Series	Buffalo (2-0-0) - Tampa Bay (0-1-1)

Buffalo Sabres	Category	Tampa Bay Lightning
183 (2.7)	Goals For	181 (2.6)
168 (2.5)	Goals Against	204 (3.0)
2153 (31.7)	Shots For	2010 (29.1)
2146 (31.6)	Shots Against	2158 (31.3)
44/263 - 16.7% (23)	Power Play	52/278 - 18.7% (13)
32/227 - 85.9% (1)	Penalty Kill	55/279 - 80.3% (21)
Lost -1	Home/Road Streak	Lost - 2
Lost -1	Overall Streak	Lost - 2
2-2-1	Last 5 Games	1-3-1
4-4-2	Last 10 Games	2-7-1

Starting Goalies

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Ryan Miller	58	3388	33	15		125	2.21	1763	1638	.929	5

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Antero Niittymaki	40	2226	18	14		99	2.67	1153	1054	.914	1

Projected Lines

Daily Links for Thursday, March 18

2010-03-18T10:00:56Z

More photos » Gregory Smith - AP

Ryan Miller, please report to the principal's office. "Oooooooo you're in trouble....."

Browse more photos »

The US economy will be in the toilet for the next two days thanks to all you slackers watching and following March Madness today and tomorrow. For those of us who work in places that block any sort of fun websites, all we have to look forward to is a bracket that's in the toilet by the end of the night when Kentucky loses to East Tennessee State and a Sabres game tonight at 7:30pm against Tampa Bay.

Kennedy could move up - Sabres Edge
The Ellis-Mair-Kennedy line was hot yesterday, so let's break them up!

Ruff Knows Where The Finger Points For Slow Starts - WGR 550
Spoiler alert: he blames himself.

'Terrible' Torres still trying to fit in - FOX Sports
Raffi Torres is being quite frank about his play since joining the Sabres. I'm not going to go that far, but would it be too much to ask for you to score?

NHL Can’t Rush a Headshot Rule - PuckUpdate
So the NHL is trying to rush a headshot rule into production before the playoffs. It's important that the NHL protect its players but this really isn't the type of thing you want to rush into.

Ranking the NHL's Least Valuable Players - On the Forecheck
Debating MVP's is one thing, but which players have cost their teams the most this season?

When did fighting become wrestling? - The Hockey News
It seems as if some guys think landing on top of their opponent at the end means they get the ‘W,’ never mind how many jabs and uppercuts they sustained in the process.

Luck Of The Irish - Greatest Hockey Legends
A very rare St. Patrick's Day Maple Leafs jersey is worth $38,000!

Jersey Fouls: Borrowed Legends, Olympic fouls and Sea Bass - Puck Daddy
Another installment of the always-funny Jersey Fouls gives us Sabres fans something to be angry about. I have heard that the perpetrator of this jersey foul goes by the name @hockeybay on Twitter. I think Sabres fans should show him exactly what we think of him. I guess it's kind of flattering that someone could hate our team that much.

Technorati Ranks The Top Hockey Blogs

2010-03-17T22:00:58Z

Technorati Ranks The Top Hockey Blogs

I don't how official this is or how this website calculates their rankings, but it's at least a good sign. Die By The Blade sits comfortably in the top ten.

Kaleta Calls on Sabres Fans to Rock the House

2010-03-17T13:32:20Z

More photos » Don Heupel - AP

Browse more photos »

It was a March night in 1996, and the hated Philadelphia Flyers were in town to face the feisty Buffalo Sabres. This rivalry was as heated as ever. You could sense something was going to happen that would set off a firestorm, and it did.

Matthew Barnaby bumped goaltender Garth Snow. Six minutes of intense, entertaining, even comical brawling mayhem ensued. Every player on the ice, including Buffalo's Brad May and Bob Boughner and Philly forward Rod Brind'Amour, stuck up for their respective teammates with a level of energy and determination that would make you believe that they loved the game enough to play for free.

The old Aud in Buffalo was rocking that night. The team wasn't very good but it didn't really matter. Everyone in the building was on their feet, and it wasn't just about fighting - it was about the enjoyment of watching a very tight knit group of determined scrappers who would go through walls for their coach and for each other.

It's 14 years later - a March night in 2010. The Flyers and Sabres are locked 1-1 midway through the second period of a yawnfest at a morbidly silent HSBC Arena. Both teams are skating back and forth and going at it with a level of intensity and passion that could only be found at a September scrimmage. The game is half over and there hasn't been a single penalty. Had vendors been selling No Doze tablets it might have launched the discovery of a new revenue stream.

Brawling certainly isn't a prerequisite for an entertaining hockey game. The two seasons in Buffalo following the lockout are proof of that. Those Briere-Drury teams were special for other reasons.

Fans at HSBC Arena aren't difficult to please. A cold beer and an entertaining hockey team will do the trick. Whether said entertainment is derived from some amusing borderline thuggery or from using a speed advantage to outskate opponents embarrassingly into oblivion, both formulas have been proven to work very well here.

But win or lose, talent or lack thereof, this is still the entertainment business. And if you ask a lot of fans who have made trips to the arena this season, despite watching a team enjoying the success of being a division leader, many folks will tell you that too many of these games have been just flat out boring.

Patrick Kaleta was a 9-year old Sabres fan at the time of that fun game in '96. He claims that as a kid he watched every single game. If he wasn't watching that one he certainly saw many others just like it. He grew up rooting for a team that brought everything to the table night after night, and he donned a #27 jersey in juniors after being inspired watching Michael Peca sacrificing his body against much larger players.

The intensity will certainly be ramped up in mid-April when playoff hockey returns to Buffalo after a two-year absence, but the Sabres forward certainly wouldn't complain if things got a little rowdy in the meantime.

