Patrick Lalime watched Ryan Miller perform at the Olympics and came to two easy conclusions, ones shared by nearly every other observer: The Sabres' Team USA goaltender was outstanding, and he needs time to decompress.
Lalime is ready to provide it. He will start in goal for the Sabres on Tuesday when they resume the NHL schedule in Pittsburgh.
"I?m playing tomorrow and looking forward to it," Lalime said after practice today in HSBC Arena. "I think he deserves the rest."
Miller, who earned a silver medal with Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to Canada, was scheduled to fly from Vancouver to Pittsburgh and join his teammates there. Coach Lindy Ruff, an assistant for the Canadians, had the same plan. They will fly back with the Sabres following Tuesday night's game and be ready to host the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
The Sabres, who have been off since Feb. 13, don't get a chance to ease into their final 22 games. The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins will welcome back Olympic overtime star Sidney Crosby on Tuesday to Mellon Arena.
"We expect a very loud building," Lalime said. "They?re probably going to do something about the gold medal and everything, but for us it doesn?t change anything. We?ve just got to focus on our job and play what we call an ugly road game, play our game and silence the crowd."
Lalime is ready to provide it. He will start in goal for the Sabres on Tuesday when they resume the NHL schedule in Pittsburgh.
"I?m playing tomorrow and looking forward to it," Lalime said after practice today in HSBC Arena. "I think he deserves the rest."
Miller, who earned a silver medal with Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to Canada, was scheduled to fly from Vancouver to Pittsburgh and join his teammates there. Coach Lindy Ruff, an assistant for the Canadians, had the same plan. They will fly back with the Sabres following Tuesday night's game and be ready to host the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
The Sabres, who have been off since Feb. 13, don't get a chance to ease into their final 22 games. The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins will welcome back Olympic overtime star Sidney Crosby on Tuesday to Mellon Arena.
"We expect a very loud building," Lalime said. "They?re probably going to do something about the gold medal and everything, but for us it doesn?t change anything. We?ve just got to focus on our job and play what we call an ugly road game, play our game and silence the crowd."
