More photos » Don Heupel - AP

2 months ago: Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller redirects the puck with the blocker during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

Browse more photos »

Buffalo's shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators is misleading because it signifies that the game was close and evenly played. On the contrary, it was the visiting side establishing control from the opening period outshooting the Sabres 19-1. Ryan Miller's 38 saves were what kept the team alive and earned a point as Ottawa held a 40-22 shot advantage prior to the breakaway contest.

A lot of things stand out like the four combined shots on goal in periods one and three. Let me guess, another case of food poisoning? That is unacceptable to register such little in 40 minutes. The bright side is that this 2-2-2 slump in the last six games could have been much more disheartening. Again, we can thank Miller for that. Buffalo heads to St. Louis this afternoon for an 'East meets West' tilt.

Ten thoughts on the match below.

• Projected starters are Patrick Lalime and Ty Conklin. They are each taking on a team they once represented as Lalime played 31 games with St. Louis in 2006 and Conklin had a short stint with Buffalo in 2007. Lalime was strong in his last two starts going 1-0-1 and stopping 62 of 64 shots as was Conklin who held Vancouver to one goal exactly a week ago.
  
• Derek Roy absorbed a hit from Jesse Winchester yesterday and sat out the remainder of the night from about the five-minute mark of period three. He'll be evaluated today adding to the injuries sustained by Patrick Kaleta, Chris Butler and Nathan Gerbe. Besides D.J. King, St. Louis is supplied with no problems.
  
• Buffalo has been outshot 114-86 in their last three games but have escaped with three points miraculously. St. Louis is coming off a successful 3-1 road trip where they posted wins in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Oddly enough, the Blues are 11-4-3 away from the Scottrade Center and 6-11-2 in it. 
• Jason Pominville's powerplay tally late in the second period was the first in six games for the Sabres. They are 25th in the league at 16.2 per cent with the Blues just above them at 16.3 per cent. St. Louis owns the third best penalty kill at 86.5 per cent while Buffalo has fallen to ninth at 83.7 per cent.
  
• The offense on both sides is spread out similarly as St. Louis has gotten at least one goal from 19 players and Buffalo from 20. Leading scorers Brad Boyes and Roy are well under a point per game clip in production.
  
• This series has been a coin toss in the past few seasons. St. Louis came out with a 3-2 overtime victory in 2007, won 4-3 in 2008 and Buffalo pulled off a 4-3 outcome of their own last year. My advice would be to not place a wager unless it's in the form of a tie.
  
• Steve Montador has been the best blue liner in getting shots on goal. His 66 attempts are 27 more than the next closest (Tyler Myers with 39). Buffalo's defense has to try putting shots through traffic because it hasn't been happening too much.
  
• No need to tell Erik Johnson about that. With 78 shots and 21 points, the 21-year-old is having a superb year but has hit a seven-game slide without a point. He and Myers have plenty in common with the exception of height.
  
• Drew Stafford has taken over Maxim Afinogenov's former suite in Lindy Ruff's doghouse largely due to the fact that he hasn't scored once in December. Stafford's been on the ice less than 20 minutes total in the last two matches together. Time to start back-checking and staying on the plus side rather than minus Drew.
• David Perron now has surpassed all of his teammates in goals with 11 and has three points in one career game versus Buffalo. Head coach Andy Murray isn't always his finest admirer but Perron has grade-A talent and can make defenseman regret being in his path. Mark Streit has heard of our subject. 

The lowest scoring team in the Western Conference and one of the East's lesser goal compilers. Goaltending will be the x-factor here and both back-ups have something to prove whether it be as a potential starter more often or a legitimate second string netminder. They aren't the only ones as there are a good portion of performers with the same plan.