GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[LabattBlue]

Back to the scoreboard. Those of us who were lucky to be there were treated to an enhanced scoreboard system that shows who is on the ice at any given time, and that cycles through live statistics during breaks. Very cool.

Sounds great. Can't wait to see it.

[Eleven]

None of the scratches came out.. I think they could at least have let them lace up for the intro.. Must be a league thing..

 

They were all announced, and when their names were called, they appeared in suits on the bench. The spotlight focused on them and they appeared on the scoreboard. Not as great as having them skate out, but it was still cool to have the entire team introduced.

[wjag]

They were all announced, and when their names were called, they appeared in suits on the bench. The spotlight focused on them and they appeared on the scoreboard. Not as great as having them skate out, but it was still cool to have the entire team introduced.

Interesting, the camera didn't show them. It just showed the tunnel.. IIRC..

[wjag]

I predict that Kotalik gets the first Sabres game winning goal of the year..

fixed. :chris:

[BamBam]

I didn't see anything from Max tonight I would care to see the rest of the season.

 

Thats kind-of what I thought. I don't want to beat the guy down but it seemed like if it wasn't him losing control of the puck he was missing big on a shot. Puck just seemed to evade him after he had possession for a few seconds.

 

To the fans credit though everytime he started out of the zone on one of his breaks you could hear the crowd cheer him on, but once he reached the Habs zone he'd miss fire on a pass, lose the puck, or would be unable to split the D. At which point you could clearly hear the air go out from the fans.

[inkman]

Paille was a beast.

Yep. He could really make my desire for a rugged forward go away if he keeps up that kind of play. Hopefully he'll light the lamp occasionally like last year.

 

Adam Mair can actually play hockey.

 

Patrick Kaleta is going to really piss off the enemy this year.

 

Craig Rivet, while physical and adequate on the PP, is pretty much just another guy.

 

I don't think I hate Thomas Vanek anymore. At least if he keeps playing like last night.

 

Defensive pairs seemed ok. Not too many uh-oh moments.

 

Miller played well and Loods saved his bacon.

 

The third line was decent. For a last minute hodge podge mix, they played well.

[spndnchz]

The game was slow and boring at times, quite a change. Goes to the new "defensive style" of play we look to see this year.

 

I think the new opening song was "City of Blinding Lights" by U2.

 

Notable performances:

 

Pie-YaY! This guy was great with Hecht and Pominville last year on a brief stint. These guys work well together I'm tellin' U. Plenty of hits and winning the race on that icing, sweet.

 

Pominville. He seems to be laying the body on more than usual.

 

Kotalik. Seems to have more quickness this year. Ran right by a few checks last night leaving the defenseman empty handed.

 

Vanek. What happened? Did he eat a defensemens brain and wise up? Never saw him lag behind on the backcheck, always skating, even when he was on the ice for 1:30 during one shift you could see the leg pain in his eyes as he tried to get back and was faster than last year as well as more confident with opposing skaters around him.

 

Roy. Not much changed here. Still that little #%^$#! that gets under the opposing teams skin.

 

MacArthur. On a few plays you could almost hear him saying "I want to play in the NHL Dangit!" Tried very hard.

 

Miller. Didn't seem so 'scared' with guys in front of the net because he knows he'll get help now.

 

Sekera. You'd never know this guy is starting his first full season, smart plays, good checks (one hip check along the boards was sweet)

 

Shots on goal. For all but one game of the pre-season the Sabres have led in shots, this game they led too. I only heard once the fans yelling "shooooot" last night.

 

Not so much:

The constant passing of the puck across our own crease.

The constant passing of the puck into the players skates and not on the tape.

Defensemen unable to keep the puck in when shot along the boards.

 

Indifferent:

 

Stafford. Nice shootout goal, but nothing outstanding in the game.

