Eleven Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I'd like to see Lalime get at least 20% of the starts this year (that's 16 games), which means one in five. Miller played game one; the next four are: at Isles tomorrow; at Rangers Wednesday; Vancouver Friday; and at Atlanta Saturday. I'd give Miller the next three games to get in rhythm and play against the higher-quality opponents and let Lalime handle the Atlanta game. I don't think there's a chance that Lalime would start the second home game anyway.
Two or less Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I'd bet anything he starts either Wed vs. NYR or Sat vs. Atlanta.
carpandean Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I'll guess Friday vs. Vancouver. Miller will play tomorrow, because we want to build off of Saturday's win and get a good start. He will also play Wednesday because the Rangers are playing really well. Vancouver is our first non-conference game; good time to try the new backup.
Two or less Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 http://buffalonews.typepad.com/sabres/2008...ing-lalime.html Just saw this on the Buffalo News website. Mike Harrington has a topic very similar to this one. lol
Bmwolf21 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 http://buffalonews.typepad.com/sabres/2008...ing-lalime.html Just saw this on the Buffalo News website. Mike Harrington has a topic very similar to this one. lol This part of the blog entry really sums it up: What's most important is Ruff stay to the schedule Miller pushed for when his new contract was signed over the summer. A good number of games for Miller seems to be 60-63, which leaves 19-22 for Lalime. Ruff has not had much faith in backup goaltenders in his time here, and completely lost any confidence in Jocelyn Thibault last season. It's going to be crucial for Lalime to play well early to get the confidence of his coach and new teammates. And to get Miller the rest he clearly needs as the season goes along.
Eleven Posted October 13, 2008 Author Report Posted October 13, 2008 This part of the blog entry really sums it up: What's most important is Ruff stay to the schedule Miller pushed for when his new contract was signed over the summer. A good number of games for Miller seems to be 60-63, which leaves 19-22 for Lalime. Ruff has not had much faith in backup goaltenders in his time here, and completely lost any confidence in Jocelyn Thibault last season. It's going to be crucial for Lalime to play well early to get the confidence of his coach and new teammates. And to get Miller the rest he clearly needs as the season goes along. If Lalime falters early, Ruff is going to have to be more patient. If Miller only starts 60 games, and wins two-thirds of them (I know that's ambitious), well, that's still more team wins than last year even if Lalime loses each and every of the other 22 games (which also is unlikely). Over-reliance on Miller is counterproductive, even if the knee-jerk reaction is to think that every game is crucial and to start him all the time. Ruff's got to learn that.
Bmwolf21 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 If Lalime falters early, Ruff is going to have to be more patient. If Miller only starts 60 games, and wins two-thirds of them (I know that's ambitious), well, that's still more team wins than last year even if Lalime loses each and every of the other 22 games (which also is unlikely). Over-reliance on Miller is counterproductive, even if the knee-jerk reaction is to think that every game is crucial and to start him all the time. Ruff's got to learn that. Yep. Lindy's got to learn to see the forest for the trees. Or is it see the trees for the forest? Maybe it's "not cut off his nose to spite his face." Or something. I dunno, it's late.
wjag Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 Every fourth game like clockwork regardless of schedule.
Realist Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I'd start him Friday against Vancouver. A non-conference game, plus it gives the home crowd a chance to see the new guy early.
nobody Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I'll vote for the Vancouver game as well.
X. Benedict Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I'd start him Friday against Vancouver. A non-conference game, plus it gives the home crowd a chance to see the new guy early. Also he has seen more of the Sedin twins.
Two or less Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I do think Lindy has learned his lession and will play the backup in more favorable games, like at home. However, the 2nd home game of the year, and a day off the day before, it's a very safe bet to say Lalime won't be in goal vs. Vancouver.
Bmwolf21 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I do think Lindy has learned his lession and will play the backup in more favorable games, like at home. However, the 2nd home game of the year, and a day off the day before, it's a very safe bet to say Lalime won't be in goal vs. Vancouver. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say "I'll believe it when I see it." And it's not a case of more favorable vs. less favorable games - it's more games, period. Even if Lalime stinks up the joint in an early-season game, Lindy can't lose confidence in him and stop playing him. If we go back to Ryan playing 70+, then we shouldn't expect anything different from last year's end of the season meltdown.
Two or less Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 But he must play Lalime more at home as well. Our backups rarly ever played at home. And i do think Lalime will play a few at HSBC Arena... however, i don't think the 2nd home game is the right time.
Bmwolf21 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 But he must play Lalime more at home as well. Our backups rarly ever played at home. And i do think Lalime will play a few at HSBC Arena... however, i don't think the 2nd home game is the right time. Honestly I couldn't care less if Lalime plays 18 games and 17 are on the road. The rest for Miller is the most important thing.
Two or less Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 Honestly I couldn't care less if Lalime plays 18 games and 17 are on the road. The rest for Miller is the most important thing. lol you're missing the point. The happier he is, the better he plays, the more he plays, thus, the less Miller plays. It's common sense most teams (Buffalo) do better at HOME then AWAY. Thus, playing him a few times at HOME could keep him happy since he's got a better chance of preforming better.
Bmwolf21 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 lol you're missing the point. The happier he is, the better he plays, the more he plays, thus, the less Miller plays. It's common sense most teams (Buffalo) do better at HOME then AWAY. Thus, playing him a few times at HOME could keep him happy since he's got a better chance of preforming better. No I'm not. Your logic is flawed. Lalime signed on to be the backup. He needs to be ready to play when called on - home, away, Portland, Ralph Wilson Stadium, the moon, wherever. His job isn't to be happy, it's to be ready and to play well. He said before the season - he is planning on ~15 games, so as long as he gets that many and Lindy is confident in playing him, the rest falls into place. The only point that matters is this: Miller (the starter) needs rest. The primary function of the backup is to give the starting goalie a breather, so he doesn't have to play 70+ games. Lalime has to play well enough to keep Lindy's confidence. That's it.
carpandean Posted October 13, 2008 Report Posted October 13, 2008 I'm sure I'm not alone when I say "I'll believe it when I see it." Believe ... :thumbsup:
Eleven Posted October 14, 2008 Author Report Posted October 14, 2008 No I'm not. Your logic is flawed. Lalime signed on to be the backup. He needs to be ready to play when called on - home, away, Portland, Ralph Wilson Stadium, the moon, wherever. His job isn't to be happy, it's to be ready and to play well. He said before the season - he is planning on ~15 games, so as long as he gets that many and Lindy is confident in playing him, the rest falls into place. The only point that matters is this: Miller (the starter) needs rest. The primary function of the backup is to give the starting goalie a breather, so he doesn't have to play 70+ games. Lalime has to play well enough to keep Lindy's confidence. That's it. This is right. I'm going to like Lalime, but I don't care if I see him in person or not.
Bmwolf21 Posted October 14, 2008 Report Posted October 14, 2008 Believe ... :thumbsup: Don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but last year Thibault's first game of the season was October 15. Granted it was Game 5 of the year and Thibault didn't play as well as Lalime did (4 GA in a 5-4 win over the Laffs) but the point is that I'll believe Lindy is going to stick with him when he's got around 10 games at the All-Star break.
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