Ennis-Stafford-Foligno

This blog focuses on the number one line of Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford, and Marcus Foligno. This is definitely the number one line on the Sabres, it's the first time since early this season with Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, and Luke Adam the Sabres had a legitimate number one line and this one blew away that one. Adam has long since been demoted to Rochester, where he has been struggling and who knows his future, and Vanek, whose played better as of late, has struggled since the New Year. Once again, the Ennis-Stafford-Foligno line was the best line the other night in the Sabres' big win (huge understatement) against Washington. Stafford had two goals while Ennis assisted on both goals, including a beautiful play in which he deked the sprawling Caps defender and made a beautiful pass to Stafford, who banged it home for his second goal of the game to make 5-1. Foligno did not score but he was impactful nonetheless. He had plenty of chances plus his play along the boards and in front of the net remains a huge strength and has continued to since he was called up from Rochester.

One of the biggest keys to the Sabres turnarounds has been Tyler Ennis being the number one center. Ennis struggled at the beginning of the season and then was injured as he missed a total of 34 games. Since coming back on January 31, Ennis has 9 goals and 22 points in 27 games, including 5 goals and 14 points and is a +12 in the last nine games. He has been red hot. This team needed a center badly and for whatever reason, the Sabres did not try him out at center even though he has experience until later in the season. It has been truly a revelation for Ennis and the Sabres. Then adding Cody Hodgson at the trade deadline gave the Sabres a lethal 1-2 punch at center with Derek Roy as number 3. Ennis' speed and playmaking ability is a natural fit at center. Stafford has been red hot as well as he has 6 goals and 14 points in the last 8 games. Stafford is up to 17 goals and has a chance at 20 in a season in which was his career-worst. At one point I thought he would have trouble getting to 10. But since playing with Ennis and even Hodgson for a bit and getting taken off the roy line, Stafford has looked so much the player who scored 31 goals in 62 games last season and got a new $4 million a year deal in the offseason. He was a huge disappointment but with a true center he has flourished. What can be said about Foligno? Since being called up earlier this month, Foligno has had 6 goals and 10 points in 8 games. Foligno has been a force along the boards and in front of the net and has banged home his opportunities whenever he's had the chance. He's also been a physical presence. Had Zack Kassian done what Foligno has done, he would still be up here. But instead, he was shipped off to Vancouver in exchange for Cody Hodgson and Alex Sulzer. I'd say that's worked out.

Speaking of Hodgson, he has finally been scoring. But even when he wasn't, he still created a lot of chances and handled and possessed the puck very well and brought a new life to this once struggling offense. Vanek has played well playing on his line. Hodgson ripped a shot which Vanek rebounded for the third goal. The play of the game no doubt was when Sabres captain Jason Pominville stripped the puck from Alex Ovechkin and scored short-handed to put the Sabres up 4-1 which effectively gave the Sabres the win and the 8th spot all by themselves. Ryan Miller has continued his recent hot streak as he made 44 saves and improved to 14-1-3 in his last 18 games. The Sabres had their biggest win in quite sometime. If the Sabres make it, this is the game that without a doubt puts them in. If they somehow win a playoff series, I will point to this game as the one that really gave this team the confidence to win. Maybe the Rangers 4-1 win last week would be the real game as they beat the 1st place Rangers. But this Caps win on the road has been real special as they were never really threatened at all. Ovechkin was once again not a factor against the Sabres. If the Sabres have success in the playoffs, I'll look to the Ennis-Stafford-Foligno line as the line that sparked this amazing run.