There's no "I" in team

Thomas Vanek was on pace for almost 60 goals last year before he was struck in the face with a puck in a game against the Ottawa Senators last year. He ended the year with 40, but was definitely one of the hottest goal scorers in the game.
He's the only player to register at least 25 goals in his first four seasons for the Sabres since all-time great Gilbert Perreault.
This season, not so much. Vanek has 12 goals after the midway point and is on pace for about 22. Personally, I'm extremely disappointed with his play. Coach Lindy Ruff has always had problems with his consistency but this year there seems to be an extreme lack of any effort from the Austrian-born goal scorer.
The Sabres seem to lack a "superstar," yet they have a commanding 10 point lead in the Northeast Division and are 2 points behind New Jersey for the conference lead.
How is this possible you ask?
Well, Buffalo is as healthy as a team could be at this point in the season. Aside from the injuries plaguing rough winger Patrick Kaleta, none of the team has come down with a serious injury yet.
Note too that Patrick Kaleta scored the opening goal in Thursday's game against Atlanta, his first game back after one of his many trips to the injury list.
Also, the Sabres have some of the best balanced scoring in the league.
They bring to the table a lineup of ten different 20 point scorers, and eight different players with at least ten goals. Just because there isn't a superstar such as Sidney Crosby or Patrick Marleau (the first players to 30 goals this season) on the team doesn't mean that the points won't come.
Tim Connolly, signed last year to a 2 year, $9 million contract, has managed to stay perfectly healthy all year. This is very good seeing as Connolly is known around the league as one of the most injury-prone players, especially with his past concussion problems.
Connolly is currently second in goal scoring for the Sabres and leads them in points with 38, four above Derek Roy, who is another player that could definitely step up his play this season.
There are definitely some bright spots for years to come with the new batch of rookies that have been granted the honor of playing in the big leagues.
Tyler Myers who, in my opinion, could be a serious contender for the Calder trophy come April, has surprised every Buffalo fan and fans around the league.
He is fourth in team point scoring and recently had a two goal performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Zdeno Chara is 6'9" and one of the best defensemen in the league (not to mention the tallest ever) but when he was young it took him three or four years to assimilate into the NHL's system and develop his skating to become one of the elite.
Myers, however, has some of the smoothest skating on the team, despite his 6'8" stature, it seems he has greatness in him to become a wonderful offensive defenseman for many years to come.
Oh yeah, he's only 19 too.
Tim Kennedy is a hometown favorite as well and while the scoring may not be too high this season, he definitely has potential in him.
Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerbe have also scored a goal each in the only game they've played this season.
Rookies galore, other veterans such as one of my personal favorites, Mike Grier, are stepping it up.

There's no question that the Sabres could use a little more jump in their game, but with the solid goaltending of USA starting goalie Ryan Miller and a sound simple game with balanced scoring and good health, the Sabres could easily make the playoffs.

Once they're in however, that's another story...