Pavol Demitra Back In Town, Buffalo Sabres Falling Down

NOT

Not much has been learned this season about the Buffalo Sabres. They've shown their ability to play great counter-attack hockey backed up by superb goaltending. However, it's also been noticed that they can have the presence of a Pee-Wee hockey club. Where do they go from here?

A turn-around hasn't occurred yet for Marty Turco. He continues to struggle for wins, with one in his last six starts. The 33-year-old's numbers have been improving and they'll be forced to continue with the services of Brenden Morrow lost.

I think Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau needs to have his head checked. Michael Nylander on the third or fourth line? This is a proven playmaker who has put up nearly a point per game over the last three seasons. Perhaps the trade with Chicago will happen if this kind of treatment doesn't stop.

Three points in the last 11 games. That's how it stands for Ryan Smyth after his great numbers in the early going of the season. Joe Sakic is still nursing a minor injury and the former Oiler needs to find that spark he had previously.

A new coach, but the same old issues. The Tampa Bay Lightning are still searching for a consistent game with one win in the last seven outings. Rick Tocchet has given Steven Stamkos plenty of ice time, and the kid is responding somewhat. Problem is, the team needs more from the kid.

It seems like ages ago since Keith Ballard added a point. Nine games? Okay, maybe just weeks ago. At one point, the 25-year-old defenseman had 10 points in as many games. McCabe's return to the lineup was going to slow down his production one way or another.

Normally a defenseman, Brent Burns has been seeing time as a forward. Good for his fantasy owners right? You wouldn't know it by his numbers. After producing a career-high 43 points last year, Burns has just five points through 14 contests. Not a pretty sight for a team still suffering from the Gaborik syndrome.

Oh, the ups and downs of being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Ron Wilson's boys have lost seven of 10, and Chicago's comeback victory last night has to be deja vu for many games last season.

It appeared as though Brandon Dubinsky was going to be one the guys leading the Rangers in the absence of Jaromir Jagr. The stats were there when the season began, but have since evaporated. Only two helpers in the last 10 games and no goals in 13.

Perhaps Jarkko Ruutu should pursue a career in the dramatic arts. He was throwing his body around like a doll against the Rangers earlier in the week, and falling to the ice when someone laid a hand on him. Enough is enough, play some hockey already.

Surely, nobody was expecting Keith Tkachuk to keep scoring a goal per game. He's a great veteran with a good presence, but he's no Ovechkin. The 36-year-old has hit a wall recently with one goal in the last 10 contests.

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