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NHL Preview - Buffalo Sabres
Next up the North East Division and we’ll be looking at the Buffalo Sabres. An NHL team since 1970 they’ve been to the Stanley Cup finals three times but never returned with the Cup. Last year, to celebrate their 40th anniversary in the league they reverted back to their traditional kit (away from the so called flying slug), and also underwent a change in ownership, one that galvanized the team, pushing them into the playoffs. This year they will look to build on that momentum, get a higher seeding and go deep in the payoffs.
Having been outside the playoff spots for the entire season February and March saw the Sabres part of the end of season race for the last playoff place, (along with the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers) eventually claiming the 7th spot in the conference only to fall at the first hurdle in a Game Seven decider against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The catalyst was the sale of team to Terry Pegula. Immediately he came in proclaiming the sole goal was the win the Stanley Cup, with monetary restrictions a thing of the past. This of course went down very well in this particular section of America’s success starved sporting landscape. The new ownership connected with fans, which helped create the atmosphere of enthusiasm. Present at almost all home games, Pegula also offered free tickets to all former players, fostering a sense of hockey community in Western New York.
Back on the ice the Sabres look set to continue their long-standing policy of scoring by committee. Lacking a ‘go-to’ goal scorer the team expects everyone to chip in. The Sabres are regularly the league leaders in number of players to get over the 10 goals (last year 11).
If you’re looking for an offensive superstar on the team, you would have to go with Thomas Vanek. Immensely capable, his lowest tally for a regular season has so far been 25 goals, and has twice broken the 40 goal barrier. Over the years he has scored some absolute beauties (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCzJxpGtMRw). There remains a sense, however, that he can go missing in games. Most fans would agree that when the team needs a goal, he cant necessarily be relied on to do it when its most needed.
The key questions up front, how will Derek Roy rebound from a season out with a serious knee injury? Could this be Nathan Gerbe break out year? Will Drew Stafford continue to improve? And what kind of numbers can Sabres fans expect out of new signing Ville Leino. A fifty point tally last season, and the other players on the team make him look a good bet for a very steady third liner. However there are whispers that he is expected to build on those numbers and maybe play a role on the second or even the top line. Although talk of lines is more than a little pointless when Lindy Ruff is the coach. Ruff changes his lines every game, even in game, based on players form.
At the back. Well. It’s Ryan Miller. The zen goaltender will be backstopping the Sabres for another few years yet. Coming off the back of a career year he struggled a bit last year, but came good in the second half. I expect him to have a better year this year. Probably not to the point of Vezina winning performances, but he is an Elite goaltender and I expect to see that. Helped in no part by a more than able deputy for the first time in a while in Jhonas Enroth.
Baulk and quality has been added to the defensive ranks Ehrhoff (from Vancouver) and Regehr (Calgary) has come in at add quality, size, and aggression to the blue line. The Sabres already had some quality puck playing defensemen in Sekera, Myers and the newly found Grangnani. These additions, for which they had to fight off competition, makes the unit a little more complete.
One question does remain. That of the captain. As with the goal scoring, Ruff likes this done by committee, not relying on one player. In previous seasons he has had two captains, or rotated the captain, and last season effectively played without a captain after Craig Rivet was scratched then traded. However for what its worth my two cents would see the C on Paul Guastad’s jersey. Derek Roy is also a name sure to be in the hat. But we shall see.
The Hockey News last week penciled the Sabres in to finish 5th in the Conference, solidly in the Playoffs. That is if everyone plays to the form book. A good season by one or two players could push them higher up the table. They are certainly a team that could cause a few surprises this time around season.
Honarable mentions for this division should go to Boston, looking to defend the Cup a notoriously difficult proposition, and Ottawa. With the playoff obviously beyond them the Sens starting their rebuilding brutally and early. However with so much change there are simply too many questions over the team to know what to expect.
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
