GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[repster]

Anyone heard about any injury to Lucic? I was wondering why he would be playing most of the game on the 4th line for the Bruins.

[deluca67]

Anyone heard about any injury to Lucic? I was wondering why he would be playing most of the game on the 4th line for the Bruins.

He's been injured for most of the year.

[rickshaw]

Ennis was fantastic tonight. Could have, should have had 3 tonight.

 

This playoff experience is so beneficial for him and the Sabres. He's gonna be a fantastic player next year.

[SabresRepublic]

A rule that allows for Colon Campbell's "discretion?" Why not take someone with mental disabilities and place two blocks that say yes and no and base it upon which one he shoves in his mouth? Colon Campbell isn't qualified to decide between paper or plastic. Campbell is to the NHL front offices what Dick Jauron was to NFL head coaches. A nice guy that happens to be a bumbling idiot at his job.

 

AWESOME analysis.

 

That dude has failed to administer disciplinary action so many obvious times it begs the question: Is he aware as in potentially ADD or maybe autistic in his old age? Or, perhaps something much worse - fill in the blanks!

[shrader]

It was pretty blatant. They make themselves even more transparent if they don't suspend him. Oh well. I didn't get a good look at the end. The blood on the ice, was it Chara's?

[ORSabre]

That win was oh sooo satisfying. It's been a tough week, but that felt good. Loved how three Sabres buried Chara after he tried to fight Gaustad. I've waited all season (multiple seasons actually) for that kind of response. Well done Sabres.

 

That win gives me hope...

[nfreeman]

Only reason we're saying this is because we didn't get the refs to call penalties on the Bruins after that amazing PP by Staff, Ennis, and Gerbe. I wanna see that again and HOW!!!

+1. That was great. I thought Stafford also had a pretty good game overall.

 

Tonight was a effort that the players, coaches and fans should be proud of. They showed they were the better team. This could be the Sabres defining playoff moment. I have little doubt that this effort will carry into game Six. I just heard Miller say the Bruins had just seen the Sabres best game. He is 100% correct. The Bruins and their fans should be really concerned. I woke this morning feeling the season was over. Seeing how this team responded I feel there is plenty of hockey left to be played.

Good man.

 

Lindy calls Grier a "warrior." Brings a tear to my eye.

Grier was great again. Solid as a rock. I really want to see him back next year and I suspect Lindy does too.

 

It's not just the win it's the effort. They won game one and I was concerned. Tonight was the Sabres "best case scenario" as far as all around effort. What I am hoping, as I am sure others are as well, is that tonight represents the "switch" being turned on. There was a sense of self sacrifice I have been pining to see for a long time. How can any player watch Mike Grier take a slap shot off the head and shake it off and not completely sell out physically. At one point they flashed a stat where the Sabres blocked 12 shots to the Bruins 3. If this team is ready to sell out? Bring on the Pens.

Wow. It's a magic night!

 

Kaleta was very tough on the shotblocking as well.

 

We definitely saw the future tonight.

 

Ennis 1G, 1A, +2, 6(!) SOG

Gerbe 1A, +1, 4 SOG

Myers +3, 2 SOG

 

Ennis leads the team in points in the playoffs. Grier, a 'warrior'. Miller, confident.

 

Bring on Game 6.

Very nice.

 

All and all a solid win and game. Something you can build on with a young team which these guy's are and were still alive and learning how to win in the playoff's.

 

Perfect experience for this team to grow on. Go Sabres

+1

 

Ennis was fantastic tonight. Could have, should have had 3 tonight.

 

This playoff experience is so beneficial for him and the Sabres. He's gonna be a fantastic player next year.

He's really something, isn't he? I think he's the fastest player on the team. That line was their best line tonight, although I thought they should've cashed in a couple more before the ENG. Pommer's goal was very sweet.

 

 

 

A few other game notes:

 

1. That was the best Sabres win in three full years. Hallelujah and amen. (it turns out that "Griermen" may be the right word.)

