Could the Sabres still miss the playoffs?

[Eleven]

I think you are off base. Going into the year not one of us thought they would be in first place this late in the year. We knew who and what this team was going in. Going into the year we would have been happy with them making the playoffs. I did not adjust my expectations based on the way they started the year. For those that did, thats not a Darcy problem, thats a YOU problem. You should have known better.

 

It's not an hour after your post yet, and still, the Sabs at best are tied for first now (with games in hand, I know). Seriously, I love this team, but over the last fifteen, did they really look like a first place team?

[Hank]

What should that have anything to do with the current opinions of posters? The reality is that Miller is having a Vezina/MVP quality season. That is going to change expectations not only for the fans but the players and management as well. The only problem is that the season Miller is having seems not to have effected the front office's decision making process. Which I feel is to the detriment to the franchise and the cause of frustration with many fans.

 

1 - Because for the most part they did what they should have done. They took advantage of a favorable schedule early in the year, why does that elevate our expectations from "I'll be happy if they just make the friggin playoffs" to "They are Stanley Cup Contenders!".

 

2 - Miller should win the Vezina, I agree. I don't think many of us saw this coming, hopefully it's a preview of many years to come. I'm not sure the team could have improved enough at the deadline to make a cup run, and because of that I'm glad we didn't mortgage the future to "go for it". I'm happy with the last two drafts and I like the direction the team is going. We have a franchise D-man and a Vezina goalie to build around.

 

 

It's not an hour after your post yet, and still, the Sabs at best are tied for first now (with games in hand, I know). Seriously, I love this team, but over the last fifteen, did they really look like a first place team?

 

Have they looked like a first place team over the last 15 games? No, of course not. Going into the season did you expect a first place team? No, of course not. Going into the season would you have been happy with this point total at this point in the season? Yes, you would have, we all would have.

[deluca67]

2 - Miller should win the Vezina, I agree. I don't think many of us saw this coming, hopefully it's a preview of many years to come. I'm not sure the team could have improved enough at the deadline to make a cup run,

I don't agree with this point at all. The Sabres have the most important piece in place right now. A hot goaltender. Why is it acceptable to "mortgage" this season in hopes of the future? Why is acceptable to throw away the season Miller is having? Many players dealt this year that could have helped the Sabres went for draft picks. So the Sabres trade away this years 2nd round pick. Great news Darcy the NHL will give you a new set of picks the following season. Not to mention how easy it is to acquire picks. They picked up two for Clarke MacArthur. The only thing the future holds for Regier, the Sabres and we the fans is regret. Regret at the lost opporntunity the 2009-2010 season was/is. They could have made deals and still not have it work out. If mistakes are made the future allows the opportunity to correct them. The future can not restore lost opportunities. There is no reward for not trying. There is no way to correct letting opportunity go by.

[Dave Dryden]

1 - Because for the most part they did what they should have done. They took advantage of a favorable schedule early in the year, why does that elevate our expectations from "I'll be happy if they just make the friggin playoffs" to "They are Stanley Cup Contenders!".

 

2 - Miller should win the Vezina, I agree. I don't think many of us saw this coming, hopefully it's a preview of many years to come. I'm not sure the team could have improved enough at the deadline to make a cup run, and because of that I'm glad we didn't mortgage the future to "go for it". I'm happy with the last two drafts and I like the direction the team is going. We have a franchise D-man and a Vezina goalie to build around.

 

 

 

 

Have they looked like a first place team over the last 15 games? No, of course not. Going into the season did you expect a first place team? No, of course not. Going into the season would you have been happy with this point total at this point in the season? Yes, you would have, we all would have.

This is not really a good venue to seek ratification of your point of view, although it is entirely reasonable. The last 16 games have created, or ratified, much bitterness towards the team.

 

First, I think most here would agree that the team's overall position, setting aside the past 16, is as good or better than expected. But the past 16 games has brought about an anger that manifests itself in a variety of ways.

 

You ask the right question--how close is the team to winning a Cup? That dictates what the team should have done at the trading deadline. There are three basic views here on this.

 

First, if very close, then the front office should have lived in the present and "gone for it" and not worried much about the future. This is the "Miller is having a once in a lifetime season that cannot be wasted" school of thought. Second, if 3 or 4 pieces away--as Bucky Gleason wrote on Thursday--then stay the course and tweak in the off-season and get the final pieces and win the cup next year or the following. Third, if they suck and are totally off-course--the Paul Hamilton viewpoint after the Caps game and the view of many posters here--then you have the "blow it up and start over approach."

