Three Point Weekend, Trade Deadline Looms

Michael Grier flips a puck to a fan before their game Saturday.
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Sabres closed their six-game home stand strongly and have yet to lose in regulation under new owner Terry Pegula.  Mike Grier scored in both games this past weekend; the first time he has scored in back-to-back games since October 2009.  Ryan Miller finished the home stand with a 2-3-1 record despite a 1.83 goals against average with a .945 save percentage.  After the seven goal mishap against the Islanders February 13th, the Sabres defense has improved.  Miller has surrendered two or fewer goals in each of his last five starts since.  But where has the power play gone?  The Sabres have scored a power play goal in only two of their last nine games.  Hopefully the newcomer can provide some boost.

In their first deadline move, the Sabres have acquired Brad Boyes from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Buffalo’s second-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft.  ESPN's Pierre LeBrun said at 11:30PM EST last night "Reached Sabres GM Darcy Regier via text and he said the goal in the deal was to add more offense.  Done!  Love seeing the Sabres load up!"  I indeed love this move as well.  In his six-year career, Boyes has never missed a game.  Except for February 27th, 2007, the day he was traded to the Blues and didn't get to St. Louis in time for the puck-drop.  Coincidence he was traded on the same day this year?  The good news is he will be with the Sabres for next season as he has one more year left on his contract at $4 million.  This season, Boyes had 41 points in 62 games with the Blues.  ESPN referred to Boyes as a "sniper" but Blues fans commenting on the story are saying "the guy missed the net nine out of ten shots" and "he can't hit the net unless he is on a breakaway".  Hopefully we can trust ESPN's side and not St. Louis fans who may be bitter from the deal.  Boyes' salary for next season will be more than offset with the subtraction of Craig Rivet's $3.5M (now with Columbus) and possibly Tim Connolly's $4.5M (rumors are he could be headed to the Kings).  It is really nice to see Buffalo proving that ownership was responsible for the reputation the front office has developed over the past few seasons.  The trade deadline is at 3:00PM EST today.  We'll see if Terry Pegula and Darcy Regier have any more tricks up their sleeves in the next few hours.

Brad Boyes
(Sabres.com)

Playoff odds are up 2.2 to 48.5% after the weekend.  The Sabres sit two points behind the eighth and final playoff spot with two games in hand on the Carolina Hurricanes.  We trail the seventh seeded New York Rangers by five points with three games in hand.  Our next game is huge tomorrow at Madison Square Garden and a win would let us taste the eighth seed.  The Sabres will play their next seven games on the road and will travel roughly 4,563 miles.  This road trip will match the longest in team history after seven-game trips in 2008 and 2010.

Edit: Looks like Tim Connolly will remain with the team and more than likely play on a line with Boyes.  The two played together in juniors.  Lindy has mentioned a plan to go with three scoring lines.  Check out Pat Malcaro's deadline "Winners and Losers".