Wilde Horses
- Desharnais is simply an outstanding hockey player right now. Brimming with confidence after the crucial tying goal vs the Senators, Desharnais is around the puck every shift it seems. Strangely though Pacioretty is stuck at 30 and Vanek still is looking for one.
- Best hockey of the season for Daniel Briere. I am not sure who that other Briere was or I am not sure who this Briere is. One or the other one, I'm just not sure. Seriously though, Briere looks to have so much jump. The line of Briere with Plekanec and Gallagher looks comfortable together. Briere on the left. I'll make that point again because I think Daniel has about 10 times this season but no one would listen to him but BRIERE ON THE LEFT.
- I am going to continue to put Vanek in this horse column. Vanek is much stronger on his skates than I thought before watching him so closely now. He's a real strong body out there. Can't find the twine yet but it has to come. He's around the net. He's close to success. He's getting a lot of chances. It's coming.
- Dustin Tokarski didn't have to do much to earn the shutout but the breakaway on Hodgson was well done to preserve the shutout late. Hodgson missed his attempt but he did because Tokarski had given him nothing.
- The coach for not playing Doug Murray. His replacements were part of a solid D game. Yes it was against Buffalo but Weaver, Tinordi and Bouillon all are better than Murray.
- PK Subban because that move on Ennis in the third was just so much fun to watch. Also note Subban's penalty in last minute as that is a smart hockey play to take away the chance for a goal late in a game. That's good hockey sense.
- Lars Eller. Not because he figured things out but because I sensed he is on the verge of it. Playing with an experienced leader like Gionta who can help with the consistency shift to shift could be what Eller needs. Gionta is a veteran who steadies things. That's what Eller who can get down on himself needs.
Wilde Goats
- Brandon Prust. He doesn't need to take on a small guy like Conacher with the game snoozing along. The Sabres were happy to go quietly. Let them.
Wilde Cards
- The Habs don't change much no matter what the situation it seems. I think that is why some fans are under the impression they're not entertaining. They're an even tempered team. Up 2-0, you get no sense of killer instinct at all. No sense of falling back either. Just rolling through four lines. I guess a coach likes that but as someone looking for entertainment this wasn't a real thriller. On the road though, not going to guess a single Habs player is too concerned about that.
- There's no back up goalie controversy. Budaj is the number two still. He just is struggling in these moments but he hasn't lost his post. The coaching staff will help him find his game and life will be normal again. But remember when the Habs would try a new guy like Vokoun and what would happen? Yes, the team does play better D than in that day.
- All in all, I wouldn't try to sell the sport to a newbie on that one but 2 points in the bank is all that matters when you play the Sabres, and they're in the vault now - 2 points closer to a playoff spot.