 

Given the posts, many posters here seem to take both positions 1 and 3--it depends on the time of day and what happened in the most recent game(s). Sometimes the "brat pack"(Vanek, Roy, Pommer, Connolly and Stafford) all suck, and some or all should be traded either for a bag of pucks, or Ovechkin and Crosby, again depending on the day and the posters' realism. This is position 3--and no matter who you get in return, it is a step in the right direction. Their basic view is that these guys are all pu%%ies(except Miller and Myers), and we should trade for a team of guys with lots of grit, who will put people's heads through the boards on each and every shift. I am not sure it matters if we win, as long as they try hard and are not pu%%ies. The new players need to watch manly TV and movies too.

 

On the other hand, there is viewpoint 1--mostly implicit because no one really says this but given how they would change the the team suggests it--that the team is pretty good, but needs some significant "tweaks" that: 1.) could have been made at the trade deadline, and 2.) would have led the Sabres to the promised land this year. Names like Horton, Kaberle, etc. come up in this regard. The assumption seems to be that whatever the price, these guys could and should have been gotten--forget no trades clauses etc. Because Regier did not do this--and never does this-- he sucks. This is sort of the Danny Snyder/Glen Sather crowd of would-be owners/GMs.

 

You basically take position 2, which seemingly reflects management's view and is extremely unpopular here. That is, the team is pretty good, is moving in the right direction, has some good players in the pipeline, and when they get a bit closer they can "go for it" and add a powerplay specialist, and trade a couple of finesse forwards and D-men for a banger/stay at home brute who can score(actually, a Raffi Torres type at forward--but I digress). This is unpopular with most everyone here, because it suggests the team basically has a good core(which infuriates many) and/or the front office is gutless because they won't go for it now(which also infuriates many) or are simulataneously infuriated for both reasons because they are a bit bi-polar. Can't really tell.

 

Bottom line, you viewpoint is totally respectable, and makes sense given how you see the state of the team. But don't look for any votes around here to support your thinking. And if this team ever goes on a winning streak and rattles off 4 or 5 wins and soldifies first in the NE, some folks heads will explode--they need bad things to happen to keep them posting, although deep down they really want the team to win because they feel much better during the day.

 

Anyway, keep the faith--it's OK even if it is unpopular here. DD

[Eleven]

 

Have they looked like a first place team over the last 15 games? No, of course not. Going into the season did you expect a first place team? No, of course not. Going into the season would you have been happy with this point total at this point in the season? Yes, you would have, we all would have.

 

Well, you're right; I seem to remember predicting that the Sabres would battle it out for one of the last playoff spots. Thing is, I'm worried that that's exactly what will end up happening! But yes, I am happy with the current point total. I just don't like the momentum.

[R_Dudley]

This is not really a good venue to seek ratification of your point of view, although it is entirely reasonable. The last 16 games have created, or ratified, much bitterness towards the team.

 

First, I think most here would agree that the team's overall position, setting aside the past 16, is as good or better than expected. But the past 16 games has brought about an anger that manifests itself in a variety of ways.

 

You ask the right question--how close is the team to winning a Cup? That dictates what the team should have done at the trading deadline. There are three basic views here on this.

 

First, if very close, then the front office should have lived in the present and "gone for it" and not worried much about the future. This is the "Miller is having a once in a lifetime season that cannot be wasted" school of thought. Second, if 3 or 4 pieces away--as Bucky Gleason wrote on Thursday--then stay the course and tweak in the off-season and get the final pieces and win the cup next year or the following. Third, if they suck and are totally off-course--the Paul Hamilton viewpoint after the Caps game and the view of many posters here--then you have the "blow it up and start over approach."

 

Given the posts, many posters here seem to take both positions 1 and 3--it depends on the time of day and what happened in the most recent game(s). Sometimes the "brat pack"(Vanek, Roy, Pommer, Connolly and Stafford) all suck, and some or all should be traded either for a bag of pucks, or Ovechkin and Crosby, again depending on the day and the posters' realism. This is position 3--and no matter who you get in return, it is a step in the right direction. Their basic view is that these guys are all pu%%ies(except Miller and Myers), and we should trade for a team of guys with lots of grit, who will put people's heads through the boards on each and every shift. I am not sure it matters if we win, as long as they try hard and are not pu%%ies. The new players need to watch manly TV and movies too.