"Getting the fans into it is going to be a main part of our game," Kaleta said during a recent Buffalo News interview. "When you're on the ice and you hear them, it gives you that much more energy. When you have them behind you, it gives you a good atmosphere and the other team kind of tightens up. If we can get these guys rocking in here, it's going to be a tough place to play."

That's all well and good, but what exactly is it about this group, loaded with above average second line finesse forwards, that could get fans riled up enough to rock the house? Having an all-world goaltender in Ryan Miller is a good start, but a guy who doesn't score, hit, or fight can only be a piece of the puzzle. Having a big, young, exciting potential future Norris Trophy candidate like Tyler Myers on the blue line certainly helps.

But for the most part, based on the collective personality of a team that has come under criticism for its apparent unwillingness to show a hatred for losing and to stick up for each other when pushed around by frisky opponents, it will just have to be about winning in the playoffs, which can never get boring.

Part of the answer is Kaleta himself, who has earned a lot of admiration in Buffalo as an overachiever who early in his career looked like he was skating through quicksand. Since then he has scrapped, pushed and shoved his way to becoming an indispensable part of this team - in large part due to the fact that opposing players despise him for making life difficult for them.

And now he's asking for some help in that department. "We know we've been struggling for the past while but we're playing our game again," Kaleta said. "If we can have these guys just going nuts, it's going to be difficult for people."

davedavis@usinternet.com

twitter: @DaveDavisHockey

Daily Links for Wednesday, March 17

2010-03-17T10:00:29Z

More photos » Gregory Smith - AP

Facial, LaFleur, total facial!

Browse more photos »

In response to Buffalo's recent struggles, I present to you Coach Boron's sure-fire guide to winning in the NHL:

1. Start the game with the score at 0-0. Spotting the other team two goals might sound like a fun challenge, but will make it more difficult to win later.
2. Don't play your fourth line players in crunch time. Even if their line has scored recently, they're not used to playing in those situations and are more likely to, say, take a tripping penalty than your stars are.
3. Don't rely on crazy bounces and difficult tip-ins for all your goals. Sometimes a well placed shot to an empty part of the net or trying to fake the goalie out can be just as effective.

Follow these tips and you'll be sure to win games against the bottom half of the league!

Another slow start costs Sabres - The Buffalo News
One of these days, the Buffalo Sabres' trend of slow starts might disappear. Maybe when it does, their slump will, too.

A shift in the Battle of Ontario - The Globe and Mail
I'm putting this before the break because it's interesting, the internet has gone bone-dry on Sabres articles, and to thank Toronto for beating Ottawa last night 4-1.

Power Rankings Roundup:
ESPN: #11 (updated 3/15)
The Hockey News: #13 (updated 3/15)
TSN: #10 (updated 3/15)

The numbers say NHL MVP is Ovechkin's to lose - On the Forecheck
Predators blog On The Forecheck thinks that the MVP should go to Alex Ovechkin for his total production, however....

Campbellnomics - The Hockey News
Ken Campbell believes that Sidney Crosby's quality of points rather than quantity makes him the MVP, and he has stats to back it up.

The Margin of Wins and Losses by the New Jersey Devils and the NHL - In Lou We Trust
In response to a user comment about the New Jersey Devils playing in one goal games, ILWT takes a look at the NHL's data on games by goal margin to see how well the Devils performed on their own and in comparison to the league.

The NHL's other missing items - Down Goes Brown
Now that Sidney Crosby's gear has been found, here are ten example of high-profile ongoing investigations into NHL items that seem to have disappeared.

Thrashers 4 Sabres 3: Early Deficit Sends Sabres to Third Consecutive Loss

2010-03-17T02:22:44Z

More photos » Gregory Smith - AP

2 days ago: Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller (30) watches the puck as he gets beat by an Atlanta Thrashers goal with Sabres center Adam Mair (22) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena, Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in Atlanta. Miller gave up three goals before being pulled in the first period. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

Browse more photos »

Another bad start and another Buffalo Sabres loss. This time a 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers in a game the Sabres clearly could have won. This trend is starting to become a huge concern for a Sabres team that is leading the Northeast Division.

Last week it was Patrick Lalime that struggled early and tonight it was Ryan Miller's turn look incredibly average. I have a hard time blaming Miller for the loss but there is no question he deserves at least some of it. Miller has had a difficult time early in his last two starts although rebounded for a solid performance in Detroit. Tonight he was not as lucky as he was given the final 54 minutes off.

Once again the Sabres played well after falling behind, and even had a chance to win the game, but the end result is another loss. Buffalo outshot Atlanta 23-13 over the final 40 minutes but a deflection by Jim Slater sealed their fate.

Did the Sabres deserve a better result?

Probably, but you can't spot a team a two goal lead and expect to win hockey games this late in the season. The Sabres won plenty of games like this one in December but they don't have the offensive firepower to win a game like this one. They scored three times tonight but they were mostly hard working goals by the grinder lines.

Where are the Sabres offensive players? They were mostly invisible tonight, outside of a few chances by Derek Roy. I thought Roy did some good things in the offensive zone but it seemed like Patrick Kaleta was always on the receiving end of Roy's passes and he couldn't bury his opportunities.

The good news is there are still 14 games left for them to figure things out and they are not far off. If they play better in the first 10 minutes of this game and the Wild game last Friday, we are talking about earning points in six straight games instead of a three game losing streak.

Corsi Ratings | Event Summary | Sabres vs Thrashers coverage |Bird Watchers Anonymous

Final Thoughts

I'm starting to worry about Ryan Miller a little bit. He hasn't been terrible but he isn't the same goalie we seen lay in the Olympics. When was the last time he let three goals in so quickly?
I know Drew Stafford hasn't been good but he needs to get back in the lineup. Patrick Kaleta just can't play as a to six forward if this team wants to compete.
It was good to see Patrick Lalime get back in so quickly and play well. He allowed only one goal and it was goal that would have been scored on any goalie.
Max Afinogenov has turned into a Sabres killer. Did we expect anything less?

