Sabres 2 Hurricanes 1 F OT

by Steve

Crucial victory for the Buffalo Sabres tonight in Carolina as they defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in OT. The game felt like a playoff game for the onset. Heading into the game the Sabres held a measly two point lead over the Canes with four games to play. This was a must win game or at the very least a must overtime game. They surprisingly didn't let us down.

Sans Ryan Miller, Enroth was forced into his first back to back starts in the NHL in his career. Let alone on the road against a desperate team and Jhonas E showed up big time saving 35 of 36 shots. He was a beast out there when at times playing either without a helmet or seemingly by himself while the defense stood around and watched. Then again shouldn't we expect this great play from him by now? The kid is now 7-2-2 and only 22 years old. Millsie who? He has the same save percentage and a lower GAA than the $6.25 million man. To bad the fan base and the organization as a whole are in love with Millsie Miller or serious trade talk would occur this offseason.

Other thoughts on the game include what the hell happen to Thomas Vanek? He played a total of 15:41 and held scoreless. This guy is our highest paid player allegedly our best player and is the heir apparent to be the next captain? Eric Staal scored a goal and played 24:42. There was a 7 to 3 discrepancy in power plays which hurts playing time but still. Vanek needs to be on the ice more and he needs to show up every big game.

Holy smokes how much money is Drew Stafford going to get this offseason? Two more assists tonight? What the hell, is Gaustad contractually obligated to get awful penalties every single game? Are his faceoff skills really that great that it over shadows his numerous flaws?

So the Sabres sit in 7th place one up on the Rangers three up on Carolina and one back of Montreal. All three teams have three games left. Sabres play Tue at home v Tampa who has already clinched. TB could still get the 4 seed but are basically locked into the 4-5 match up. Buffalo then plays at home v PHI Fri and @ C-bus Sat. Philly wants the top seed but CBJ has nothing to play for. Carolina mean while plays v DET at ATL and home v TB Sat. NYG plays v BOS ATL and NJ all at home. MON plays v CHI @ OTT @TO.

Basically nothing is set in stone but with this win tonight not making the post season at this point would a 100% choke job collapse of epic proportions. I would want a bunch of players traded and insist on Lindy getting the ax. I don't forecast a collapse at this juncture however. We'll be the 7 seed. Every game is seemingly one goal games, anything can happen in the playoffs, especially in the East.