 

On the other hand, there is viewpoint 1--mostly implicit because no one really says this but given how they would change the the team suggests it--that the team is pretty good, but needs some significant "tweaks" that: 1.) could have been made at the trade deadline, and 2.) would have led the Sabres to the promised land this year. Names like Horton, Kaberle, etc. come up in this regard. The assumption seems to be that whatever the price, these guys could and should have been gotten--forget no trades clauses etc. Because Regier did not do this--and never does this-- he sucks. This is sort of the Danny Snyder/Glen Sather crowd of would-be owners/GMs.

 

You basically take position 2, which seemingly reflects management's view and is extremely unpopular here. That is, the team is pretty good, is moving in the right direction, has some good players in the pipeline, and when they get a bit closer they can "go for it" and add a powerplay specialist, and trade a couple of finesse forwards and D-men for a banger/stay at home brute who can score(actually, a Raffi Torres type at forward--but I digress). This is unpopular with most everyone here, because it suggests the team basically has a good core(which infuriates many) and/or the front office is gutless because they won't go for it now(which also infuriates many) or are simulataneously infuriated for both reasons because they are a bit bi-polar. Can't really tell.

 

Bottom line, you viewpoint is totally respectable, and makes sense given how you see the state of the team.

 

Anyway, keep the faith--it's OK even if it is unpopular here. DD

 

Nice post. I highligthed some things.

 

I love your as long as "they are not pu$$ies and watch manly TV." analogy probably because I fall into that category although I would consider that style of play/definiton more the western conference style or what some of our Northern border Canadian friends used to tell me they call good old fashioned hockey.

 

I disagree with your general notion that people in line with current managment philosphy are unpopular here I just think the frustrated fans are more vocal and the ones such as your self or Hank or more prone not to say anything rather than get into the debate. The one point I would make is "the debate of opinions and the agree to disagree" is really what this board is all about.

 

For myself I do not quite fit neatly into your categories and really do understand the management Philosophy of build from within as a small market team but as a fan do reserve the right to question the choices they have made. Specifically the player's they have, the style of play and the my personal biggest bugaboo the level of effort and desperation I see on the ice night in and night out. When I do not see it from a lot of the players I do not think it's unreasonable to question managment's choices and their comittment to those choices. How long do we wait for some of these players game evolve/ships to come in or has that ship already sailed vs. is it the player or the system ?

 

That said I think this board welcomes the variety of opinions and more spefically the debate it generates, I know I enjoy reading it. Viva la difference.

[Dave Dryden]

Nice post. I highligthed some things.

 

I love your as long as "they are not pu$$ies and watch manly TV." analogy probably because I fall into that category although I would consider that style of play/definiton more the western conference style or what some of our Northern border Canadian friends used to tell me they call good old fashioned hockey.

 

I disagree with your general notion that people in line with current managment philosphy are unpopular here I just think the frustrated fans are more vocal and the ones such as your self or Hank or more prone not to say anything rather than get into the debate. The one point I would make is "the debate of opinions and the agree to disagree" is really what this board is all about.

 

For myself I do not quite fit neatly into your categories and really do understand the management Philosophy of build from within as a small market team but as a fan do reserve the right to question the choices they have made. Specifically the player's they have, the style of play and the my personal biggest bugaboo the level of effort and desperation I see on the ice night in and night out. When I do not see it from a lot of the players I do not think it's unreasonable to question managment's choices and their comittment to those choices. How long do we wait for some of these players game evolve/ships to come in or has that ship already sailed vs. is it the player or the system ?

 

That said I think this board welcomes the variety of opinions and more spefically the debate it generates, I know I enjoy reading it. Viva la difference.

Fair enough. But it is interesting to observe the difference between say, Washington fans and Sabres fans. Washington fans are always optimistic, bordering on arrogant. The Capitals have a good team now, but have been one of the most dreadful franchises in NHL playoff history. They have never even won a Stanley Cup final game,let alone a Cup. But if you listen to the fans and announcers, it is a given that they will win the Cup this year. Perhaps they will, but if this team was in Buffalo, many fans on this board would be all over them for failing to have a Cup caliber goaltender. You would hear "what a waste of talent, all offense but no D, and no goaltender. They trade for more offense at the trade deadline, when they needed a stay at home D-man and could have traded for Luongo, Miller(fill in the blank of some good goalie that likely was not available). Now way this team wins a Cup. They should fire everyone for wasting Ovechkin, Semin, Green and Bacstrom."