Buffalo Sabres @ Atlanta Thrashers [Game Thread]

2010-03-16T22:57:35Z

Buffalo Sabres(36-21-10, 82pts)	Game #68	Atlanta Thrashers(28-29-11, 67pts)
	@

Date:	March 16, 2010	Location:	Atlanta, GA
Time:	7:00 p.m. ET	Arena:	Philips Arena
TV:	MSG-B	SB Nation Affiliate	Bird Watchers Anonymous
Radio:	WGR (550AM)	SB Nation Game Page	Sabres vs Thrashers coverage
Season Series	Buffalo (2-1-0) - Atlanta (1-0-2)

Buffalo Sabres	Category	Atlanta Thrashers
180 (2.7)	Goals For	196 (2.9)
164 (2.4)	Goals Against	215 (3.2)
2121 (31.7)	Shots For	2039 (30.0)
2120 (31.6)	Shots Against	2259 (33.2)
43/259 - 16.6% (24)	Power Play	45/267 - 16.9% (22)
32/222 - 85.6% (4)	Penalty Kill	54/274 - 80.3% (21)
OTL -1	Home/Road Streak	OTL - 1
OTL -1	Overall Streak	OTL - 1
3-1-1	Last 5 Games	0-4-1
4-3-3	Last 10 Games	3-5-2

Starting Goalies

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Ryan Miller	57	3382	33	15		122	2.16	1758	1636	.931	5

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Johan Hedberg	38	2092	16	13		93	2.67	1074	981	.913	1

Projected Lineup

Daily Links for Tuesday, March 16

2010-03-16T10:00:21Z

More photos » Carlos Osorio - AP

You can see the exact moment when Andrej Sekera realizes he's headed back to the bench - riiiiiiiiiiight....now.

Browse more photos »

The Buffalo Sabres are back in action tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers, 7pm. Check after the break for an article on how far Atlanta has fallen this year as well as some links concerning the Ovechkin hit and suspension.

Sabres seek sunshine, wins down South - The Buffalo News
Maybe some sun and some struggling opponents will be the cure for the Buffalo Sabres' road woes. The Sabres open a four-game Southern swing tonight in Atlanta against a quartet of teams currently on the outside of the playoff race.

NOTEBOOK: ROAD WOES - Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have an objective in mind as they prepare to head South and continue their five-game road trip – improve their lagging power play.

Sabres Edge: Stafford improving, Butler likely to stay out
The Sabres practiced today for about 50 minutes in the Amherst Center and then took off for Atlanta to open a four-game road trip Tuesday night.

Rink Side Radio: Ovechkin's Big Hit And Versus Settlement EditionTonight From 9-10! - From The Rink
Rink Side Radio talks about the ideology that a player shouldn't be suspended because he is a super star as well as the inconstancy of suspensions in the NHL. It's a fine show from peeps at SBNation, so take a listen!

Caps' Ovechkin banned two games for Campbell hit - NHL.com
Alex Ovechkin has been banned for two games for his hit on Brian Campbell.

After hit by Alexander Ovechkin, Brian Campbell to possibly miss rest of season - ESPN Chicago
The Blackhawks' Brian Campbell could be out for the season after a hit by Alex Ovechkin.

Top 3 Draft Pick Closer than Playoffs for Thrashers - Bird Watchers Anonymous
If you thought the Sabres' recent slide was bad, check out this post from BWA. Boy, that escalated quickly...

Re-doing the 2009 NHL draft - The Hockey News
How would things shake out if we could re-do the most recent NHL draft?

Yup, That's Some Blackface At A Hockey Game - Deadspin
Got a highly touted prospect in the minors, and you want to show the world you're a fan? You could wear his jersey. Or, if you're in Quebec, you could break out the shoe polish and afro wigs.

What's Next For Chris Butler?

2010-03-15T22:12:39Z

More photos » Paul Chiasson - AP

5 months ago: Montreal Canadiens' Tomas Plekanec fights with Buffalo Sabres' Chris Butler during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Paul Chiasson)

Browse more photos »

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Chris Butler is on the losing end of the numbers game for five matches and counting. Tyler Myers, Henrik Tallinder, Toni Lydman, Craig Rivet, Andrej Sekera and Steve Montador have been the starting six on Buffalo's blue line while the sophomore tries to find a path back onto the bench. The top four has been solidified throughout the year but Sekera, Montador and Butler have been sweating it out for a position among the remaining two openings.

Buffalo is 3-1-1 in the past five games without Butler and the defense is doing its job rather well. The 23-year-old has his usefulness and flaws and the flaws are having the final say in this healthy-scratch period. A work in progress, his development is revamping but mistakes happen and Butler ran into an abundance of them this season.

After the jump, we'll find out just what type of year it's been for the young defender.

Chris Butler

#34 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-1

Weight: 203

Born: Oct 27, 1986

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2009 - Chris Butler	50	1	19	20	-12	18	0	0	0	0	52	1.9

I Like The Sound Of That

First, an examination of the good in Butler's campaign under my catchy header (it is catchy right?). All of the comparisons will be made with the other defenseman instead of the entire team because that's the main focus. I'm not the statistical guru like Dave is, so bear with me please. The easiest thing to realize is that Butler's production trails Myers alone for the defense. For a team that doesn't average many goals each game, offensive input from the point is a terrific asset to behold.

Receiving just under 21 minutes of ice time routinely, Butler again only sits behind Myers in that area and is fifth in powerplay time per game and sixth in shorthanded responsibilities. The fact that he is being trained and thrown into different territories is a splendid sign that he will become a do-it-all type of defenseman. His offensive credentials are satisfying and by far the one part of his game that sets the level for the other areas, that he's struggled in, to reach.

