Considering how strong the Sabres were in the regular season, they should probably be given the type of respect that would not count them out until they are completely done for. However, judging by this latest series against the Sens, one real question should be raised.
On paper the Sabres looked to be the one team more built for the new NHL than any other out there. With a cast of players built on development, speed, offensive skill and depth, this club looked to be rolling along on par with their President trophy win.
However, the New NHL might sadly be a regular season aberration, despite all the heat the New NHL refereeing has been getting.
The Senators seem to be built in the way contenders were years back. With an offensively strong top three, and a host of role players consisting of a shadow line and a shut down defensive unit, it appears that Ottawa has successfully made the Sabres look very small and by taking away ice and passing lanes, holding their overall team speed in check, thereby making it rather redundant.
Players such as Briere (and Kariya before him) are beginning to look as they might have in playoffs past, bowing down to the larger, more physical model that has taken over the league in the past decade or two.
In the Western Conference, it seems that defense has been the successful strategy of the remaining survivors.
Perhaps the NHL as a whole, along with specific clubs like the Sabres will have to reevaluate themselves this next off-season, and think twice before taking the physical aspect out of the game in favor of speed and skill, before the powers that be weed it out any further.
Intimidation, a physical edge, and a sound defensive system all seem to be just as strong a winning formula, as they ever have.
