I’m worried about Ryan Miller.His heartbreak over Sunday’s gold medal loss to Canada is real and it’s deep.And it might not go away anytime soon if last night’s reception in Pittsburgh starts a trend.
Penguin fans gave Miller a loud, long standing ovation during pregame introductions.The cheers were louder than those bestowed on their own Sidney Crosby.The affection will continue for sure tonight when the Sabres return to Buffalo, and probably as Miller makes stops around the league over the next two weeks or so.The love is warranted and respectful, but it only forces Miller to remember.
You’ve seen the images by now.Miller dragging himself away from the net in utter disbelief after Crosby scored.All we then saw were hollow stares from him as he waited to receive his silver medal.At some point, Miller will appreciate the Vancouver Games for what they were – an amazing personal performance and a significant team achievement.But not right now.Miller seemed awfully uncomfortable accepting the ovation last night.
And that’s bad news for a Sabres team in a dogfight with Ottawa for the Northeast division.The loser seems headed to a first round series, as the 5th seed, against Pittsburgh or New Jersey, so winning the division and home ice is pretty important.
Last night’s 3-2 loss at the Igloo was the Sabres’ seventh defeat in eight games, with the Capitals and Flyers coming to Buffalo this week, followed by six of eight on the road.Patrick Lalime’s 3.20 GAA and .895 save percentage mean Miller must play almost all of the Sabres’ remaining 21 games.
He may go on a mission to right the Olympic wrong.But he also might struggle to overcome the disappointment, especially if it keeps coming up.Fingers crossed, Sabres fans
TUESDAY’S OTHER SCORES (home teams in CAPS)
Devils 4 – SHARKS 3
PREDATORS 4 – Oilers 3
Flyers 7 – LIGHTNING 2…1 goal and 3 assists for Mike Richards
Rangers 4 – SENATORS 1
HURRICANES 5 – Maple Leafs 1
Canucks 4 – BLUE JACKETS 3 OT…Christian Ehrhoff scored game-winner
ISLANDERS 5 – Blackhawks 3…a hat trick for Blake Comeau
Canadiens 4 – BRUINS 1
THRASHERS 4 – Panthers 2
Blues 5 – COYOTES 2
Kings 5 – STARS 1
The countdown continues to today’s 3pm ET trade deadline.The Penguins bolstered their supporting cast last night by acquiring winger Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Maple Leafs for defenseman Martin Skoula and minor league forward Luca Caputi.Ponikarovsky brings with him 19 goals and 22 assists in 61 games.He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Senators added a veteran defensive presence yesterday in Andy Sutton.He came over from the Islanders for a second round pick this summer.
Montreal and St. Louis have swapped forwards, with Matt D’Agostini becoming a Blue and Aaron Palushaj joining the Canadiens.
The Flyers, meanwhile, said to be on the hunt for a goaltender because of season-ending hip surgery for Ray Emery.Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson, both of the Islanders, are apparently their main targets.Emery is dealing with avascular necrosis in his right hip – that’s a chronic condition caused by a lack of blood supply to the bones in the joint.
In Minnesota, veteran blue-liner Marek Zidlicky has signed a three-year, $12 million extension.
And the Thrashers have given Chris Chelios a two-way contract.The 48-year-old defenseman was already playing with Atlanta’s AHL affiliate in Chicago, but is now official organization property.GM Don Waddell says the current plan is for Chelios to stay with the Wolves, and only join the big club if as an injury-replacement.
No comments:
Post a Comment