GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[SJSharks]

Pat Falloon.

What a stud... :oops:

[end the curse]

Well...that's 3 in a row, ######.

[SJSharks]

Night Sabres fans. See you on our next road trip.

[Eleven]

I'll be number-signed if that guy is getting the last post this early AM. Too bad the game didn't turn out differently. Good night.

[ThePebble19]

The table was bound to tilt this way eventually. Hopefully, they can right the ship against Vancouver and take the good vibes home with them. 8 points on this road trip would not be that bad, and if the losses are going to come against anyone, it's good that they came against the WC teams.

 

The general consensus is right though...this team needs another piece to the puzzle. There are a lot of moving parts to this lineup, but something needs shaken up. They need someone to spark the PP unit, and someone who they can count on to put the puck in the net given some of the chances they had tonight. As much as I dislike the guy (mostly from being with OTT), to have a goal scorer the quality of Dany Heatley would be amazing.

[Eleven]

The table was bound to tilt this way eventually. Hopefully, they can right the ship against Vancouver and take the good vibes home with them. 8 points on this road trip would not be that bad, and if the losses are going to come against anyone, it's good that they came against the WC teams.

 

The general consensus is right though...this team needs another piece to the puzzle. There are a lot of moving parts to this lineup, but something needs shaken up. They need someone to spark the PP unit, and someone who they can count on to put the puck in the net given some of the chances they had tonight. As much as I dislike the guy (mostly from being with OTT), to have a goal scorer the quality of Dany Heatley would be amazing.

 

 

I read that bit and immediately thought, "is he from Pennsylvania?" Then I looked. Yep. It's just a way of speaking/writing that's unique to that part of the country.

 

Anyway; on to your point: I want to see them back at home for a couple of games before getting too drastic. There are some guys on this team that I'm willing to part with right now, but none of them are "big names." Stafford would be the "biggest" name. I would get rid of him in a second. Mac's not far behind, but I don't know that he's an established NHLer. My thoughts on Connolly are documented well enough, but I would demand some real value, even for him.

[carpandean]

Was it me or was the officiating really bad tonight? It was one of those, it was bad both ways, so I don't think that it was a factor in the game. However, there were several weak calls against both teams and several blatant non-calls against both. There were several times where I thought, "wow, we got away with one there" and then a minute later, I'd watch a non-call against the Sharks.

 

Anyway, decent game with the exception of a few key shift/moments. Montador definitely had his worst game of the season. Hope he bounces back ... unless, of course, he sits next game.

[nobody]

I think the key now is to get Ellis back on the ice.

[ThePebble19]

I read that bit and immediately thought, "is he from Pennsylvania?" Then I looked. Yep. It's just a way of speaking/writing that's unique to that part of the country.

 

Anyway; on to your point: I want to see them back at home for a couple of games before getting too drastic. There are some guys on this team that I'm willing to part with right now, but none of them are "big names." Stafford would be the "biggest" name. I would get rid of him in a second. Mac's not far behind, but I don't know that he's an established NHLer. My thoughts on Connolly are documented well enough, but I would demand some real value, even for him.

Heh, I never really thought about that, but I guess you do see that a lot around here...Orig. from Buffalo, but it seems I have lived here too long.

 

I agree with you as far as the changes that need made. In no way am I saying that I think we need an overhaul, far from it. The first name that comes to mind for me is Stafford. He might as well have changed his name to Houdini since the game after being benched. It's like Lindy said, he has to find another way to motivate himself to be productive, and he can't seem to find a consistant way to do that. I would hesitate to get rid of Mac, and only because I think that he is the type of guy that when he leaves, will make us pay for it...He has a lot of potential.

 

Was it me or was the officiating really bad tonight?

 

Yep, I thought the same thing. There were at least 5 times that I thought either team was offside, including on the Pominville goal at the beginning of the 3rd. Not to mention the questionable calls and no-calls.

[wjag]

 

 

 

 

Yep, I thought the same thing. There were at least 5 times that I thought either team was offside, including on the Pominville goal at the beginning of the 3rd. Not to mention the questionable calls and no-calls.

 

 

I didn't DVR it, but I thought that too. I thought it was blatant..

[FogBat]

The table was bound to tilt this way eventually. Hopefully, they can right the ship against Vancouver and take the good vibes home with them. 8 points on this road trip would not be that bad, and if the losses are going to come against anyone, it's good that they came against the WC teams.

 

The general consensus is right though...this team needs another piece to the puzzle. There are a lot of moving parts to this lineup, but something needs shaken up. They need someone to spark the PP unit, and someone who they can count on to put the puck in the net given some of the chances they had tonight. As much as I dislike the guy (mostly from being with OTT), to have a goal scorer the quality of Dany Heatley would be amazing.

Can someone please remind me when was the last time the Sabres EVER had a good Western road trip? For the life of me, I can never remember them coming away with more wins than losses throughout the entire history of the franchise whenever they had to go out West.

[26CornerBlitz]

Steve Montador is having a pathetic night...man...

 

Andrej Sekera anyone??

[wjag]

Andrej Sekera anyone??

He's been stapled to the bench.. Not sure I know why.

[SwampD]

I'm surprised this made it past the new filter.

I was working and only saw bits of the game and the third so I couldn't respond that this was pretty dang (wonder if that'll get through) funny.

 

Did we really not score on a 5 on 3 and how long was it?

 

 

Hopefully this road trip will show Darcy that the team needs something more.

