Goaltending not a problem for Sabres

NHLHS Buffalo Sabres correspondent Melissa Kania discusses the goaltending tandem of Ryan Miller and Patrick Lalime for the team this season.

When Patrick Lalime’s contract expired at the end of the season, many fans expected youngster Jhonas Enroth to move up into the backup role for the Sabres.

Instead, the team elected to re-sign Lalime to a one-year contract, with many fans wondering why. After all, he only played in 16 games last season. He had a 2.81 GAA, and a less-than-stellar 4-8-2 record.

Miller, on the other hand, played in 69 regular season games and 6 playoff games. With a 41-18-8 record and a 2.22 GAA, he captured the Vezina Trophy for goaltender of the year.

More important than the statistics, however, is the relationship between the goalie tandem. Lalime and Miller work well together. Lalime knows that Miller will play a majority of the games, but he’s obviously willing to stay a Sabre despite his limited playing time.

Their celebratory interaction after every game reinforces that relationship, and the most prominent acknowledgment of their friendship came at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.

After Miller was announced as the Vezina winner, he went on stage, made his speech, and included a shoutout to none other than Lalime. This short shoutout confirmed that Miller’s relationship with Lalime is a special one. They’re truly friends, and that’s important in a goalie tandem.

So why re-sign Lalime? Looking towards this season – just about a month away, now! – it’s essential for a team’s two goalies to work well together. Jhonas Enroth will get one more year of experience in the AHL, and Patrick Lalime and Ryan Miller’s epic goalie friendship will continue to blossom.

Goaltending wasn’t a problem for the Sabres last season – the saves were made, but the offense had trouble supporting at times. Why try to fix something if it isn’t broken?

Miller will still play the majority of games, with Lalime often taking one of a back-to-back set or other perhaps not as important games. But they understand their roles and work together, and together, this goalie tandem will provide success for the Sabres in net.

Melissa Kania
NHLHS Buffalo Sabres Correspondent
mkania@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @melissakania