 

I mean the Sabres are first in their division, and third in conference, but if you read this Board you would swear they are hovering around with the Leafs and Islanders. I am not a fan of the undue optimism/arrogance of Washington fans(oh, and the 'Skins will win the SB this year for sure) but the constant beat down on a decent team like the Sabres is a bit extreme the other way. I mean, you should have some enjoyment when your team is in first, don't you think?

[mercury]

Pessimism is in vogue.

[NowDoYouBelieve]

Fair enough. But it is interesting to observe the difference between say, Washington fans and Sabres fans. Washington fans are always optimistic, bordering on arrogant. The Capitals have a good team now, but have been one of the most dreadful franchises in NHL playoff history. They have never even won a Stanley Cup final game,let alone a Cup. But if you listen to the fans and announcers, it is a given that they will win the Cup this year. Perhaps they will, but if this team was in Buffalo, many fans on this board would be all over them for failing to have a Cup caliber goaltender. You would hear "what a waste of talent, all offense but no D, and no goaltender. They trade for more offense at the trade deadline, when they needed a stay at home D-man and could have traded for Luongo, Miller(fill in the blank of some good goalie that likely was not available). Now way this team wins a Cup. They should fire everyone for wasting Ovechkin, Semin, Green and Bacstrom."

 

I mean the Sabres are first in their division, and third in conference, but if you read this Board you would swear they are hovering around with the Leafs and Islanders. I am not a fan of the undue optimism/arrogance of Washington fans(oh, and the 'Skins will win the SB this year for sure) but the constant beat down on a decent team like the Sabres is a bit extreme the other way. I mean, you should have some enjoyment when your team is in first, don't you think?

 

Agreed, Dave. It seems that part of being a Buffalo sports fan for most is just sitting around depressed, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

We can't seem to enjoy success.

 

Take the games after the Olympic break as an example. We lose two close games in a row to Pittsburgh and Washington. The overwhelming reaction is "Bah these guys are wimps, trade em for a bag of pucks, fire Darcy, I could put a better team together, they're gonna miss the playoffs"

 

But then we win two hard-fought OT games in a row against Philly and New York. Shouldn't the reaction be equal and opposite? By the standard of the reaction to losses, shouldn't absolute elation follow from a win? Instead, I see "they got the win but they're not playing real hockey, yep Miller steals another one, why can't the top-6 score, Torres has been invisible, Pominville can't hit the broad side of a barn, moan cry whine"

 

This doesn't apply to everybody, but why can't we be as happy when they win as we are disappointed when they lose? Is the sense of impending doom really THAT powerful? On an emotional scale from 1-10, this place seems to be at a 1 after a loss and a 5 after a win. Why not a 10? It's hockey, it's fun!

 

Listen, if you put a gun to my head I probably wouldn't predict that this is the Sabres cup year. Maybe we have a 10% chance. Maybe it's only 5%. But I know it's not an impossibility, so I'm going to enjoy the ride!

[R_Dudley]

Fair enough. But it is interesting to observe the difference between say, Washington fans and Sabres fans. Washington fans are always optimistic, bordering on arrogant. The Capitals have a good team now, but have been one of the most dreadful franchises in NHL playoff history. They have never even won a Stanley Cup final game,let alone a Cup. But if you listen to the fans and announcers, it is a given that they will win the Cup this year. Perhaps they will, but if this team was in Buffalo, many fans on this board would be all over them for failing to have a Cup caliber goaltender. You would hear "what a waste of talent, all offense but no D, and no goaltender. They trade for more offense at the trade deadline, when they needed a stay at home D-man and could have traded for Luongo, Miller(fill in the blank of some good goalie that likely was not available). Now way this team wins a Cup. They should fire everyone for wasting Ovechkin, Semin, Green and Bacstrom."

 

I mean the Sabres are first in their division, and third in conference, but if you read this Board you would swear they are hovering around with the Leafs and Islanders. I am not a fan of the undue optimism/arrogance of Washington fans(oh, and the 'Skins will win the SB this year for sure) but the constant beat down on a decent team like the Sabres is a bit extreme the other way. I mean, you should have some enjoyment when your team is in first, don't you think?

