Buffalo Sabres TCOB

by Steve

Whoa, the Buffalo Sabres had two easily winnable games AT HOME going down the stretch to solidify a playoff berth and they won both games, decisively? What has happened to this team?

Is it the near amazing turn around of shrimp forward Nathan Gerbe? Ryan Millsie Miller only allowing nine goals in his last six games including two shut outs? Rookie Tyler Ennis consistently scoring since at least the middle of February? No, I think incredibly it has mostly to do with the new regime change and in particular Terry Pegula the new owner.

That pains me to say because an owner shouldn't really have that much of an influence on a team but it appears to be the case. The fan boy owner takes over mid way through the season and the team plays harder and with more passion and ability than they have basically since 7/1/07? That seems odd and nearly impossible but rooted in fact. They're 12-3-3 since he took over and are now contending not only for the 7th seed but possibly the 6th.

Throw away the last three minutes of the Nashville game and there has been almost nothing to complain about since the Pegula era started. Jeez even Darc made a great trade at the deadline. When was the last time that happened, 2003? At this point it is nearly impossibly to be a pessimistic contrarian Sabres fan.

I will say this though. If the Sabres lose in the first round of the playoffs in less than seven games this season will be a failure. I don't care if they magically get the 6 seed and run into a hot Penguins team with Sidney Crosby returning just in time for the playoffs. This team is playing as good as anyone else in the league since the calender switched over. We all love to throw out the record and when we do that expectations should be higher.

Although, if the season turns out to be a failure it doesn't mean the future will be bleak or tainted with a quick exit from the post season. The offseason may be just as exciting especially if the fan boy owner does in deed throw around mad jack the likes of which Buffalo sports fan has never seen. But the final seven or so games and the postseason should be a referendum on not only most of the players but specifically the coach. Why he would have a life time contract is beyond me. This team needs to carry the momentum into the post season.

So bring oh Philly, Washington, Boston or Pittsburgh, none of those teams are indomitable and won't be big favorites even with home ice.