GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[McJeff215]

Rangers blew an early 2-0 on Ottawa, losing 3-2. Bastards.

 

And ... umm ... yeah, that Quiznos meat commercial is just crazy! What's the FCC's stand on sexually suggestive commercials?

 

 

Whatever it is, I'll bet it's overly restrictive. I used to love picking CBC up across the river back home. Stop THIS, FCC!

[SabresFan526]

Disappointing game in my opinion because while it was fun to watch, the Sabres really did not play well. We got a point and it was grand larceny that we even got that point cause we did not deserve it. The Sabres were outplayed the entire game. They gave up 2 power play goals, and Miller gave up a horrible goal in the second period. I knew Gaustad was a very valuable player, but with how poorly the PK is right now, I'm seeing how incredibly important he is. Our penalty kill has been horrendous since Gaustad went down. Second, we cannot score at all on the power play. I'm not sure why, but simply we don't seem to be able to. Third, I'd like to see Lindy send out some different players in the shootout sometimes. One of the best breakaway players I have ever seen was when Chris Drury played with Colorado. He was simply automatic on the breakaway with them. I'd like to see him shoot. I think we could use Drury for Vanek. Fourth, for some reason, Versus lost its connection during Vanek's shot, so I didn't even see it, which really pissed me off. Overall, I think we played a bad game and somehow came away with a point, which is good. The one positive we can takeaway from this game was the last 5 minutes of the third period. This team is resilient, they have no quit in them, but we all knew that anyway. The Drury goal at the end was clutch, and it was classic Drury on a feed from Briere. Darcy, did you see that? In the final minute when we needed a goal the most, we get a goal from Drury on a feed from Briere. Do whatever it takes to keep Drury and Briere. I don't care what it is, but you have to keep them both. Overall, a very fun game to watch, and we got a completely undeserved point on the road, but hey, I'll take it.

[hopeleslyobvious]

I was talking to a friend on aim and we both typed "Drury, Briere, Roy" for the shootout. Augh.

 

well, on to Florida.

 

Drury is 0 for 1 this year, and I believe 0 for 1 last year as well. His shootout attempt last year was against the Rangers, and he was the only shooter not to score that night.

[ko12010]

I agree. Why not use Roy, or Hecht or hell, a defenceman? Tallinder??

 

 

 

 

 

What about Drury? I think he's only taken 1 this year. What is with this? He shoud be taking it every time.

[hopeleslyobvious]

What about Drury? I think he's only taken 1 this year. What is with this? He shoud be taking it every time.

 

I seem to remember him looking very uncomfortable out there...not that Vanek looked all that comfortable.

[Monkeygirl]

Zubrus got more ice time than Drury tonight. That's just wrong. I wish we could give Chris good, solid linemates, like those the other captain has.

[BuffalOhio]

That one hurt

 

Was it Gonchar or Rechhi on the tip??

 

Big difference in PP was they have guys in front of the net and the Sabres didn't..

 

Okay all you bridge jumpers ... proceed

 

Buffalo: :ph34r: :ph34r: Pittsburgh: :death: :death: :death: :death:

 

Actually, it was tipped in off Drury's stick when he tried to block it, but that idiot Brickley couldn't notice that. F'ng chump!

[fushetti]

but they definintely "made things right".

 

Made things right eh?

 

Please, they gave a crap effort for 2+ periods. Story of the Sabres season, only this time, everyone is banged up to complete the amazing comeback and win in OT. I HATE the effort laid out there by this team on a nightly basis (been thinking that since October). I'm sick of saying "man, THAT team outskated us or THAT team wanted it more" What did they end with? 16 shots? I was flipping out watching Pittsburgh outskate, outhit, clog the lanes, create turnovers, and generally take it to the Sabres. Luckily Miller made some great saves to keep them in things. The first Buffalo powerplay was quite possibly the worst PP i've ever seen. Was I happy they went to OT? Of course... but lets keep in mind what happened for the first 55 minutes. Crap effort AGAIN! They don't pull it together this year, it'll be a while till Buffalo will be poised for a Cup run. Pittsburgh is going to be a powerhouse and I don't want to see them in the playoffs.

[Stoner]

I almost wish we hadn't tied it up. I don't care what any of you say about that, but come on, it wasn't a good effrot by any stretch of the imagination. There is much to fix, starting with work ethic.

 

You're the woman! Excellent comment. And very gutsy. I'm starting to call this team "fool's gold."

 

 

 

Made things right eh?

 

Please, they gave a crap effort for 2+ periods. Story of the Sabres season, only this time, everyone is banged up to complete the amazing comeback and win in OT. I HATE the effort laid out there by this team on a nightly basis (been thinking that since October). I'm sick of saying "man, THAT team outskated us or THAT team wanted it more" What did they end with? 16 shots? I was flipping out watching Pittsburgh outskate, outhit, clog the lanes, create turnovers, and generally take it to the Sabres. Luckily Miller made some great saves to keep them in things. The first Buffalo powerplay was quite possibly the worst PP i've ever seen. Was I happy they went to OT? Of course... but lets keep in mind what happened for the first 55 minutes. Crap effort AGAIN! They don't pull it together this year, it'll be a while till Buffalo will be poised for a Cup run. Pittsburgh is going to be a powerhouse and I don't want to see them in the playoffs.

 

And you're the man! Now that's my fushetti.

[Bmwolf21]

it is, but i remember plays like those earlier in the season where miller woulda jammed his stick out at the puck instead of letting the shooter get that close to him.

Maybe that is symbolic of how much Ryan is struggling right now - second-guessing himself, low confidence maybe?

 

I agree. Why not use Roy, or Hecht or hell, a defenceman? Tallinder??