 

I agree. In my case I know it's hard to really enjoy a win when I see them stealing the game. I know the odd's even out over time but having had my hopes up/heart broken too many times by this team since the seventies seem's to have taken some of that joy, like waiting for the ballon to burst. I think there is something to getting too emotionally invested in a teams fortunes.

 

Pessimism is in vogue.

Then there is this as well especially with the current state of economy, country and world, can't dispute that some may channel that agnst.

 

Agreed, Dave. It seems that part of being a Buffalo sports fan for most is just sitting around depressed, waiting for the other shoe to drop.We can't seem to enjoy success.

 

Listen, if you put a gun to my head I probably wouldn't predict that this is the Sabres cup year. Maybe we have a 10% chance. Maybe it's only 5%. But I know it's not an impossibility, so I'm going to enjoy the ride!

THIS really can describe it after too many bridemaids moments. For me I have found if the team has worked really hard and just wasn't the better team that day then I can still find some measure of enjoyment and handle the results. However if I perceive that a lot of the players do not care as much as I do and think I see it evidenced in their million dollar payday lack of play then look out, ###### Jr fan on the prowl.

[Dave Dryden]

I agree. In my case I know it's hard to really enjoy a win when I see them stealing the game. I know the odd's even out over time but having had my hopes up/heart broken too many times by this team since the seventies seem's to have taken some of that joy, like waiting for the ballon to burst. I think there is something to getting too emotionally invested in a teams fortunes.

 

 

Then there is this as well especially with the current state of economy, country and world, can't dispute that some may channel that agnst.

 

 

THIS really can describe it after too many bridemaids moments. For me I have found if the team has worked really hard and just wasn't the better team that day then I can still find some measure of enjoyment and handle the results. However if I perceive that a lot of the players do not care as much as I do and think I see it evidenced in their million dollar payday lack of play then look out, ###### Jr fan on the prowl.

 

I like your honesty. Just a couple of observations.

 

I agree you should not invest too much in expecting your team to win it all. If that's all that matters, then you will be unhappy almost all the time, because every team except one loses its last game.

 

A sport's season is like life--you know you are going to die in the end(for sure in life, likely in sports). But you can still enjoy the journey. For example, this team has sucked for almost two months. But perhaps they are clawing and scratching their way out of that funk now--look at it that way instead of "stealing a win." It is the struggle to get back up when you have been knocked down that makes it interesting.

 

As the old saying goes, that which does not kill you only makes you stronger. If they can work their way out of this--and I'll emphasize IF-- perhaps it will serve them well down the road. I mean if you are going to have a big meltdown--better to start fast, slump in January and February, and get back on track and understand better what it takes to succeed from failure. I am not saying it is that way, but it could be.

 

At bottom, if don't expect too much(and most teams, including this one are not good enough to "expect" a championship) , and let it come to you and unfold, perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised. And all the anger, angst and worry in the world after each game will not change the eventual outcome anyway.

[R_Dudley]

I like your honesty. Just a couple of observations.

 

I agree you should not invest too much in expecting your team to win it all. If that's all that matters, then you will be unhappy almost all the time, because every team except one loses its last game.

 

A sport's season is like life--you know you are going to die in the end(for sure in life, likely in sports). But you can still enjoy the journey. For example, this team has sucked for almost two months. But perhaps they are clawing and scratching their way out of that funk now--look at it that way instead of "stealing a win." It is the struggle to get back up when you have been knocked down that makes it interesting.

 

As the old saying goes, that which does not kill you only makes you stronger. If they can work their way out of this--and I'll emphasize IF-- perhaps it will serve them well down the road. I mean if you are going to have a big meltdown--better to start fast, slump in January and February, and get back on track and understand better what it takes to succeed from failure. I am not saying it is that way, but it could be.

 

At bottom, if don't expect too much(and most teams, including this one are not good enough to "expect" a championship) , and let it come to you and unfold, perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised. And all the anger, angst and worry in the world after each game will not change the eventual outcome anyway.

 

Good post.

 

Hey I'm getting there partly because of mellowing with age and mainly because I have already been able to do this to a large degree with the Bills.

 

I will say though the mood is always better after a win and that includes stealing or ugly. ;)

[Dave Dryden]

Good post.

 

Hey I'm getting there partly because of mellowing with age and mainly because I have already been able to do this to a large degree with the Bills.

