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Sabres Start Postseason Strong

I know what you might say.  Preseason in sports does not matter.  As long as the star players don’t have season-ending injuries, then it is fine.  Some of the players won’t even see NHL action this year.  However, the Buffalo Sabres have done a great job this preseason.

Going into Saturday’s game, the Sabres are 3-0.  They have beaten the Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes.  They have scored 12 goals over that span. 12! Sometimes it takes the Sabres 2 weeks before they score that many.  Isn’t this supposed to be a team rebuilding? Are the Sabres that good or are they just playing weaker talent?

The Buffalo Sabres are definitely set in terms of youth.  They have a lot of young players on this team who could make a difference this year or possibly next year.  Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek might be gone after this year, but if they play really well…..

Perhaps they will stay and sign 4-5 year contracts.  If the Sabres can somehow be a top tier Eastern Conference team, Miller and Vanek would re-sign.  Since both are in the final year of their contract, you know they are going to give it their best for a huge pay day $$$.

Sabres Start Postseason Strong
Zemgus Girgensons has been a bright spot for the Sabres this preseason
(Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Can you guess who is tied for the team lead in goals? If you said Vanek, Tyler Ennis or Cody Hodgson you would be wrong.  It is a 3-way tie with Marcus Foligno, Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons each scoring 2 goals.  Girgensons has had a strong camp so far and possibly could make the team.

Goaltender Matt Hackett is making a strong case to be the back-up goaltender to Miller.  Hackett is 2-0 with a 1.50 G.A.A and a .952 save percentage.  He has stopped 27 of 29 shots.

With the Sabres youth movement, things are looking pretty good this pre-season.  The key will be if they can keep it up for 82 games during the regular season.

Bob Duggan

Bob Duggan

Huge Sabres and hockey fan! Attends several games a year. Enjoys seeing Coaches Corner and Don Cherry. Glad there is an NHL season! Sabres winning the Cup in 2013! Follow me on twitter @dugganbob
Bob Duggan

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