Sabres Edge Panthers in Nail-Biter: 3-2 (SO)

Let me start off this article by calling some players out. It is my observation that Toni Lydman, Henrik Tallinder, and Nathan Paetsch were extremely lazy tonight. I'm sorry boys, it didn't look like you were skating at all.

From Lydman tripping Booth for the penalty shot and then not checking Booth resulting and Florida's second goal plus all of the turnovers in the defensive zone, it was lazy play tonight that kept Florida in it. Just my observation.

The night started out very back and forth until 16:29 into the first period where Tallinder and Lydman both had minor penalties called on them, and Lydman tripped Florida's David Booth for a penalty shot. Booth, Florida's leader in goals and shots converted with a wide-sweeping deke that rendered Miller out-of-position and helpless.

The Sabres came back, charging head-long into the second period where Tim Connolly was one of many that crashed the net. He was closest to the first of two Florida players who put the puck into their own net, thus crediting him with the goal that put the game on level terms.

The third period saw more back and forth play. Thomas Vanek scored his 28th of the season on the powerplay after stuffing in a rebound from a Lydman to make it 2-1.

Later in the third, Nathan Horton scored on a between-the-legs pass from Richard Zednik behind the net to tie it up with 3:24 left in regulation.

This brought us to "OOoovertime" which saw spirited attacks at the net and set-ups from playmakers, but no goals.

The shootout was dominated by Buffalo, ending in just two rounds. Florida elected to shoot first with goal-scorer Nathan Horton, but Ryan Miller Stopped him cold on his wrist shot.

Buffalo's Ales Kotalik went next, and with his patented fake forehand to top-shelf backhand move, fired one over Vokoun's right hand for a 1-0 lead.

Florida next sent out penalty-shot scorer David Booth, who brought one to the backhand and failed to get it over Miller's left pad, which kept it at 1-0.

Derek Roy was next for Buffalo and put it away with his drag move between Vokoun's legs and finished the game 3-2 for the Sabres.

The Sabres gained more ground on the Panthers and have seventh place a little more secured for now.

Notes: Ryan Miller was brilliant yet again, even with half of his defense playing lack-luster hockey. He had 27 saves.

The stars of the game were: first star: A. Kotalik, second star: R. Miller, and third star: D. Booth.

Once again, Buffalo squeaked away with a win, when all they needed to do was to stop forcing plays. At least they played a full game of hockey this time.