Miller Time

The Sabres played a hard, spirited game against the Ducks last night, you can sum up the game in 2 words;  Ryan Miller. The former Vezina winner and team USA goaltender stood on his head once again in a game some are calling his best as a Sabre, stopping 43 shots to earn his 4th shutout of the season (3 post all star break). Miller's play of late has Sabres fans excited and hoping that the playoffs are still attainable, and there's no question if the Sabres want to make the postseason they will need Ryan Miller to be on his game. It would appear it's Miller time in Buffalo again!

Ryan Miller wearing the "Golden Helmet"
as the top Sabres player of the game.

It's taken Miller about 40 games to start playing like the MVP, Vezina winning goaltender that he is. A lot of that was attributed to the Milan Lucic incident, when he missed some games came back played like crap, missed some more games and was never really able to get in his grove. But since hitting rock bottom around January 24th (2-7-0), Miller has been on fire going 9-2-3. He's played in 18 consecutive games allowing fewer than 3 goals in 10 of those. He's now won at least 20 games in 7 straight season, so much for that "one good season" argument.

Where did the turnaround happen?
During the all-star break, it's great to be selected to play in the all-star game and all that hoopalala but a lot of players need that break. This year Miller got the break, he had 5 days to relax, focus on what he needs to improve, his technique and to be out of the spotlight. He got the time to mentally restore himself and fully heal from that concussion, because like it or not that hit was the turning point, where it all went south for the Sabres. Since the NHL all-star break the Sabres have gone 9-3-3 and have a 4.1% chance of making the post season, and a large part of that is the play of Ryan Miller. But quite possibly the biggest change in his game is confidence, he's found his "swagger" and is much more confident now as opposed to earlier in the year. He's making amazing, jaw dropping saves we weren't seeing before the break.
What a lot of coaches and couch coaches fail to understand is that goalies need a heavy workload, notice that the goalies playing 12 straight games play a lot better than goalies that are being switched every other game. This is a major reason the Leafs aren't getting goaltending, Wilson is afraid to run with a goalie for a stretch of games, after a couple bad games their back on the bench. But look at Miller, he had a rough/bad first half of the season, but Ruff kept putting him in there and knowing that the Sabres don't stand a chance of making the playoffs if Miller isn't between the pipes, Ruff's letting him play long stretches. What goalies need is to play several games so they can get into a grove, once they get in that grove their unstoppable (if their a decent goalie).

Let's talk numbers

I've thrown a lot of numbers at you guys of Miller's play since the all-star game (9-2-3), some pretty phenomenal numbers, but let's dive deeper! In the last 5 games Miller is 4-0-1 with a 1.366 Goals Against Average, I dare you to find me a goalie with better numbers over that stretch! Not to mention he broke his second Sabres record last night; 43 saves is the most in a shutout win by any Sabres netminder. But looking beyond the numbers, it's not just his stats it's the things that don't show up on the score sheet; his highlight reel, jaw dropping saves, the fact he's playing with more emotion and that he's never giving up on a puck. Earlier in the year, you'd see him give up on a play but right now he's battling till the pucks in his glove! The way he's playing right now should have Sabres fans all excited and the rest of the league a little scared, if the Sabres do manage to squeak into the playoffs on the current run their on with Miller playing how he is, we may surprise a few teams. But getting into the playoffs is going to be a daunting task, despite being just 5 points out, the Sabres have to go 12-5-2 to finish off the season, to have a little more than 50% chance of making it. It's going to be tough as 7 of our next 9 games are on the road including matches with the Canucks and Sharks, plus we play the Leafs who are just ahead of us two more times.

What it all comes down too
Alright let's face it, as die hard Sabres fans we're not going to admit that the Sabres wont make the playoffs until their mathamatically eliminated. Now I still have faith the Miller and the boys can get it done, if they keep playing exceptional hockey. But let's be real here, what the deadline moves told us is the Sabres are building for the future. Now future is a scary word for fans to hear, just look at what's happening in Toronto, the fans are tired of waiting for that never coming future. But good news for Sabres fans, this future is as early as next season. If we were expecting to go deep in the playoffs we would have kept Gaustad for his grit and face off ability, kept Kassian and not acquire a rookie who's just breaking into the league. One of the major reasons the Sabres failed to live up to expectations this season was all the injuries but imagine this team next year healthy, with Miller playing like he is now, and players earning their money oh man we'll be untuchable. Like it or not if this team is going to win a Stanley Cup it's going to be with Ryan Miller Between the pipes!