Out of all his assists, 57 per cent (11) have come on the powerplay and a quarterback is a major need for Buffalo because of their lack of success during 5-on-4 and 5-on-3 chances. He moves the puck around impressively for his teammates. The quality of competition Butler faces daily is lessened by just Myers and Tallinder, so don't get too judgemental about his errors because he's being beaten by talented players.

And the quality of his teammates is rated as the sixth worst among the defense. I'll bet you're starting to sympathize with Butler a little aren't you? His assists per 60 minutes are third best and there's plenty more of these statistics at the great site, Behind the net. I won't bore you with all of them, just the more relevant ones.

Now Why Did He Do That?

Ready for the unexciting side of it all? A minus-12 rating isn't an assuring number to have next to the point total; it basically cancels it out. Butler has just one goal and 11 of his 19 assists were secondary (believe me, I counted them off). Secondary helpers don't create much excitement except for the fact that they count equally for fantasy hockey.

His points per 60 minutes total is second from last; unsurprising with the amount of ice time he receives. Buffalo has earned a goal 28 times when he's on the ice and allowed 35 in the same situation for a minus-seven differential. For every sixty-minute span Butler plays, the Sabres allow 2.81 goals, which is the most by far, and score 2.25 times. The differential is last by a good portion as well.

Lastly, Buffalo scores an average of 2.64 goals per every 60 minutes he's not playing and concede 2.22 tallies. When the two are subtracted, his is tied for tops on the team but it's not exactly a section you want to lead in because it indicates that the squad scores more than what they concede without your services.

Butler has encouraging offensive comprehensions but his efforts in his own zone need major refinement. When he uses his body and gets physical, he's a much better player for it. With 45 hits in 50 games, he'd be smart to plant players into the boards time and again.

Chris Butler may be the odd-man out on defense but there's always hope, especially in Buffalo where Lindy Ruff juggles lines like there's no tomorrow. As grueling as the numbers game can be, it's beatable.

Poll

How have you felt about Chris Butler's 2010 campaign?

Die by the Blade Roundtable #2

2010-03-15T13:00:27Z

More photos » Carlos Osorio - AP

5 days ago: The Buffalo Sabres bench congratulates right wing Jason Pominville (29) and teammate center Tim Connolly (19) after a goal by teammate Jochen Hecht during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Browse more photos »

A couple of months ago we had a roundtable discussion with all of the bloggers here at Die by the Blade. We had a lot of fun doing it and we were happy with the discussion here so we decided to do it again. With the trade deadline behind us, we thought this would be the perfect time to hold our second blogger roundtable. Unfortunately Zach and Andy were not able to join us but we tried our best to get along without them.

We touched on a number of Buffalo Sabres topics including the trade deadline and our thoughts on the Sabres chances this season.

Topics

Did the Sabres do enough at the trade deadline?
Who would you like to see the Sabres play in the playoffs?
Should be worried about the Sabres offense?
Is Chris Butler ready to get back in the lineup?
Will the Sabres hold off the Ottawa Senators and win the Northeast Division?

David Oleksy:

The most obvious topic is the trade deadline. The Sabres acquired Raffi Torres while sending away Nathan Paetsch and Clarke MacArthur. Do you think the Sabres did enough to be considered Stanley Cup contenders?

Rafal Ladysz:

It's hard to say, but I don't think they did enough. The back line could have used another defenseman if not for offensive purposes, then just for playoff experience because we're still seeing mistakes made by the defense and that's always worrying especially with the postseason so close.

Dave Davis:

All they did was make a slight upgrade at LW. That's not enough to give them a lot of hope against Pittsburgh or Washington in a 7 game series. If they get the Ryan Miller we saw early in the season then an upset is certainly possible.

David Oleksy:

I'm not sure there were very many defenseman available that could have made the Sabres better. I think they addressed a need by acquiring Torres and any team that has Ryan Miller between the pipes has a chance to contend for the Stanley Cup.

Rafal Ladysz:

You're right about the market being slim with defenseman but it's still a need and there were guys out there who could have helped.

Dave Davis:

The price was high for some of these rental players and for not overpaying Regier should be commended ... but of course he won't.

Rafal Ladysz:

I'll say this, they, as a team, were rock-solid in Detroit yesterday. Everyone had active sticks, got in the shooting lanes and without that late penalty; I believe we could have won.

David Oleksy:

I agree Dave. Darcy should be commended for not overpaying. I think the Sabres defense is a bit underrated. They have their flaws but overall I like this defensive unit.

Dave Davis:

It would've been nice to make a bigger upgrade but I don't think there was a great deal out there to be made - so you go with what you have and retool in the summer.

Rafal Ladysz:

Any concerns about guys like Sekera and Myers about to be making their debut in the postseason?

David Oleksy:

I think there has to be some concern but the only way players get experience is to do it. If the Sabres were in the Capitals position it might have been worth getting some veteran presence but the best thing for the Sabres future is to let these guys play.

Dave Davis:

I'm looking forward to see how Myers handles it. Not worried about it since their opponent will also likely have rookies in their lineup.

Dave Davis:

I'm looking at the standings wondering who I'd like to see as a 1st round opponent...

David Oleksy:

Great question...who would you like to see as a first round opponent?

David Oleksy:

I think it is important to finish third because Pittsburgh or New Jersey would not be high on my list of possible opponents.

Rafal Ladysz:

I'd like to see montreal, boston or philadelphia because those teams suit us.

David Oleksy:

Looking down the standings to sixth and beyond, I think the Flyers would probably be the toughest first round opponent.

Dave Davis:

If they're a #3 seed I don't see any overall advantage between playing Ottawa or Philly. Montreal is running so hot right now they could even get the #6. It's one of those deals where you just worry about your own game and take on whoever comes into your building.

Rafal Ladysz:

With Miller back there, I'm not worried but everyone must do their part.

