Sabres choke

[kdub]

This game brought us two truths. That Miller isn't as good as he's hyped to be and that this team is still not there to being a Stanley Cup contender.

 

How does 1 game out of 82 bring you these "truths"? And if one game can define a team, what about the Atlanta game THE NIGHT BEFORE? What truths did you get form that one?

 

Not saying Miller is or isn't good, or the team is or isn't ready, but I'm wondering how 1 game can answer either of those.

[Buftex]

How does 1 game out of 82 bring you these "truths"? And if one game can define a team, what about the Atlanta game THE NIGHT BEFORE? What truths did you get form that one?

 

Not saying Miller is or isn't good, or the team is or isn't ready, but I'm wondering how 1 game can answer either of those.

 

 

I know you are not talking to me, but, have you watched the Sabres this year...or for a good part of last two years?

 

Yesterdays loss was nausiatingly similar to so many losses the Sabres have suffered the last few years. Miller is terrific for most of the game...however, and I can't back this up with any stats, because I don't know where to find them, but I would guess that Miller has given up more goals in the final two minutes of the game over the last 3 years than anyone...I don't know...it may be an indication that this team just can't play "protect the lead" hockey, but they are not good at it...Miller, in particular just seems to freeze up in these situations... If you took away all the garbage goals he has given up in the final minutes of games, I would bet that he would be leading the legue in shut-outs over the last 5 years....

 

When the Predators scored their 2nd goal of the game, yesterday, just inside two minutes, cutting the Sabres lead to 1 goal, I would have bet my money with anyone, he was going to give up the tying goal...he just gets that sort of dazed look on his face when he gives up a crappy goal (and he gave up 3 of them yesterday)...for a split second he wants to blame somebody else, then, he just stares, almost cross-eyed, into space...as for the rest of the team, they are not perfect by any means, but they are playing about as well as you can hope for this team, over the last month or so...I think this team can, and will, make the playoffs, and I think they can knock off one of the top four teams, and then, who knows? However, for this to happen, they will have to rely more on scoring 4 or 5 goals a night, than winnig low scoring, one goal games.

[kdub]

I know you are not talking to me, but, have you watched the Sabres this year...or for a good part of last two years?

 

Yesterdays loss was nausiatingly similar to so many losses the Sabres have suffered the last few years. Miller is terrific for most of the game...however, and I can't back this up with any stats, because I don't know where to find them, but I would guess that Miller has given up more goals in the final two minutes of the game over the last 3 years than anyone...I don't know...it may be an indication that this team just can't play "protect the lead" hockey, but they are not good at it...Miller, in particular just seems to freeze up in these situations... If you took away all the garbage goals he has given up in the final minutes of games, I would bet that he would be leading the legue in shut-outs over the last 5 years....

 

When the Predators scored their 2nd goal of the game, yesterday, just inside two minutes, cutting the Sabres lead to 1 goal, I would have bet my money with anyone, he was going to give up the tying goal...he just gets that sort of dazed look on his face when he gives up a crappy goal (and he gave up 3 of them yesterday)...for a split second he wants to blame somebody else, then, he just stares, almost cross-eyed, into space...as for the rest of the team, they are not perfect by any means, but they are playing about as well as you can hope for this team, over the last month or so...I think this team can, and will, make the playoffs, and I think they can knock off one of the top four teams, and then, who knows? However, for this to happen, they will have to rely more on scoring 4 or 5 goals a night, than winnig low scoring, one goal games.

 

Like I said, I wasn't actually stating that it was just an off game for the Sabres or Miller. Regardless, you are basically backing up my first point, that it takes more than just one game to get any "truths" about a team.

 

As for watching the Sabres this year or last for that matter, I haven't been able to watch them since I moved into my current house. We decided to forgo the cable subscription to save some money. I've maybe seen four games in the last two years, but I do stream wgr every couple games, so I really don't have a good handle on how they are playing other than staring at the scoresheets during the game, reading the recaps, listening to RJ and watching highlights.

