It was another frustrating night watching the Buffalo Sabres fire shots from all over the ice but not be able to find the back of the net. I can't remember a game of such complete domination turn out the way it did. So what is the problem? Is it the players forgot how to score? Is it outstanding goaltending by the opposition? I don't know anymore, I can't imagine the frustration in that locker room because it has been frustrating to watch. It has come to point now where you have to wonder if the Sabres could score in a Nevada brothel. On Friday they hit three goal posts, tonight Tim Thomas looked like Dominic Hasek of the 90's.
A look at the stats shows the Sabres outshot Boston in every period of the game and 46-22 overall but Boston scored two goals to the Sabres one (a shorthanded tally by Daniel Paille). It is tough right now to find a Sabres player who is not playing well, if you discount the fact they can't score. It's easy to put the fault on Max Afinogenov for his giveaway that led to the Bruins first goal but if the puck went into the net it really wouldn't have been a huge concern.
The toughest job in the world right now belongs to Lindy Ruff, how do you approach the team and say you are playing well but you're in last place. There isn't anything Ruff can say to make them play better he just needs to help them believe that they need to keep plugging and not give up. It would be real easy for this team to fold and pack it in right now but I too believe that if they keep plugging along they will be alright.
The Sabres next chance to score will be Thursday night in Ottawa against the team that eliminated them from last years playoffs. The Senators come into the game as the best team in the NHL having lost only twice in 16 games. It will be a stiff test for the Sabres and I'm interested to see how they respond.