Ok Sabres,

Enough with spotting teams 2 goals, before you have to make a comeback. Last night might have been one of those, well can't win em all nights. Then one tip in, followed by Vanek deciding to put one in where he grew up, then Derek Roy finally getting a goal for the year. But they had no business winning that game last night. The Wild don't let this happen. Or do the Sabres sucker opponents into a trap, before they charge and win the game. But they need to take it to a team. They can't just trust they will come back and win a game. They had that mindset two years ago and it got them nothing. This team isn't as good as that team, and they need to get ahead and stay ahead. Sure its fun and exciting, but what else is exciting winning games 6-2.

Minnesota thought they played a great game, but had a lazy couple minutes and lost a game. That should be a lesson to the Sabres. You can play great and lose. When you get into a habit its hard to break. This team is filled with guys from two years ago. Who still may think they can skate around and still win. Well not every night and especially not in the playoffs. Miller got lazy and put a puck in his net. That should be unacceptable. What if they lost 3-2? Thats the winning goal. Instead the score is 4-3 and its just a goofy blunder, instead of a critical goal in the third period.

Looking through the stats, Thomas Vanek once again stands out. He had two points and was a +3 on the night. On the other side, Miettinen the Wild leading scorer, had 0 points and was a -3. In the battle of the top scorers it was one sided. The 4th line was barely on the ice each with almost 5 minutes a piece. This team needs to get back Connolly, Gaustad and Hecht, so they can roll 4 lines and be very fresh for 60 minutes. This team barely has any centers and aren't hurting for offense. Imagine when they get scoring and two way play back.

Miller had a shakier game, but not as shaky as Backstrom was at the end. The last two goals were bad in my opinion. No way you let a guy come around and just stuff it in. Thats a garbage goal for Roy. But the Wild were coming off almost a week rest and the Sabres have played extra time in a couple nights with travel.

Not making excuses, but the Sabres need to stop this habit right now, and it starts in Colorado.

Sabres Wild Preview

Its a battle of unbeatens! Kinda, its a battle of teams who haven't lost in regulation or overtime, but in the Shootout, the Sabres have a loss. Back in the day that would be called a tie. And it would be a actual meeting of unbeatens. So if we look back in time, yes these teams wouldn't have a loss. But anyway. Its a important matchup to see where the Sabres stand against a good team in the Western Conference. To be honest I have zero clue about the Wild. But the left looking logo, makes the picture great. It looks like the Buffalo Ghost will take on the Wolf? in a fight.

The Sabres are banged up losing Craig Rivet for a couple weeks, to a knee surgery, which goes in the better now then later file, adds to the mounting injury woes for the Sabres. Which so far haven't hampered them too much. But eventually it will catch up to them. And the Rivet injury could be the tipping point. Nathan Paetsch was adequate 2 years ago, but last year was very shaky, which led to Sekera and Weber seeing lots of ice time and showing they have what it takes to play in the NHL. And there is no doubt Paetsch plays like last year, Mike Weber will be in against Colorado. But enough of the Blue and Gold, lets get WILD!!!!

The Wild are leading the Northwest Division with 8 points, being 4-0-0, outscoring their opponents 15 to 7. which is similar to the Sabres 22 to 10 goal differential. Many think because of Lemaire the Wild, are defense first, lock down, boring. But I don't think thats the case. I think they are team first, and thats why a guy like Gaborik is complaining. He wants to be the man, when the course of strategy says, its the name on the front, not on the back. Thats why when you look at the roster you go, who? The leading scorer is Saku's little brother, Mikko Koivu, who has 9 points (8 assists) And the leading goal scorer is Antti miettinen with 5. Andrew Brunette has 5 points and Kim Johnnson has 4 points. Really its a bunch of guys playing hockey and playing the system. Its exactly what Lindy Ruff wants for the Sabres, but I think the Sabres have more offensive talent. The real lynchpin on the Wild is Nik Backstrom who is having a solid start to the season. With a 1.71 Gaa and a .942 sv %. He is the only goaltender who has played so far for the Wild.

This should be an interesting game I think. The Wild haven't played since Saturday, where they had a 3 game Southeast trip, against the Mighty Thrashers, Panthers and Lightning. So they could be nice and rested up, but also the Gaborik stuff might be a distraction. Its all over the blogs and with a team like the Sabres coming in, trying to have a nice little North/western trip. They probably want to play better then they did against Atlanta and Boston. So I would look for a strong opening for the Sabres tonight. Its really one of those games I have zero clue how it could go. The Wild could come out rested and run all over the Sabres, or the Sabres take it a over rested team.

I guess we'll see tonight. Hey maybe a Peters Boogard Fight tonight!!!! That would go well.