Game Discussion Thread

SabresFan526 · February 5, 2009

Good, solid win for the Sabres. Unfortunately, the Leafs didn't show up to play tonight at all. I only caught the third period and turned it on just as Vanek scored his breakaway goal. So, is it just me, or does it seem like most of the highlight reel goals over the last few years have come from Drew Stafford? There was his sweet goal against the Caps. I think he had a nifty goal against the Leafs 2 years ago. He had that awesome goal against Boston earlier this year. And tonight's goal was absolutely amazing. That Drew Stafford has some serious talent, and there really is not a better line in hockey right now than the Vanek-Connolly-Stafford line. That line is just lighting it up. Good to see Vanek break out of, what was for him, a mini-slump with a natural hattie tonight. And good to see Miller continue the shutout streak even if he only faced 16 shots. Also nice to see Connolly and Stafford both getting a goal and an assist each. Very good win.

I really want to see how the Sabres do on Friday against Montreal. That's a huge game for the Sabres. If we can get on a bit of a winning streak here, we can begin to position ourselves away from that 7th seed to a higher position in the standings.

Eleven · February 5, 2009

This is for those who attend the games. When I went I found the a$$ who constantly pounds on the glass to be just about as annoying as anyone I ever came across at a sporting event.

Huh?

Kristian · February 5, 2009

While the Leafs didn't put up much of a fight (well ANY fight), it's always beautiful to send their fans home with nice big ass-kicking in the bag ;)

Present Toronto fan excepted.

Eleven · February 5, 2009

While the Leafs didn't put up much of a fight (well ANY fight), it's always beautiful to send their fans home with nice big ass-kicking in the bag ;)

Present Toronto fan excepted.

There was a MUCH smaller Toronto contingent than usual tonight. It's a Wednesday, but still, there must be a lot of Toronto fans who usually come to HSBC, but who stayed away because the leaves are blowing.

... · February 5, 2009

Has anyone mentioned Roy's 1 on 4 breakaway? This had to be a set play that I've never seen before: Pominville carries the puck with two other Sabres to the Toronto blueline, and all three put on the breaks right at the line. Pominvlle leaves the puck right behind him and a streaking Roy splits all the Toronto defenders, who had come to a complete stop. Roy does not score, but this play was absolutely amazing.

That would be one of the new PP entry strategies. I hope it's more confusing on the ice than it is on TV, as they laid it all out in detail for others to write the book on it.

jwcolour · February 5, 2009

That would be one of the new PP entry strategies. I hope it's more confusing on the ice than it is on TV, as they laid it all out in detail for others to write the book on it.

I've seen the Redwings do it a lot before so i'm assuming we got the idea from them...

carpandean · February 5, 2009

I'd like to throw out a big fat "F**K YOU!" to Tampa for blowing a 3-0 lead on Pittsburgh, losing 4-3 in OT. Could have helped us gain two points, but instead they helped them keep pace. Last week, it was Toronto blowing a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 in OT (SO?) versus Florida. Bastards!

:angry:

Hirly5 · February 5, 2009

I've seen the Redwings do it a lot before so i'm assuming we got the idea from them...

The TSN boys mentioned that Pavel Datsyuk does that all the time.

spndnchz · February 5, 2009

One word for this one.

pwned.

Done and we're on to the next one.

DR HOLLIDAY · February 5, 2009

oh , sure, sure smile all of you...... :bag:

Sup man, hang in there dude, my cousin is a leaf fan and he has trouble watching there games now, says its to painful.............. :beer:

Buffalo Wings · February 5, 2009

Kaleta in the playoffs = Upper Hand

If he can continue to disrupt and draw penalties like he's doing (and stay healthy) he could be a menace in the playoffs. This is the type of player Buffalo has needed.

I'm tellin' ya....

This is why Kaleta is much more valuable than Andrew Peters will ever be. Peters is a bad fight waiting to happen. He may have a good rapport in the locker room and will (maybe) stand up for someone on the ice, but Kaleta actually helps the team win.

