Hats off to the Buffalo Sabres for starting the season 4-0-0-1. Many people were predicting the Sabres to finish anywhere from 7th to 12th in the standings this year and this team is trying to prove all of them wrong.
In the first complete week of the season (Monday-Sunday) the Sabres finished 3-0-0-1 and had some individual dominant performances. I took the liberty of ranking the players using the Hockeybuzz fantasy scoring format to select the top 3 stars of the week.
1st star: Thomas Vanek 80 pts
2nd star: Craig Rivet 68 pts
3rd star: Ales Kotalik 62 pts
As a tandem Miller & Lalime scored 74 pts.
Underachievers of the week. Lydman 4pts Tallinder 6pts Ellis 1pt (Hecht excluded with 11 pts in 1 game played)
Is there any team in the NHL right now that wouldnt want Vaneks services even at a cost of 8mil. Did Lindy Ruff finally send him the right messages. This guy is a beast right now. Before the season started I was predicting to some people that he would finish with 56 goals this year and they laughed at me. Its too early in the season to say he will get there but I would have to say hes got a pretty good start.
Meanwhile we have Roy and Stafford yet to breakout of their early season slumps. I still expect good things from these two this year. How many people would be surpised if I told them that Pominville has 6 points the last 4 games. (2G and 4A) No flash from this guy, he just puts up the points.
Well, looks like were in for a fun season. Hopefully the boys can keep up the good work and show the hockey world what they can accomplish. Go Sabres.