 

From your description of the last game, sounds like the Sabres are playing like the Bills under Jauron.

Edited March 21, 2011 by kdub

[Buftex]

Like I said, I wasn't actually stating that it was just an off game for the Sabres or Miller. Regardless, you are basically backing up my first point, that it takes more than just one game to get any "truths" about a team.

 

As for watching the Sabres this year or last for that matter, I haven't been able to watch them since I moved into my current house. We decided to forgo the cable subscription to save some money. I've maybe seen four games in the last two years, but I do stream wgr every couple games, so I really don't have a good handle on how they are playing other than staring at the scoresheets during the game, reading the recaps, listening to RJ and watching highlights.

 

From your description of the last game, sounds like the Sabres are playing like the Bills under Jauron.

 

 

You can watch them on-line, you know!

[ricojes]

Sabres choke

Sekera made a horrible play behind the net and that goal was their undoing, which is a shame because he's been playing great. Then a lost faceoff shortly after that and it was tied. They played a really good game though. Had a couple chances to put them away, but couldn't do it. You just have to put it behind you as team and look forward to Tuesday. They blew the win on one play, but they hung on (barely) for a point. 3 points up and 10 to go. They don't get any easier, so hopefully that point doesn't come back to bite them in the end...

Edited March 21, 2011 by ricojes

[Lurker]

This game brought us two truths. That Miller isn't as good as he's hyped to be and that this team is still not there to being a Stanley Cup contender.

My two truths would be: (1) TWS is still full of people who over-react at the drop of a hat, and (2) any team without bonafide centers on the two lines will be in the same position the Sabres are in...

[KD in CA]

Watch out for those New Jersey Devils only 7 points behind and they play the Sabers this Saturday. I know its a long shot for the Devils to make the playoffs but if they can win 9 out of their last 10 they can still get to 90 points.

 

I was more worried about the Devils a week ago. They've lost a couple GIR lately, so doubt they will be able to climb over 3 teams. Hopefully the Sabres can put a stake in them on Saturday.

[Bills(70)]

Rome wasn't built in a day. Pegula just took over in late Feb.

Saying that the Sabres choke is just re-hashing what we've already known for years now.

Let the new owner have the time to affect change. He has already started, Brad Boyes as an addition is a very good step forward.

It allows the Sabres options in the off season to trade for a very skilled center and Boyes was a steal for a 2nd round draft pick.

 

Pominville or Stafford and Hecht along with 1 or 2 of the young defensemen are sure to be packaged for a deal, maybe at the draft, maybe after July 1st, but it's coming for sure.

 

Enjoy the run to the playoffs this season and look forward to the future. It's shaping up to be a bright future at that.

[CodeMonkey]

I was there with my son. With about 5 minutes left I was getting ready for the drive home. Then suddenly it was over, the wrong way. Everyone in there was looking at each other like "WTF just happened", it was all so fast.

 

A bunch or people had left in my section but they must not have made it out the door before the Preds got their second goal because most of them came back to their seats.

 

It was a punch in the gut for sure. I don't think I've ever seen Miller go so quick off the ice before. He was clearly pissed.

And for the life of me I don't know what Sekera was thinking skating the puck into the Sabres crease like that with a couple minutes left and a 2 goal lead. And Lindy putting Sekera on the ice for the first shift of OT after he brain farted the second preds goal and was on the ice for the third. The Preds had four goals and Sekera was at least -3 that game. Crazy ****.

Edited March 21, 2011 by CodeMonkey

[Jon in Pasadena]

Let the new owner have the time to affect change. He has already started, Brad Boyes as an addition is a very good step forward.

It allows the Sabres options in the off season to trade for a very skilled center and Boyes was a steal for a 2nd round draft pick.

