Buffalo Sabres – San Jose Sharks: Three Stars

Buffalo Sabres fans, I’m not going to lie to you: by the time the puck dropped to

Feb 28, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing

(65) celebrates his goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at First Niagara Center. Buffalo beats San Jose 4 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

begin tonight’s Sabres-Sharks game, I was about as interested in the game as an elderly person is interested in a skateboard.

Sure, I still gave the game some glances, and obviously I am proud of the guys for fighting through the emotions of the evening to extend their winning streak to three by beating San Jose 4-2, but I spent the overwhelming majority of my evening paying close attention to my Twitter timeline, responding to Tweets and Facebook comments, and generally trying to make sense of the trade that had been made prior to the game.

I’m still trying to figure out how I feel, and what I think (because feeling and thinking are two different beasts, after all), about the trade that sent Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues, and because of that doing this three stars post really became an after-thought.  Even so, I decided to sleep on the news and wait until tomorrow to get my reactions committed to the site, so let’s see ’em: my three stars of what was a very emotional, eventful, and surreal kind of night!

Third Stars: Cody Hodgson, Brian Flynn, Matt Moulson, Tyler Myers

The Sabres won what had to be a very difficult game to play in, and these four guys found a way to channel their emotions in a positive manner.  Scoring goals in the NHL is tough; scoring on a night when your team captain and starting goaltender are traded, even more so.  Congrats to these players for helping send Millsy and Otter out on a high note.

Second Star: The Buffalo Sabres organization

We were all impressed with the video tribute the Sabres unveiled when Lindy Ruff came back to town with the Dallas Stars, and rightfully so.  But having video tributes for both Miller and Ott being ready tonight, in order to show Millsy and Otter how much the team appreciates them BEFORE they were sent packing?  That’s as classy as it comes, folks.  Being traded is rarely easy, but at least Ryan Miller and Steve Ott know TODAY how the organization and fans truly feel about them.

Nov 15, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Steve Ott (9) congratulates goalie Ryan Miller (30) after beating the Toronto Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Leafs 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

First Stars: Steve Ott and Ryan Miller

Yeah, yeah – an obvious call.  I’m not trying to be sentimental, but let’s face it: watching these two speak to the media during the first intermission was the highlight of the evening.  Both Miller and Ott were consummate professionals during their time in front of the mic, and I will spend the rest of the season pulling for the St. Louis Blues with the hopes that the Blues will be able to lead these guys to the promised land.

There you have it – the real stars of the evening!  I’ll try to share my thoughts on the trade tomorrow, and believe me when I say that there’s almost certainly more Buffalo Sabres drama to unfold in the next few days to come.  Thanks for the read!