Lindy Ruff lost Jhonas Enroth somewhere along the line, and Ron Rolston appears to have found him. The Sabres back up net minder has stopped over 90 shots in his last 3 outings, averaging a SV% of .950 over the course of them. This is the Enroth that nearly scrapped together a playoff run when Ryan Miller went down 2 seasons ago. Steve Ott's promotion to the top line, was rewarded not once but twice, including the game winner in OT. It's taken 30 games but breaking up the top line and spreading out some of the high talent players is something fans have been vocal about all year under Ruff. Pairing Pominville, Hodgson, Ott and Vanek, Ennis, Leino gives the Sabres a slightly different look, and forces the competition to play them a little differently. During the second period Thomas Vanek was hit by a shot and left the game. The energy Ott brings to the table is second to none, especially on this team. Something that spreads to guys like Pat Kaleta or youngsters Marcus Foligno and Brian Flynn, setting an example for the rest of the team that hard work pays off. So when a player of Vanek's caliber goes down, the next man up mentality has to kick in.
With Thomas Vanek out tonight in Toronto due to a hip injury, the Sabre's are going to need that energy again. It wasn't lock down defense or smart possession play that won the game against Montreal, in fact between the end of the first period and 8 mins left in the game Buffalo registered only 3 shots on goal. For once it was winning puck battles in the gritty areas down deep, and out working the other team that put them on top. If they want to continue winning, with no Vanek, they will need the same type of effort, from everyone on the roster, lines 1-4. Miller back between the pipes and big John Scott is expected to fill Vanek's roster spot, leaving Nathan Gerbe a healthy scratch for the second game.
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