Monday, April 11, 2011
Posted: 5:40 p.m.
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
Ryan Miller could not contain his enthusiasm on Monday, talking about the Buffalo Sabres feeling really fortunate to be where they are.
Where they are is the No. 7 seed, facing the No. 2 Flyers when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.
Last year, we were losing traction, Miller told reporters in Buffalo. This year, we were gaining ground into the playoffs. Last year, we were sliding and we managed to hold onto our division. I dont think we finished all that impressive.
This year, I think we did a better job of working our way into the playoffs because we had to. I think its been playoff mode here for a while, so I think the thing we kind of have to do is stay the course. Weve been playing hockey thats been good enough to beat anybody.
Buffalo finished the regular season going 8-1-1 in its last 10 games. Miller missed four games down the stretch with a badly bruised collarbone, but saw some action in the final two gamesone against the Flyersto get him ready for postseason.
NHL
He finished with 34 wins and a goals against (2.59) and save percentage (.916) that were nearly identical to Flyers rookie Sergei Bobrovsky. Hes only played 52 minutes since March 29.
The Sabres dont have a wide array of talent, but Miller carried this team for 66 games while rookie Jhonas Enroth carried them for 14, especially in the hectic last week that saw the Sabres qualify.
They are also pretty banged up with injuries across the board. So much so, that coach Lindy Ruff said of his teams health, Were in the mediocre category.
Still, the Sabres were happy to get in under the wire against Carolina.
Its kind of like we didnt expect to be here, its kind of a bonus, Miller said of the Sabres making the cut. Community-wise I think thats maybe what Im sensing. Everybodys excited for that, where last year, there was expectation.
Everyone was kind of antsy. We kind of backed our way into the playoffs. We could tell on the ice. Even when were not playing our best, we appreciate some support. We cant be going into the room hearing boos.
We need that energy. We feed off it. We need people to be excited about even the smallest plays. I think thats kind of the difference is this year I think people are ready to start positive and last year they were waiting for something to happen.
Miller said the attitude of the Buffalo community resembles 2005-06, coming out of the lockout. People were just happy to have hockey again. Now, theyre just happy to have the Sabres playing in April when it looked like this team was done at mid-season.
Buffalo finished the regular season with only one regulation loss in its final 13 games. Maybe its coincidence, but the Sabres went 29-11-6 once new owner Terry Pegula purchased the team shortly after Christmas.
Theres a little bit of a difference there, Miller said. It does resemble a little bit of coming out of the lockout, where there really were no expectations except people starting getting excited about hockey and we started winning some games, stuck together.
It was OK for people around here are waiting for. I mean, thats what people around here are waiting for. We dont want to be let down. Were going to need their help to do it the right way. Come along for the ride.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net