Are the Sabres back
With a F.U.B.A.R. start to the regular season many people were left wondering if the Buffalo Sabres would even make the playoffs. Now, with the Sabres rattling off five games in a row they look to be back in form.
The main problem with the Sabre was many stars were thrushed into prominent roles. Then when they first found themselves struggling many players put even more pressure to perform, and get the job done.
However, they still have Lindy Ruff as their head coach, and if there is one person that can turn a team around it is him. Which, is exactly what he did after constantly preaching the basics to the team.
Many players like wingers Thomas Vanek, and Maixm Afinogenov put undue pressure to themselves. That turned into them trying to make individual plays that turned out to be nothing but real dumb.
Now, they got back to the basics of hockey, and are back to form, eventhough they are without Chris Drury and Danny Briere.
That tough stretch sure of had to made leaders out of some of the players. Tough stretches, and adversity, is where the real leaders shined, and carried the team through.
It should not be long before a permanant captain is named for the team. It may not even come till next year though. However, when Ruff is sure who the real leader in the lockerroom is then we will know as well.
One other major positive to come out from the early stretch is that the farm system for the Sabres is very deep for both offense and the defense.
Offensively everyone knew that the Sabres had some good solid young talent in the wings. With the sabres suffering some extended injuries to the defense, and Teppo Numinen still recovering from hear surgery, the Sabres had to go to the farm early
Defensemen Mike Webber and Andrej Sekera saw extended action already, and surprised their head coach. Weber played consistent solid defense by playing within himself. Sekera improved vastly from last year, and with the call up now knows what he needs to work on.
The Sabres still can make a push towards the Ottawa Senators for the division. Heck they even might take it if they play like this the rest of the season.