Ryan Miller must have felt like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day. Just a few minutes into the game and Winnipeg celebrated an early 2-0 lead at the First Niagra Center. Miller had stopped 1 shot but once again, you couldn't blame him for the early deficit. Andrej Sekera had a terrible across-the-ice pass that was intercepted by Kyle Wellwood. Flood finished it off a few passes later to give Winnipeg a 1-0 lead. Only 66 seconds later Bryan Little was left alone in front of the net. Wheeler found him with a beautiful pass from behind the net and Little made no mistake.
So the crowd wasn't pleased and sadly Miller had to bleed for it. Ironic clapping and cherring a few moments later when he stopped a shot. At the end of the TV Timeout the players skated past Miller and gave him a tap on his pads. So it looked like the players knew that this wasn't all Ryan's fault.
Buffalo fought his way back into the game and with 2 goals within 11 seconds the game was tied at 2. Roy scored on the PP and Corey Tropp scored his first NHL goal after some fantastic work by Gaustad along the boards and a nifty pass by Gerbe. The wild action on the ice continued for 50 more minutes. Glass scored for Winnipeg, Pominville answered shorthanded after a spin-o-rama pass by Gaustad. Little with his second of the night gave the Jets the lead back again for the third time. The goal was scored on the PP and Buffalo had to swallow a PPG for the first time, in a long time.
While talking about special teams, we should mention that the Sabres had huge PP issues over the past couple of games. Derek Roy scored a PPG in the first period and Thomas Vanek scored another PPG in the second stanza to tie the game at 4. Vanek ripped home a laser from the point and beat a stunned Pavelec over his left shoulder. I had no idea Vanek scored until the light went on, cause I definitely didn't see the puck.
After 40 minutes the game was tied at 4 and you were hoping that the Sabres would realise that. Andrej Sekera left his mind in the locker room when he entered the ice. Myers took care of Wheeler along the wall and no one knows why Sekera joined Myers in that fight for the puck. Andrej didn't see Dustin Byfuglien enter the zone and a backpass by Wheeler left him all alone in front of Miller. Byfuglien made no mistake and ripped one home top-shelf.
Miller had no chance to stop that shot. Miller didnt give up any weak goals, but he didn't look comfortable in the net either. We know Miller as the calm goalie, who barely runs around in his crease looking for the puck. He juggled some pucks and was caught moving around in his crease for quite a few times. Then again it's probably something that happens when you had some average games and in addition to that have to fight the media and fans that take a run at you. Miller wasn't close to be the Miller we know but I still think, that he will be on top of his game soon. He needed that victory for his self-confidence and I think he has hit the bottom and is on his way back up. Lindy Ruff didn't pull him this time and Miller fought his way through. It was a good move by Ruff, who didn't give his players any chance for an excuse.
Derek Roy scored another PPG late in the third that sent the game to OT. Mark Stuart went off for roughing. It was probably one of the dumbest penalties you can take, when you are already down a player. It gave Buffalo a 5 on 3 and Roy fired a slap-shot home.
In Overtime speedy forward Nathan Gerbe was rushing past Wheeler who hooked him down. Pominville ripped one on net and hit Vanek's shinpad. It was his second of the night and Buffalo's fourth PPG in that game. The Sabres walked away with a 6-5 OT win.
The Sabres will play Ottawa on friday. The Sens improved a lot lately and it will be a tough game on friday evening. I expect a close game and Buffalo has to play better D to win this game.
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