Whether or not the Buffalo Sabres make the 2012 playoffs remains unknown and will likely stay that way for the next 19 games. But the one thing the Sabres can do is win, just win that's the best way to solidify your spot in the postseason!

Miller on top in Buffalo

Everyone who watches hockey loves Saturday night hockey, there is just something special about it. What could be better than Saturday night hockey, with the potential of a record being broken. This Saturday night was no different, and Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres reached a milestone in his career with the Sabres. In a 4-3 Shootout win over the New York Islanders, Miller won his 235th game making him the most winningest goaltender in Buffalo Sabres history! "I'm proud of it," said Miller "It's nice. I'm proud of being a Buffalo Sabre. I was really excited coming here as a young player and looking up to Dominik Hasek. I've played with some great teams and some great players. I've had a coaching staff and a support staff that's had my back for a number of years. It's nice, and there's a source of pride from that."


It was well documented and known that Miller was having an extremely rough season, and when you're not playing your best hockey everyone seems to be a critic. There has been a lot of talk from people who'd like to ship Miller out of town, and give the number one job to Jhonas Enroth which would not have been a good decision. This blog has been firmly behind Miller from the start, but to be honest it's tough to shut the critics up or back Miller up, when his stats speak for themselves about his horrific season: Career worst goals against average (2.89) and a modest (.904) Save Percentage. Looking at those stats, you could easily think you were seeing a rookie goaltender's numbers instead of one of the elite goalies in the world. It's been a far cry from Miller's Vezina winning, and Olympic Silver Medal, season. But in the last few games Miller seems to really be getting back his normal, reliable self. His numbers are good but more importantly, the Sabres are going 3-0-1 in his last 4 stars. Going into Saturday's game Miller had let in just 2 goals in his previous 3 games, and had tied Dominick Hasek's record with 234 wins, just a couple nights before. 


Going into Saturday's game against the Islanders, it was more than likely that Miller and the Sabres would be skating off with a victory, but it wasn't as easy as one may have originally thought. After giving up 3 goals on the first 8 shots, it looked like Miller would have to wait another game before reaching his historic milestone. The "twitterverse" was ripe with people calling to pull him after the 3rd goal. To his credit, head coach Lindy Ruff stuck with him and it proved to be the right decision. He held the Isles until midway through the third period when a a goal by Paul Gaustad (who "does nothing" according to Canadians goalie Carey Price) tied the game at 3-3's and sent it to overtime and an eventual shootout. In the shootout Brad Boyes and captain Jason Pomminvile scored, to give the Buffalo Sabres a 4-3 victory and give Miller his 235th win. Miller broke the record set by former Sabres goalie Hasek in 59 less games. 
Now I'm not saying Miller is a flat out better goaltender than Hasek, in all fairness to myself I never got to see Hasek play with the Sabres so I can't really compare the two of them. I know Hasek was a legend and played in a different "ERA" of the NHL than Ryan Miller is playing in and it's easy to believe Hasek would have won his fair of shootouts. I'd have to say both goalies are incredible and were or are amongst the elite goalies in the league. But the fact that Miller broke Hasek's record in 59 less games, and will likely have a few more seasons in a Sabres uniform, means that record will continue to get larger. 


All the so called "true Sabres fans" that say Ryan Miller is an over-rated, washed up goaltender who had 1 good season. First of all those people are not true Sabres fans, second of all Ryan Miller is the Sabres franchise goalie, without him the Sabres would not be nearly as good, far too often Miller has had to carry this Sabres team on his back and of course now that he's needing some help from his teammates everyone hates him. Even during this good run of 4 games, Miller is carrying the team as the offense is still idling in neutral.

Now there is no doubt that Miller has not been at the top of his game for most of this season, but saying he's over-rated is absolutely ridiculous. In order to win a hockey game you have to outscore your opponent, aka score goals, something the Sabres have not been very good at this season. Lastly to all those who say Miller had 1 good season, let's do some simple math/number looking; Miller just won his 235th game, there are only 82 games in a season and Miller plays roughly 60 some odd games a season. (even less this season) So simple math states that Miller could not have possibly had 1 good season, instead he's had about 5 pretty decent seasons. 


