Quote:
The Sabres have missed the playoffs three times in five seasons, and all three times they closed with a game against the Bruins.
The 2007-08 club finished the year with a 3-0 victory in Boston. Goaltender Jocelyn Thibault recorded a shutout in the final start of his career, while left wing Thomas Vanek had a hat trick to provide all the offense. Defenseman Teppo Numminen returned to the lineup for his only game after having a heart procedure the previous fall.
The 2008-09 edition also trounced the Bruins, storming to a 6-1 victory in Buffalo. Vanek scored twice to reach the 40-goal mark. Backup goalie Mikael Tellqvist stopped 34 of 35 shots.
No. 2 netminder Jhonas Enroth is likely to start today in TD Garden, but Jochen Hecht will not make a Numminen-like return from injury. The concussion-battling forward said he has not been cleared to play.
Coach Lindy Ruff expects the rest of the team to put forth a winning effort.
"You're a professional," Vanek said. "Obviously, it's hard, but come game day you focus. Everyone in here is a competitor, and you go out, do your best for 60 minutes, win a game and that's it."
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http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sa...icle799682.ece
So fate will have Enroth get a shutout, Vanek have a 4-goal game to get to 30 and Sabre fans will be left to ask "Why now?".
