The Sabres attempt to reach the Stanly Cup may be in spite of the NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman's official announcement of the canceling of the 2004-2005 season, when it was his intention to inform fans that this game will be changing. It was the changing for the better that was his goal.

Long gone were the teams that could flash monetary prowess to bait the stars to come to their teams. Long gone were the clutching, grabbing and hooking that slowed the elite players to a crawl, hence slowing a usually very fast game. However what he did not inform fans on were that there are good chances that teams generally un-noticed in most seasons, would become threats to the normal cup contenders.

One of the most surprising teams of the New and Improved NHL is the Buffalo Sabres. This is a team that throughout its service in the NHL has had its up