Buffalo Sabres 1 Montreal Canadiens 0: Miller Stars as Sabres Win Streak Hits Four

by David Oleksy on Jan 3, 2010 6:13 PM EST in Game Recaps

Ryan Miller and Tim Connolly were the stars as the Sabres capped a great day for Buffalo Sports teams. The day began with the Buffalo Bills dominating the previously one loss Indianapolis Colts at frigid Ralph Wilson Stadium on their way to a 30-7 victory {read Buffalo Rumblings for details} and it concluded with a masterful performance by Ryan Miller in a 1-0 shutout victory.

It was the fifth shutout of the season for Miller who is well on his way to being the starting goalie for USA at the Olympics, the Vezina Trophy winner and quite possibly the Hart Trophy winner. It has been nearly a decade since we were treated to goaltending of this caliber in Buffalo. Miller made 29 saves including nine in the third period, many of which came in the final minutes.

The Sabres offense continued to struggle but a rebound goal by Connolly proved to be enough because of Miller. Buffalo started slow again but picked up their play early in the second period and were the better team for the better part of the second and third periods. Although they controlled play and generated some chances, they continue to lack finish in front of the net.

Despite the offensive struggles this was a quality road win by a team that continues to lead the Northeast Division.

Corsi Numbers | Event Summary | Habs Eyes on the Prize

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Another win

These guys just keep getting it done.

by Rafal Ladysz on Jan 3, 2010 9:02 PM EST reply actions

I’ll be going to the game on Wednesday vs. Tampa Bay… I’m expecting a better performance than the game that I last attended (awful 3-0 loss to NJ).

Make me proud, Sabres.

by lassathrax on Jan 4, 2010 12:31 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, that was easily our worst game of the year. Good luck, man.

by Traver on Jan 4, 2010 1:04 AM EST up reply actions

If we lose another one like that on Wednesday

Consider yourself banned from HSBC for the rest of the season!

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 4, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

don’t blame it on me, i have attended some ridiculous wins (most importantly the 2-1 OT win in Game 5 vs. NYR in the ’07 playoffs – Drury ties w/ 7.7 seconds left and Max wins it in OT - that game alone was worth seeing two shutouts against the sabres recently).

by lassathrax on Jan 4, 2010 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

Ok Ok

I’ll let it slide this time, but your skating on thin ice haha

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 5, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Am I the only who thinks

Connolly’s recent play is too good to be true and he’s on the brink of another injury?

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Jan 4, 2010 12:50 AM EST reply actions

Ahh! That’s a jinx! DO delete that!
Kidding, it’s nice to see Pominville, Roy, Connolly, and Hecht all starting to chip in more regularly.
I was thinking the same thing tonight; we Buffalo fans truly are traumatized.

by Traver on Jan 4, 2010 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

If we all flag it, it will go away.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 4, 2010 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

He’s been good since being put with Poms and Hecht. It made a ton of sense. Put Hecht an Poms together, who have always had chemistry, while calling out Connolly publicly right as Derek Roy gets hurt. Those three have played very well when we needed them to step up and provide stable offense.

I’m very happy with how this season is progressing…. crosses fingers that Connolly stays healthy

Ta,

by Tom Luongo on Jan 4, 2010 8:49 AM EST up reply actions

As you guys said a great win for us, especially with a huge road trip coming up, where we’ll be tested.
Miller, Connolly, Pominville and Stafford did great imo.

by BillsfanfromDenmark on Jan 4, 2010 7:06 AM EST reply actions

O, Vanek, Vanek, wherefore art thou Vanek

The balanced scoring is great, and im liking players stepping up and scoring, it would just be nice to see Vanek go on his yearly goal streak.

"always thinking one step ahead, like a carpenter...who makes stairs..."

by dragonwag0n on Jan 4, 2010 9:47 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I would love a Vanek sighting...

Still cant complain much. We’re winning the ugly/close games. But it would be nice for Vanek to start lighting the lamp.

"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."

by bflo on Jan 4, 2010 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

I hate to sound like a major dork

But since I went to Catholic school and was forced to understand Shakespeare here goes: That quote means “why are you called Vanek?”
On another note, I am patiently awaiting a rabid scoring streak by TV as well.

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 4, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, he has been by far the biggest bust so far for the Sabres this season. He needs to have more confidence, a swagger or chip-in-your-shoulder-mentality if you will, and until he gets that, I doubt he’ll change. He has all the skills, but he just needs to keep grinding and work harder and suddenly the goals go in for him.

by BillsfanfromDenmark on Jan 4, 2010 10:55 AM EST reply actions

Bust?

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 4, 2010 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

No. Vanek has been hampered by injury all season. It’s obvious when you watch him with the puck. No player that has scored 40+ goals more than once in a career cannot under any circumstances be considered a bust.

He’s hurting and his timing is shot. Watch him with the puck, he can barely get himself in a position to skate with it. I’m looking forward to a Vanek post the Olympic break where he can really get himself healed up and ready for the playoffs.

The compete is there. The head is there. The mind and the body are not in sync.

Ta,

by Tom Luongo on Jan 4, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly.

I do see a better commitment to defense this year too. His pick-pocketing of Spacek yesterday might have been the play of the day.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 4, 2010 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

He’s been a more effective forechecker and his chemistry with Kennedy and Griere is head and shoulders above that with Connolly or Roy. That abdominal injury has slowed him down a bunch. I’m okay with Vanek right now. Everyone has seasons like this during their career. Everyone.

Ta,

by Tom Luongo on Jan 5, 2010 10:05 AM EST up reply actions