‘What all this means is that the Sabres, already a relatively small team, will become even smaller and more vulnerable down the stretch and into the playoffs. Their offensive heart and soul, co-captains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury, are little guys. So is Derek Roy, a top-rank disturbance creator, as well as All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell. I suspect that the opposition’s mantra will be “pound them – knock ’em to the ice at every opportunity – wear ’em down – it will pay off in the third period.” This mantra is especially popular with Buffalo’s three eastern Canadian rivals, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, who will meet the Sabres eight times between now and the playoffs.’