Sabres outlast Preds- BUF 1, NSH 0

The Buffalo Sabres and goalie Ryan Miller recorded their first shut-out of the season, blanking the Predators 1-0 at Sommet Center in Nashville, TN.  This game was again a battle of defense and goaltending, and waiting for the first goalie to flinch. Both netminders performed in stellar fashion, with Miller blocking all 25 Nashville shots on goal, while Preds goalie Pekka Rinne stopped 41 of 42 Sabres’ shots, receiving the game’s first star.

As a whole, the game was uneventful, staying scoreless until the 16:35 mark of the 3rd period, when Buffalo’s Mike Grier put a backhand shot past Rinne and the Nashville defense. Miller later said “Mike Grier, you are my hero” in support of his late goal to wrap the game up for Buffalo, who also fought through an extra attacker situation as Nashville pulled Rinne in the final minute.

Grier not only proved himself to be a welcome [re]addition to the Sabres squad, but a leader in both effort and emotion, telling this team to keep trying even though the Sabres hadn’t broken through until that point.

I was happy with the Sabres’ efforts in the game, placing a very healthy 42 shots on goal, and if it hadn’t been for Pekka Rinne’s efforts, the score would have most likely been much higher. Lindy Ruff also seemed pleased with the squad’s efforts in the last two games, and is looking to continue the Sabres’ 2-game winning streak against the reigning Western Conference Champions Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings visit The Bank in Buffalo on Tuesday, Oct 13 at 7pm.