Despite beating Ryan Miller on two occasions tonight, the Florida Panthers had for all intents and purposes, rolled over and waited for someone to pet their head.  Realizing the likely hood of the playoffs was a little to far fetched, the Panthers were not even up to the task of trying to play spoiler, as they allowed an injury depleted Buffalo Sabres to steamroll to within four points of capturing the Northeast Divisioin title.
With the win, the Sabres accomplished a couple of things.  Ryan Miller now has 39 wins on the season, one shy of a career high, and he [...]

I said it before, the Buffalo Sabres needed only play .500 hockey from now until the end of the year to wrap up the division.  That translated to eight points.  By defeating the Boston Bruins; the Sabres put Montreal out of contention, and increased their lead over Ottawa to seven points.  They did all this without Connolly, Kennedy and Kaleta.
The team continued to surge towards wrapping up first place while learning what they were falling victim to numerous times during the year; its really tough to come from behind against good teams.  The Sabres still have an impeccable record when [...]

**Before I posted I wanted to let everyone know about an issue.  There for a short period of time I was having an issuing with posts that were written not showing up, or disappearing all together.  I think the bugs have been worked out. **
Tonight the Buffalo Sabres are in Boston to hopefully, beat up on the Bruins.  The Sabres can dispatch of the Montreal Canadiens from the division title race tonight by putting two points in the books.  With the playoffs in the books for this year, it will be real easy for the Sabres to sit back and coast [...]

Its been a long three years without the playoffs, but one thing is for certain, the Sabres will be playing beyond April 6th, 2010.  The only thing left between now and then is a divisional title.  Buffalo currently sits atop the Northeast Division with 92 points.  They have eight games, or a possible 16 points remaining.
Chasing them is the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadians.  Montreal has six games remaining and is ten points behind the Sabres.  All the Sabres have to do is win one more and Montreal can kiss their division title hopes so long.
The worst possible case for [...]

Despite losing to Ottawa last night, the Sabres used the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight to seal a playoff spot for the first time in two years.  This is great news for fans, because it means at least four to seven more games and the possibility of more.  What hasn’t been solidified is what seed they will carry into the spring tournament, or who their opponent will be.
Now that the playoffs are a lock, its time to look at the Division.  Its probably a safe bet that the Habs are not a danger to the Sabres securing one of the top [...]

Tonight the Buffalo Sabres will look to shake off the loss to the Ottawa Senators; and clinch a playoff spot against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning are not saying good night just yet, but have backed themselves into must win situations.  They are on point for a point a game, but would need the teams immediately in front of them.
Ottawa continued to dominate the Sabres, despite some of the guys in Blue in Gold coming to win the game.  The Sabres have one last chance to shake the curse of the Senators before the playoffs start, and its something they [...]

It didn’t look like the Sabres were going to build on a lead in the Northeast Division, as it looked like the Canadians were going to put a step on them tonight.
Using a late offensive push, and a shootout, the Sabres have increased their lead in the division, and have further cemented a position in the post season.
Despite being down by 2, with 2 minutes to play, Tim Connolly and Steve Montador scored just about a minute apart in the final two minutes to send the game to sudden death overtime.  An extra five minutes of game time could not [...]

It looks like this may be the final year for the current Buffalo Sabres uniform.  The team looks to retire the modern Sabres blue and gold for a return to a more tradition style, with the teams current third jersey, a slightly altered version of their original colors, becomes their standard uniform.
Not to be without an alternate  jersey however, the Sabres are using this as a potential replacement for their alternate jersey:

This may not be a permanent alternate sweater, as rumor has it will only be used during the 40th Anniversary season.

We all have those time periods.  Ruts, funks, whatever you want to call them.  You just don’t have the mental energy to do anything.  I had one of those recently, and well, you probably all noticed how terrible it got around here.  I was afraid it was going to be doom and gloom for awhile, but then you hit that relatively easy patch where things seem to come together and your right back on track.  Good news for everyone, I think I am back on track. 
And what a time to come back full swing, when the Sabres have done the [...]

All I can say about this game is, you better beat Tampa Bay.  Dropping another game to a team that is not going to make the playoffs, is not the way to right this ship.  See my post a day or so ago on my rant of whose at fault and what needs to change.
I know this is late, but between traffic after work and taking care of some business, been out of the loop.  Don’t fret, Ill be back with a vengeance starting this weekend, as we ramp up for the playoffs both here and on Rink Side Rants, [...]