Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller seemed to go to great lengths this week to say that he’s not a savior, as he returns to the Buffalo lineup after five weeks out.  You can hardly blame him for trying to lower expectations for his return, with the hockey team in such dire straits.  Miller has missed five weeks, 13 games, with his high ankle sprain, and he’s probably not quite 100-percent ready to return.

But what’s wrong with asking him to save the Sabres playoff chances?  Why not?

Tonight’s game against Toronto, and the eight games that follow, are the reasons the Sabres coughed up $31.25-million last July to keep Miller on the roster.  It’s great to shut out the L-A Kings in December, but this is why Miller is being paid.  He’s making the money elite goaltender make in the NHL, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the hockey club leaning on him now, in crunch time.

I’m looking forward to seeing how Miller responds to the pressure of holding the team’s playoff hopes in his hands.  He’s been a very good goaltender for several years, but now I’m looking for him to take his career up another notch.

Does that mean he has to “save’ the Sabres season?   Yeah.  Why not?

What do you think?  Does Miller have what it takes to be the savior of Buffalo’s flickering playoff hopes?