DiebytheBlade-DO:

Ottawa scares me because of the obvious struggles against them recently.

Rafal Ladysz:

I think Ottawa scares everyone who is rooting for Buffalo.

David Oleksy:

Offensive production has been a problem for the Sabres just about all season. What do you make of Patrick Kaleta getting to play with Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek?

Rafal Ladysz:

I actually like it. Kaleta has shown massive improvements in his overall game by skating better and working on his shot. I could picture him fighting for pucks along the boards and helping Roy and Vanek score. He's earned it in my mind.

Dave Davis:

He's earned the chance but a lot of it is the injury situation. The only healthy offensive talent who typically plays the right side is Pominville. To me it's not a long term solution.

DiebytheBlade-DO:

I think Kaleta has been fantastic this season but why are they trying to make him into something he is not? Kaleta is and always will be a fourth line or fringe third line player.

DiebytheBlade-DO:

Why not keep Mancari here for a couple of more games? That line was playing well until he was sent back down.

Dave Davis:

He was on emergency recall and by rules he had to go back down when Gaustad came back.

DiebytheBlade-DO:

They could have placed him on re-entry waivers and kept him on the team if he cleared

DiebytheBlade-DO:

Do you think someone would have claimed him?

Dave Davis:

Well if you're that high on him it would seem contradictory to expose him to waivers.

Rafal Ladysz:

He seems like an enigmatic player; one day he's hot, the next he's nowhere to be found.

Dave Davis:

Few years ago they probably didn't think Chris Thorburn would be claimed either.

Dave Davis:

Not 100% on this but my understanding of the rule is that after 10 days they could bring him back.

DiebytheBlade-DO:

I guess that makes sense. I just find it frustrating that Patrick Kaleta is the best option to play as a top six forward. We keep hearing about how good the players in Portland are and yet Kaleta is now a top six forward.

Rafal Ladysz:

Mark my words, Kaleta will one day be a Burrows type of player.

David Oleksy:

Not a chance. Burrows has more talent in his left arm than Kaleta has in his whole body.

Dave Davis:

It gets back to the issue that there's a lack of forward depth on this team. Regier is very high on the farm system and is going to count on a couple of them coming through ... next year.

David Oleksy:

Don't get me wrong, I love Kaleta as a player but he is not Alex Burrows. Burrows can play in the top six and does and like I said before, Kaleta is a fourth/third line energy guy.

Rafal Ladysz:

Think about it, Burrows kills penalties and scores shorthanded markers. Kaleta has started doing that this year and he'll probably score more goals in his third season than Burrows did. Their career trajectories are similar and Kaleta is growing as an overall player. I have faith in him.

David Oleksy:

I hope he proves me wrong but I just don't see it happening. If Kaleta can play every season like he is this one, he will have had a very successful career.

Rafal Ladysz:

The odd man out on defense lately has been Chris Butler. How do you guys feel about that? Do you think maybe someone else should be sitting and Butler should be playing?

David Oleksy:

It's about time. Butler has been the Sabres most inconsistent defenseman for most of the season and I felt Sekera deserved a shot to play. Sekera still makes some awful mistakes but I like his ability to carry the puck.

Rafal Ladysz:

Sekera was amazing yesterday, shutting down Datsyuk and Zetterberg effectively through the game which as we know is no easy task.

Dave Davis:

One thing I like about Ruff is that he doesn't tinker with his lineup when the team gets a little win streak going. If you get kicked out you're not back in until they lose. I'm sure we'll see him back very soon. I'm still optimistic about him and think he'll be a good player.

Rafal Ladysz:

Aside from his plus-minus and defensive errors at times, he's had a pretty solid offensive year. I believe only Myers has more points than him among the D

DiebytheBlade-DO:

I agree about his future. Butler is still young and is expected to play inconsistent. With the experience he has already had in the NHL, he will be a good defenseman in the future.

DiebytheBlade-DO:

He has a lot of assists on the power play. I don't want to discount that but sometimes that is as much about luck as it is skill.

Rafal Ladysz:

Who's had the toughest year in terms of not living up to expectations or playing to their full capacity?

Dave Davis:

#21

David Oleksy:

Take your pick. Every offensive player with the exception of Connolly and Hecht is having a down year.

David Oleksy:

Stafford has some lofty expectations but maybe he has reached his career potential. I would say that Derek Roy is the one player I expected more from.

Rafal Ladysz:

True, but first has to be Vanek. Going from 40 goals to less than 30 doesn't work for a sniper who we need.

David Oleksy:

Was Vanek ever really a sniper? He scored 20 goals on the power play last season and most of them came from in close.

Rafal Ladysz:

He can pick the corners or make some shifty moves and I truly believe he is a sniper.

David Oleksy:

Will the Sabres hold off the Ottawa Senators and win the Northeast Division?

Rafal Ladysz:

Yes, Ottawa is struggling increasingly since the Olympic break and fired just 14 shots on Roberto Luongo yesterday. They've been flat and I think we'll take it when it's all said and done.

David Oleksy:

I think a combination of the Sabres playing better and the Sens struggling will give the Sabres the Northeast Division. There are still those games against Ottawa to worry about though.

Rafal Ladysz:

Two more?

David Oleksy:

I believe they play two more times

Dave Davis:

Sabres schedule isn't too bad. Half their games are against non-playoff teams.

Daily Links for Monday, March 15

2010-03-15T10:00:26Z

More photos » Carlos Osorio - AP

Hey Ref, is there any way I can call up Mancari in the middle of the game?

Browse more photos »

Sorry for the lack of fantastic links today, folks, but there's some other sporting tournament that seems to be getting a bunch of attention these days. Well, that and nobody writes new articles on Sunday. Enjoy the extra day off before the next Sabres game (tomorrow at 7pm against Atlanta)

Odd bounces: Ryan Miller is a semi-star - ProHockeyTalk
Ryan Miller will show his increasingly relevant face on VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown this weekend

3/13 Recap: Biega, Tropp bounced; Kassian catchin' up - sabresprospects.com
A few of our college boys finished their seasons this weekend, and so did this year's #1 pick Zack Kassian.