I liked this pick-up a lot, and it didn't take him long at all to start scoring a bunch of timely goals. Nice move by the new F.O.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Jon in Pasadena

[Doc]

I liked this pick-up a lot, and it didn't take him long at all to start scoring a bunch of timely goals. Nice move by the new F.O.

It was likely a move orchestrated by the old FO. Not that Darcy Regier went anywhere.

[Buftex]

It was likely a move orchestrated by the old FO. Not that Darcy Regier went anywhere.

 

 

Not so sure about that. In the past, under the previous owner, the Sabres wouldn't have picked up a player like Boyce, as he has another year on his contract...and his salary is substantial, in the bigger scheme of things. Darcy might have thought about it, but I am not sure that they would have been able to pull it off, with the financial constraints of the Golisano ownership.

[Taro T]

Not so sure about that. In the past, under the previous owner, the Sabres wouldn't have picked up a player like Boyce, as he has another year on his contract...and his salary is substantial, in the bigger scheme of things. Darcy might have thought about it, but I am not sure that they would have been able to pull it off, with the financial constraints of the Golisano ownership.

The FO typically refers to the GM & scouts. That portion of the organization is unchanged as of yet, which is what Doc was referring to. Expecting major additions to the scouting department in the off-season.

 

Though the FO hasn't changed, the guys approving/nixing the FO's handiwork have definitely changed.

[Doc]

Not so sure about that. In the past, under the previous owner, the Sabres wouldn't have picked up a player like Boyce, as he has another year on his contract...and his salary is substantial, in the bigger scheme of things. Darcy might have thought about it, but I am not sure that they would have been able to pull it off, with the financial constraints of the Golisano ownership.

 

 

The FO typically refers to the GM & scouts. That portion of the organization is unchanged as of yet, which is what Doc was referring to. Expecting major additions to the scouting department in the off-season.

 

Though the FO hasn't changed, the guys approving/nixing the FO's handiwork have definitely changed.

The Sabres added Spacek for about $3.3M a year from 2006-2009, and that's commensurate with what Boyes is getting today. True Spacek was a FA and Boyes was a trade, but the team is still $3.5M under the cap, while it was $2.2M under in 2009-2010.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Doc

[ExiledInIllinois]

I know you are not talking to me, but, have you watched the Sabres this year...or for a good part of last two years?

 

Yesterdays loss was nausiatingly similar to so many losses the Sabres have suffered the last few years. Miller is terrific for most of the game...however, and I can't back this up with any stats, because I don't know where to find them, but I would guess that Miller has given up more goals in the final two minutes of the game over the last 3 years than anyone...I don't know...it may be an indication that this team just can't play "protect the lead" hockey, but they are not good at it...Miller, in particular just seems to freeze up in these situations... If you took away all the garbage goals he has given up in the final minutes of games, I would bet that he would be leading the legue in shut-outs over the last 5 years....

 

When the Predators scored their 2nd goal of the game, yesterday, just inside two minutes, cutting the Sabres lead to 1 goal, I would have bet my money with anyone, he was going to give up the tying goal...he just gets that sort of dazed look on his face when he gives up a crappy goal (and he gave up 3 of them yesterday)...for a split second he wants to blame somebody else, then, he just stares, almost cross-eyed, into space...as for the rest of the team, they are not perfect by any means, but they are playing about as well as you can hope for this team, over the last month or so...I think this team can, and will, make the playoffs, and I think they can knock off one of the top four teams, and then, who knows? However, for this to happen, they will have to rely more on scoring 4 or 5 goals a night, than winnig low scoring, one goal games.

 

 

BINGO! Now when he rests... He usually gains his composure for the next game. He gets flustered during a game and his positioning seems off. I don't know what it is!!! He comes unglued at times and 1, 2, 3 goals quickly follow! I have said it years ago, Lindy can't manage his goalies... He was blessed with Hasak. A coach (as much as I hate him) like Laviolette would have straightend him out... Like how he did Martin Gerber/Cam Ward in the conference finals against the Sabres. Lindy is a players coach and this is what is hurting the team from time to time... Sometimes he has to step on Ryan's toes, well okay skates!!!