 

I will say though the mood is always better after a win and that includes stealing or ugly. ;)

Roger that!

[Stoner]

This isn't too complicated. A lot of fans are upset because of how poorly the Sabres are playing. They haven't played like a first-place team for a long time. The last two wins are nothing to write home about. The whole idea is to see a team that's playing in a way that can be replicated and sustained for playoff success. Miller has said this many times about the system. The Sabres are getting away with it the last two games. Also, by no means is the typical Sabres vs. whoever game entertaining. Last night just about put to sleep some of the rowdiest fans in the NHL. Some of us are canaries in the coal mine, others are happy little blue jays. Whatever. Viva la difference.

[Dave Dryden]

This isn't too complicated. A lot of fans are upset because of how poorly the Sabres are playing. They haven't played like a first-place team for a long time. The last two wins are nothing to write home about. The whole idea is to see a team that's playing in a way that can be replicated and sustained for playoff success. Miller has said this many times about the system. The Sabres are getting away with it the last two games. Also, by no means is the typical Sabres vs. whoever game entertaining. Last night just about put to sleep some of the rowdiest fans in the NHL. Some of us are canaries in the coal mine, others are happy little blue jays. Whatever. Viva la difference.

Complicated, no, but you can't be a canary in a coal mine because you would be dead if your take on the team is correct--that's the whole point of the canary. Yet you post. So either the team is better than you say, and you are a canary, or simply a "happy little blue jay" with some condition that causes peevishness. Either way, it's OK, canaries and blue jays are all good. In fact the Blue Jays just won 4-1.

[Stoner]

Complicated, no, but you can't be a canary in a coal mine because you would be dead if your take on the team is correct--that's the whole point of the canary. Yet you post. So either the team is better than you say, and you are a canary, or simply a "happy little blue jay" with some condition that causes peevishness. Either way, it's OK, canaries and blue jays are all good. In fact the Blue Jays just won 4-1.

 

OK, I'm the king's food-taster then. Better?

[Dave Dryden]

OK, I'm the king's food-taster then. Better?

Do you want to be the king's food taster?

[matter2003]

21 games to go, we have 75 points. Right now 65 points is 9th place. Since the Jan 19 loss to Anaheim the Sabres are 3-8-3. That's .375. If that pace continues over the last 21 games the record would be 5-12-4 and 14 points out of 42. That would put Buffalo at 89 points, 2 points below where they finished last season, 10th place and out of the playoffs.

 

It would be a cruel joke if this happened, but it's not impossible.

 

PTR

 

It would take a stretch of almost comatose hockey for them to miss the playoffs...

[PromoTheRobot]

It would take a stretch of almost comatose hockey for them to miss the playoffs...

Define comatose? The stretch from Anaheim game to the Pittsburgh game they were playing .300 hockey. (9 pts in 15 games) Assuming 93 points gets you 8th seed, the Sabres now need 14 points in 18 games. That's .388 hockey. So if they fall back into that .300 slump, we miss the playoffs.

 

But we all hope the last two games are a sign they are lifting themselves from their funk. My point is not to bitch, but to point out that we don't have anything locked up yet.

 

PTR

[billsrcursed]

I think the best way to sum this up is this;

 

If this team plays the way they've been playing since the Olympic break (including these last 2 wins) during a 7 game playoff series, they're going to get their ###### handed to them. It really doesn't even matter who the opponent is at this point. Win or lose, they're not playing good enough Hockey right now. Are they capable? Sure, we've seen it. But to assume they're going to kick it into another gear come playoff time when a spot isn't even in the bag yet would be foolish and fanboy-like.

[wjag]

Agreed, Dave. It seems that part of being a Buffalo sports fan for most is just sitting around depressed, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

We can't seem to enjoy success.

 

Take the games after the Olympic break as an example. We lose two close games in a row to Pittsburgh and Washington. The overwhelming reaction is "Bah these guys are wimps, trade em for a bag of pucks, fire Darcy, I could put a better team together, they're gonna miss the playoffs"

 

But then we win two hard-fought OT games in a row against Philly and New York. Shouldn't the reaction be equal and opposite? By the standard of the reaction to losses, shouldn't absolute elation follow from a win? Instead, I see "they got the win but they're not playing real hockey, yep Miller steals another one, why can't the top-6 score, Torres has been invisible, Pominville can't hit the broad side of a barn, moan cry whine"

 

This doesn't apply to everybody, but why can't we be as happy when they win as we are disappointed when they lose? Is the sense of impending doom really THAT powerful? On an emotional scale from 1-10, this place seems to be at a 1 after a loss and a 5 after a win. Why not a 10? It's hockey, it's fun!

