PerreaultForever

Hmmm........... Well it's obvious the Jets did not come prepared to compete. I'm not sure they took the Sabres too lightly or were just too slow (maybe both) but they did get embarrassed. On the other side, that is how the Sabres have to play. Has to be all about speed and swarming with that speed and it was. You can win hockey games that way. Norris? Well, how many games do we get? I guess that's the question. Nobody ever doubted his talent and it was on display. There's no real negatives (although Krebs was probably lucky or smart enough not to get killed :)). There were some mistakes similar to other games but they can survive those with team speed so they weren't costly or overly noticeable. idk, this keeps up Adams will keep his job and say see, this was the plan all along.

You can get lost in stats, and stats guys will never agree, but it's what you see on the ice that really matters. You can see the differences clearly if you watch other games with better teams and what they do compared to what the Sabres do and don't do. That's the comparison for me.

Stats will never give you the answer. The difference between winning and losing always comes down to effort at key moment, discipline, good coaching decisions (and a good system), leadership to rise to the occasion, attention to detail so you don't make mistakes, and just the will to give it your all and get it done. None of that will show up in stats on zone time or shooting percentage or goals for or whatever. Those are just interesting overall assessments. What really matters is effort, and effort at key moments.

It's a funny thing but there are always lots of good stats on Sabres teams but there we are, last place with the lowest win percentage in the east.

Yes I would most definitely trade Byram. Didn't see anything from Kesselring that impressed me. Disappointed actually but the sample size is small. imo Timmons has dropped off substantially and currently is very very average at best.

Well I'm seeing them end up as goals for the opposition.

Now how are they on goals against from defensive giveaways?

I'm still going to swim against the tide and say the real problem isn't the goalies, it's the team D. Good D makes mediocre goalies into good goalies. We have mediocre goalies but bad D. When you have good D the goalies play braver, worry less about rebound control, have better sight lines, and less traffic in front. They suddenly look like better goalies in that sort of system/team. There are exceptions, but we aren't going to get an acrobat like Hasek again. We need better D.

It's absolutely impossible to evaluate this team with Norris as part of it since he hasn't played more than a few minutes. The biggest problem is still the D. They need another big guy who plays at least like Samuelsson is playing this year. If I'm the GM I'm trading whatever flashy forwards I need to to get that. Ideally, trading Norris, but I imagine that's impossible.

I'd want to see detailed stats on high danger chances, breakaways, actual saves above expected and all that other stuff. As @pastajoe said he passes the eye test and just looks more in control of the net with calm sound positioning. But if you want to make the argument they are all the same then you keep the two younger ones.

Well the hockey gods took pity on them and gave them the lucky bounce of the year so far. It's a pity they can't get to more shootouts cause they have the skill guys to win those. Now fix the goalie situation. Ellis is obviously a keeper.

Well I think Adams intelligence is "aritificial" so we've already been led by AI. This actually might matter. If Terry is maximizing savings on the team (and I think he is) it gives him the right moment to clean house with the least expense. I fully expect Jarmo to be GM next year. Whether others are fired or moved to other roles remains to be seen.

Win streaks end. Teams get cocky and complacent. I expect them to take the Sabres lightly with their win streak going and thus, if the Sabres play well they can win it. Will they play well? wtfk.

Getting to the point we are more shocked when they win.

Defensive giveaways. Byram tonight on 2 of them. Brutal. Other nights it's Power or even Dahlin or whoever but it happens every game. Why? Honestly I think it's a simple explanation. They are soft, they don't like to get hit, and so they panic and try to make a pass out when there isn't one. These are the type of plays that coaches like Tortorella bench players for. With the Sabres, it's a way of life.

I watched this on replay so late to the funeral but it was same same. In a way they played just as well as NJ for much of it but 2 brutal giveaways by Byram and weak D by everybody (just watching the puck instead of doing their job) on the other one and that's 3-0 game over. The rest of the goals I don't really count as much as they were pressing and playing up so inevitable if you lose possession. It's the same stuff all the time for years now. No real surprises. Mixed feelings on the Thompson fight but I do wish he'd be that guy more often. Anyone still think they will make the playoffs?