Miller's teammates were quite happy for their number one goaltender and even though they didn't back him up when it really mattered had this to say about the record:
"I think it's tremendous," Gaustad said of Miller's record-breaking victory. "I think it just shows how good of a goaltender he is. He's a tremendous goaltender -- the best I've ever played with and one of the best in the world."  

“He gives us a chance every night. We’re excited and happy for him because he’s an elite goalie,” Pominville said. “I’m glad he was rewarded tonight.”


Congratulations to Ryan Miller on breaking Hasek's record and becoming the franchises winningest goaltender! Here's to a 100 more wins in the future, for Ryan Miller.


NOTE: Editor Donmanski did have the opportunity to watch Hasek play with the Sabres and it is unfair to compare the two goalies. Miller is one of the best of his generation, Hasek, arguably is the best goalie the league has ever seen.

You wanna trade me, excuse me while I get 8 points!

You know something really special happened last night when Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle both have 4 point games, but weren't the top performers for the Oilers. That honour went to the Oilers Sam Gagner who became only the 11th player in NHL history to record 8 points in a single game. Gagner joins an exclusive list with names that include; Wayne Gretzky (did it twice), Paul Coffey and Mario Lemieux. He also becomes the first player to accomplish the feat since Super Mario did back in 1988. "I think this is the only situation I can ever have my name mentioned in their breath," Gagner said when asked about joining players like Gretzky and Coffey on the short list of players who've had eight points in a game. "It's really an honor to have a night like this and be mentioned in that class, even if it's only for tonight."

There are a few Oiler players you might expect an 8 point night from; Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent Hopkins, but Sam Gagner? Coming into the game Gagner had tallied 5 goals and 17 assists in 43 games this season. Heck in 4 NHL seasons he had never managed more than 16 goals in a season. But last night against the Blackhawks something was obviously clicking for the 22 year old Oilers defencemen. He managed 4 goals and 4 assists, and was able to get a point on every goal his team scored. Almost as an aside, the Oilers beat Blackhawks 8-4.

As if scoring 4 goals and adding 4 assists wasn't enough for Gagner, his teammates were urging him to go back on the ice and try for a 5th goal! But Gagner said he couldn't he was just too tired to try for five. But it's a night he will not soon forget, he was awarded all three stars of the game and some of the opposing teams players even came over to congratulate Gagner. “A couple of the (Hawks) skated by me and said it’s pretty incredible, congratulations,” Gagner said. “ Obviously, it’s tough to do that when you’re losing the game but it feels good to get that respect from other players in the league. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”  The Rexall place fans showed a ton of appreciation as well when the sold out crowd began chanting his name! “Hearing the ‘Gagner’ chant will stand out,” he said. “To get that kind of ovation from people who know the game was an incredible feeling. Tough to re-create that.”

After a rough 25 minutes of hockey the Oilers were down 2-0, head coach Tom Renney decided to put Eberle, Hall and Gagner together to start the second period. That decision might have been the smartest move Renney will make all season, as the trio connected for 16 points in the final 2 periods. In the new, new era in the NHL it is hard to get 3 points a night not to mention 8, so it was a pretty spectacular night for Gagner. "To get this at the NHL level is something I can't even really fathom, I don't even really know how to react to it."

The fact he was able to get 8 points on the Chicogo Blackhawks is pretty fantastic, going into that game I thought the Blackhawks would manhandle the Oilers, guess I was wrong. But fantasy hockey players that were lucky enough to have Gagner on their team last night, were quite happy. It's actually kind of ironic Gagner had more points in one game than Montreal Canadian forward Scott Gomez does all season. Something tells me Gagner's trade value just increased a ton!

It was quite possible that the Edmonton Oilers were just trying to showcase Gagner, a guy they are desperate to get rid of, after an ablismal season. But the showcase turned into the Sam Gagner show as he tied the franchise record for most points in a game. Needless to say the asking price for the 22 year old just went up a hair! Here's a possible trade scenario: Leafs 22 year old defenceman Luke Schenn for Edmonton Oilers 22 year old Sam Gagner. After all Leafs GM Brian Burke said he might trade a 22 year old defenceman for a 22 year old forward. Other possible destinations for Gagner include Chicago, to be reunited with former London Knights teammate Patrick Kane. Or Nashville who needs help up the middle, as does a certain team in Buffalo perhaps a deal that includes Cam Barker? But who knows after last nights historic game, maybe the Oilers will opt to keep Gagner and trade Ales Hemsky instead!  

