Sabres Beat Senators, Does it matter?

For the Buffalo Sabres the 2-1 shootout victory over the Ottawa Senators proved to themselves that they can skate with one of the premier teams in the league. A crisis of confidence had infected the Sabres lockeroom after 3 blowout losses to the Sens earlier in the year. Could the Sabres skate with this team now? Even without two prime offensive weapons, Daniel Briere and Tim Connoly, the Sabres slowed the Sens down and came out on top. Whether it was the "bad ice" as Dany Heatley described it or a smothering Sabres defense, the Pizza line and the Ottawa offense in general was rendered a shell of its previous outings against the Sabres. The Sabres won and they have more confidence for when the teams meet again. Is it really surprising that the Sabres triumphed this time though?
1. The Senators have been about a .500 team since just around Christmas. 2. The Senators do not play well in games they score less than 4 goals.

It would seem the Sabres caught the Senators in one of the mini-slumps all teams have during the season and kept them off the scoreboard. This should not take away from a solid victory over an elite team.
The Sabres have defeated elite teams already this year. Beating Dallas was a huge step forward and a sign the team arrived as a legimate threat. Recent success against the Flyers has also strengthened the Sabres resume.

The Sabres proved they have the mettle and goaltending to triumph in a playoff style game. The Senators still have to prove they can win when the going gets tough.