 

2. Not sure who sits if Vanek plays on Monday. I assume it's Gerbe, Mair or McCormick but I'm not sure which one. But it would be nice to have a reasonably effective Vanek on Monday.

 

3. Miller is awesome.

 

4. I liked all of the Sabres' lines tonight:

 

Roy-Pommer-Ennis -- this emerged as their top line. I'd still be happy to see Vanek here instead of Pommer.

TC-Gaustad-Grier -- Gaustad also had a strong game, and TC continued to (slightly) improve.

Mair-McCormick-Gerbe -- based on ice time, this was the #3 line. Gerbe had 15 minutes -- and, it must be said, looked like an effective NHL player. McCormick and Mair got just under 12 minutes.

Kennedy-Kaleta-Stafford -- I thought they were pretty effective too.

 

 

5. This team can win that game on Monday. It's in them.

 

[VansTheMans]

Can't say anything that hasn't already been said in the thread.

 

I was in attendance tonight, and the energy in building was ELECTRIFYING. INSANE night. One of the best games I've ever attended. Hoping they make it back home for game 7.

 

Go Sabres.

[bunomatic]

Look,Grier is a warrior.I said last night that I had a feeling our third and fourth line guys would come through.Grier and Mair in particular.Ennis is a sparkplug and Gerbe provided speed.And even though Rivet has scared me most of the year he was plain mean tonight.This is just a start people but I tell you this,the Bruinss have doubt in their hearts and Buffalo better bring it on monday.

[Kristian]

Two words :

 

Hustle.

 

Heart.

 

Welcome back old friends, we missed you.

[TheChimp]

The NHL just released their new and improved version of the rule regarding instigator penalties in the last five minutes of regulation/overtime:

 

NHL rule 47.22.1/2: "A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five minutes or at any time in overtime shall be suspended for one game, pending a review of the incident. The director of hockey operations will review every such incident and may rescind the suspension based on a number of criteria. The criteria for the review shall include, but not be limited to, the score, previous incidents, and whether or not the offender has ever climbed Mount Kilomanjaro."

[nucci]

No way Chara gets suspended for game 6.

[TheChimp]

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nhl_experts__6/ept_sports_nhl_experts-295775190-1216222666.jpg?ymM4WrADYPU2jXgY

[Corp000085]

Hope for the series is a heck of a long ways away. However, hope for Monday night just grew exponentially. What a game. That was the single most complete game that the Sabres have played since probably the Carolina series in 06.

[Chief Enabler]

Where is the rule that states players with visors can't start fights? Or something like that.

These rules are amazing vague, from the cant fight with cage or with hand injury, Chara has had them all apply to him and he instigates the cheap shots, such a puss...

 

We've seen alot of crap in our day, but his is some of the best :death:

 

Replay Game 5 NHL network 11am EST.

[deluca67]

Wow. It's a magic night!

 

It truly must be. I even loved what the Bills did in the second and third rounds of the draft. I went to bed early in fear that I may offer to hug a republican. :thumbsup:

[Stoner]

 

3. Miller is awesome.

 

 

Lost in the shuffle is his huge save even before Mair scored, on some dude with a breakaway, or partial breakaway, whatever that is.

[bob_sauve28]

+1. That was great. I thought Stafford also had a pretty good game overall.

 

 

Good man.

 

 

Grier was great again. Solid as a rock. I really want to see him back next year and I suspect Lindy does too.

 

 

Wow. It's a magic night!

 

Kaleta [and Grier} was very tough on the shotblocking as well.

 

 

Very nice.

 

 

+1

 

 

He's really something, isn't he? I think he's the fastest player on the team. That line was their best line tonight, although I thought they should've cashed in a couple more before the ENG. Pommer's goal was very sweet.

 

 

 

A few other game notes:

 

1. That was the best Sabres win in three full years. Hallelujah and amen. (it turns out that "Griermen" may be the right word.)

