Ryan Miller says his ankle is "as good as it's going to get" as he'll be back in goal Friday against the Leafs. Miller says any discomfort he may feel is normal and it's time to play. One thing Miller stressed is don't expect too much. The former All Star said, "I'm a goalie, I go out and I try to stop the puck. If I can help make a difference, I want to do it, but by no means am I a guarantee and by no means am I a savior. I can only go out there and give my honest effort and get in the way." Miller added, "If I can help boost the guys because I've been in so many battles with them, that's great, but I think everybody needs to draw something from themself at this time of year, but if I can be that added little bump, that's great. I'm very realistic about it. I've come off injury before and I know what to expect. The energy is going to be there for me, I'm going to be excited to play, but I have to contain it, I have to harness it a little bit, just gotta do my job." Ruff did not indicated who would back-up Miller other than to say he hates having three goalies around.
Drew Stafford spent practice on the 5th line with Andrew Peters and Matt Ellis. Stafford was benched for most of the third period against Florida and has just two goals and two assists in his last 14 games. Lindy Ruff wouldn't say if the young winger has played himself out of the line-up. I've seen Ruff do this before and my guess is he did it for a practice to shake the kid up. Adam Mair went to the fourth line with Pat Kaleta and Paul Gaustad. Thomas Vanek was back with Dominic Moore and Dan Paille. Clarke MacArthur went to the wing with Tim Connolly and Jason Pominville. Derek Roy centered Jochen Hecht and Maxim Afinogenov.
Drew Stafford spent practice on the 5th line with Andrew Peters and Matt Ellis. Stafford was benched for most of the third period against Florida and has just two goals and two assists in his last 14 games. Lindy Ruff wouldn't say if the young winger has played himself out of the line-up. I've seen Ruff do this before and my guess is he did it for a practice to shake the kid up. Adam Mair went to the fourth line with Pat Kaleta and Paul Gaustad. Thomas Vanek was back with Dominic Moore and Dan Paille. Clarke MacArthur went to the wing with Tim Connolly and Jason Pominville. Derek Roy centered Jochen Hecht and Maxim Afinogenov.