HHOF 2011 Inductees

 Four exceptional hockey players were inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame Monday Night, one of the greatest individual honors for anyone who's ever "laced 'em up." It's also a great way to cap their historic careers in the league. Joe Nieuwendyk, Doug Gilmour, Mark Howe and Ed Belfour, all had the honor of having their names, etched forever in the HHOF. So lets have a moment to remember their careers, I was lucky enough to see 2 of the 4 players play in the NHL Belfour and Nieuwendyk with the Leafs.

Let's start with Doug Gilmour, a legend of hockey here in T.O. Gilmour is a good Canadian boy, who made his way up through the ranks in the OHL, played for 7 NHL teams. He's best known for his time with the Leafs and the Sabres but won 1 Stanley Cup early in his career with Calgary. Gilmour was quite an amazing hockey player; he won the Frank J. Selke trophy and was nominated for the Hart award. He shattered 3 records in his 1992-1993 season with the Leafs; most points in one season (127), most assists in one season (95), and most assists in one game (6). On January 31, 2009, the Leafs raised Gilmour's #93 jersey to the rafters, symbolizing the retirement of his jersey. Gilmour became the 17th Leaf to have their number retired. He was dubbed "killer" for his physical play on the ice, and was feared and respected by all. Gilmour started his NHL career in 1983 and retired in 2003, quite a career!  What is probably the most amazing thing is how Gilmour came to the Leafs, he was part of a blockbuster deal that featured 10 players, and is still the largest deal in NHL history. Gilmour along with defensemen Jamie Macoun and Ric Nattress, prospect Kent Manderville and goaltender Rick Wamsley all came to the Leafs in exchange for; Gary Leeman, Russian defenseman Alexander Godynyuk, goaltender Jeff Reese, defenseman Michel Petit and enforcer Craig Berube. The deal was also the most lopsided by statistics, as the Leafs got the much better half of the deal. Gilmour was made captain during the lock-out season of 2004. “He’s a hell of a prankster,” said Kingston Frontenacs head coach Todd Gill, Gilmour’s one-time teammate and current employee. “You would never know it by his interviews, where he’s very serious. But he’s the total opposite of that when you get him into a room. “The best [prank] that I remember is when we were in Minnesota, and it’s a long way up the stairs to the dressing room from the ice surface. Me and Dougie were going up the stairs, and we see Mike Foligno going up. So we ran into the dressing room and just above the door — we cracked it open, put a piece of tape in it and put a bunch of cups of water on top of it, so that when Mike opened the door he would get a soak. Unfortunately, [Maple Leafs head coach Pat Burns] came in and not Mike. We just put our heads in between our knees like we were tying our skates.” Gilmour can put the final stamp on his historic NHL career, after being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, not bad for a kid who never got drafted. “People said I was too small. ‘You’ll never have a chance.’ I have to say thank you because if it wasn’t for them saying that, I maybe wouldn’t [have worked] as hard as I had to,” Gilmour said.

Joe Nieuwendyke is up next, flip what can I see about Nieuwendyke? He had quite the career, and it's been capped off with an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. First of all, he won 3 Stanley Cup with 3 different teams in 3 different decades! (1980,1990, and 2000) He is one of 9 players to win hockey's holy grail with 3 different teams; (Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils). Wow 3 Stanley cups, I don't know what to say, that is just amazing, very impressive, but his career did not stop there. He also won; a Conn Smythe, King Clancey memorial, and a Calder memorial plus an Olympic gold medal. Not a bad trophy case for a guy who was known as one of the best face-off guys in the NHL. Nieuwendyke was drafted 27th overall in 1985, he scored 51 goals his rookie season, only one of a handful of players to do so. During his 20 year NHL career Nieuwendyke wore a jersey for 5 different teams; Leafs, Stars, Devils, Flames and Panthers. By the end he amassed; 564 goals, 562 assists and 1126 points over 20 seasons. Nieuwendyke and Gary Roberts have been life long best friends, they started their careers together in Calgary, then were reunited in Toronto and then went to Florida together to finish out their careers. A funny story that Nieuwendyke likes to tell; a humorous story about the controversial Dallas Star Stanley Cup victory in Buffalo in 1999.  All of the Dallas team were aware that there was going to be some controversy about how the goal was scored with Brett Hull's skate clearly in the Buffalo crease, which we all remember was against the rules that season and called often. They chose to celebrate like they had won the Stanley Cup and who knows how that might have impacted any possible thoughts of reversing Hull's overtime marker. On getting inducted into the HHOF Nieuwendyk said, "It's what makes it such a special place. It doesn't discriminate. I think the common bond with a lot of these faces that I see on the walls, especially the recent ones that I have some history with, is a real genuine passion and a love for the game and high competitive spirit in all of us."

