Happy Wednesday, Sabre faithful. After a three day layoff the boys in blue and gold finally take the ice in Religh, NC to take on the resurgent Hurricanes. After a very disappointing 2006-2007 campaign, the Hurricans look again like the team that stole the ECF from the Sabres in 2005-2006 and went on to beat Edmonton in the SCF. There have been some hard losses in my career as a Buffalo fan, but that one may have been the worst to take. With 4 our of our starting 6 defensemen out, we still took that team to game 7 of the ECF. Jay McKee, why did you have to get a staff infection? Oh well, we must move on.

The Sabres have looked dismal lately. Let's face it, we don't beat around the bush here, they've looked like Girl Scouts on ice. They don't hit anything, and they can be taken off the puck by just about anyone. Max Afinogenov and Thomas Vanek (yes, he of the $10 million this season) have been nonexistant thus far, and Brian Campbell, while playing fine offensivly, has forgotten he is a defenceman. When was the last time he hit somebody? I think it was the 2005-2006 divisional playoffs when he knocked out R.J. Umberger of the Philidelphia Flyers. I don't know if it shook Cambell up, but he has simply refused to hit people since then. He was quoted in this mornings Buffalo News saying, "I have to play more physical." Talk is cheap, Brian, get the job done.

Ryan Miller has been subpar to go with his defense. Miller I don't worry about too much, because he has shown over two seasons that he really steps it up in the playoffs. Problem is, at this rate, we won't make it there. ow, don't go quoting me on that, it is only game #8, and I still think Buffalo can nail the 4 seed in the East. With any luck Jaroslav Spacek will get back into the lineup tonight. Sakera showed in two games that he is simply not ready for the NHL at this point. If not tonight for Spacek, then Friday in Florida for sure.

My bottom line for this team is much, I suppose, like the NYR are facing right now: the top scorers need to score. Afinogenov and Vanek need to get a minimum of a point per game each, and probably two per game if the Sabres are going to take off. Vanek is making 7 million per for the tenure of his contract, and Max could find himself on the trading block if he doesn't step it up. Needless to say, these two can solve the Sabres goal shortage.

Like I would ever predict a Sabres loss:
Buffalo - 5 Carolina 4

Here's a glimpse at Brian Campbell at his best:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fkp9qv15dA

ahh the flyers actually in the playoffs , lets not make them re-live that again.

I think it's a foregone conclusion for the playoffs. The swiped our best player and a fine golie from us. Along with a much improved D, they're one of the 8 best on the conference for sure.