The best way to kill a snake is to cut off the head.

Earlier today it was reported that Sabres captain Jason Pominville was asked to provide his list of 8 teams he would not waive his no movement clause for. Just a few hours later Robyn Regehr was moved to Los Angeles, whom along with TJ Brennan and Jordan Leopold became the 3rd defensemen traded this season by GM Darcy Regier.  Leopold and Regehr would be UFA's after this season and likely would have moved on as the Sabres appear be to amidst a rebuilding phase. I think these were necessary moves for Darcy Regier who is hoping to keep his job this summer, however axing Pominville may not be the best decision. Especially if your not getting a prospect along with a pick to possilby of replacing some of the 70 or so points Pominville has averaged the past 5 seasons in Buffalo. While you want to get as many pieces for the future as possible, at what cost are you willing to do so? Pominville and Vanek are 2 of the few contracts on Regier's recent resume that make sense. The blunders of Ville Leino, Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers aren't going any where, and the inability to retain top talent has littered his past, yet Terry Pegula continues to let this hazardous decision making continue. Part of being an owner or "boss" is knowing when enough is enough, and being able to see when someone in management is at their wits end pulling at straws. Regier is in survival mode, hes willing to part ways with the only valuable assets to this team, in an effort to save himself. I understand you have to be willing to sacrifice now to win later, but shouldn't the guy who's made these deals and dug this hole be first one to go. At least if you are going to ruin this team for the next 5 years let someone who isn't on life support do the decision making. Your not saving face or being "classy" by keeping this man around. After hes traded all the talent away and all that remains is the over paid and under performing few will be eager to join his squad. It's not as if Regier is amazingly successful in the draft as of late, 5 years ago we had a bunch of talent coming up through rochester/portland, thats not so much the case anymore. Of the past 3 draft classes Mikhail Girgorenko is the only player to record an NHL point for the sabres. So who should really be getting the axe... Darcy?

Top line shake up

           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.

CoHo last minute dangles not enough .. car 4-3 buf

CAR 4-3 BUF

CoHo dangles not enough

          The sabres were back to their old ways Tuesday night and even a slick dangle from Cody Hodgson was to little to late. Being sloppy in their own end and only showing up for half a game isn't what won them 3 games in a row, or what sparked them to score a shorthanded goal against the Rangers down 2-1 in the 3rd to tie it up, stealing a point. Ryan Miller looked exhausted he needs to rest, 14 straight starts including 3 games in the past 4 nights have taken their toll on the goaltender. But the team can't continue to take shifts or entire periods off, and expect things to turn around on their own. Twice tonight poor shifts right after scoring lead to goals for the hurricanes and took away any momentum that appeared to be building. Ron Rolston has his hands full trying to deal with the poor decision making that usually ends up in the back of our own net. Rotating D-men in and out every game doesn't help, whether due to injury or coaches decisions. 

        That said the Sabres are 3-1-1 in their last 5 and have been playing better. Vanek returned from injury and appeared to hurt his hand in the game, no mention in the post game though. TJ Brennan who recorded a 108 mph slap shot during the AHL skills competition, netted his first of the season at the end of a 5-3 powerplay. I'd like to see him quarterback the powerplay more often as Myers has proven to be ineffective in that role. Sabres will hop a flight to NJ and get right back at it Thursday, maybe playing a team they recently beat will give them confidence going into the game. And lets not forget Ryan Miller and devils forward Adam Henrique chirping at each other just a few nights ago.

The wheels haven't fallen off.. yet

       So somehow the Sabres held it together this weekend, it wasn't perfect by any means, but we beat the Devils, then went into MSG and stole a point. We totally should've lost the game even though we out played the Rangers most of the game. We took a penalty and Pat Kaleta sneezed on Brad Richards sending him violently into the boards making it a 5 on 3 and earning a misconduct. The rags scored 2 on the ensuing powerplay and the Sabres were down a goal. Nathan Gerbe would pull the Sabres back even short-handed with nine seconds left in the penalty. Sending the sabres into their 2nd extra period in 2 nights. Sabres got a powerplay in OT but could not capitalize. Ryan Miller playing his 13th straight and 2nd of back to back shootouts did not have the gas left, and the shooters did nothing to help his cause as lundqvist made saves on Pominville and Ennis. I like that the team showed the grit to get back in the game after taking the bad penalties and allowing 2 goals. This team is learning how to roll with the punches, and possibly face another one as we're waiting to hear about the Kaleta hit, Brendon Shanahan and him will have a phone conversation at 3pm EST.

      

          More important was the first game of the weekend against the New Jersey Devils, the last home game before a road trip the Sabres wanted to impress. The game was alot more physical than expected, Kaleta got under Kovalchuk's skin right away and forced him to take a bad penalty, how ever the 2 times the Sabres got on the powerplay in the first we took penalties and nullified them. The team played better in the 2nd which we're known for going to sleep during and stuck it out to OT. Captain Jason Pominville scored twice and really carried us, Hodgson assisted on his 2 goals. Adam Henrique got a break away shorthanded on Ryan Miller early in the third and burried it. In the shoot out Pominville scored, Illya Kovalchuk missed and Ennis scored. Leaving it up to Henrique who had beat Miller earlier in the night, not this time though, as Miller would bait the Glove and take it away. He even had a few words for Mr. Henrique.. I think it went something like this, Music coutesousy of Ryan Millers subconscious.

      

      

Don't come around here no more Mr. Henrique... Next time were coming to you. Sabs will be in Carolina Tuesday and in New Jersey Thursday 2 winable contests, I'd really like to see the point streak continue..