Sabres Fourth Line Play Improves Buffalo's Situation In the Standings

The fast paced game was blown open by Buffalo's fourth line of Mair, Ellis, and Paetsch. They played a physical, high tempo game and Paetsch added a highlight real goal with a feed from Adam Mair.  

Buffalo's great play from their third and fourth line players like Mair, Paetsch, and Gaustad has brought them right into the middle of the playoffs.  The next 10 games are still important, however as the next two come against playoff competing opponents Carolina and Montreal.  Three games against the Sens should help Buffalo as well.

The return of injured players like Jochen Hecht, Craig Rivet, and Tim Connolly have certainly helped them climb in the standings.  Connolly alone has scored nine goals in his last nine games.  

Buffalo will also be seeing the return of Tallinder and Gaustad just in time for crucial games against competing teams Carolina, Philidelphia, and the NY Rangers.

The next 10 games will hopefully help boost the Sabres as their next four are relatively easy when Buffalo faces the Sens twice, and the Leafs and Isles one time each.  There are also five important games against close playoff contenders including the Flyers, Rangers, Canadians, and Hurricanes

Ryan Miller has also been a huge part of the Sabres recent success with an 11-3 record in his last 14 games.

If Buffalo can continue its recent dominance and win seven or eight of their next 10 games they could be sitting in fourth place holding the last home ice advantage spot for the playoffs.   Tomorrow night is Buffalo's chance to pass the Flyers who play the Bruins, while the Sabres face a weak opponent in the Ottawa Senators