The getaway process was rapid. Bags were filled and sticks bundled so quickly that echoes

of fans' applause were still carrying through the HSBC Arena hallways.

Yes, the Buffalo Sabres were eager for their break.

The team split till Feb. 24 following Saturday's 3-1 victory over San Jose, a feel-good

effort that ended a six-game winless streak. Center Paul Gaustad commented on what his

teammates were thinking — it's time for a rest — but he was quick with a caveat.

"Guys need to get away a little bit — not too far away," Gaustad said. "We've got to

hit the ground running when we come back. We're still in-season. We're still focused. Get our

rest and then come back at it."

Indeed, the 2009-10 season did not close Saturday. The Sabres have 22 games remaining, and

they figure to be tougher than the opening 60.

The Sabres' next game is March 2, when they visit the defending Stanley Cup champions in

Pittsburgh. The following night, the league-leading Washington Capitals come to Buffalo.

That's just the start. March is the Sabres' busiest month of the season, with 16 games.

April? All that happens then is the Sabres play five of the schedule's final six games on the

road.

Lindy Ruff's message to the team, then, was enjoy the 10-day respite but come back ready

when practice resumes.

"The message," the coach said, "is how tough it's going to be when we get back and how

prepared we're going to have to be; to really take care of yourself the next eight or nine

days; to make sure that you do stuff on your own so when we hit our first practice day we can

build off this win."

The victory was important for many reasons, two in particular. It allowed the Sabres to

leave in a good mood, and it reminded them they can do it.

"The big difference is we know how to win again," left wing Thomas Vanek said. "Obviously,

when you lose you get frustrated easy, so I think this a good win for us. Everyone can take a

few days rest and get mentally sharp again when we come back."

The mental rest was foremost in many players' minds. They were worn down from a 2-7-3 skid,

fatigued from the questions that accompany an 0-4-2 slump.

"It's tough when you're going through a little funk and not feeling good about yourself,"

right wing Mike Grier said. "When you have a break and a layoff like this, it's nice to go

into it having some positive feelings and starting to feel good about your game again.

"It's a good chance for everyone to kind of get refreshed and refocused. I think mentally

we were a little worn down. When things went bad, we kind of let it get to us. Kind of start

fresh mentally."

While the players are gone, the folks in Sabreland certainly won't forget them. Doubts have

streamed forth about the team, about its ability to maintain its standing among the Eastern

Conference leaders. The break allows fans to speculate about the Sabres' needs.

The Olympic roster freeze ends March 1, and the trade deadline is March 3. General

managers, though, are free to chat throughout the next two weeks. Buffalo GM Darcy Regier has

made a deal at all 11 of his trade deadlines.

Does he go after a power-play quarterback like Carolina defenseman Joe Corvo? Florida has

promised "significant" changes, so could the Sabres make a pitch for top-six forwards such as

Cory Stillman or Nathan Horton? Do they need grit in the mold of Chicago's Ben Eager?

At least one Sabre doesn't think they need anything.

"We proved in the beginning we're a good team," left wing Jochen Hecht. "We came back from

two-goal deficits, three-goal deficits. We hung onto one-goal games. I think the potential is

in here. We've just got to get back to playing our best team game."