Or Zubrus, Pominville, MacArthur...

 

Zubrus got more ice time than Drury tonight. That's just wrong. I wish we could give Chris good, solid linemates, like those the other captain has.

Sadly, that has been Chris' fate for the last two years - he got stuck with "stone hands Grier" last year and this year gets whoever is left after the Briere line, the checking line and Roy lines are set...so much for creating any chemistry with a winger...

[hopeleslyobvious]

Maybe that is symbolic of how much Ryan is struggling right now - second-guessing himself, low confidence maybe?

 

Or Zubrus, Pominville, MacArthur...

Sadly, that has been Chris' fate for the last two years - he got stuck with "stone hands Grier" last year and this year gets whoever is left after the Briere line, the checking line and Roy lines are set...so much for creating any chemistry with a winger...

 

Stuck with Grier? Are you nuts? Drury and Grier had great chemistry and were able to shut down the opposition's top line.

[SabresFan526]

Stuck with Grier? Are you nuts? Drury and Grier had great chemistry and were able to shut down the opposition's top line.

 

They better have chemistry. They were linemates at BU as well. I was actually quite sad to see Grier go, myself. Great defensive forward and great on the penalty kill, which has been horrendous as of late.

[hopeleslyobvious]

You're the woman! Excellent comment. And very gutsy. I'm starting to call this team "fool's gold."

 

Excellent comment? By the way this race is ending up that goal with 4 seconds left could mean home ice all the way through the conference finals. I don't care how bad the effort was, a point is a point.

[Monkeygirl]

PA, don't you feel the same? We are a great team...when we skate hard and battle for the puck. Pittsburgh pretty much owned us physically, which to me, is unacceptable. When they "don't have their heards in the game", any team can skate with us and basically dominate us.

If it wasn't for their offensive prowess, which they choose to utilize when they feel like it, we wouldn't have much to stand on. Is it ok to say that, that's just my opinion.

 

The point is, our defense has to get much much better.

 

Anyways, I just hope it all comes together in 12 games, and they have showed us that it is possible and for that matter...probable. It's just uneasy to watch.

 

 

Yo Bender, that WAS an excellent comment, you just aren't trying hard enough to understand that fact. Gosh, is the laziness wearing off on the fans?

[MJhockey]

Anyone else notice that there should have been icing on the game tying goal. Hecht released the puck about 5 feet before the center line.

[hopeleslyobvious]

They better have chemistry. They were linemates at BU as well. I was actually quite sad to see Grier go, myself. Great defensive forward and great on the penalty kill, which has been horrendous as of late.

 

Grier is a very underappreciated player. He did all the little things right. I really liked Drury centering Roy and Grier in the playoffs.

 

Anyone else notice that there should have been icing on the game tying goal. Hecht released the puck about 5 feet before the center line.

 

They will usually waive it off if you are close.

[Sweet Baboo]

Please, no more Vanek in shootouts...I don't care how good he does in practice. What is he now, 2-for-11?

what happened to his around the world move?

 

now it's pass it to the goalie

[SabreInFla]

"Fool's Gold"......I want to disagree with that, but I think you might be on to something.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Sometimes the flukes just get me... Lydman's redirection and the bad angle goal on Miller...

 

And nobody is allowed to cite the post on the EN'er... Of course theat came after the two I mentioned above! :nana:

 

Don't get down in the dumps... The road is winding up... Even if they are "cruising" at times!...

 

Shoot me... But, luck could have easily been on the other skate with BFLO pulling out at least a couple more OTs or even wins...

 

If this as rock bottom as it gets??... We should be in fine shape!!!

 

You see what happens when the hearts come together...

[Bmwolf21]

Stuck with Grier? Are you nuts? Drury and Grier had great chemistry and were able to shut down the opposition's top line.

They better have chemistry. They were linemates at BU as well. I was actually quite sad to see Grier go, myself. Great defensive forward and great on the penalty kill, which has been horrendous as of late.

Defensively, yes, they had great chemistry, and he was a huge asset on the PK. But at the other end of the ice? Maddeningly inconsistent at best. If Mair skated a regular shift with Drury I think he could have at least equaled Grier's stunning offensive output (7-16-23.)

[DWarner]

What sucks is Lydman lost his glove and went to pick it up on the PP goal, then the puck hit his stick.

[hopeleslyobvious]

Defensively, yes, they had great chemistry, and he was a huge asset on the PK. But at the other end of the ice? Maddeningly inconsistent at best. If Mair skated a regular shift with Drury I think he could have at least equaled Grier's stunning offensive output (7-16-23.)

 

Grier's offensive numbers would be a concern if he was an offensive player. He is a great defensive player, great on the PK and is a good forechecker.

[Bmwolf21]

Grier's offensive numbers would be a concern if he was an offensive player. He is a great defensive player, great on the PK and is a good forechecker.

I would tend to agree with you if he had always been a low-scoring, defensive-minded player, but he's scored 20 goals twice, and 15 goals twice.

 

Look at his goal scoring numbers by year:

15, 9, 20, 9, 20, 8, 15, 9, 7, 15 (this year.)

Actually, looking at the pattern, maybe Darcy should have tried harder to keep him (for this year only.) Next year would be another 7-9 goal year...

[ExiledInIllinois]

What sucks is Lydman lost his glove and went to pick it up on the PP goal, then the puck hit his stick.

 

Ya... Just freakin' flukey... I hope it ends!

[X. Benedict]

by the way, did anyone else catch Roy's little "temper tantrum" at the end of OT?

 

I think he had a pretty good case, but I didn't see the "tantrum" -

Roberts comes in elbow high behind the play on Briere and then Orpik near the

end on Roy.

 

 

I'll have to have another look. Roy yaps at everybody though.