 

Max. IMO. He's changed it up a bit. I can't remember him getting the puck and then holding up inside the blueline like last year. At some times, too quick for his own good, and losing the puck, not great, but not as bad as we see sometimes last year.

 

Connolly. WTF. This guy can't catch a break. You have to admit, without the injuries this guy is a force. GWS TC.

 

Besides Lydman saving a goal, most of the defense didn't really stand out. That's probably a good thing, eh?

 

Got it on DVR? Watch Vanek @ the 7 minute mark of the first period stickhandle while skating backwards toward the net to block the defender and pass it between his legs to get a between the legs shot off.

 

Can't wait for Monday. 2PM game BTW.

[Guest Sloth]

Got it on DVR? Watch Vanek @ the 7 minute mark of the first period stickhandle while skating backwards toward the net to block the defender and pass it between his legs to get a between the legs shot off.

 

That move was fun to watch! Too bad they never showed a replay of it. Vanek played great last night, but I think Paille played even better. Man, Paille can lay a hit! Also, I loved Miller's fake poke check during the shootout. Koivu bit on it.

[stenbaro]

3. Paille played a great, physical game. I would've elevated it to outstanding if he had buried that SHG attempt which was a perfect 2 on 1 feed from Roy.

 

4. The whole game seemed to be played in Montreal's end of the ice. The Sabres consistently won puck battles. It's amazing to me that Montreal got that many shots off because watching the game it sure didn't seem like it.

 

5. I had an eerie calmness watching our defense in last night's game against a very good team.

 

6. As well as they played, not cashing in during that 4-minute PP should have cost them the game. It did cost them an enemy point. Now having said that, the PP was MUCH better this year. Passing was crisper. Puck control was better. They had their SOGs too. Having the face-off in the enemy ice is going to substantially change the game of hockey this year. I like it. Win the face off and you have a chance to setup. And what can you say about the PK. They really limited Montreal's chances.

 

7. Miller played his best hockey the last five minutes of the game.

 

8. Max had his moments good and bad but I graded him out significantly improved.

9. Was I the only one who thought the OT, 4-on-4 hockey looked slow, lethargic and boring. It was pretty clear they were tired.

 

10. Lydman had the save of the day and the play of the night.

Paille is developing into a very solid hockeyplayer

Max has been playing better since the preseason

I still do not like Lydman

 

I was out at a bar watching a game and it's always tougher to follow the game closely...

 

- The convincing shootout one against the top team in the east will hopefully give the team some confidence with future shootouts.

 

-Paille continuing his drastic improvement. Best Sabre on the ice?

 

-The first 4 minutes of OT was a bore and the last minute dominated by Montreal. So much for 4 on 4 hockey.

 

-Nice play by Lydman to save a goal!!

-Very disappointed with Connolly. I'm playing, I'm playing, I'm playing...coach I can't go. :doh:

 

-I couldn't hear ther audio of the game very well. Did they explain why the penalty time wasn't being displayed?

 

-Good win to open the season

 

GO SABRES!!!

I agree

 

The game was slow and boring at times, quite a change. Goes to the new "defensive style" of play we look to see this year.

 

I think the new opening song was "City of Blinding Lights" by U2.

 

Notable performances:

 

Pie-YaY! This guy was great with Hecht and Pominville last year on a brief stint. These guys work well together I'm tellin' U. Plenty of hits and winning the race on that icing, sweet.

 

Pominville. He seems to be laying the body on more than usual.

 

Kotalik. Seems to have more quickness this year. Ran right by a few checks last night leaving the defenseman empty handed.

 

Vanek. What happened? Did he eat a defensemens brain and wise up? Never saw him lag behind on the backcheck, always skating, even when he was on the ice for 1:30 during one shift you could see the leg pain in his eyes as he tried to get back and was faster than last year as well as more confident with opposing skaters around him.

 

Roy. Not much changed here. Still that little #%^$#! that gets under the opposing teams skin.

 

MacArthur. On a few plays you could almost hear him saying "I want to play in the NHL Dangit!" Tried very hard.

 

Miller. Didn't seem so 'scared' with guys in front of the net because he knows he'll get help now.

 

Sekera. You'd never know this guy is starting his first full season, smart plays, good checks (one hip check along the boards was sweet)

 

Shots on goal. For all but one game of the pre-season the Sabres have led in shots, this game they led too. I only heard once the fans yelling "shooooot" last night.

 

Not so much:

The constant passing of the puck across our own crease.

The constant passing of the puck into the players skates and not on the tape.

Defensemen unable to keep the puck in when shot along the boards.

 

Indifferent:

 

Stafford. Nice shootout goal, but nothing outstanding in the game.

 

Max. IMO. He's changed it up a bit. I can't remember him getting the puck and then holding up inside the blueline like last year. At some times, too quick for his own good, and losing the puck, not great, but not as bad as we see sometimes last year.

 

Connolly. WTF. This guy can't catch a break. You have to admit, without the injuries this guy is a force. GWS TC.

 

Besides Lydman saving a goal, most of the defense didn't really stand out. That's probably a good thing, eh?

 

Got it on DVR? Watch Vanek @ the 7 minute mark of the first period stickhandle while skating backwards toward the net to block the defender and pass it between his legs to get a between the legs shot off.

 

Can't wait for Monday. 2PM game BTW.

I thought Sekera gave the puck away a few too many times..The one in the third period almost cost the game..He is to loose with the puck for me right now..But I share your thoughts on the rest..

[nfreeman]

Giveaways? I'm looking at you, Derek Roy. Taking it across the line by yourself through four defenders while on a power play? No, no, no. And it didn't work.

 

The power play was awful. I don't know why Rivet and Sekera are both at the point at the same time, but that didn't work either. And MacArthur shouldn't be on a power play unit at all.

 

Vanek was just awesome. The guy was everywhere last night, and his goal was the result of pure determination.

 

Roy also iced it on a sloppy pass on the PP at one point. OTOH, he made a very sweet play on the backcheck, tying up a Canadien's stick when he had a point-blank shot on the doorstep.

 

I thought Lindy might've put Mac on the PP in the 3rd in an attempt to shake it up, b/c it certainly was ineffective all night.

 

I'm not ready to go all the way and say Vanek was awesome last night. His goal was awesome, and he was very effective at times in the offensive zone. But he didn't do anything on the PP, and his penalty was just like a bunch of 'em he took last year -- a totally unnecessary hook/slash that he committed instead of moving his feet.

 

Separately, Lindy said Paille was their best forward last night, and I agree. I'd love to see Paille seize this opportunity and play so well that Lindy has to leave him on the line with Hecht and Pommer.

 

Without Connolly, I feel like we need one more offensive playmaker, unless Max gets it going.

[deluca67]

Roy also iced it on a sloppy pass on the PP at one point. OTOH, he made a very sweet play on the backcheck, tying up a Canadien's stick when he had a point-blank shot on the doorstep.

 

I thought Lindy might've put Mac on the PP in the 3rd in an attempt to shake it up, b/c it certainly was ineffective all night.

 

I'm not ready to go all the way and say Vanek was awesome last night. His goal was awesome, and he was very effective at times in the offensive zone. But he didn't do anything on the PP, and his penalty was just like a bunch of 'em he took last year -- a totally unnecessary hook/slash that he committed instead of moving his feet.

 

Separately, Lindy said Paille was their best forward last night, and I agree. I'd love to see Paille seize this opportunity and play so well that Lindy has to leave him on the line with Hecht and Pommer.

 

Without Connolly, I feel like we need one more offensive playmaker, unless Max gets it going.

Don't count on Max. The Sabres need a top six forward to help round out their lineup. The question is can they find one early in the season? They had one in Steve Bernier and for some reason traded him away.

[thesportsbuff]

Don't count on Max. The Sabres need a top six forward to help round out their lineup. The question is can they find one early in the season? They had one in Steve Bernier and for some reason traded him away.

 

the steve bernier that scored 2 goals in a game and then disappeared for the rest of the year? I'll take Rivet. he might not be anything special as far as a Pronger or Niedermayer, but he definitely stabalizes the back.

[Bmwolf21]

the steve bernier that scored 2 goals in a game and then disappeared for the rest of the year? I'll take Rivet. he might not be anything special as far as a Pronger or Niedermayer, but he definitely stabalizes the back.

What does one have to do with the other?

[thesportsbuff]

What does one have to do with the other?

 

bernier was traded for a pick, which was in turn traded (with another pick) for Rivet... am i right?

[Guest Sloth]

the steve bernier that scored 2 goals in a game and then disappeared for the rest of the year? I'll take Rivet. he might not be anything special as far as a Pronger or Niedermayer, but he definitely stabalizes the back.

 

I was disappointed when Bernier was traded. I understand the Sabres are over flooded in the forward department and I look forward to Gerbe's first NHL game, but Buffalo should've kept Bernier. He wouldn't have cost that much, he's young, and he has a lot of potential. The only bad moves in the offseason were the tradeing of Bernier and the inabililty or choice to not sign a veteran center. The latter is what really infuriates me.

[Bmwolf21]

bernier was traded for a pick, which was in turn traded (with another pick) for Rivet... am i right?

No, at least as far as I can tell.

 

Buffalo traded Bernier to Vancouver for Vancouver's 2nd-round pick in 2010 and LA's third-rounder in 2009.

 

Buffalo traded their own second-round pics in 2009 and 2010 for Rivet and the Sharks' seventh-round pick in 2010.

[Guest Sloth]

No, at least as far as I can tell.

 

Buffalo traded Bernier to Vancouver for Vancouver's 2nd-round pick in 2010 and LA's third-rounder in 2009.

 

Buffalo traded their own second-round pics in 2009 and 2010 for Rivet and the Sharks' seventh-round pick in 2010.

 

As in another thread, I stand corrected. You guys have the info...Now I'm, to certain degree. happy w/ Bernier's trade. Rivet is SO IMPORTANT for the Sabres. Players look up to the guy. He's a defense first type of player. Rivet has size and he'll protect Miller. I think his style of play is going to rub off on the rest of the team. I really think Buffalo is going to hit more. Shitt, they out hit Montreal last night. Rivet is a player other players can look up to. He does have more value than Bernier. Thanks for pointing that out to me Bmwolf.

[Bmwolf21]

As in another thread, I stand corrected. You guys have the info...Now I'm, to certain degree. happy w/ Bernier's trade. Rivet is SO IMPORTANT for the Sabres. Players look up to the guy. He's a defense first type of player. Rivet has size and he'll protect Miller. I think his style of play is going to rub off on the rest of the team. I really think Buffalo is going to hit more. Shitt, they out hit Montreal last night. Rivet is a player other players can look up to. He does have more value than Bernier. Thanks for pointing that out to me Bmwolf.

No worries. :thumbsup:

 

I really love what Rivet brings as well, and if it was an either/or deal with Bernier or Rivet I would take Rivet almost every time, because while Bernier has potential, Rivet is the blueline grit and toughness we've been begging for over the last two years.

 

I just wasn't sure what comparison Jack was making between the two, since I was fairly sure that they didn't flip the picks directly into the Rivet trade. I supposed you can make the argument that the picks they got from the Bernier trade gave them the surplus they needed to get Rivet.

[carpandean]

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:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[thesportsbuff]

No worries. :thumbsup:

 

I really love what Rivet brings as well, and if it was an either/or deal with Bernier or Rivet I would take Rivet almost every time, because while Bernier has potential, Rivet is the blueline grit and toughness we've been begging for over the last two years.

