Archives for February 14, 2008

‘“We’ve been playing better defense in the last few weeks, and that definitely helps me,” Miller said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s all about the goalie making saves. Once in a while it is, but it’s all about your defense and how you can read, and it’s all about the forwards helping come back.”’

‘Then Ruff came out, after a brutal loss in Phoenix, and took one for the team. Blame me, he said. At the time, it seemed like a noble attempt to deflect criticism from his players — and maybe from the team’s embattled upper management. They haven’t lost in regulation since.’

‘He had just one goal in 29 games — and just three in the last 45 dating to Nov. 1 — until beating Toronto’s Vesa Toskala for a clutch game-winner with 11:04 to play.’

'"As long as we're winning, you're not that frustrated, but obviously when you're not scoring it feels like there's a weight on your shoulders," said Gaustad, the third-year centerman whose 25 points are a career-high.'

'Call the Sabres what you want — mismanaged, inexperienced, schizophrenic, and fragile all work — but to say that they’re underachieving now, when home ice in the first round of the playoffs is becoming a genuine possibility, is to show nothing short of hockey ignorance.'

'With Paul Gaustad’s goal in the third period, the Sabres scored first for the eighth time in their last 10 starts on Wednesday against Toronto. Buffalo is 8-0-2 in that stretch.'

‘”With (the incident) being this close, not even a week (ago),” Pominville said, “it’s definitely something you think about. The toughest part was the day of and the day after. You kept seeing it and seeing it on TV. The media talked to us about it. Now, thank God, he’s all right and he should recover fully.”‘

Kid learns a hard lesson (Toronto Sun)

Leafs not shopping Mats (Toronto Sun)

Mats true to his word (Toronto Sun)

Tucker ‘has lost it:’ Exec (Toronto Sun)

Sabres real party poopers for Leafs (Toronto Star)

Leafs won’t concede games to get top prospect (Toronto Star)

Red-hot Buffalo stifles the Leafs (Toronto Globe and Mail)

Sabres’ Miller closes door on the Leafs (National Post)

Photo gallery (MapleLeafs.com)

Photo gallery (Sabres.com.com)

‘”It feels good, but the job’s not done,” said Miller, who registered his third shutout of the season and seventh of his career. “We’re excited for the possibility to keep climbing. Our goal isn’t eighth or seventh, sixth is the next spot.”‘

‘Ryan Miller stopped 35 shots to record his third shutout of the season and seventh of his career, as the surging Buffalo Sabres blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs, 1-0, at HSBC Arena.’