Miller

Those hoping to grab some hot wings and beef on weck during the Boston Bruins’ first-round playoff series might be greatly disappointed. The Buffalo Sabres are still four points out of the eighth and final playoff spot after coming up short, 3-2, against New Jersey last night.

Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff even “rested” goaltender Ryan Miller for the third period with the Sabres down 3-0. But the goaltender took some of the blame as well.

“We got off to a tough start, for sure,” said Miller in John Vogl’s piece in the Buffalo News. “Guys wanted to get out and get a feel, like it was just going to be another hockey game, then — bam — it’s 2-0. That’s kind of my part. I’ve got to find a way to make another save or two.”

MK: At this rate, the Bruins have to be rooting for Florida to sneak into eighth because who wants a series with Sean Avery? But Buffalo would be a favorable match-up as well.

Elsewhere around the division:

•Montreal moved closer to clinching a playoff berth but finished their rout of Toronto without injured Mathieu Schneider and Andrei Markov.

•Toronto Star columnist Damien Cox thinks the Leafs are in worse shape than others have claimed.