Miller set to Return to Sabres Lineup

by David Oleksy on Mar 25, 2009 1:20 PM EDT

The Buffalo Sabres announced today that Ryan Miller is set to return to team on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Miller has not played since he was hit behind the net by Scott Gomez in a 4-2 Sabres win on February 21. Since Miller has been out of the lineup the Sabres have plummeted in the standings and now sit in 10th place, seven points behind the Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres are 3-7-2 since Miller has been out of the lineup.

There are plenty of questions surrounding the return of Ryan Miller. Is it too late for the Sabres to regroup and battle their way to the eighth spot? How will Ryan Miller play after missing over a month? How will the ankle hold up for Miller? How many games will Miller be able to play? The questions are plentiful and the answers are unknown but the Sabres only chance is to have Miller in the lineup.

In the absence of Miller the Sabres have relied on patrick lalime and it has been obvious that he is not up to the task. He hasn't been the only problem but he has been part of the problem. The Sabres will turn to Mikael Tellqvist tonight in hopes that he can spark the team to a victory before Miller returns on Friday.

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Ryan Miller	51	2974	29	16	5	5	124	2.50	1522	1398	.919	5

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Patrick Lalime	24	1297	5	13	3	1	67	3.10	669	602	.900	0

	GP	MIN	W	L	T	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2008 - Mikael Tellqvist	3	91	0	1	0	1	5	3.30	51	46	.902	0

The Sabres have obviously missed Ryan Miller on the ice which is apparent by the above statistics but the players have clearly missed his leadership off the ice as well.

I have been critical of Miller and his post-game comments in the past but this season was different. Miller seemed to mature as player and has really embraced his role as a leader of this team.

Whether Miller is at the top of his game or not, he gives this team something they have been lacking the last month...confidence. It seems that the majority of the team is mentally weak and they seem to have a swagger when Miller is behind them.

That brings us back to the original question...Is it too late?

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Comments

One word, yes.

The population of Pominville keeps rising!

by Blackcapricorn on Mar 25, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

You're probably right

I’m still hopeful although I realize it’s a longshot.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Mar 25, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I love cheering for the Sabres, I really like it when my favorite players on the team do well and I think they have the best shot of bringing a championship to the City of Buffalo (outside of the Bandits) but I just didn’t see it this year and I don’t think (Miller or not) they have enough to get in or once in can actually do something. Miller could have made a difference this year but he can’t score goals and they needed that more than him.

The population of Pominville keeps rising!

by Blackcapricorn on Mar 25, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably yes, unless this team makes a miraculous comeback starting tonight.

by Zachary Zielonka on Mar 25, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

It’s probably too late…..but certainly not impossible.

The problem most of the season is the lack of production from the forwards. Those are the serious issues that have to be dealt with on this team. It will great, however, to see Miller back in goal.

It’s Ryan’s team; let’s hope the Sabres give him (and his backups, whomever they may be) better support the rest of the year and in the following seasons to come.

by ccthemovieman on Mar 25, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions