Drury, Zubrus, Kotalik

[meck20]

Wow, as I sat there and watched the replay of Kotalik's goal it made me think that the debate of where Zubrus should plays stops. The whole play exhibited the potential of that line-Drury doing the intangibles by blocking the shot, Zubrus' play-making skills at best by his backhand pass on the break, and of course Kotalik unleashing a missle as only he could do. Scary if these guys could build off tonights game and develop further. Zubrus also put in his best game yet as a Sabre in my opinion.

[BuffalOhio]

I fully agree. I thought Vanek played a great game as well. He was really hustling out there, although I don't think he had any points.

[Bmwolf21]

Roy-Stafford-Vanek - 0 pts, 1 SOG, -3. Ugh.

[Corp000085]

Roy-Stafford-Vanek - 0 pts, 1 SOG, -3. Ugh.

 

 

roy made a mockery of himself tonight... one of the very few negatives of the game.

[Samson's Flow]

i think that this new drury line can now contend for the best line on the team. they looked so good, and are able to play at both ends so they could take on the other teams best line each night without a problem. the sabres are coming together just in time for the playoffs,

 

anyone else getting excited?

[BuffalOhio]

Roy-Stafford-Vanek - 0 pts, 1 SOG, -3. Ugh.

 

I still think they generated some good chances and puck possession. Didn't realize they were -3 though. Damn.

[BetweenThePipes00]

I still think they generated some good chances and puck possession. Didn't realize they were -3 though. Damn.

 

That's one goal against and it was the weak backhander off of Kalinin ... hardly their fault .... let's not beat them up for -1 each or whatever.

[SabresFan526]

I absolutely loved the play of this new Drury, Zubrus, Kotalik line. Drury and Zubrus are good defensively and will be able to shut down opposing teams' top lines, and Kotalik adds the big physical body. Offensively, this is one of the better lines in the NHL. It definitely competes with the Briere and Roy lines as the top line offensively. I can definitely foresee a bunch of one time goals by Kotalik fed by Zubrus just like tonight. I think this will be a very good line for the Sabres.

[Bmwolf21]

Roy: 0-0-0, E, 0 SOG; 20:11 TOI

 

Vanek: 0-0-0, -1, 1 SOG 17:01

 

Stafford: 0-0-0, -2, 0 SOG 16:07

 

There were some chances created, but with Lindy preaching getting shots, throwing the puck at the net, it's really disappointing to me that a line with two deadly scorers and one of the top playmakers couldn't muster more than 1 SOG.

[Wraith]

This is where the shots on goal "statistic" breaks down and fails to represent the game action. Stafford missed a goal by about 2 inches and the shot went wide, Roy cleared a bad angle shot from the goal line through the crease late (with the score 3-1 I believe) while Vanek had multiple shots in traffic get batted down. Would any of us try to argue that those attempts are any less of a scoring oppurtunity than an unscreen shot from just inside the blue lines that the goalie stears into the corner with ease. I thought the line played decently, got the puck into traffic in front of the net where good things happen, and it just didn't work for them tonight.

[nfreeman]

That's one goal against and it was the weak backhander off of Kalinin ... hardly their fault .... let's not beat them up for -1 each or whatever.

 

you're not seriously blaming kalinin for that goal, are you? I thought that was Miller's worst goal allowed of the year. I thought he still had a pretty good game overall, but that one was atrocious, esp. given where they were in the game (up by 2 with 6 min. left and the crowd roaring).

 

in response to the original post, while I'm not prepared to go totally hog wild after ONE game and say the DAZ line is one of the best in the NHL, i will say they looked great tonight. Very physical, esp. big Al, and that goal was a thing of beauty. They look substantially more potent with Al than with Ryan.

 

also, I totally agree with Bmwolf -- one SOG from Roy's line is not acceptable. It's hard to criticize a line that is generally very productive, but at least once per game I find myself yelling "too cute" at that line when they make that last, extra pass in the offensive zone instead of shooting.

 

All in all, a great win.

[Crestwood]

Roy: 0-0-0, E, 0 SOG; 20:11 TOI

 

Vanek: 0-0-0, -1, 1 SOG 17:01

 

Stafford: 0-0-0, -2, 0 SOG 16:07

 

There were some chances created, but with Lindy preaching getting shots, throwing the puck at the net, it's really disappointing to me that a line with two deadly scorers and one of the top playmakers couldn't muster more than 1 SOG.

As I mentioned in the game thread, this line was way too finesse-minded tonight. They just need to shoot the puck and get some juicy rebounds, a la Paille's goal. I did, however, notice Vanek seemed to use his body a little more tonight than usual. Let's hope that's a good sign.

 

The DKZ line looked fantastic. As much as I'd love to see Zubrus take faceoffs, these guys just seem to compliment each other so well, not unlike when Gaustad was paired with Kotalik and Drury. I can't wait to see their chemistry with a few games together under their belt.

[deluca67]

As I mentioned in the game thread, this line was way too finesse-minded tonight. They just need to shoot the puck and get some juicy rebounds, a la Paille's goal. I did, however, notice Vanek seemed to use his body a little more tonight than usual. Let's hope that's a good sign.

 

The DKZ line looked fantastic. As much as I'd love to see Zubrus take faceoffs, these guys just seem to compliment each other so well, not unlike when Gaustad was paired with Kotalik and Drury. I can't wait to see their chemistry with a few games together under their belt.

 

I read stuff like this and wonder "are you watching the games"?

 

Not to pick you out alone CW. But Vanek has given 100% and his body all season long.

[Bmwolf21]

you're not seriously blaming kalinin for that goal, are you? I thought that was Miller's worst goal allowed of the year. I thought he still had a pretty good game overall, but that one was atrocious, esp. given where they were in the game (up by 2 with 6 min. left and the crowd roaring).

 

also, I totally agree with Bmwolf -- one SOG from Roy's line is not acceptable. It's hard to criticize a line that is generally very productive, but at least once per game I find myself yelling "too cute" at that line when they make that last, extra pass in the offensive zone instead of shooting.

Picked out the main parts, n - agree on the Miller goal and how "cutesy" the Roy line was. I kept saying the same thing - SHOOT IT.

 

I read stuff like this and wonder "are you watching the games"?

 

Not to pick you out alone CW. But Vanek has given 100% and his body all season long.

For the most part, TV has been one of the more physical Sabres and has given one of the better efforts on most nights. But when he had that rough stretch earlier this month, he was clearly shying away from contact, wasn't battling in the corners, and was nowhere to be found in front of the net, which led to the speculation that he was playing hurt. His effort, speed and physicality have definitely improved in recent games.

[Doohicksie]

Offensively, this is one of the better lines in the NHL.

Hahahahah! :D :D :D

 

Let's see how they do after more than one game together! Declaring them "one of the better lines in the NHL" is getting ahead of yourself! I mean, they had a great game, but you can't make that call after only one game.

[X. Benedict]

I read stuff like this and wonder "are you watching the games"?

 

Not to pick you out alone CW. But Vanek has given 100% and his body all season long.

 

I loved the look on the walls tonight from the wingers. These guys

need to play big.

 

 

Kotalik - Zubrus

Vanek - Staffard

Paille

Hecht

 

Esp. love the puck possession game the Drury line is capable of.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Ales also "clanked" one off the post, big time!... It was so hard and loud... Sounded like somebody playing the triangle in concert over the radio... Heck, make that the electric, amplified triangle!! :D :D

 

When I heard it, I thought I was gonna crap in my pants... I think RJ actually did!... :blink: :blink:

[Samson's Flow]

Ales also "clanked" one off the post, big time!... It was so hard and loud... Sounded like somebody playing the triangle in concert over the radio... Heck, make that the electric, amplified triangle!! :D :D

 

When I heard it, I thought I was gonna crap in my pants... I think RJ actually did!... :blink: :blink:

 

quick say some Hail Marys, theyll fix that problem

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :nana:

[ExiledInIllinois]

quick say some Hail Marys, theyll fix that problem

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :nana:

 

The sound off the post did have a "holy ring" to it... For a minute there I thought I was either in church or heaven!

 

;) ;) :nana: :nana:

 

Oh... And the fans at the "bank" sounded like they were on pins and needles for stretches of the game... Glad I was not the only one! :lol:

[Samson's Flow]

The sound off the post did have a "holy ring" to it... For a minute there I thought I was either in church or heaven!

 

;) ;) :nana: :nana:

 

Oh... And the fans at the "bank" sounded like they were on pins and needles for stretches of the game... Glad I was not the only one! :lol:

 

it was more in reference to you telling me to say hail marys on the game discussion post. you know - good natured ribbing

 

yeah the game tonight against NJ seemed to have quite the playoff atmosphere, even if the first two periods almost put me to sleep

[deluca67]

Picked out the main parts, n - agree on the Miller goal and how "cutesy" the Roy line was. I kept saying the same thing - SHOOT IT.

For the most part, TV has been one of the more physical Sabres and has given one of the better efforts on most nights. But when he had that rough stretch earlier this month, he was clearly shying away from contact, wasn't battling in the corners, and was nowhere to be found in front of the net, which led to the speculation that he was playing hurt. His effort, speed and physicality have definitely improved in recent games.

 

It looked like he was fighting through some injuries. Which is a a lot different than lack of effort.

[eball]

I agree, the DZK line looked great -- what does Lindy do when Max returns? It's no secret he originally planned to pair Zuby with Max.

[EdwardSauve]

I'm just getting to reading all of the posts this morning, but did anyone call out the play of the night made by Drury? He knocked the puck out of mid-air with the blade of his stick and started the rush that scored the 4th goal. I'm sure it has been noted already, but what a sick play. The NJ announcers noted that if that shot got through, the Devils were in perfect position to bang in a rebound.

 

The other play of the night was the Miller save in the 3rd on Zajac, but it was diminished by the worst goal allowed of the year on the Martin backhand. Ugh!

[SabresFan526]

Even after Max comes back, I don't see any reason to tinker with the DKZ line. What I love about this line is they have some speed, very physical, and have size. It's kind of an odd combination. But, Zubrus and Kotalik have big bodies, and Drury is a stocky guy even though a little short. Zubrus uses his size really well to protect the puck, and he's a great passer. Kotalik forechecks well, plays physical with his size, and has a huge shot. And Drury can do it all and is especially good defensively. I think this will be a very good line, and maybe I'm calling it too early, but I think this will be one of the better lines in the NHL.

[wjag]

I'm just getting to reading all of the posts this morning, but did anyone call out the play of the night made by Drury? He knocked the puck out of mid-air with the blade of his stick and started the rush that scored the 4th goal. I'm sure it has been noted already, but what a sick play. The NJ announcers noted that if that shot got through, the Devils were in perfect position to bang in a rebound.

 

The other play of the night was the Miller save in the 3rd on Zajac, but it was diminished by the worst goal allowed of the year on the Martin backhand. Ugh!

That save was stout... In fact, once he made that, I knew they were going to win. That was as good a pass and scoring chance as you get in this game. That was worthy of a Millllllleeeerrrrr!!!!