Who'd of thunk it?
Posted 5:55 PM ET | Comments 0
Miller who?
Of course, I say that facetiously. Ryan Miller is the key to the Sabres hopes if they can pull it together to get into the playoffs.
But who would have expected Patrick Lalime to step up the way he has in Miller's absence?
He's done exactly what you want from your backup goaltender - step in and give your team a chance to win every single night he plays. In his last two vs. Montreal and Phoenix, he's been positively brilliant, allowing only two goals on 69 shots.
When Miller went down, many Buffalo fans were in a panic, not having much faith in Lalime after his performances to this point. I felt like he could manage the role, but would need significant help from the remainder of the Sabres team. Turns out, he's done far better than just managing - he's thrived.
And finally with some help from his teammates, who floundered badly in his first three games after replacing Miller but seem revitalized since the trade deadline passed - maybe not a coincidence that the timing matches up with star winger Thomas Vanek's return to the lineup.
Obviously there's some work left to do, but it no longer seems like Miller's injury will be the problems that keeps the Sabres out of the playoffs - the ship is in good hands.
http://hockey-sense.today.com
Of course, I say that facetiously. Ryan Miller is the key to the Sabres hopes if they can pull it together to get into the playoffs.
But who would have expected Patrick Lalime to step up the way he has in Miller's absence?
He's done exactly what you want from your backup goaltender - step in and give your team a chance to win every single night he plays. In his last two vs. Montreal and Phoenix, he's been positively brilliant, allowing only two goals on 69 shots.
When Miller went down, many Buffalo fans were in a panic, not having much faith in Lalime after his performances to this point. I felt like he could manage the role, but would need significant help from the remainder of the Sabres team. Turns out, he's done far better than just managing - he's thrived.
And finally with some help from his teammates, who floundered badly in his first three games after replacing Miller but seem revitalized since the trade deadline passed - maybe not a coincidence that the timing matches up with star winger Thomas Vanek's return to the lineup.
Obviously there's some work left to do, but it no longer seems like Miller's injury will be the problems that keeps the Sabres out of the playoffs - the ship is in good hands.
http://hockey-sense.today.com