 

I just wasn't sure what comparison Jack was making between the two, since I was fairly sure that they didn't flip the picks directly into the Rivet trade. I supposed you can make the argument that the picks they got from the Bernier trade gave them the surplus they needed to get Rivet.

 

I definitely thought Buffalo traded the pick they got from Vancouver for Rivet. But Rivet still trumps Bernier, even if it's completely unrelated. :thumbsup:

[billsrcursed]

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:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

 

First off, I loved Bledsoe, for the most part, and I hate to make a Football reference on a Hockey board. We used to call Bledsoe "The Dolphin" because anytime a defender got close, he'd do this "flop" move just before going down. As soon as Sekera hit the deck, my living room erupted with "The Dolphin!!!" followed by some hideous re-enactments...... guess you had to be there. Glad we can joke about it after a win and no injury as a result......

[Guest Sloth]

First off, I loved Bledsoe, for the most part, and I hate to make a Football reference on a Hockey board. We used to call Bledsoe "The Dolphin" because anytime a defender got close, he'd do this "flop" move just before going down. As soon as Sekera hit the deck, my living room erupted with "The Dolphin!!!" followed by some hideous re-enactments...... guess you had to be there. Glad we can joke about it after a win and no injury as a result......

 

I liked what you wrote. I, too, enjoyed Bledsoe...except when he intentionally threw a pass out bounds on 4th down when the Bills were running the 2:00 drill to make a comeback. It's funny to think about now, but I was pisssed off when it happened.

 

Ok, no more Bills talk for me.

[Two or less]

My first post on the game since the game. lol. I haven't been home since. haha

 

Anyways, i'll keep this short. Since it's been days. I was really impressed with Vanek. I thought he looked world-class. He just needs to shoot! 8 shots for Vanek but he needed 9. In the 3rd period, he had a good chance but passed it inbetween his legs for a turnover. He needs to shoot that puck. But, i thought he was great.

 

My 3 great players for the Sabres that i really enjoyed- Paille, Stafford and MacArthur. If Lindy takes Clarke out of the lineup when Connolly returns, i'll be very disappointed. The kid almost helped us score another goal like he did vs. Minnesota. He nailed the guy behind the net, stole the puck, hit in infront of the net and i forget who but i think Hecht almost scored on it. MacArthur played with alot of energy and like Paille, he was hitting hard. I honestly doubt MacArthur lost any battles on the boards. The guy is a work horse and we all know, with a bit of NHL-game experience, he can turn the little things, into points. The guy had 8 goals last season. We know he has a great shot. Now he also shows he is willing to work hard. Keep him in the lineup and give him a bunch of games and i think we'll all be impressed with the final outcome. I also thought Stafford skated well and created some plays.

 

The best thing all night, was the defense. The defense closed down the passing lanes so well. Lydman played great, Tallinder, besides a few mistakes looked great too with Rivet. I thought Sekera looked like a 10-year vet and Teppo makes it all look so easy and simple. I also thought the forwards did alot of work in their own end to contain the Montreal offense who attacked a very defensive Toronto team for 6 goals last night. And it was AWESOME to see the team, give up a few mistakes which led to very good quality chances for Montreal, but Ryan Miller come out huge. Miller is a big part of our success and i'm very confident he may be on track for one of his best seasons ever.

 

The bad- PP. Although i do think with a healthy Connolly and a healthy Gaustad to get infront of the net, will help the PP alot. I was also disappointed in Afinogenov, although you do gotta remember it was Montreal we were playing so i'll need to give him more games before i really judge him for this season. He did show signs. He went at the goal, last season he skated in, saw no room, so stopped, made a stupid pass (resulted in turnover) or he stopped, skated back to the point, met a defender and lost the puck that way. On Friday, Max kept attacking the net. He didn't come close but it was a (slim) upgrade over the 2007/08 Max for sure. I stick with my prediction from the off-season, he'll have a big season for us.