I’ve been thinking a lot about the ’05-’06 Sabres team and trying to remember how it felt watching them play in the regular season. I can faintly recall a game in Philadelphia around this point in the season four-years-ago. It was one of those games where the Sabres won in incredible fashion. Someone on the Sabres scored late to tie it and then Mike Grier finished the job when he scored with close to five-seconds left in the third period, putting the BUF ahead, 6-5. The Flyers had been lazy with their coverage, obviously expecting the game to continue into overtime. I think it was Hecht who made a brilliant play from behind the net to chip it out in front and Grier was able to poke it between the legs of the goaltender. RJ went bat-shit I’m sure but Lorentz’s reaction is what really stuck with me. He was totally impressed and lauded the Sabres for playing until the end — never giving up. Immediately after the final seconds passed, Lorentz said something like and the game is over. I’ll always remember how matter-of-factly he said it. The message was clear: this Sabres team will steal games and points if you give them the tiniest sliver of an opportunity to do so.
We love what that team stood for and we kind of immortalize that season as one of the best ever. That Sabres team had a very recognizable never-give-up attitude and it was easy to get behind a young, scrappy group of overachievers who all seemed to have something to prove.
The personnel on this Sabres team is obviously very different from that one but collectively, they share some important characteristics. I don’t think it’s coincidence and I think you all know where this is going. Let’s say the following together now: Lin-dy-Ruff. Lindy Ruff, people. He deserves more than a little recognition for what has happened this year. I’m guilty too of not really mentioning him name here in quiet some time. I definitely take him for granted.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s no question Miller has been fantastic. He has worked hard to become the player we recognize him as and has fully grown into the professional game, learning to work the angles and understand what passing lanes are his responsibility and those of the defensemen’s. He deserves all the credit and praise that’s been showered upon him. Tyler Myers has been tremendous too. He’s the best player on the Sabres aside from Miller. The point I’m trying to make though is that the manner in which this Sabres team plays, specifically the way they have been able to grind out wins all season long, speaks to Lindy Ruff and the leadership on this team who support and promote his message. Rivet gets it, Grier gets it, and so do many of the older vets like Tallinder, Lydman and Hecht. These guys all sell out during their shifts on the penalty kill. They might not block shots with their teeth like Drury and Mckee did on that ’05-’06 team but they’re hustling, getting their sticks in passing lanes, and just playing smart. They’re certainly not the most talented players on the team but they provide a pretty great example of how Lindy Ruff likes his skaters to play.
If we’ve learned anything this seasons it’s that this Sabres team is a frustrating group of players to compete against. I cheer for them but I’m not blind. I know Miller has bailed them out and that they won more than a couple 2-1 games that they probably shouldn’t have but so what? Miller is on this team. What’s the point of speculating how they’d play without him? The Sabres, of course, do not feature a reliable offensive superstar but they have a few forwards who seemed to score a handful of goals every month. Couple that with the occasional goal the Sabres got from the checkers and defensemen and the Sabres more often than not had enough goal support to beat just about anyone. They did enough to win and were able to win consistently.
The playoffs should be a lot of fun. Anyone that’s dismissing the Sabres should have their head examined. Every team in the East is flawed and vulnerable against the right team. I could go on to list a dozen "if" statements but I’ll leave that to the "experts" or your imagination, whichever you prefer.
Everyone that cares about hockey even just a little knows that anything can happen in the playoffs. The most unlikely upsets occur every year. A team can get hot and burn through the most formidable opponent making them look like a JV team in the process. By all means, have expectations but keep in mind the extremes on either side of the playoff spectrum.
Me? I’m confident in the Sabres for a lot of reasons but the two in particular are Miller and Ruff. LR is a tremendous playoff coach and Miller is Miller. With those two on my side, I say bring on anyone. But even though I’m confident, I’m not pinning any expectations on this team. I think that would be a mistake.
Anything can happen. I can’t help but think that as far as the Sabres are concerned, this is a good thing.