Ya, there was a moment way back when Dudley was available. Before Florida hired him as a senior advisor. It was a hope and a dream but Pegula doesn't want a strong personality in charge. Dudley was the perfect hockey player. Talented, but not super talented, maximum effort every game, personality, character, leadership, did whatever was necessary and brought that every night (and then there was that headband :)) His post playing career is really impressive and he really does seem to know what is what and who is who. Never gonna happen though. As I've said many times, we all should have realized what was going to happen when LaFontaine walked. LaFontaine wanted this job. You don't walk from a situation like that unless you realize your situation will be hopeless. Could be worse though. They could have hired Trotz. Great coach, but possibly a worse GM than Adams. Possibly.

True, but perhaps they have big egos and think more highly of their chances. It's all just speculative and maybe it's other things entirely. I mean I find myself thinking Power just isn't that interested in being a hockey player but maybe he wants to play himself off the team too. idk. The only thing I know for certain, because you see it in games, is too many of these guys take shifts or whole nights off and all too often they are too soft on plays. The inconsistencies result in losses. I mean we can even add Dahlin. Sure, great D man. Very talented. Build a franchise around him. BUT also recognize he's 4th in the league (recent stats I saw on twitter) in defensive zone giveaways. The team all too often is sloppy, undisciplined, inconsistent, and sometimes lacking in effort. Details matter, and details are killing them every year.

He's definitely the Sabres best D this year and last night (and some other games) he was their best player on the ice.

I won't disagree on Byram's lame effort but you have to consider Tage's reach and strength. He has the size and ability to go right to the guy and muscle him out or interfere with his stick. He's definitely in position, but he's passive, and that's the problem. It's not just him, it's Sabres in general. They are fast enough to get back in position or they are in position but they are passive or just try to use their sticks. Strong players just walk around or through them. In this case it was Tage.

Swayman was very good but shots were mostly from far out, sight lines were open, net front was largely controlled, most plays were one and done. Team D is very good on the Bruins. If they find more scoring they could surprise. As is I doubt they are a playoff team either. The biggest contrast for me with the Sabres would be to watch a guy like Zadorov in front of their net and compare it with Power. Power will skate towards a player and maybe put his stick out to try to get the puck. Zadorov has his body right on the guy, he's muscling him out or tying him up and if he can't he will lift the guys stick off the ice to neutralize him. Watching him battle a strong guy like Anders Lee was a beautiful lesson on defense.

Seattle played Dallas dead even last night. Just lost on a late goal. They're good though. Basically the same as they were. Only one gets out of the division.

I do wonder if both are trying to stay healthy to be available. Leaders don't always have to be "high skill" but otherwise I agree.

Could be coaching. Could be trying to play themselves off the team. Could be they just don't care (or care enough). Thompson's always had these lazy moments. he also has really good ones. The Detroit game was the best example of what he is capable of, but he's rarely shown the desire to be that all the time. imo you need to surround a guy like that with hard working vets. You can't expect a guy like that to be the leader of others, especially youngsters.

and this is why you don't jump on the bandwagon with this team after a few decent games. The disappointment always follows eventually. There were some good things but overall for much of the game it didn't feel to me like they had a chance at all. Only in the third when it was still close. Now, the thing I really want to point out is WTF is Thompson doing on the second Pittsburgh goal? I see some of you bitching about UPL out of position (and he was) but go look at it again and look at Thompson. He's right in front, perfect position to get his stick in the lane and prevent or block the shot and he just floats around between players achieving nothing. Big guy like that with his reach, how does he just do nothing there? These details boggle my mind with this team cause they happen over and over again. Power of course was weak on the third goal but nothing new there. The other thing that bugs me is the 6 on 5. I also watched the Islanders Bruins and in that game Islanders pulled the goalie early and they had 3 guys in and around the paint. Three. Sabres have one guy in there. Just one. Who tf designs this? Is it Appert? It's the dumbest softest most futile 6 on 5 in the league. You just can't give away 4 point spreads to teams you are trying to catch and hope for the playoffs, you just can't.