GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[wjag]

Alfie and Spezza shutout tonight.

[SwampD]

Ahh, what's with you Mr. K & S

It's just that time of year. The playoffs have basically started.

 

We've bickered about where to put that lead weight (in the front or back, top or bottom), how much wood to shave off, how much graphite powder to put on the wheels (not enough and it won't go as fast, too much and it gets caked on and slows you down). It's the playoffs now. Nothin' we can do about it now. Time to pull that lever and watch those pine wood derby cars go down the track cheer either way.

[repster]

So - we could still either play Boston, Montreal or Philadelphia in the first round...nothing solved tonight other than we control our destiny for second place in the conference. But hey, beating Ottawa in their building on Alfie night is pretty damn good. I knew if Toronto could finally beat us, we could finally take Ottawa.

[Stoner]

Just shut up PA. Ms. Debbie downer. Hey we won the division. Could get second in the conference. We have playoff hockey for the first time in 3 years. Playing a great game against our arch nemesis and our highest paid player has four goals after being gone for a week but it's obviously a sign of the apocolypse.

 

I loathe you right now pa and if there weren't terms and conditions to adhere to I'd have two Much stronger words for you.

 

Why do you hate your pa? He gave you life.

[bunomatic]

Now that was one entertaining game.Props to Vanek for making every shot count.If ever there was an instance of intent to injure it was Suttons chop to the foot of Vanek.I thought Suttons hit on Stafford was a little late as well but thats water under the bridge at this point.Hopefully Drews not badly injured because we will need all the depth we can get in the playoffs.Every healthy body counts even if they are'nt producing.Good game boys.

[SabresRepublic]

Alfie and Spezza shutout tonight.

 

And that my friends within the Sabres Republic is one of the primary reasons why we won this game.

 

Further analysis:

 

The Sabres looked confident out there and this will serve them well as far as skating and beating anyone for that CUP.

 

Frame-by-frame the Sutton hit on Stafford is NO different than the hit by Cooke on Savard.

The former hit prompted a rule change and implementation of it this year!!!

 

If the NHL does nothing than one may begin to question whether there is undue influence.

For refreshers go back and watch the previous 5 games.

 

GO BUFFALO SABRES!!!

[SabresFan526]

Even though this was a relatively meaningless game, this was such a huge win for the Sabres. Psychologically, this is big. First, they get the monkey off their back and get a big win against Ottawa. Not only that, they really took it to Ottawa on the scoreboard with the 5-2 win tonight. Second, Thomas Vanek started out tonight third on the team in goal scoring and I think he's taken over the team lead now with 27 goals and his 4 goal performance tonight. Vanek was just absolutely on fire and when he touched the puck I felt like something awesome was about to happen. And then, needless to say, Miller was spectacular again bailing this team out time after time with huge saves especially when the Sabres gave up so many shots and so many scoring chances to Ottawa. Miller was there to close the door on all of those huge chances. And not only that, the Sabres did it shorthanded as they lost Stafford in his first shift, and without Connolly, Hecht, and Kaleta.

 

I hope Stafford's okay because he took a huge hit. At first I was hoping there would be a penalty or suspension for Sutton, but he hit from the front. It wasn't really a blind side hit. I'm expecting Hecht or Kaleta will play tomorrow and now I'm expecting Gerbe and Ennis staying up for the Playoffs until Connolly and Hecht are ready to return.

 

Also, does anyone know what happened to Sekera? He didn't play at all in the third period. Was he benched or did he get injured and I missed it? The CBC guys didn't mention anything about it as they were showering Ottawa with so much praise.

 

Good win for the Sabres even though it was a relatively meaningless game. I say meaningless because both teams are playoff teams. But the win tonight makes tomorrow's game against New Jersey a big one. If the Sabres win in regulation, the Sabres get the second seed. I'm not sure about tiebreakers if the Sabres win in OT/Shootout. Anyone know how that would work out?

[Stoner]

You have no idea what the fu$k you are talking about.

 

Maybe not, but I was right about not seeing any fireworks, just a couple of fragile little kids with sparklers.

[ReneRobert]

Maybe not, but I was right about not seeing any fireworks, just a couple of fragile little kids with sparklers.

 

 

Scoreboard, man.

[ThePebble19]

I'm not sure about tiebreakers if the Sabres win in OT/Shootout. Anyone know how that would work out?

 

If they don't win in regulation, they will have the 3 seed. NJ will have one more win than the Sabres, even if the Sabres win tomorrow.

[Stoner]

Scoreboard, man.

 

What does that mean?

 

Listen, I'm sorry if this offends the gentle sensibilities of some of you, but the Sabres beat Ottawa in a meaningless game for Ottawa, with Ottawa's backup in goal -- and Ottawa emerged still in clear possession of our ######. We are their ######, plain and simple. And Lindy won't do anything about it.

 

Why do I feel like Simon Cowell? The truth isn't popular, I guess.

[matter2003]

Now that was one entertaining game.Props to Vanek for making every shot count.If ever there was an instance of intent to injure it was Suttons chop to the foot of Vanek.I thought Suttons hit on Stafford was a little late as well but thats water under the bridge at this point.Hopefully Drews not badly injured because we will need all the depth we can get in the playoffs.Every healthy body counts even if they are'nt producing.Good game boys.

 

as far as I am concerned, I would rather have Ennis in the lineup than Stafford...that guy has been invisible for 90% of the season...

[repster]

If the Sabres win in regulation, the Sabres get the second seed. I'm not sure about tiebreakers if the Sabres win in OT/Shootout. Anyone know how that would work out?

 

NJ has 2 more wins than we do so it has to be a regulation win to take second.

