Sabres vs. Bruins--Game 3

I thought I was frustrated at the last game, but this one tops that for sure. Our one little goal by Mike Grier could have been enough if these guys cared enough to want to keep a lead, or win for that matter. I really think that heart is just not in it for these guys, the way they looked out there was just pathetic. The first period may have been more of a back and forth, but after that, it was like they all checked out mentally for this game. I thought I was watching Timbits players out there or something, guys falling all over, guys getting checked, just overall blah. It makes Boston look like they can take us over physically and the Sabres are like little frail men or something. NEWS: YOU AREN'T! You are big strong men like them! I mean, there were hits all over the place, but the ones that were big and rattled guys all the way through were thrown by Boston. That Johnny Boychuk hit on Matt Ellis was just horrible, I was afraid Ellis wouldn't get back up. It seems like there should have been some kind of penalty on it, but what can you do when a guy is looking down and not at what's coming at him? Nothing really. Tell that guy to watch himself next time. It sucks, but it's hockey 101.

Rask was just right on his game and has been. He is very calm in the net, and even with 3 or 4 guys crowding or getting in there with him, he keeps it all under control. That helps a lot in these high pressure situations when every game is on the line. Miller can have just as much, but he sometimes doesn't get the support in front of the net he needs. There were always a bunch of Boston guys in front of Rask, guarding him, and they didn't leave Buffalo any room to score. If only our guys could give Miller that, it would help out a lot. A whole, whole lot really.

Random notes:

-Even after our loss tonight, no one team (or guy) can feel worse today than Dan Boyle and the San Jose Sharks. Yikes, that was just bad. I feel awful for that guy. I didn't know it was an OT goal too, damn. He will have trouble living that one down for sure. How horrible. :(

-Stafford came back tonight, and Vanek is in some kind of walking cast from what I heard. I don't know how soon that means he will be back, but hopefully it will be soon.

-Gaustad was fiesty tonight, he wanted to get in some guy's faces, Chara included. Him and that stupid cage over his face. He needs to get rid of that thing and let Gaustad just give him one right in the face. I mean, someone did it in the first place. Besides, seeing Paul do it would be so cool. I also see Gaustad's "A" is back, which I like. I still think he should be wearing Craig Rivet's "C", but maybe that's just me...

So, the series is now 2-1 in favor of Boston. We play another game in Boston Wed., before returning to Buffalo for a game Friday. Please win the next one guys, it would be good for the series to be tied. It would be even better to win this series and be done with the Bruins for good wouldn't it? Game on!!

Last regular season game: Sabres vs. NJ Devils

So we didn't get into 2nd place in the conference, but that is all just kind of back burner stuff to me. We won't have to worry about round 2 home ice anyway until some time down the line (if at all) so it was just a numbers game in that context. The BIG picture is that we have to play Boston in round 1. BOSTON. Now, to some that might not seem so bad, at least it isn't Ottawa blah blah and not as entertaining as it would have been to play Philly, but whoa does Tuukka Rask scare me. If it was Tim Thomas in net, it might not be too bad, but I don't think it will be him most of the time. That doesn't seem right does it? But it is. The Sabres just don't seem to be able to get ANYTHING past Rask, so this will be tough. I'm scared already.

Tonight's game was just pretty uneventful up until the weird ending and the weird empty net goal by New Jersey. Thomas Vanek got our one lone goal, and then they scored one lone goal, and the rest was just skating back and forth for the rest of the 60 mins. Who was that guy in net for us though? Patty Lalime, is that you??! Wow, he was really ON tonight, and it was pretty great. If we get a backup playing like that going into the playoffs Ryan Miller can sleep a little easier, as can the fans on if it comes to having to put Lalime in at all. He needs to play like that all the time. Random notes:

-Who told Martin Brouduer he could hit Paul Gaustad in the head? Not cool. He didn't intentionally fall into you or into the goal or whatever you might have thought. You were having more of a diva moment than Ryan Miller would. Get over it.

-Patrick Kaleta is back! Less feisty-ness seeing as the thumb is still wrapped up tight, but at least he's playing and I'm sure he'll get back to 100% soon and be kicking full-time ass before we know it.

-No Tim Connolly, Drew Stafford or Jochen Hecht tonight, and these injuries can be very costly going into the playoffs. I think too many people called Connolly "finally healthy" early in the season and jinxed it, because now he isn't. We shall see what the beginning of the playoffs bring and if the injuries can be cleared up soon.

-I hope Thomas Vanek can keep this hot streak going and kick some Bruins ass and just keep the pucks going right in. Feel free to have another hat trick (or 4) at any time Thomas, it's cool.

Playoff time guys, can you believe it?? I can't really, it seems like the season went by so fast. The schedule for times and days has yet to be released, but I heard the first game would be Wed. or Thurs. and Versus will start playoff games on Wed., so we shall see when we see our first game in Buffalo. Time to get pumped, this is what we've all waited for! Game on!!