Victor Hedman becomes another brick in the wall - Sporting News
This article about another very promising young defensemen makes you realize how special Tyler Myers has been this year.

Ovechkin kicked out for check - The Globe and Mail
NHL scoring leader Alex Ovechkin gets a game misconduct for driving Brian Campbell into the boards from behind - video included.

Why Alex Ovechkin won't receive an automatic suspension - Puck Daddy
Wysh doesn't feel that Alex Ovechkin should be suspended for his boarding penalty on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell during Sunday's game in Chicago.

Keeping the Whalers dream afloat - The Hockey News
For one small, but passionate group, the hope for a return of the Hartford Whalers remains – and it’s far from a pipe dream.

Owner Of 14th Place Team Proposes Rule Allowing 14th Place Teams To Make Playoffs - Deadspin
A funny take from Deadspin on the "play-in to the playoffs" idea that everyone here hated.

Red Wings 3 Sabres 2: Sabres Rally But Fall in Overtime

2010-03-14T14:37:05Z

More photos » Carlos Osorio - AP

5 days ago: Buffalo Sabres right wing Jason Pominville (29) congratulates teammate center Jochen Hecht of Germany after Hecht's goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Browse more photos »

I'm writing this a full 12 hours after the game ended so I'll spare you the details of the game. This was a much more entertaining game than the loss to Minnesota on Friday night. The Red Wings were obviously a better team than the Wild and that led to a wide open game with chances at both ends of the rink.

It felt like this game could go either way and I had a good feeling about the Sabres were playing until Tyler Myers was sent to the box for clearing the puck over the glass. The Sabres matched the intensity of the Red Wings and they were able to generate some offensive chances.

I worried about the offense after the Sabres sent Mark Mancari back to Portland. I still don't understand the move and I wonder if another offensive minded player could have been the difference in the game. The Sabres created some chances but Jimmy Howard was just good enough and the Wings defense was physical in front of the net.

Jochen Hecht scored the Sabres two goals but Derek Roy was the best Sabre on the ice on Saturday. He created a number of offensive scoring chances and at times he did it by himself. I can't help but think that if there was another offensive minded player on that line instead of Kaleta, the game may have had a different outcome.

The Sabres did earn a point which allows them to create a little more space between themselves and the Senators.

Corsi Ratings | Event Summary | Sabres vs Red Wings coverage | Winging It In Motown

Final Thoughts

This was a much better hockey game than the game against Minnesota. The Red Wings play a much more wide open style than the Wild and it was evident in the number of offensive chances for both teams.
Does anyone else think the score would have been 7-6 if they didn't allow so much clutching and grabbing. There could have easily been 20 minors called on both teams but the refs allowed a lot hooking and holding infractions.
The line of Connolly-Pominville-Hecht looked good again. It has been awhile since they were noticeable on the ice but they played very well on Saturday.
Anyone else hate the rule about clearing the puck over the glass?
I think Ryan Miller would love to have those first two goals back. The Sabres would have won the game in regulation if not for two soft goals by the Wings.

Daily Links for Sunday, March 14

2010-03-14T10:00:23Z

More photos » David Duprey - AP

Hank Tallinder shows everyone why his nickname is Mr. Slick.

Browse more photos »

I'm writing this from the past (yes I can totally do that) so I have no idea if the Sabres have won tonight or not. Please choose the appropriate introduction:

Win: What a great statement game for the Buffalo Sabres! The team was against the wall, but fought back thanks to two separate hat tricks from Matt Ellis and Craig Rivet! Ryan Miller was his usual stalwart self making an amazing 64 saves in his shutout victory.

Loss: Oh woe is us! The Sabres have now lost two games in a row, all but ensuring that they will not make the playoffs this year. The offense was lackluster again, the team took too many dumb penalties and Lindy's line juggling seemed to make the team worse.The team is soft, and I wish we would have traded Roy/Stafford/Connolly etc.

Family and friends welcome Miller home - Sabres notebook
It's a Miller family reunion in Detroit.

Revisiting my picks for this year's NHL awards - ESPN
Pierre LeBrun revisits his picks for the end-of-the-year awards, with one good and one bad for the Sabres.

Robitaille sets careful pace in recuperation - The Buffalo News
Mike Robitaille would love to be back before the end of the regular season.

Oilers or Maple Leafs: Which team is closer to contending? - Puck Daddy
They are the two worst teams in the league, but which is less awful? A team of experts weighs in.

Orr was real-life Superman for the Bruins - NHL.com
It's been 40 years since Bobby Orr's picturesque goal that won the Bruins the Stanley Cup in 1970.

Expectations in Jersey exciting for Kovalchuk - NHL.com
The Devils left wing finally got his car earlier this week after having it shipped from Atlanta. He also has his own apartment in Hoboken and as soon his wife, Nicole, gives birth (she's due any day now), he will be all set up just in time for the fun to begin.

Newest Capital Having Problems With City Life - Deadspin
Having spent most of his career in hockey hotbeds like Raleigh and Nashville, Scott Walker's finding things a bit challenging. But this country mouse's biggest adjustment has nothing to do with fans or linemates: he's got to master mass transit.

Buffalo Sabres @ Detroit Red Wings [Game Thread]

2010-03-13T23:30:20Z

Next Game

Buffalo Sabres
@ Detroit Red Wings

Saturday, Mar 13, 2010, 7:00 PM EST
Joe Louis Arena

Complete Coverage >

This is the game thread for this evening. My apologies on the lack of a complete game thread. It is another one of those busy weekends and I can't be around too much. My broadcasting commitment is almost over and I will be able to devote more time to weekend games. Enjoy the game tonight because I will be watching it on the good ole DVR.