[Dave Dryden]

Scoreboard, man.

Ah, someone who played the game. Thank you.

[SwampD]

Maybe not, but I was right about not seeing any fireworks, just a couple of fragile little kids with sparklers.

I'll just put it this way, I'll be surprised if either of these two teams wins the Cup this year, but I'll be WAY more surprised if it's Ottawa.

[Stoner]

Has any Sabre's hat trick goal come on a penalty shot?

[ReneRobert]

What does that mean?

 

Listen, I'm sorry if this offends the gentle sensibilities of some of you, but the Sabres beat Ottawa in a meaningless game for Ottawa, with Ottawa's backup in goal -- and Ottawa emerged still in clear possession of our ######. We are their ######, plain and simple. And Lindy won't do anything about it.

 

Why do I feel like Simon Cowell? The truth isn't popular, I guess.

 

 

Oh come on, you know what it means. It means that winning a game is the most important thing, and that is done on the scoreboard, not in the minds or perceptions of message board posters...

 

I have no idea what "truth" you claim to possess. You are certainly entitled to see every glass as at least partly empty, but there is no objective truth in such relentless negativity. Of course there are things to complain about, but really... the Sabres, who have not beaten the Sens since January 2009 went into Ottawa on Daniel Alfredsson night and beat the Senators soundly, and on top of that got a bunch of goals from someone that they need to heat up in time for the playoffs. There is a lot to like about that.

[DR HOLLIDAY]

Oh come on, you know what it means. It means that winning a game is the most important thing, and that is done on the scoreboard, not in the minds or perceptions of message board posters...

 

I have no idea what "truth" you claim to possess. You are certainly entitled to see every glass as at least partly empty, but there is no objective truth in such relentless negativity. Of course there are things to complain about, but really... the Sabres, who have not beaten the Sens since January 2009 went into Ottawa on Daniel Alfredsson night and beat the Senators soundly, and on top of that got a bunch of goals from someone that they need to heat up in time for the playoffs. There is a lot to like about that.

 

Nicely said man, you described PA to a tee....... :beer:

[Stoner]

Oh come on, you know what it means. It means that winning a game is the most important thing, and that is done on the scoreboard, not in the minds or perceptions of message board posters...

 

I have no idea what "truth" you claim to possess. You are certainly entitled to see every glass as at least partly empty, but there is no objective truth in such relentless negativity. Of course there are things to complain about, but really... the Sabres, who have not beaten the Sens since January 2009 went into Ottawa on Daniel Alfredsson night and beat the Senators soundly, and on top of that got a bunch of goals from someone that they need to heat up in time for the playoffs. There is a lot to like about that.

 

I know what it means, I just don't see how it applies to such a meaningless game. You think if they wheeled out Stafford after the game and had someone point his hand at the scoreboard, the Senators wouldn't laugh?

 

They would point at Buffalo's balls, which they still have in a jar.

 

Ottawa took liberties all night and the Sabres had little to say about it as usual. That will be far more important if the teams meet in the playoffs than this hollow win. I'm surprised there isn't more outcry about it, but then again I'm not. Maybe DeLuca will come in and inject some sanity into this madness.

[SwampD]

I know what it means, I just don't see how it applies to such a meaningless game. You think if they wheeled out Stafford after the game and had someone point his hand at the scoreboard, the Senators wouldn't laugh?

 

They would point at Buffalo's balls, which they still have in a jar.

 

Ottawa took liberties all night and the Sabres had little to say about it as usual. That will be far more important if the teams meet in the playoffs than this hollow win. I'm surprised there isn't more outcry about it, but then again I'm not. Maybe DeLuca will come in and inject some sanity into this madness.

There are no meaningless games. This loss, on Alfy Night no less, is in the craw of Ottawa. I think if we meet them in the playoffs, it will be in their heads as well.

[ThePebble19]

There are no meaningless games. This loss, on Alfy Night no less, is in the craw of Ottawa. I think if we meet them in the playoffs, it will be in their heads as well.

 

It's true. While it may have been meaningless in the standings for Ottawa, it was not for Buffalo. We could have mailed it in like we have done every single time we have played them in the last two years, but we didn't. They played well, and got the two points they needed to put them in position to get the 2nd seed with a win tomorrow.

 

Does this single win end all of the demons against Ottawa? Certainly not. They were not at their best, and were playing a backup goalie. But, at the end of the night, Miller finally had a really nice game against them, and the team played solid in front of him.

[repster]

Concussion for Stafford, Lalime in net tomorrow - per Ruff post-game comments.

[SwampD]

It's true. While it may have been meaningless in the standings for Ottawa, it was not for Buffalo. We could have mailed it in like we have done every single time we have played them in the last two years, but we didn't. They played well, and got the two points they needed to put them in position to get the 2nd seed with a win tomorrow.

 

Does this single win end all of the demons against Ottawa? Certainly not. They were not at their best, and were playing a backup goalie. But, at the end of the night, Miller finally had a really nice game against them, and the team played solid in front of him.

Not fer nothin', but Elliot is a backup goalie, just not when he plays us. If we end up playing them in the playoffs (doubtful), one loss and his armor is down.

[Stoner]

Concussion for Stafford, Lalime in net tomorrow - per Ruff post-game comments.

 

Lindy also said the two hander on Vanek was intent to injure and not a hockey play and he didn't like it and he held his breath to see if Tom was OK and he also did some needlepoint after that to work out his frustration.

[Stoner]

There are no meaningless games. This loss, on Alfy Night no less, is in the craw of Ottawa. I think if we meet them in the playoffs, it will be in their heads as well.

 

We'll agree to disagree, my friend.