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Sabres top Sharks in ‘strange game’ following Miller trade

Jhonas Enroth

Buffalo Sabres’ Jhonas Enroth, of Sweden, eyes the puck as he makes a save from a Boston Bruins shot during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. Buffalo won 5-4 in overtime. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

AP

It’s easy to forget that the Buffalo Sabres were playing a game while the Ryan Miller trade was announced. Remarkably, they managed to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Friday amid all the distractions.

The Sabres didn’t deny how odd it felt to play while learning that their captain Steve Ott and franchise goalie Miller had been traded. Tyler Myers called it a “strange game” while Marcus Foligno tried to treat it as business as usual.

“You have to be professional,” Foligno said.

“It was tough, but give the guys credit,” Head coach Ted Nolan said. “They battled.”

Speaking of being a professional, Matt Moulson continues to drive his trade value up, as he scored a game-winning goal on Friday after sending Buffalo into OT on Wednesday. Teams certainly must be keeping tabs on a winger who found the net for the 17th time between his games in Buffalo and with the New York Islanders this season.

If you want to talk about strange timing, the Sabres are enjoying their first three-game winning streak of the season. Jhonas Enroth made a strong argument for a few extra looks even with Jaroslav Halak headed to town (for now?) by stopping 36 out of 38 shots.

Considering how conditional draft picks may work out, many hardcore Buffalo Sabres fans might be as interested in the New York Islanders’ and St. Louis Blues’ progress as this season goes on. Still, the current roster must play on, and they’ve looked scrappy since returning from the Olympic break.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins