Miller named NHL's first star of the week

[Dr. Lecter]

Ryan Miller stopped 83 of 85 shots, went 3-0-0 and posted two shutouts in three games last week, and that was enough for him to be named NHL First Star of the Week today. Corey Perry of Anaheim was No. 2 and Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who had two shutouts and was 2-0-1, was named No. 3.

"It's nice this time of year to have a little stretch where you're recognized like that I guess," Miller said after practice today in HSBC Arena. "It lines up with the way we've been playing as a team, really paying attention to detail and with good emotion in the game. I guess that's exactly what we need this time of year. A goalie a lot of times can be a difference-maker but is really a reflection of the way the team plays."

Miller posted an 0.67 goals-against average and .976 save percentage last week. After struggling early with injuries and the team's poor play, Miller has improved his record to 33-21-8 with a 2.58 GAA and .916 save percentage. His 220 career wins are 14 shy of Dominik Hasek's franchise record, so he should be looking at that sometime early next season.

The Sabres play Tuesday in Toronto and Miller's 24 wins and four shutouts against the Leafs are his most against any opponent. The Rangers are here Wednesday and Lundqvist has been red-hot, stopping 77 of 78 shots in his last three games (0.32 GAA and .987 save %). His team, however, has scored just three goals, posting a pair of 1-0 wins and a 2-1 shootout loss to Ottawa.

As for the injury/roster updates, Lindy Ruff gave the media this rundown:

---Jordan Leopold's trip to see a hand specialist was postponed because he has come down with the flu. So it will be a few more days before that appointment can take place.

---Mike Grier was held off the ice because of his sore knee but Ruff does not expect him to miss any time.

---Nathan Gerbe missed practice today due to a family issue but will rejoin the team tonight in Toronto and will play tomorrow.

---Mark Mancari and Marc-Andre Gragnani are both with the club. Ruff said Gragnani may be kept around as an extra defenseman because he can also play forward. Ruff said Tyler Myers has been dealing with a rash from some flu medication he's been taking but should be able to play tomorrow as well.

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2011/03/miller-named-nhls-first-star-of-the-week.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fbuffalonews%2Fsabres+%28Sabres+Edge%29

[THATHURMANATOR]

What is up with all these guys getting the flu all the time?

[G Wolly]

What is up with all these guys getting the flu all the time?

Traveling with each other, sharing buses/locker rooms, etc.

[PTI]

Miller has been the best he has been all season lately.

[Ingtar33]

What is up with all these guys getting the flu all the time?

I was told once upon a time by an old NHL star that "flu" was a euphemism for "hangover" in the NHL, so a number of those "flu" days might be players too hung over to play.

not saying that's still true, just that apparently 20+ years ago that's how it worked.

[JD]

Traveling with each other, sharing buses/locker rooms, etc.
and sharing Roy/Connolly semen :dizzy:

[trapezeus]

I was told once upon a time by an old NHL star that "flu" was a euphemism for "hangover" in the NHL, so a number of those "flu" days might be players too hung over to play.

not saying that's still true, just that apparently 20+ years ago that's how it worked.

makes sense to me. i'd buy that an injured player would go on a bender before the doctor's visits.

if you read the "what perreault said to Rico" sabres book, alcohol and hockey has a long lineage and players into the early 80's were hardly well conditioned athletes. they were good skaters who drank even better.

[G Wolly]

and sharing Roy/Connolly semen :dizzy:

Yea.

[OpIv37]

I was told once upon a time by an old NHL star that "flu" was a euphemism for "hangover" in the NHL, so a number of those "flu" days might be players too hung over to play.

not saying that's still true, just that apparently 20+ years ago that's how it worked.

probably some from column A, some from column B. Once one player gets the flu, it's going to spread quickly to teammates and then to opponents, so it could be legit. Plus, with cell phone cameras and the Internet, it's much harder to get away with going out partying than it was in the old days.

On the other hand, when 2 or 3 guys are out with it on the same night, one has to wonder.... It's a pretty convenient excuse.

[OpIv37]

Of course, there's also the possibility that the ex- NHL player was full of **** and just trying to add to the hockey player "tough guy" mystique.

[PTI]

probably some from column A, some from column B. Once one player gets the flu, it's going to spread quickly to teammates and then to opponents, so it could be legit. Plus, with cell phone cameras and the Internet, it's much harder to get away with going out partying than it was in the old days.

On the other hand, when 2 or 3 guys are out with it on the same night, one has to wonder.... It's a pretty convenient excuse.

They play X-Box and get drunk in the hotel rooms!

[Mski]

i do know there were a bunch of them downtown saturday night after the game