Morning Puck: Murdering Miller

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (pic via this chick's Flickr stream)

Back in April – in a time when names like Richards, Carter, Leino and Carcillo appeared on the backs of Flyers sweaters, and Jaromir Jagr was still a woman in Russia – the Flyers murdered Ryan Milller and the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the playoffs.

Perhaps you remember Miller whining in his nasally drone, which sounds like the unfortunate offspring of Cole Hamels and a dying rhino:

Oh man, that’s like audio porn. Here’s the full quote from after Game 6 earlier this year:

"Before we get any further, I’d just like to add one thing: If Mike Richards thinks we’re getting away with murder, I don’t know what he just got away with. Mass murder? [nice joke, asshole] Are we stepping it up a notch? Unbelievable. We lose a player for the rest of the game… that’s the kind of hit the league has been talking about, and it’s dangerous. They better seriously consider looking at that one. It’s unbelievable."

No, Ryan, giving up three goals in 6:23 is unbelievable. The Flyers beat the Sabres last night, 3-2 (boom– buried lede). Their three goals to start the game were the team’s fastest since November 15, 2001. Sean Couturier – Cooter – who scored the first goal of the game, was eight-years-old at the time. 

It was Miller’s 402nd career start, but the first time he’s ever allowed two goals in the first two minutes of the game. He was pulled just shortly after the first TV timeout. That’s impressive. Or sad. 

Yeah, mostly sad. Even Scott Hartnell sniped him (standing up!).

Miller on getting booed: [BuffaloNews.com]

"They bought their tickets and they can do whatever they want. They were cheering when I made a save, booing when I don't. Whatever."

Poor guy. And to think, Miller’s old buddy, Danny Briere, wasn’t even there to give him a smack in the back of the head… like he did in the first period of Game 7 this spring (visual proof). Where was Danny, you ask? Healing that upper body injury with some Saladworks at the Voorhees Town Center:

Pic via (@Pete_Amato)

Sunglasses!

One other item of note: NBC Promo Tour 2011 continued in Buffalo. Versus, which will become NBC Sports something or other on January 2nd, has already implemented many peacock screen graphics and, now, dasher board ads for Grimm, the show that used Twitter reviews on their prime time commercial:

We’re just one synergistic step away from Brian Williams doing an inside the glass promo for Rock Center (Monday nights at 10!!!).

Your photo gallery is here. Your highlights are after the jump. And here's an unfortunate picture of Lindy Ruff's daugther.