LabattBlue · February 5, 2009

Game thoughts...

-Dominating a crappy opponent at home....EXCELLENT!

-Stafford continues to play well(even when taken off either of the top 2 lines). That was a highlight reel goal and just a reminder of the talent this guy has. It's all about consistency.

-I thought Weber played much better last night and showed brief glimpses from a physical perspective as to how he could become the next Jay McKee.

-Speaking of young defensemen, Butler continues to impress.

-Nice to see Vanek break out and net 3. For the 2nd time, it's all about consistency.

-Toronto played like a team that really would like to have Tavares in uniform next season.

-I'm so glad that other than when the Leafs stepped on the ice at the beginning of the game, Leaf fans didn't have a single reason to get up out of their seats and cheer.

-The day this season ends, Lydman should be signed to a new deal.

-Miller with about as easy a game as he will see this season.

-How many stupid penalties did Toronto take last night?

-I know Rob Ray was speaking positively about it, but that PP formation where 4 Sabres get to the blue line, stop, and then drop the puck to the trailer is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen(even if Roy did blow right past Toronto on the one play).

-Pogge gave up 5 goals, but if it wasn't for him, it could have easily been 8-0 or 9-0.

-Kaleta has the opposing team off their game even when he isn't hitting a lot. Teams are looking for him out on the ice and that is a good thing because it distracts them from focusing on the game at hand.

inkman · February 5, 2009

This is why Kaleta is much more valuable than Andrew Peters will ever be.

Who ever argues against that? It's when posters claim Kaleta is our new tough guy or fighter. He has a role and fighting 240 lbs scary dudes ain't it.

inkman · February 5, 2009

-The day this season ends, Lydman should be signed to a new deal.

I like Toni's game but will their be room for him after next year.

Butler-Sekera

Weber-Gragnani

Rivet-Myers/Brennan

Teppo? Paetsch?

I'm assuming Spacek will walk after this year, and Tallinder walks after next year if he isn't moved before. Lydman's deal is up then but it seems like Buffalo will have too many kids ready to fill spots in the NHL. Maybe they won't be ready, or maybe they get traded. Who knows...

inkman · February 5, 2009

Done and we're on to the next one.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR40JbiJkEY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR40JbiJkEY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Foo... :wub:

Dave Grohl @ the Grammy's... :wub: :wub:

SwampD · February 5, 2009

Game thoughts...

-I know Rob Ray was speaking positively about it, but that PP formation where 4 Sabres get to the blue line, stop, and then drop the puck to the trailer is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen(even if Roy did blow right past Toronto on the one play).

I couldn't disagree more(and I did agree with everything else you wrote).

Even when roy didn't get all the way to the net, he ended up with the puck on the sideboards. All the rest of the team had to do was just step across the blue line and the powerplay was set up. They didn't have to dump it in, fight for it along the boards, hope to keep it in, and then set it up.

I liked it and hope to see it more.

shrader · February 5, 2009

I'm too lazy to read through the thread to see if anyone mentioned it. A few weeks after breaking his face, Teppo returns and all he adds to his helmet is a visor? The man is a warrior, not that we didn't know this already from the two sets of stitches he has in his chest.

nfreeman · February 5, 2009

Who ever argues against that? It's when posters claim Kaleta is our new tough guy or fighter. He has a role and fighting 240 lbs scary dudes ain't it.

Correct. His role is winger on Gaustad's line, killing penalties, laying out big hits, forechecking, drawing penalties, playing hard, agitating and keeping the pressure on the opposition, all to the tune of 14-16 minutes per game. I'm more and more convinced that he is a legit 3rd liner in the NHL, and a valuable part of this team. He's got good hockey sense and more skill than one might think -- one of the TSN guys last night quoted Lindy as saying Kaleta is the best skater on the team (which doesn't seem right, but still), and he also had a very nifty pass to someone (maybe MacArthur) in the 1st period.

I like Toni's game but will their be room for him after next year.