 

2. Not sure who sits if Vanek plays on Monday. I assume it's Gerbe, Mair or McCormick but I'm not sure which one. But it would be nice to have a reasonably effective Vanek on Monday.

 

3. Miller is awesome.

 

4. I liked all of the Sabres' lines tonight:

 

Roy-Pommer-Ennis -- this emerged as their top line. I'd still be happy to see Vanek here instead of Pommer.TC-Gaustad-Grier -- Gaustad also had a strong game, and TC continued to (slightly) improve.

Mair-McCormick-Gerbe -- based on ice time, this was the #3 line. Gerbe had 15 minutes -- and, it must be said, looked like an effective NHL player. McCormick and Mair got just under 12 minutes.

Kennedy-Kaleta-Stafford -- I thought they were pretty effective too.

 

 

5. This team can win that game on Monday. It's in them.

Ummmm...just yes! Vanek instead of Pommer on that line would work. Vanek passes better and Pommer plays better with Connolly. I have no idea who we sit.

[Corp000085]

Lost in the shuffle is his huge save even before Mair scored, on some dude with a breakaway, or partial breakaway, whatever that is.

 

That was huge. Plus that dude got laid the F out about 2 seconds after the whistle. Really set the tone for the evening.

[bob_sauve28]

It truly must be. I even loved what the Bills did in the second and third rounds of the draft. I went to bed early in fear that I may offer to hug a republican. :thumbsup:

Well, lets not get carried away.... :lol:

[Kristian]

That was huge. Plus that dude got laid the F out about 2 seconds after the whistle. Really set the tone for the evening.

 

I haven't seen that play from the Sabres since 1999.

 

I think I even saw it twice or more last night.

 

I know Lydman had one where he wiped a guy out standing over Miller after the whistle, and McCormick had one too.

 

Did Rivet add to the party with one as well?

[Guest Sloth]

Man, I hope Vanek is a go for Monday night. The guy was simply on fire before he got taken out. The Sabres finally showed they are the better team last night. If Vanek is a go, I truly believe the Sabres will take the series.

 

As a side note, Ennis has shown he belongs a starter for the Sabres. The "core" players have done little in this series, and I hope the level of play by the young will get them fired up. Not many chances left for them to get things going. Connolly is due for a big night!

[bob_sauve28]

Man, I hope Vanek is a go for Monday night. The guy was simply on fire before he got taken out. The Sabres finally showed they are the better team last night. If Vanek is a go, I truly believe the Sabres will take the series.

 

As a side note, Ennis has shown he belongs a starter for the Sabres. The "core" players have done little in this series, and I hope the level of play by the young will get them fired up. Not many chances left for them to get things going. Connolly is due for a big night!

Connolly is ready for a break out game I think

[deluca67]

Connolly is ready for a break out game I think

Not even Jesus will be able to help the Bruins if Connolly and Roy decide to show up.

 

I mentioned earlier on in the series that the Bruins may be the best "sparring partner" the Sabres could have asked for in the first round. If Friday night was a example of the Sabres "learning" what it takes to win in the playoffs then there is no limit. The Sabres biggest enemy all season has been themselves. Their sense of entitlement and accomplishment which is completely unwarranted. It may have just taken being down three games to one against a team who's game plan was simply to punch them in the face. Maybe they realized a bloody nose doesn't hurt that bad.

[bob_sauve28]

Not even Jesus will be able to help the Bruins if Connolly and Roy decide to show up.

 

I mentioned earlier on in the series that the Bruins may be the best "sparring partner" the Sabres could have asked for in the first round. If Friday night was a example of the Sabres "learning" what it takes to win in the playoffs then there is no limit. The Sabres biggest enemy all season has been themselves. Their sense of entitlement and accomplishment which is completely unwarranted. It may have just taken being down three games to one against a team who's game plan was simply to punch them in the face. Maybe they realized a bloody nose doesn't hurt that bad.

We haven't even scored a PP goal yet. If that gets going look out.