Mancari sent back to Portland

2010-03-13T19:06:08Z

Mancari sent back to Portland

Since Gaustad will return tonight, Mark Mancari has been sent back down to Portland. Disappointing, since he's been one of our best forwards for his short stint with the team.

Daily Links for Saturday, March 13

2010-03-13T11:00:25Z

More photos » David Duprey - AP

Antti Miettinen does his best fairy princess impression.

Browse more photos »

Last night's game was exceptionally boring but for two interesting things: Thomas Vanek now has 4 goals in his past 4 games, and Mark Mancari continues to play like a legitimate top 6 forward. Luckily, there's enough humorous hockey links for you to drown your sorrow in after the break. Buffalo atempts to rectify its mistakes tonight against Detroit at 7pm.

Sabres will be 'real test' for Wings - The Detroit News
The Red Wings aren't making any lineup changes for Saturday night's home game against Buffalo.

Stunning Numbers: Sacrificing the body and shootout failure - Puck Daddy
Wysh puts together a bunch of weird numbers stats to impress and amaze, including one from Ryan Miller which will not surprise any of us.

Sabres notebook: Regier sees progress on hitting rules - The Buffalo News
Darcy Regier knows the NHL is in quite a bind when it comes to head shots for the rest of this season. At least the Buffalo Sabres' general manager knows progress was made by his fellow GMs to get the dangerous hits out of the game next year.

Ice Edge Releases Open Letter to Phoenix Coyotes Fans - Five For Howling
Anthony LeBlanc of Ice Edge holdings gives a look at where IEH is in terms of closing the deal for the Phoenix Coyotes purchase and negotiations.

Biggest Brawls of the Last 23 Years - Behind The Net
The title says it all - we're talking in excess of 400 penalty minutes here.

Farewell to the Chiefs: Slap Shot Team Moving - Sporting News
The Johnstown Chiefs, made legendary by Slap Shot, are leaving town - and there's no Reggie Dunlop to save them.

Sidney Crosby Golden Roar Reader Art Contest Finals - Puck Daddy
The (hilarious) Sydney Crosby Photoshop contest is over, so vote for your favorite finalist over at Puck Daddy!

Disrespectful Sports Tradition? - FoxNews.com
If you hate Fox News you'll love watching this clip from "Fox & Friends" debating whether Blackhawks fans are being disrespectful by cheering during the national anthem, which, oh by the way, they've only been doing for 25 years. Having trouble filling that 24-hour news cycle there boys?

Returning to Hockey Falls, where ESPN announcers seemed cool - Puck Daddy
This is from a while ago, but there's no reason needed to link to the old Hockey Falls commercials from Bud Light, which are still awesome. Bill Clement's mullet is epic.

Minnesota Wild 3 Buffalo Sabres 2: Lalime Struggles in Sabres Loss

2010-03-13T06:07:37Z

More photos » David Duprey - AP

6 days ago: Minnesota Wild's Antti Miettinen (20) of Finland, celebrates a goal by Wild's Andrew Brunette (15) on Buffalo Sabres goalie Patrick Lalime during the second period of the NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, March 12, 2010. (AP Photo/ David Duprey)

Browse more photos »

If we learned only one thing tonight, we learned that Josh Harding is better than Patrick Lalime and that is the story of the game.

It's easy to see why Lindy Ruff has no confidence in Patrick Lalime. Lalime allowed a weak goal to Andrew Ebbet and gift wrapped a goal to Guillermo Latendresse in the first period to put the Sabres behind the eight ball. When the first goal went in there was a feeling this would be a long night and when the second goal was scored, I knew it was going to be a long night.

This was a frustrating loss because the Sabres deserved a better fate. After falling behind on two awful goals by Lalime the Sabres struggled to figure out the defensive style of the Minnesota Wild. This game would have been different if the Sabres had the lead. They proved they were a better team than the Wild but playing from behind is difficult in almost any situation. It is even more difficult when you have to juggle lines because you are relying on players like Adam Mair to produce offensive chances.

Corsi Ratings | Event Summary | Wild vs Sabres coverage | Hockey Wilderness

Final Thoughts

Torres made an awful play to set up the third Wild Goal. He made an ill-advised pass inside the Wild zone that led to the initial rush and in an attempt to get back in the play he fell and created space for the Wild to set up the goal.
This might be the last time we see Patrick Lalime in net for the Sabres this season. He might get a game when the standings are set but the risk of playing him while the Sabres are in the race is much too great.
The Sabres power play generated chances early but they seemed to regress until the power play goal by Vanek. That goal came after a timeout that obviously sparked the Sabres offense.
It was good to see Thomas Vanek get a pair of goals. We can only hope that he goes on a tear for the final month of the season.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Minnesota Wild [Game Thread]

2010-03-12T23:30:19Z

Buffalo Sabres(36-20-9, 81pts)	Game #66	Minnesota Wild(31-29-6, 68pts)
	vs.

Date:	March 12, 2010	Location:	Buffalo, NY
Time:	7:30 p.m. ET	Arena:	HSBC Arena
TV:	MSG-B	SB Nation Affiliate	Hockey Wilderness
Radio:	WGR (550AM)	SB Nation Game Page	Wild vs Sabres coverage
Season Series	Buffalo (0-0-0) - Minnesota (0-0-0)

Buffalo Sabres	Category	Minnesota Wild
176 (2.7)	Goals For	177 (2.7)
158 (2.4)	Goals Against	187 (2.8)
2050 (31.5)	Shots For	1886 (28.6)
2050 (31.5)	Shots Against	1877 (28.4)
42/250 - 16.8% (23)	Power Play	47/253 - 18.6% (14)
30/216 - 86.1% (2)	Penalty Kill	42/235 - 82.1% (15)
Won -2	Home/Road Streak	Lost - 1
Won -3	Overall Streak	Lost - 1
3-2-0	Last 5 Games	1-2-2
4-4-2	Last 10 Games	4-4-2

Expected Goalies

I have no inside information, this is purely speculation. I am also writing this on Thursday night.

