Blues Shut Out Sabres as Conklin Shines Again

Ty Conklin of the St. Louis Blues makes a save in front of Jochen Hecht.
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Ty Conklin improved to 7-1 career against the Sabres as he stopped all 25 shots in front of a disappointed Buffalo crowd.  The Sabres wound up getting booed off the ice at the end of the second period and the booing was even louder after Vladimir Sobotka's empty net goal brought the score to 3-0 with just over a minute remaining in regulation.  The Sabres failed at the attempt to make a good impression on Pennsylvania billionaire Terry Pegula, their new owner.  The team blew another chance at the 8th place bid and is now four points back of the final playoff spot.  "There wasn't any area of our game I liked," coach Lindy Ruff said in his post-game interview. "We've got some work to do. That was flat-out disappointing."  Lindy gave the team the day off Thursday and they appeared to be well-rested and healthy also with Steve Montador returning after missing five games.  But then the egg was laid.

The bad news: In their last three home games, the Sabres have earned one point out of a possible six against teams that will more than likely miss the post-season and have less points.  Not what this team needs when they are scrambling for every last point.  It seems like every time this team has things in their control, they fumble the hammer.  What is the problem?  Is it the coaching?  It is the management?  Is it the players on the ice?  Maybe it is the ownership.  That leads me to the other side of the news.  The good news: Terry Pegula is scheduled to close his $189 million purchase of the team from Tom Golisano early next week.  Pegula cleared the final step in his purchase by receiving approval from the NHL board of governors, a person familiar with the board's vote told The Associated Press.  Keep your hopes up Buffalo fans, this guy is here to win... and win again.

Entering Saturday, the Sabres' playoff odds are down 11.4 to 36.8%.  A little help from the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings kept that number from plummeting further as they handed the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers regulation losses.  The Carolina Hurricanes squeaked a late goal past the Philadelphia Flyers and escaped with a regulation win, adding two points to their advantage over the Sabres.   The next game is another Sunday matinee tomorrow as the fifth place Washington Capitals are in town for an unusual 12:30pm puck drop.  The Sabres will look to take their first win in the midst of a six game home stand.  Tonight's biggest odds effecter is in the hands of the Devils as they visit the Hurricanes.