Yes. Just don't tell SabresRepublic. Methinks hethinks this western losing streak is just part of the master plan to win the cup.

[SabresFan526]

I agree on the officiating. There were some really weak calls and a bunch of non-calls for both teams. Very odd.

 

I didn't think the Sabres played a bad game. I thought the first period was their best first period all season long. They even snapped San Jose's PK streak at 34 with Pommer's goal. It was not a horrible game.

 

One thing, which is blatantly obvious when you watch SJ, is that they are ridiculously talented. Pavelski accounted for 2 goals himself. The second line on SJ would easily be the first line in Buffalo. Buffalo actually did a pretty decent job of "shutting down" the top line by only allowing one goal to Heatley, which Miller should have made the save on. But, when I mean SJ is really talented, at least two of their goals was a product of tremendous offensive zone time where the Sabres were just caught running around in the defensive zone with tired players unable to make a line change. The Heatley and Ortmeyer goals were both given up for exactly that reason. The Sabres made a 2/3 line change, but Grier was still out there for an extremely long shift on Heatley's goal, and they just got caught running around because SJ is so talented, great with puck possession, and very very strong on the pucks. This is an extremely talented team.

 

I think Miller gave up at least two goals he'd want to have back. The first goal was Heatley's goal which just snuck through his five-hole. It was not a hard shot at all, and he should have made the save on that. The second goal he'd like to have back would have to be Pavelski's goal in the third where he makes the initial save, but the loose puck gets behind him and Pavelski taps it in by beating the defenseman. I think Miller typically makes those two saves. The other two goals were just horrible giveaways by Montador in the defensive zone. Lousy lousy giveaways.

 

What I take away from this game is that I think the Sabres can play with San Jose. The Sabres played a pretty decent game against perhaps the best team in the league. SJ is ridiculously talented and the Sabres did alright. You'd like to see a better outcome, but they have an extremely good goaltender on the other side in Nabokov. I'm looking forward to the rematch in HSBC. I think the Sabres will come out better and stronger in that game knowing they can play with the Sharks.

[Stoner]

Sabres are absolutely dominating the Sharks. They just can't score. Nabby looking great in goal for them.

 

ps. CSN California telecast is great. Fox LA and the Ducks telecasts were brutal. Especially the Ducks. This Sharks telecast is very nice. These two announcers did their homework on the Sabres. Very impressive.

 

Ditto. When are they going to bring the Sabres broadcasts into the 21st century? The line and combo graphics with the players photos -- nice. And the little inset of a penalized player stepping out of the box. Also nice. I've enjoyed the PbP guy a lot, especially his homage to RJ. Hilarious! Terrible impression, but hilarious. More of a caricature, I guess.

[deluca67]

He's been stapled to the bench.. Not sure I know why.

This has been Lindy's way for a long time. Certain guys just seem to find the bench faster and more often than others. Look at Jason Pomiville, why wouldn't a couple of nights watching from the press box help him as much as anyone else.

[Stoner]

Dude, I know you're a Shark troll, but do you really prefer Nabokov to Miller? (And I say this as a fan of a team with four different goalies who have Vezina trophies.) No way.

 

A little premature, eh? Miller is tiny little backward steps is starting to look more like Miller. Those long shots are whizzing by again -- amazing how he can't see them anymore, according to the shills, when he could see them weeks ago. And he's getting a little leaky again of late. Pucks finding a way in behind. He was saved by minor miracles a handful of time. Maybe now the luck is running out. I'm also seeing the bewildered eyes again. But no WTFs, which is good.

 

I'm sure it's just a minor blip. I'm nervous, that's all. A lot of these recent games feel like how I envision playoff games are going to go. There's a lid on the opposing net, and Miller stands on his head but still allows that one goal. It's going to be so frustrating. I'm already frustrated!

[Stoner]

This KKM line had better not be on the ice once ten mins are left.

 

How about with a couple of minutes left, desperately needing a goal?

[Stoner]

I don't understand pulling the goalie when you're down 2; especially when the other team has as many crack shots as SJ.

 

Would you prefer quitting?

[wjag]

I'm betting this is a solid Sabres win tonight.. You all are worried about big bad San Jose. Well maybe San Jose should be worried about big bad Buffalo. Buffalo 4-2

 

 

Heatley owns the Sabres.. Gasped a few times with him near the net. He's getting close..

 

 

Big goal.. Ends the PK streak of the Sharks at 34.

 

Time to get two more for my prediction to hold..

 

 

I smell Shark blood..

 

 

Fantastic shift by the Sharks. Had the Sabres penned in

 

Miller made the initial save, but it snuck through his pads..

 

Buffalo: 2*(:worthy:) San Jose: 3*(:censored:)

 

 

Fearlessly I say again, I smell shark blood..

 

 

Doah!!! You have got to be kidding me....

 

Buffalo: :worthy: :worthy: San Jose: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:

 

 

Amazing, Sabres have all kinds of crazy pressure and the Sharks get the goals.

 

Not my best night on the prediction front

[Stoner]

Good to see I'm not the only one who can't type this morning. Hell, I can barely move. Sitting in a chair late at night is so draining. I feel like I was batoned by the Bolivian police last night.

[Stoner]

I was a little irked by Lindy's postgame comments. That is all.

[Ohiofan]

I didn't hear the post-game comments. What was the gist?

[SwampD]

I was a little irked by Lindy's postgame comments. That is all.

Lemme guess, "We need our top guys to be our top guys"