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Patrick Lalime	11	563	3	4		30	3.20	287	257	.895	0

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Niklas Backstrom	50	2941	24	19		130	2.65	1353	1223	.904	2

Projected Lines

Game Preview: Minnesota Wild @ Buffalo Sabres

2010-03-12T17:32:59Z

More photos » David Duprey - AP

8 days ago: Buffalo Sabres' Thomas Vanek (26), of Austria, battles for the puck with Dallas Stars' Mark Fistric (28) in front of Stars' goalie Marty Turco during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, March 10, 2010. (AP Photo/ David Duprey)

Browse more photos »

I'm sure we were all in extreme jubilation over Buffalo's effort against a Dallas Stars side that we despise. Anytime you amass ten shots in each period and 40 or more throughout the whole match, is a good feeling. But it's one game and there's still work ahead for the Sabres who are looking to strengthen their postseason goals in the form of home-ice advantage by at least attaining the East's third spot.

Minnesota is in a tougher spot having dropped four straight games and their 68 points wouldn't even be enough to place them in a playoff position in the Eastern Conference as we speak. They'd be four points short but in the West, they are nine points behind the eighth-placed Calgary Flames. Desperation is always a formidable state to be in, so Buffalo can't expect an easy tussle.

Ten additional thoughts on the game:

Minnesota's first line of Andrew Brunette, Mikko Koivu and Antti Miettinen has terrific wherewithal as all three individuals usually know where to find each other on the ice with crisp passing. Their nickname, two blondes and a brunette, is one of the catchiest in hockey. Now, why can't the Buffalo Sabres have a clever moniker like that for any line?
Both clubs are in a back-to-back situation which presents a chance for Josh Harding and Patrick Lalime to guard their respective creases. Don't forget, a win for Lalime would give him 200 in his career and he's lost his previous four cracks at achieving that milestone.
Tyler Myers scored 55 seconds into the game on Wednesday and notched three assists for his first four-point effort. It was a message-sending performance from the 20-year-old stating that the Calder Trophy remains his for the taking.
Guillaume Latendresse took a stick to the back of the neck yesterday in Detroit, causing him to leave early. If he's unable to play, it would be a huge setback for Minnesota as the former Montreal Canadien's forward has become the top scorer in just half a season since being traded.
No powerplay marker in seven games for Buffalo. I'll leave it at that. On the other hand, the penalty-kill is first in the league now at 86.1 per cent.
Cal Clutterbuck's 257 hits are setting the pace for all of the checking-inclined players. Patrick Kaleta is up to 129 albeit in just 46 games. While he averages around 2.8 hits per game, Clutterbuck is initiating contact more than 4.4 times each match. Who throws the body more tonight?
Paul Gaustad could return tomorrow, in which case I'd love to see how he'd do with Raffi Torres and Kaleta playing the wing positions. Adam Mair would get bumped down to the fourth line and I assume Matt Ellis would be the healthy scratch. Just a thought.
It may be time to send Tim Kennedy to the AHL for a few games because he's struggled to make much of an impact. Pointless in ten games, Kennedy has an awful minus-nine rating in that span and I'd prefer Ellis to dress over him when Gaustad is cleared to play.
Third-string goalie Anton Khudobin is 2-0 with the Wild this season owning a marvelous 0.86 goals against average and .979 save percentage. You learn something new everyday.
Derek Boogaard, who recently served a two-game suspension, wasn't in the line-up for Minnesota yesterday and with the way they were beaten, he could find himself on the bench today. I doubt he'll find any takers to drop the gloves with him. The man is 6' 8", 257 pounds. Avoid those fists at all costs.

A win would accomplish a number of things: gaining more points to maintain an advantage over the Ottawa Senators, extending a winning streak to four games, growing confidence and rewarding Lalime with a cherishing moment in his career. The door is open, but the Buffalo Sabres must walk through it.

Die By The Blade

Sabres 6 Lightning 2:Pominville's Hat Trick Leads Sabres Victory

Final Thoughts

Buffalo Sabres @ Tampa Bay Lightning [Game Thread}

WGR (550AM)

Starting Goalies

Projected Lines

Sabres Current Lines

Daily Links for Thursday, March 18

Technorati Ranks The Top Hockey Blogs

Technorati Ranks The Top Hockey Blogs

Kaleta Calls on Sabres Fans to Rock the House

Daily Links for Wednesday, March 17

Thrashers 4 Sabres 3: Early Deficit Sends Sabres to Third Consecutive Loss

Final Thoughts

Buffalo Sabres @ Atlanta Thrashers [Game Thread]

WGR (550AM)

Starting Goalies

Projected Lineup

Sabres Current Lines

Daily Links for Tuesday, March 16

What's Next For Chris Butler?

Chris Butler

#34 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

How have you felt about Chris Butler's 2010 campaign?

Die by the Blade Roundtable #2

Topics

Daily Links for Monday, March 15

Red Wings 3 Sabres 2: Sabres Rally But Fall in Overtime

Final Thoughts

Daily Links for Sunday, March 14

Buffalo Sabres @ Detroit Red Wings [Game Thread]

Next Game

Mancari sent back to Portland

Mancari sent back to Portland

Daily Links for Saturday, March 13

Minnesota Wild 3 Buffalo Sabres 2: Lalime Struggles in Sabres Loss

Final Thoughts

Buffalo Sabres vs. Minnesota Wild [Game Thread]

WGR (550AM)

Expected Goalies

Projected Lines

Sabres Current Lines

Game Preview: Minnesota Wild @ Buffalo Sabres