 

I was there with my son. With about 5 minutes left I was getting ready for the drive home. Then suddenly it was over, the wrong way. Everyone in there was looking at each other like "WTF just happened", it was all so fast.

 

A bunch or people had left in my section but they must not have made it out the door before the Preds got their second goal because most of them came back to their seats.

 

It was a punch in the gut for sure. I don't think I've ever seen Miller go so quick off the ice before. He was clearly pissed.

And for the life of me I don't know what Sekera was thinking skating the puck into the Sabres crease like that with a couple minutes left and a 2 goal lead. And Lindy putting Sekera on the ice for the first shift of OT after he brain farted the second preds goal and was on the ice for the third. The Preds had four goals and Sekera was at least -3 that game. Crazy ****.

 

 

HOW in the world does anyone leave with a 2 goal lead... A two goal lead in hockey is so flimsy... I can see a 3 goal lead...

Edited March 22, 2011 by ExiledInIllinois

[Bills(70)]

The FO typically refers to the GM & scouts. That portion of the organization is unchanged as of yet, which is what Doc was referring to. Expecting major additions to the scouting department in the off-season.

 

Though the FO hasn't changed, the guys approving/nixing the FO's handiwork have definitely changed.

Agreed on everything here.

Also, if some of the faithful would have noticed (which I know you have Mr. Taro), Brad Boyes comes at 4 mil for next season. A very good price for a sniping right winger. More importantly, due to his off seasons this last year in a half with the St. Louis Blues, he came for only a 2nd round draft pick, that price is very good for a 28 year old right wing sniper who needed a change of scenery.

 

I can see Vanek - Roy - Boyes forming a solid scoring line next season.

I already see the chemistry Ennis and Stafford are forming as wingers, just need that stud superstar center to complete them.

That leaves Pominville as the odd man out in my opinion. 5.3 mil (I believe?) for Pominville is way to much, although Pommers brings a good 2 way game.

Pominville's contract is a bit high, but he has great value to other clubs who lack a 60+ point line 2 right winger who plays the PK and PP. If Regier is going to move someone, I have to imagine it's Pommers given the cap space he frees up combined with the logjam at right wing already here and coming.

Current Right Wingers:

Brad Boyes (Sniper)

Drew Stafford (Sniper)

Jason Pominville (Two-way Forward)

Mike Grier (Shutdown Forward)

Patrick Kaleta (Checking Forward)

Mark Mancari (Power Forward)

Zach Kassian (Power Forward)

 

Grier won't be back in my opinion.

Kassian heads to Portland.

Mancari will get re-signed and finally be up with the big club, he's paid his dues and Gerbe and him click, they've both stated such. He's cheap and allows Kassian the time for next season to develop in the AHL. A good call up when Kaleta gets injured.

 

That leaves Pominville at 28 years old as the odd man out to me. Of course, Regier falls in love with his players, so we shall see what happens, but I can't see them moving Boyes or Stafford given their performance this season and Stafford is still only 25 years old.

 

Pominville in a package deal could land a very decent center if the package includes some young stud defensemen, like Butler, Sekera or Weber (although, I highly doubt Weber is going anywhere, just a good solid checking, stay at home type defenseman).

 

I am actually looking forward to the off season for the first time in a long time for the Sabres.

[RJ (not THAT RJ)]

I know you are not talking to me, but, have you watched the Sabres this year...or for a good part of last two years?

 

Yesterdays loss was nausiatingly similar to so many losses the Sabres have suffered the last few years. Miller is terrific for most of the game...however, and I can't back this up with any stats, because I don't know where to find them, but I would guess that Miller has given up more goals in the final two minutes of the game over the last 3 years than anyone...I don't know...it may be an indication that this team just can't play "protect the lead" hockey, but they are not good at it...Miller, in particular just seems to freeze up in these situations... If you took away all the garbage goals he has given up in the final minutes of games, I would bet that he would be leading the legue in shut-outs over the last 5 years....

