Stafford brings hot streak to Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — It’s tough to get a handle on Drew Stafford. On one hand, he exudes the typical rock-star, laissez-faire attitude that fits in with his musical talent.
For example, his response to public analysis of his play by coach Lindy Ruff earlier this season:
“I don’t read that. I don’t really pay attention to that. I don’t really care,” Stafford said this week. “I can figure it out on my own. It comes back to things I can control, and I pretty much live my life like that, making sure if there’s things I need to work on, things that I need to get better, making sure that I’m doing that, and whatever else happens, happens.”
Then, just when doubts about commitment creep in, when you’re wondering if passion for hockey is there, the Buffalo Sabres forward abruptly changes. He gets an exasperated look, takes a breath, goes off the topic that’s being discussed and exclaims:
“It sucks losing. It’s a lot easier when you’re winning. Things are a lot more fun, obviously,” he said.
The Sabres, who’ve dropped two straight, get a chance to rediscover fun when they start a three-game road trip tonight against the Florida Panthers in BankAtlantic Center. The
Sabres will continue their journey in Tampa Bay on Saturday and in Pittsburgh on Monday. What folks will see is anyone’s guess.
Streakiness continues to plague the Sabres for the second straight season. The last three weeks have seen a five-game losing streak followed by a two-game winning streak followed by the current drought, which includes getting shut out at home Monday by Nashville, 2-0.
However, for the first time in a while, things seem to be working out for Stafford. Invisible for stretches this season — never more so than the three games in which he was scratched — he has made people take notice lately. He’s back on the line anchored by center Derek Roy and left wing Thomas Vanek, and they’ve combined for nine points in the past three games.
Stafford has a goal and three assists in the span, which adds up to half of his eight points for the entire season.
“I think I’ve been playing kind of the same way as far as getting chances,” he said. “The differences are it’s going in.”
Stafford started the season on the Roy line, but things failed to click. It followed a trend. The right winger hasn’t found a comfortable spot on a line for the past two seasons, and Ruff bemoaned the inability to find chemistry for the 23- year-old.
“It’s not just going to happen overnight,” Stafford said. “It might take a little while. When things are getting moved around you’ve got to react accordingly, but when we’re playing together, get a little bit of consistency, obviously it helps get some chemistry.
“It’s tough [to move around]. It’s definitely a challenge, but that’s the way it is.”
The role on the Roy line is obvious. It is the top scoring line, usually faces the opponents’ best line and needs to outscore it.
“The last couple games they’ve probably been our best line,” forward Jason Pominville said. “We need him to be a threat out there and to help our team offensively.”
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The Sabres’ blue line got an addition but he will not play tonight. Toni Lydman, who was injured blocking a shot Monday, will be able to play tonight. Fellow defenseman Craig Rivet will not play with the upper-body injury that forced him to miss Monday’s loss. Mike Weber was summoned from Portland but he may not see action depending on how the team gets through tonight's game.
