'One thing that has become painfully evident is that the Sabres are mediocre when they’re not skating well. Skating is about effort and nothing else, and it was absent for too many stretches in a 5-1 loss Friday night. Minnesota was the stronger, more resourceful team. It left with a lopsided win because it outworked Buffalo, plain and simple. You haven’t heard that too often since the Sabres began their post-lockout march toward the top of the league.'