Despite winning a franchise-record 41 games, posting a career-best 2.22 goals-against average, earning MVP honors of the Winter Games hockey tournament and becoming the first Sabre since Dominik Hasek in 2001 to win the Vezina, Miller failed to lead the division-winning Sabres out of the first round.
A series loss to sixth-seeded Boston ended a season that saw the Sabres win their first division crown since 2006-07.
Beginning his 13th season as Sabres coach, Lindy Ruff feels that with Miller in net and with the club’s offseason moves - most notably, the signing of veteran center Rob Niedermayer - Buffalo can make a major postseason push.
“Our goal here as a team is to win the Stanley Cup. Ottawa could also be in for a long season, but for the wrong reason, if Pascal Leclaire and Brian Elliott can’t improve following a rough preseason. “Both of them will be fine,” general manager Bryan Murray told the Senators’ official website. “… The Senators also dealt with some notable preseason injuries, including defenseman Filip Kuba breaking his right leg on the first day of training camp and first-line center Jason Spezza suffering a groin injury Wednesday. According to coach Cory Clouston, Spezza is a game-time decision.
Daniel Alfredsson is healthy following offseason hernia surgery, Milan Michalek is back after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the playoff opener, and Mike Fisher (team-high 25 goals), Nick Foligno, Alex Kovalev and Peter Regin could provide plenty of scoring punch.
More production from forwards Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford could help ease Ruff’s concerns about his team’s offense. After averaging 39.7 goals in his previous three seasons, Vanek scored a team-high 28 in 2009-10. Defensively, the Sabres—who were fourth in the NHL with 207 goals allowed last season—will lean heavily on reigning rookie of the year Tyler Myers as they try to incorporate new defensemen Jordan Leopold and Shaone Morrisonn. Watch Live Online Give it a try >>>