 

When the Predators scored their 2nd goal of the game, yesterday, just inside two minutes, cutting the Sabres lead to 1 goal, I would have bet my money with anyone, he was going to give up the tying goal...he just gets that sort of dazed look on his face when he gives up a crappy goal (and he gave up 3 of them yesterday)...for a split second he wants to blame somebody else, then, he just stares, almost cross-eyed, into space...as for the rest of the team, they are not perfect by any means, but they are playing about as well as you can hope for this team, over the last month or so...I think this team can, and will, make the playoffs, and I think they can knock off one of the top four teams, and then, who knows? However, for this to happen, they will have to rely more on scoring 4 or 5 goals a night, than winnig low scoring, one goal games.

 

 

We actually agree on many things, but for the record, last year the Sabres were something like 32-0 when leading after 2 periods. Then they lost three times in the playoffs to Boston while leading after 2, but that is another story. Sigh.

 

This team has potential, but still has holes. Miller is good, but he is no Hasek. The team needs consistent offense. They will probably still make the playoffs, but a long run is unlikely. Still, that is better than things looked in November, so perspective helps all around.

 

Following the Sabres since the 1970s is in some ways better, some ways worse than following the Bills. For so many of their seasons, the Sabres, even when they were good, were unbalanced—strong offense with weak defense or the other way around. And they have consistently showed weak character in the playoffs, with a few notable exceptions. And even with all their talent and regular season success, they have not yet had that one streak of good fortune that leads a good team to catch lightning in a bottle and win it all. At least not yet.

[Buftex]

We actually agree on many things, but for the record, last year the Sabres were something like 32-0 when leading after 2 periods. Then they lost three times in the playoffs to Boston while leading after 2, but that is another story. Sigh.

 

This team has potential, but still has holes. Miller is good, but he is no Hasek. The team needs consistent offense. They will probably still make the playoffs, but a long run is unlikely. Still, that is better than things looked in November, so perspective helps all around.

 

Following the Sabres since the 1970s is in some ways better, some ways worse than following the Bills. For so many of their seasons, the Sabres, even when they were good, were unbalanced—strong offense with weak defense or the other way around. And they have consistently showed weak character in the playoffs, with a few notable exceptions. And even with all their talent and regular season success, they have not yet had that one streak of good fortune that leads a good team to catch lightning in a bottle and win it all. At least not yet.

 

Yes, I recall that. But, I also recall him giving up numerous goals in the final minute or two of games...he had so many near-shutouts...I realize, bigger picture, shut-outs don't mean all that much, as long as you win...but I swear, I feel like he turns into a different goaltender in those situations...when the pressure is on, and the opposing team is scrambling to get the puck on the net...like he just loses his vision...reminds me of my girlfriends' daughter, when she drives on I-35...she told me she "just changes lanes, and hopes there are no accidents"

 

Its' interesting what you say about the team being flawed for most of it's existence. I started watching around 73-74, but didn't always understand the game, until the late 70's early 80's during the Bowman era. I missed the bulk of the 90's, as it was impossible to live out of town, in those days, and follow the Sabres. And, you are right. It seems, more often than not, we have a defensively sound team, that struggles to score goals when they need them...I kind of like the offensive part of our game, the last month or so...starting to get a little of that 2006 mojo, it seems...I am not expecting big things from this team, but I won't be shocked, either, if they make a good run.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Buftex

[BuffOrange]

Boy I really hope they don't play the Flyers. Having to listen to their homer announcers complain about every call and non-call always makes me want to stab them in the face with a screwdriver.

[Doc]

Boy I really hope they don't play the Flyers. Having to listen to their homer announcers complain about every call and non-call always makes me want to stab them in the face with a screwdriver.

I don't know which is worse: the Philly homer announcers or the Bahstun homer announcers.