Ryan Miller, Sabres Look to Regain Form in Quest for the Cup

Last year was a huge disappointment for the Buffalo Sabres. 

Not only did the team have the propensity to fall behind early and try in vain to come back (in contrast to the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaign, where the "Cardiac Kids" thrilled fans on their way to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances), the team missed the playoffs for the first time in the post-lockout era. 

Of course, the loss of Chris Drury and Daniel Briere after the '06-'07 season goes without saying, as well.

This year got off to a red-hot start, with a 6-2-2 record in October and a 9-3-3 mark in the first 15 games. 

Then the wheels came off.

A brutal 6-1 loss to the Blue Jackets.  A 5-2 loss to the resurgent Penguins.  Then three straight losses to Boston, Philadelphia and the Islanders.  The Sabres avenged their losses to the Bruins and Pens at home, but subsequently went on a three-game losing streak.

Things looked to improve with a squeaker in Tampa and a comeback from 3-1 down to beat Pittsburgh, followed by another comeback victory against the lowly Lightning. 

However, a disappointing third period against the Leafs on Friday night, which saw the Sabres on a prolonged powerplay, led to a 2-1 loss, snapping Buffalo's three-game winning streak.

Despite all this, the Sabres find themselves barely hanging on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.  It's still early with 43 games remaining for the team, but can they continue to stay in the thick of things and return to the postseason?

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