Butler-Sekera

Weber-Gragnani

Rivet-Myers/Brennan

Teppo? Paetsch?

I'm assuming Spacek will walk after this year, and Tallinder walks after next year if he isn't moved before. Lydman's deal is up then but it seems like Buffalo will have too many kids ready to fill spots in the NHL. Maybe they won't be ready, or maybe they get traded. Who knows...

Given how well Butler and Sekera have played as regulars, and Paetsch and Gragnani as fill-ins, I think you're right that Spacek won't be back. We need the cash for another center. I also think Tallinder is gone at the end of his deal, if not before. But Darcy and Lindy believe in veteran defensemen, and Weber and Gragnani are far from proven commodities. I can see them extending Toni.

I couldn't disagree more(and I did agree with everything else you wrote).

Even when roy didn't get all the way to the net, he ended up with the puck on the sideboards. All the rest of the team had to do was just step across the blue line and the powerplay was set up. They didn't have to dump it in, fight for it along the boards, hope to keep it in, and then set it up.

I liked it and hope to see it more.

I agree -- it was very effective. However, it did seem a bit risky and I can see a well-coached team figuring out how to counter it and turning it into a breakaway the other way.

I'm too lazy to read through the thread to see if anyone mentioned it. A few weeks after breaking his face, Teppo returns and all he adds to his helmet is a visor? The man is a warrior, not that we didn't know this already from the two sets of stitches he has in his chest.

Good call. I noticed that too. No coincidence that the D looked more solid last night.

Go Sabres. If we sweep this weekend I'm going to start issuing outlandish predictions.

Cereal · February 5, 2009

Has anyone mentioned Roy's 1 on 4 breakaway? This had to be a set play that I've never seen before: Pominville carries the puck with two other Sabres to the Toronto blueline, and all three put on the breaks right at the line. Pominvlle leaves the puck right behind him and a streaking Roy splits all the Toronto defenders, who had come to a complete stop. Roy does not score, but this play was absolutely amazing.

Haha that play was awesome. Although, I had to just watch the highlights on NHL.com, so I knew it wasn't going to be a goal when I watched. from the highlights though, it looked like The Staff could have easily hattricked as well, and we could have easily scored ten again.

Did Toronto even have more than one scoring chance?

I'm really excited to get RJ back on Friday... I think it's been over two weeks.....

LabattBlue · February 5, 2009

...However, it did seem a bit risky and I can see a well-coached team figuring out how to counter it and turning it into a breakaway the other way.

:thumbsup:

carpandean · February 5, 2009

Did Toronto even have more than one scoring chance?

I believe that they had two or three on the final shift of the first period, but that was pretty much it. Even on their PPs, they didn't have much.

inkman · February 5, 2009

Even on their PPs, they didn't have much.

I am always thrilled when there isn't much on my PP. Except for a couple things that is...

carpandean · February 5, 2009

See, fans want fighting in hockey, even if it isn't on the ice:

http://www.wgr550.com/Fan-fights-taint-bri...t-night/3793804

spndnchz · February 5, 2009

See, fans want fighting in hockey, even if it isn't on the ice:

http://www.wgr550.com/Fan-fights-taint-bri...t-night/3793804

I saw a few of these. One of the Leaf fans had blood all over his jersey. I'd like to assume the Leaf fan started it and the Sabre fan ended it. I was talking with one of the security guys after the game and he said there were a lot of fights last night. One other thing to mention is that there were a good 6 or 7 sections in the 300 level that had rows of empty seats, I'd say a good thousand sets were empty.

wonderbread · February 5, 2009

I saw a few of these. One of the Leaf fans had blood all over his jersey. I'd like to assume the Leaf fan started it and the Sabre fan ended it. I was talking with one of the security guys after the game and he said there were a lot of fights last night.

That is unacceptable. If brought my kid and she saw that I would never bring her again. It would be a shame to punish my child due to behavior of a few as@#$%%s who can't handle their emotions/booze!

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