Commentary
Sabres could be a lot worse without Miller
MATT KRUEGER Sports Reporter
This argument would have held much more water last week, before Ryan Miller suffered back-to-back bad games Saturday and Sunday. But the wave of discontent flowing through Western New York over the goalie's play is misplaced.

Miller is not as bad as many people think. He's better than he was a year ago, when the fans voted him to the NHL all-star game as an Eastern Conference starter.

Take a look at Miller's numbers this year. His save percentage (.914) and goals against average (2.42) are both better than they were last year. At the end of the 2006-07 season, Miller had a save percentage of .911 and a goals against average of 2.73. Granted this year's stats were better before he let in four goals in the first period of Saturday's 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers and gave up two goals on the first eight shots of Sunday's 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh.

Miller has three shutouts this year, including last Wednesday's 1-0 win over Toronto. Miller had two shutouts last year, and holds seven for his career.

The only negative difference in Miller's stats this year compared to last year is the win-loss record, which has more to do with team play than individual performance. Miller finished last season with 40 wins, 16 losses and six losses in overtime. Through 54 games played this season, Miller is 26-19-6. He probably won't reach 40 wins again this year, but he also doesn't have the league's highest-scoring offense lending him a hand like he did last year.

Any NHL goalie could win 40 games a season if his team scored four goals a game. The Sabres averaged 3.63 goals per game last year to finish with a league-high 298. This year, the Sabres have fallen to 2.9 goals per game.

The defense hasn't been as stellar in front of Miller either. Buffalo gave up 2.9 goals per game last year, and is surrendering 2.69 this year.

Miller is ranked 15th in the league for both goals against average and save percentage for the season. And if it weren't for those two horrible games this past weekend, he'd be in the top 10.

Don't forget Miller is just 27 years old. His best years are most likely ahead of him, and his numbers have improved every year he's been with the Sabres. His goals against average is the lowest its ever been, and his save percentage is tied for his lowest mark with his 2005-06 performance, when he played only 48 games. Assuming he stays healthy, Miller should beat his career record for saves in a season. He has 1,357 saves through Tuesday with 23 games remaining on the schedule. He had 1,718 saves last year.

Imagine what life would be like right now if Miller went down with an injury. Jocelyn Thibault, with his 3.50 goals against average and .866 save percentage, would become the starter. That would send the Sabres even further down the Eastern Conference standings than they already are.

Miller is a standout goalie, one the Sabres should lock up with a lengthy contract before he becomes a free agent next year. He might not be the best goalie in the league, but he's easily Buffalo's best chance to win the game.

Trading for another goalie or picking one up in free agency won't make things better in Buffalo. Miller is the man who will keep the Sabres in playoff contention each year, even if the Sabres keep losing veteran forwards and defensemen every offseason.