Niagara Gazette

Pro Sports

November 30, 2009

SABRES NOTEBOOK: Shots not always best for Sabres

TORONTO — Lindy Ruff and his coaching staff have long preached shots on goal as a pathway to success.

But recent results seem to disprove the theory.

The last four times the Sabres have been outshot, they’ve won, and that includes Monday’s effort in which the Leafs held a 38-31 advantage in shots, but Buffalo held a 3-0 edge on the scoreboard.

Meanwhile, in the last four games when Buffalo has at least as many or more shots than its opponent, the Sabres are 0-3-1.

“A lot of nights we were just throwing pucks on net, a lot of perimeter shots,” said Jason Pominville, who finished with two shots of his own. “I think we’re doing a better job of getting those quality chances. Moving the puck around and finding a guy in the right spot, in that soft area.”

•••

Ryan Miller wasn’t worried about impressing Brian Burke, the general manager of the Leafs and the man who’ll decided whether Miller is the right choice as the Team USA netminder for the Olympics.

“I have a job to do and I just want to do it,” Miller joked. “He’s not skating against me.”

But Burke had to notice Miller’s play. Already leading the league in goals against average and save percentage, Miller turned aside another 38 shots in earning his third shutout of the season.

Miller made a number of big saves during the second period, but perhaps none better than a short-handed save on Phil Kessel in which Miller stuck his right pad out and stoned the Leafs’ sniper, who has eight goals in just a dozen games.

The secret to Miller’s success is never getting comfortable, he said.

“I try to stay pretty paranoid,” he said. “There’s so much going on out there, even in the third period we’ve got a 3-0 lead in the last minute.”

•••

Their tickets might be the most expensive, but that hardly means the Maple Leafs have done a good job pleasing their home crowd at the Air Canada Centre this season.

The Leafs have just a pair of home wins in 12 home starts, falling to 2-7-3 with Monday’s loss. The Sabres, meanwhile, improved to 7-4-0 on the road.

•••

After scoring just once in a 17-game stretch, Jochen Hecht scored for the second time in as many starts as he added a late insurance tally.

Hecht scored in the third, winding up and blasting a shot past Jonas Gustavsson that gave Buffalo its final margin of victory. Pominville and Steve Montador got the assists.

Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.



Text Only | Photo Reprints
Pro Sports
  • Spiller gets the nod as Bills starter

    It took a few short months for Bills rookie running back C.J. Spiller to win the starting job and elevate expectations around town that Buffalo’s anemic offense just might have a semblance of a spark.

    September 8, 2010

  • Bills sign McIntyre to two-year deal

    For someone who’s bounced around the NFL for nearly a decade, fullback Corey McIntyre finally feels like he’s found a home in Buffalo after signing a two-year, $1.85 million contract extension.

    September 6, 2010

  • Bills lose early lead in preseason finale

    Matthew Stafford had an interception returned for a touchdown, but third-stringer Drew Stanton threw a pair of second-half touchdown passes to lift the Detroit Lions to a 28-23 win over the Buffalo Bills in their preseason finale Thursday night.

    September 3, 2010

  • Secondary struggles are primary concern

    In the wonderfully insightful Football Outsiders Almanac, founding editor Aaron Schatz writes that determining how the Buffalo Bills had such a strong pass defense last season “will go down as one of the great unanswered questions in recent human history.”

    August 28, 2010

  • Niagara's Nelson knows Bills rookie well

    Purple Eagles point guard Anthony Nelson and Bills rookie receiver Donald Jones are both from Plainfield, N.J.

    August 24, 2010

  • Easley, Batten place on injured reserve

    The Buffalo Bills set a franchise record last season by putting 21 players on injured reserve.

    So far, they’re on pace to break that record.

    August 22, 2010

  • Bills' Schouman could miss up to 6 weeks

    Bills tight end Derek Schouman will be out three to six weeks with a knee injury, leaving Buffalo with only two healthy tight ends on its roster.

    August 21, 2010

  • 100506 Bills-Roosevelt.jpg Window wide open for Roosevelt

    With Felton Huggins being waived, 2010 draft pick Marcus Easley needing knee surgery and James Hardy out for at least a week, the chances of Naaman Roosevelt seeing significant playing time in tonight’s preseason opener against the Washington Redskins have increased dramatically.

    August 12, 2010 1 Photo

  • Poz resumes transition to new position

    Now that he’s back on the practice field, Paul Posluszny can get back to practicing his new position.

    August 9, 2010

  • Spiller gets belated birthday present — a contract

    As belated birthday presents go, Buffalo Bills rookie first-round pick C.J. Spiller had no trouble waiting an extra day to get the one gift he really wanted: A signed NFL contract.

    August 6, 2010

Featured Ads
Section Teases
House Ads
AP Video
Seasonal Content
Opinion
House Ads
Night & Day
Twitter News
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Front page
Poll

Will you be out voting in this Tuesday’s primary election?

Yes. I believe the primary election is just as important as the regular election.
No. My vote doesn’t really count.
Not making a special trip. There aren’t any races I’m real interested in voting in.
I’m making a special trip. I don’t usually bother with the primary but I want to have my say on these state races.
     View Results