Many Sabres fans, including myself, have recovered from the devastating loss that took place in HSBC Arena on Sunday evening. From what I have gathered, it sounds like Lindy Ruff and the Sabres are more ready than ever to disappoint Flyers fans on Tuesday night.
Derek Roy expects to play, and says he is 100 percent ready.
“Its great. I’ve put in a lot of hard work. Its great of the training staff and everybody who helped me along the way. Its been a tough road– four months– I’m back and ready to go. I wouldn’t play if I wasn’t 100%. we were waiting for the right moment and like I said, all the hard work has paid off. Come in every morning, first in, last out, so its been a long road.”
“I’m just going to go out, have fun, and play my game to help the team. These guys worked hard to get to the Playoffs all season long and I’m not going to let them down with my work ethic. I’m going to go out there and work just as hard and be disciplined”, Roy said with confidence.
News columnist Jerry Sullivan asked Lindy Ruff if it reminds him of the string of injuries that derailed the Sabres in 2006, when they lost to Carolina in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference finals.
“Yeah, but I wrote a different script to this one, Jerry. We’ve got a fairy-tale ending to this one,” Ruff said with a smile.
Sully responded, “Derek scores the winner.”
“That’s right,” Ruff said. “That’s right. I’ve already got that one. I can almost work at The News — I wouldn’t want to, but …”
Mike Richards’ hit on Tim Connolly may be an easy way for Miller to get motivated for game seven. Miller was furious when it happened and he was just as angered a day later.
“The guy (Richards) who is complaining the most about us getting away with murder has delivered two of the dirtiest hits in the series,” Miller said.
“A blatant elbow to the face, which is something the league said they would try to take away, and driving Tim Connolly headfirst into the boards. It wasn’t just a hit, it was a push. It was blatant.
“I don’t know where to go with this one. At the same time, it’s a tough game, it’s rough. Richards wants to win. It’s not lost on me that he is a hard competitor. I think that was reckless. … It’s more annoying than anything to hear that come out of a good player’s mouth.”