Mark Howe, proved that he is much more than Gordie Howe's kid. He will always be one of the best two defencemen from the 1980's. Howe played 16 seasons in the NHL, unfortunately he never got to lift the Stanley Cup, he made it to the finals 3 times and was a Norris Trophy runner-up 3 times as well. He was drafted 25th in 1974 and won the plus/minus award from the NHL in 1986. He was fortunate enough to play with his father and brother in 1973 in the WHA. "I think every kid growing up who loves the game of hockey wants to be a player," Howe said. "You play in the driveway, you dream of winning Stanley Cups, you dream of winning Conn Smythe trophies, you dream of everything. The only thing you never dream of is making the Hall of Fame so this is beyond any dream that I've ever had." Howe retired in 1993-1994. Mark Howe selected Blackhawks legend and Hall of Fame member Bobby Hull to induct him. Howe told about how gracious Hull was to all the Howe boys when they were kids even though he and his Chicago team were archrivals of their dad's Detroit team in the old six-team NHL. Hull even took the young Howe boys on a couple of memorable tours of the Blackhawks dressing room. Howe is currently the director of pro scouting for the Detroit Red Wings.

Last but certainly not lease Ed Belfour, a goaltender that I loved to watch play the game. Belfour, like Gilmour was un-drafted and signed as a free agent. Eddie the Eagle, is widely regarded as on of the elite goaltenders to ever play the game. Belfour is ranked 3rd in all time wins as a goaltender with 484. Belfour won 1 Stanley cup in his career (see above, NO GOAL) and added; 2 Vezina trophies, a Calder memorial trophy, 4 William M. Jennings Trophy's, and a Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award as well as being invited to 10 all-star games, and hold the record for most wins in a postseason (16). He added a Olympic gold medal from 2002 and a Canada Cup medal in 1991. One of his best seasons was with the Chicogo Blackhawks in 1990 in which he started 74 games and won 43 of them while only losing 19 (7 ties) with a GAA 2.47 and a .910 save percentage. In 18 seasons his 484 win came in 963 games with a 2.50 GAA and .906 save percentage. He also recorded 76 shutouts. He is most  famous for the eagle design on his goalie mask "I've always liked the eagle as a bird. It is a strong figure representing individuality, leadership, confidence, and outstanding vision. Its hunting and aggression are characteristics I admire, so when I was thinking of what I wanted on my mask, the eagle was a natural choice" due to the design on his helmet, his nickname in the NHL was "the Eagle" He was inducted into the hockey hall of fame, in his first year of eligibility which in its self is quite a feat. Belfour had to run out and buy a new suit, for the ceremony, "I still have some old suits, but they don't fit," Belfour said. Nieuwendyk shared a few funny stories from his days, of playing with the Eagle.
"There was a lot of stuff that went with Eddie," said Nieuwendyk, now the general manager of the Stars. "It was the traveling skate sharpener especially for Eddie, it was the trainers going to get a special orange juice in the city that we were in for Eddie. All of these types of things that people can't even imagine existed, but they actually did. "We lived with it and no one really blinked an eye at it because we knew he was going to be ready and stop the pucks for us.

In my opinion the four men that were inducted into the hall, are quite worthy of the honor, they were a big part of hockey history, and are still helping with the game we see today. They all broke records and shattered expectations thrust upon them when they entered the league.  These four are now, forever, with the best of the best and join a a list of distinguished players that currently reside in the hall. There are currently 362 people in the hall and 247 of them are players. This certantly caps of the career of these fine hockey players, being inducted into the hockey hall of fame, your name perminatly marked in the history of the game we all love!

PS; super sorry this blog was late getting published, it was originally due out on Wednesday night, but due to some technical issues, it got delayed until today! Sorry for the wait folks!