Why not?

It's a question I found myself asking during the Leafs game, at the risk of feeling "homerish." I mean, what happened to having fun watching the hometown team?

Truth be told, the Sabres took us on a wond'rous ride a few years back and followed it up by winning the most games of anyone in the NHL. We were spellbound, we were driven, and then we were let down by a bunch of kids who didn't know better, and a bunch of veterans who couldn't show them the way.

So, I ask again for this year... why not? If you think the Sabres are awful, then the rest of the league is even worse. Look at their records against the East's Top Ten:

Boston- 3-2 (home game left)
New Jersey- 2-1 (home game left)
Washington- 1-2 (road game left)
Philadelphia- 0-1 (Two road, one home left)
NY Rangers- 2-0 (One road, one home left)
Montreal 2-1-1 (One road, one home left)
Carolina 1-1 (Two road left)
Florida 1-1 (Two home left)
Pittsburgh 2-1-1 (Season series concluded)
TOTAL 14-10-2 (Seven road, seven at HSBC Arena)

Those are slightly misleading on account of shoot-out wins for the Sabres, but when you think about it, this team has a lot more stupid losses to teams like Atlanta, the Islanders and Ottawa than to the above teams. In fact, if you take out Buffalo's 8-6-1 record against the West, the Sabres' real pathetic record is against the East's 11 through 15 teams.. a moribund 8-6-3 against the bottom feeders

Plus, it's more fun if you watch the team as a contender. It makes all sorts of "Jochen Hecht and a defenseman for Pierre-Marc Bouchard's oddly-shaped head" fan-created trades possible.

---- For the record, the Hockey Buzz site has Buffalo and Calgary working a Tim Connolly/pick/prospect for Adrian Aucoin/top prospect deal... which is interesting if Buffalo is dealing a blue liner. I think a Super Trade between the teams is in order... Connolly/Hecht/Tallinder/prospect/pick for Conroy/Cammalleri/Aucoin. Let's do this, fellas. Darcy Regier hasn't super fleeced someone since Jakub Klepis for Mike Grier. Also, I am well-aware I'm making up trades that would never happen, so save the ALL CAPS, URE SO DUMM 2 THINK N-E WOULD EVR DO THAT emails. Please. ----

To be honest, the only teams I think the Sabres absolutely couldn't beat in a seven-game series are the Devils and Capitals, and one of those you could talk me into a win (Washington. Still pretty green, and Propecia between the pipes).

Ryan Miller's having the best year of his pro career. Thomas Vanek has decided that playing defense is alright. Chris Butler's even better than I thought he'd be, and Drew Stafford is playing like the guy we saw at North Dakota.

Sure when the Bills were 4-1, I asked "Why not?", and ended up getting a spinkick to the Adam's Apple, but I'm a sucker and I don't want to play the "jaded @$$" role my entire sports life.

Let's have fun, folks. It's hockey. It's Buffalo. Why not?

Email: nick@wgr550.com