Jorcus

The Sabres have lost 12 games this year where they have scored 2 goals or less. This team is not designed to win games where they score only 2 goals. The lack of consistent offence is a problem. They could reduce goals against but it won't help without the offence. It's not a team average issue it's a mean issue. How many games they score 3 or more vs how many games they score less than three. The games where they go off and score 8 and 9 goals help the average but only count 2 points each.

The loss of Zucker amplifies a big issue this team has. That is the lack of scoring from the left wing. The lineup last night Greenway 1 goal Benson 0 goals Malenstyn 3 goals Zucker 9 goals 5 of which were on the power play. The loss of Peterka has really hurt us in this area of the game. We can't put together a line that scores with consistency without that threat from the left wing. Peterka filled in for Skinner who despite his flaws put a lot of goals in the net with Thompson and Tuch. Of the Amerks, Östlund is the most Natural left winger. I am not sure if he is ever going to be a 30 goal guy. Rosen is a lefty but like Peterka is listed a a right winger. Neither should be on the top line but I guess we have nothing else go with. I know goaltending is bad but we can't ignore how bad the offense is and the problem is left of center.

I think this site would have gone bonkers mad if we had selected Wallstedt with that pick. He lights out right now but the Wild has for the most part been a defensive oriented team where goaltenders do well. Wallstedt may turn out to be a fine goalie but looking at his AHL stats you have to think he could go bad and any moment. in 27 games last year he had a .879 save percentage. That is bad for an AHL goaltender. Let's wait and see if he holds up before we complain about not going after him.

Paul Hamilton stated postgame last week that Thompson likes playing with Greenway. There are positives and negatives but it is a big line and will be hard to push around. Who is coming in for Östlund.

The Checkers have always been a tough team for Rochester to beat. Let's see how it goes in the second game.

It's one thing I miss about Peterka. He is an on stick off stick shooter. Too many of our guys try to pick the spots.

He is not playing very well in Rochester right now. Elevating a slumping goalie is no answer.

I feel like a broken record after these losses but again it comes down to converting chances. Most teams are going to lose only scoring 2 goals. This is another night where pucks that should be in the net are not going in. Doan could of had a hat trick last night but nothing worked out. Tuch, Thompson, Norris all not converting good chances. I don't know why. A lot of wide shots last night. Yes there were other problems, coverage, goaltending, and coaching. This team gets enough good chances that they should be able to outscore those issues on most nights.

Well that may change. With the return of Brady Tkachuck he is bumped to PP2. If you watch highlight videos of Cozens most of his goals come from skating with speed toward the net. He can score from distance but its the open rush shot where he puts them in. He is not very good at net front scrum hockey. He is willing, just not effective.

With the return of Norris he is not going to be on PP 1 anymore and for the life of my I have no idea why he was playing on the point. He really can't cover for Dahlin. It reminded me of the Skinner days. If he is on a PP he should be down on the wing.

Yes I ment to say Cozens. I do feel that he is the same player that left here. He is scoring a bit more this year. The only thing I would point out is Ottawa's goaltending is worse than ours is this year and it's costing them a lot of money.

It's funny though as much as Adams may have made lemonade out of a lemon situation there still seems to be a perception that that if you trade with the Sabres you are going to get the better player. I was watching Ottawa play Montreal last night and the announcers were talking about Cousins and how players improve when the leave the Sabres. Just as they were saying that Cousins got blasted off his skates by a Canadian.

But you know what happened to Ray McKigney.

Looking at the schedule they have a shot although they are a number of games on the road. Last two are the Wild and Utah they could be tougher. Never know what Islanders team shows up. That is next.

It only gets difficult when Justin Danforth comes back assuming all others are healthy. Not sure why they signed this Amerk blocker to a 2 year 1.8 AAV contract. If this was Jarmo's doing it's a bad look. Not sure where they intended to slot him into the lineup in the first place. With that contract he is going to be difficult to get rid of this year. I am not worried about losing Dunn but this guy could cost us Kozak.