 

Listen, if you put a gun to my head I probably wouldn't predict that this is the Sabres cup year. Maybe we have a 10% chance. Maybe it's only 5%. But I know it's not an impossibility, so I'm going to enjoy the ride!

+1

 

I'm with you. I spent a week in Buffalo last week. I had to turn off WGR, it was beyond aggravating. I've stopped reading every post on here and I've stopped posting a lot as well. It's too depressing. Reading some folks out here you swear they were in 10th place and blowing game after game.

 

I'm stunned that they are a first place team and relish every game they play. I'm actually lamenting the end of the regular season as it feels like it went too quick for my liking this year.

 

I believe this team, yes THIS TEAM, is capable of going some distance in the playoffs. They're not going to score 4 goals in a game very often. They'll win 3-2, 2-1, and 3-1 style of games. Conversely, they're not going to get lit up 7-2 either. They'll finish the season with a couple of 25+ goal scorers and no 30 goal scorers. But they get scoring from all four lines, play decent defense and have good goal tending. I see that as a formula for winning hockey series. I'm not predicting a long run, hoping for it, but I'm predicting a decent one.

 

Enjoy the ride. Last year at this time, it was desperation hockey. This year it's all about playoff seeding. A change I certainly welcome.

[Derrico]

+1

 

I'm with you. I spent a week in Buffalo last week. I had to turn off WGR, it was beyond aggravating. I've stopped reading every post on here and I've stopped posting a lot as well. It's too depressing. Reading some folks out here you swear they were in 10th place and blowing game after game.

 

I'm stunned that they are a first place team and relish every game they play. I'm actually lamenting the end of the regular season as it feels like it went too quick for my liking this year.

 

I believe this team, yes THIS TEAM, is capable of going some distance in the playoffs. They're not going to score 4 goals in a game very often. They'll win 3-2, 2-1, and 3-1 style of games. Conversely, they're not going to get lit up 7-2 either. They'll finish the season with a couple of 25+ goal scorers and no 30 goal scorers. But they get scoring from all four lines, play decent defense and have good goal tending. I see that as a formula for winning hockey series. I'm not predicting a long run, hoping for it, but I'm predicting a decent one.

 

Enjoy the ride. Last year at this time, it was desperation hockey. This year it's all about playoff seeding. A change I certainly welcome.

 

I couldn't agree with you more! When the team is terrible (like the last two years) we whine on this board. I understand that, it has been a frusterating two years. But now that the team is in first place, let's enjoy the ride. No they don't blow teams out 5-0. We had a team that did that a few years back and how did that work out? Didn't even make it to the finals. I'm a believer in Defense wins championships and I think that this is the best team we've had from the blueline in since 99'. We all know what happened that year....

[Stoner]

I think the best way to sum this up is this;

 

If this team plays the way they've been playing since the Olympic break (including these last 2 wins) during a 7 game playoff series, they're going to get their ###### handed to them. It really doesn't even matter who the opponent is at this point. Win or lose, they're not playing good enough Hockey right now. Are they capable? Sure, we've seen it. But to assume they're going to kick it into another gear come playoff time when a spot isn't even in the bag yet would be foolish and fanboy-like.

 

Yep, a sses will be handed. That's what my ###### used to say.

 

This really is the truth, and some fans just won't accept it. The Sabres have to be a lot better. They would get no argument from Lindy, or any player. In fact, I think their crisis of confidence came when they went out West, intent on showing the league they are contenders, and were exposed. They're still trying to get their swagger back. THEY know they're not good enough, and everything management has done has reinforced that.

[Stoner]

I couldn't agree with you more! When the team is terrible (like the last two years) we whine on this board. I understand that, it has been a frusterating two years. But now that the team is in first place, let's enjoy the ride. No they don't blow teams out 5-0. We had a team that did that a few years back and how did that work out? Didn't even make it to the finals. I'm a believer in Defense wins championships and I think that this is the best team we've had from the blueline in since 99'. We all know what happened that year....

 

The Sabres did lead the regular season in goals-against in 00-01. Just sayin'.

