Sabres notebook
All four lines on scoring roll
Lindy Ruff said Thursday he hadn’t decided who would be bumped from the Buffalo Sabres’ roster today. But the team, aside from that unfortunate guy, is confident it will be fine with whoever remains.
The 8-2-2 Sabres are feeling much like they did from 2005 to ’07, when they could toss any unit over the boards and beat the opponent. That success came because they continually rolled four forward lines, each nearly as potent as the next. They believe that offensive depth is back.
“I think any lineup we have, if we play it right, we have a great chance of winning every night,” said goaltender Ryan Miller, who enters tonight’s game against Atlanta with back-to-back shutouts.
It remains to be seen exactly which 12 players will comprise the forward lines in HSBC Arena, but there will be scoring potential on all of them. The top four quartets at Thursday’s practice each had a player with at least six points.
Ruff rolled four lines in the previous game, Monday’s 2-0 victory over New Jersey.
“We had four lines that were going,” Ruff said. “We were skating, we were getting the puck in places that were putting Jersey in a lot of trouble.
“It has looked really effective the last couple of games. It would be great to get back to that, where the other teams worry about us . . . make the other teams adjust to us.”
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Tim Connolly was back at practice after skipping one day with a sore groin. Ruff said the center is expected to play against the Thrashers.
Defenseman Craig Rivet, who returned from knee surgery Monday, skipped Thursday’s workout.
“Just a little bit sore, so we gave him the day off, but he’ll play,” Ruff said.
Jochen Hecht is also expected in the lineup. He has missed 10 games with a broken middle finger, which could impact where he plays. He had been at center, but if the hand bothers him on faceoffs he could shift to left wing.
“We’ve got lots of options now, so either or,” Ruff said. “With the hand the way it is, he may get some help at center, and he may play a little bit of both.”
Hecht’s return gives the Sabres 24 players, one over the roster limit.
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The net usually plays tricks on goal scorers, but it got the best of the tough guys Thursday.
It’s often said the cage gets bigger when players are on a hot streak. Ruff alluded to it when discussing the runs by Thomas Vanek (11 goals in 12 games) and Jason Pominville (goals in two straight).
“When things are going good, the net seems like it’s 10-by-16 [feet], and when it’s not it’s that typical NHL 2-by-4 net,” Ruff said.
Apparently, Andrew Peters and Adam Mair thought it was a 2-by-4 at the end of practice and figured they could skate by it. The team was doing laps and suddenly broke out in laughter when the duo rounded the net, careened into it and each other.
“I did it on purpose,” Peters said. “I wanted to make the guys laugh.”
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