Jorcus

If crappy teams keep failing to score with the goalie pulled eventually the Analytics are going to say not to do it. Generalized statistics should not eliminate other inputs. In my mind they pulled the goalie too early in that circumstance because they had been getting some chances 5 on 5. Maybe I am wrong but the analytics are not stagnant. Very few teams used to pull a goalie in a 1 goal game until under 2 minutes. Now that they do it and the other team expects them to do it. The advantage becomes less and may even come to the point where they say don't do it at all. There is no right answer in a 1 game isolated circumstance. We could have won or lost either way. I would not blame a coach for going against an analytical indicator if they felt other circumstances told them not to.

Well at least you did not link us to Strokin.

Is this treated like IR for roster count?

I know like all of us that this is a post out of disappointment. The thing about off loading UPL is the question of do we have a replacement for him that is any better? It would be easy to say yes but we really don't know. We can't even win with Lyon in the net because we are not scoring enough to support him. Because of that fact I am still fixated on our offense issues. Quinn is part of that. I don't know who decided he should play point on the power play but it was Skinner flashbacks. Its time to put 2 d men on the power play full time.

UPL sucked but even if he was perfect that would have gotten us a tie game. This scoring drought is what is killing us. Very frustrating.

Dunne seems like the kind of AHL player that can come up and give you 10 good games before the grind of the NHL becomes reality and trying hard is just not enough to get you through.

Yes length of service on the short side for a tribute.

Just wanted to point out that Quinn had just come on the ice so that's why he looks to be in no mans land. He did get to his spot but did little once he was there. Ruff can bitch about the play but he was the guy who threw him over the wall in a defensive situation.

The first thing Granato did was to have his best faceoff man at the time (Mitts) take the faceoff to win possession. Mitts would skate off the ice and be replaced by a faster skater. It was all about possession and holding for a breakdown. They would wear the other team down and trap them until they got a really good chance. It was a novel concept at the time and other teams started to copy it. Not having Norris hurts 3 on 3 a lot. He is the best faceoff man we have, he is very fast and can finish his shots. This also huts the power play because of the faceoff issue. Last I looked we were the worst faceoff team in the NHL. Bottom line though the shooting has to get better all around. Just not finishing enough chances.

For me it's the same thing as what has been happening a lot so far this year. They are just not finishing good chances. Quinn had 2 or 3 where it was him vs goalie. Thompson has 2 post hits. The Tuch/ McLoud play. Tuch in overtime. Kesselring had a free look. The defense and goaltending are keeping them in games, They have got to find a way out of the scoring slump.

Technically he is waivers exempt but the injury status may play into that somehow.

I don't think I can tell the difference unless someone is screaming it at me.

I was pondering on this as well. If it's just about getting a shot off from the area in front of the net vs a shot from the wing there is some sub text to that stat you would have to take into consideration. Allowing an initial shot from in close is not as dangerous as the second or third chance from in close. If the D men are clearing the puck or putting the shooters on the ice it would certainly help prevent goals. The other question is what about preventing goals from what are considered low danger areas? Thompson, Ovi, Matthews and Zibanejad among others score many goals from an area that is considered low danger on NHL edge at least. It's slowing down the cross ice passes or blocking that helps prevent those shots. In my mind are just as high danger with certain players on the ice. Getting back to the Sabres PK They certainly are good at harassing the play before it gets in the zone. They were good at that last year as well. The second stage is trying to get possession of the puck before the power play can set up. Some nights they are pretty good at it but I think it depends on the speed of the other teams players. The third is to stay in the box and if a puck does get inside try to prevent the second and third chance. I think that is what they have been better at.

Power seems to get the drop back plan better than Dahlin. Normally he is only getting one rush anyway but if he beats his man he keeps going. Dahlin did beat the guy then drop back last night which is dangerous move. For the most part Dahlin has been doing it better this year than last but still needs work.

A few random comments about the game. Sabres are certainly tougher to play against this year. Dahlin may not be playing great but he is not hurting you on defense and you add that to all the rest of them it's pretty stout. If Power is your weak link I think any other team would wish for that top 6. Sabres still have a problem scoring on the a+ chances the generate. You have to think at least one night they will all go in. The Quinn, Kulich, Rosen line was good in the O zone but had trouble in the D zone. That was a tough test against Washington. Ovi is quickly becoming and anchor. He will get his goal but I expect the ice time is going to be less and less. UPL was fighting the puck in the first half of the game but did settle down. Even the first goal was bit of a mess when Byram moved the puck up the wall I think he hit the refs skate and it caused a turnover with everyone of of position. They were not able to overcome the scramble. The second goal Power cheated in the zone, No one covered the vacated point and Washington just sent the puck to open ice. Third was a hard bouncer. The Sabres have really got to focus on getting that 4th goal. It's hard to win with three anymore.