 

If you study Cup winners since 2000, only one offensively-challenged team appears to have been carried to a Cup by its defense, and that's the 02-03 Devils. They were 14th in goals, but had the best defense, during the regular season. Still best in goals against in the playoffs, but they finished third in goals. So they clearly needed both parts of their game to be near the top to win it all.

 

There aren't any other Cup winners since 2000 that finished outside the top 10 in goals in the regular season.

 

Yes, there are some other very good defensive teams that won the Cup, but none of them struggled to score goals. Detroit in 08 and Colorado in 01 and Detroit in 02 -- all three were near the top of the league in offense and defense in the regular season.

 

The playoff rankings are tougher to interpet because of smaller, and differing, sample sizes.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that it's hard to be hopeful for the Sabres' Cup chances when you consider they are 16th in goals and 5th in goals against. The NJ 03 model works, but only if the Sabres can really pick up the scoring in the playoffs.

 

You probably have to be balanced, and highly ranked, in both parts of the game, to win a Cup. If you look at the four "unbalanced" teams that won the Cup since 2000, three of the four had much worse defenses than offenses -- in the regular season. All turned things around defensively in the playoffs.

 

You need both! The numbers are interesting to look at and as usual you can make them jump through hoops, and do dirty little dances.

[nfreeman]

+1

 

I'm with you. I spent a week in Buffalo last week. I had to turn off WGR, it was beyond aggravating. I've stopped reading every post on here and I've stopped posting a lot as well. It's too depressing. Reading some folks out here you swear they were in 10th place and blowing game after game.

 

I'm stunned that they are a first place team and relish every game they play. I'm actually lamenting the end of the regular season as it feels like it went too quick for my liking this year.

 

I believe this team, yes THIS TEAM, is capable of going some distance in the playoffs. They're not going to score 4 goals in a game very often. They'll win 3-2, 2-1, and 3-1 style of games. Conversely, they're not going to get lit up 7-2 either. They'll finish the season with a couple of 25+ goal scorers and no 30 goal scorers. But they get scoring from all four lines, play decent defense and have good goal tending. I see that as a formula for winning hockey series. I'm not predicting a long run, hoping for it, but I'm predicting a decent one.

 

Enjoy the ride. Last year at this time, it was desperation hockey. This year it's all about playoff seeding. A change I certainly welcome.

Good post. It's a great day to be alive!

 

This team will not win the Cup or the EC this year, but they continue to grow and improve, as they have since the 2007 debacle. Winning the division and a round in the playoffs, and then adding a good piece or 2 in the summer, would be a good year.

 

This really is the truth, and some fans just won't accept it. The Sabres have to be a lot better. They would get no argument from Lindy, or any player. In fact, I think their crisis of confidence came when they went out West, intent on showing the league they are contenders, and were exposed. They're still trying to get their swagger back. THEY know they're not good enough, and everything management has done has reinforced that.

I agree with most of this post, although I'm mystified as to what management has done to reinforce the team's knowledge that it's not good enough. DR brought in exactly what was needed at the deadline -- a tough winger who can score.

 

The Sabres did lead the regular season in goals-against in 00-01. Just sayin'.

 

If you study Cup winners since 2000, only one offensively-challenged team appears to have been carried to a Cup by its defense, and that's the 02-03 Devils. They were 14th in goals, but had the best defense, during the regular season. Still best in goals against in the playoffs, but they finished third in goals. So they clearly needed both parts of their game to be near the top to win it all.

 

There aren't any other Cup winners since 2000 that finished outside the top 10 in goals in the regular season.

 

Yes, there are some other very good defensive teams that won the Cup, but none of them struggled to score goals. Detroit in 08 and Colorado in 01 and Detroit in 02 -- all three were near the top of the league in offense and defense in the regular season.

 

The playoff rankings are tougher to interpet because of smaller, and differing, sample sizes.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that it's hard to be hopeful for the Sabres' Cup chances when you consider they are 16th in goals and 5th in goals against. The NJ 03 model works, but only if the Sabres can really pick up the scoring in the playoffs.

 

You probably have to be balanced, and highly ranked, in both parts of the game, to win a Cup. If you look at the four "unbalanced" teams that won the Cup since 2000, three of the four had much worse defenses than offenses -- in the regular season. All turned things around defensively in the playoffs.

 

You need both! The numbers are interesting to look at and as usual you can make them jump through hoops, and do dirty little dances.

Very good post.