GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[deluca67]

Lost to a Back up Goalie? Had a top player knocked out of the game with a cheap shot? Did nothing about it? Yep! This team is already in mid-season form.

[darksabre]

They could have won this game if they had played in the 2nd.

[carpandean]

Ugh.

 

At least Roy is having a productive season. He has 4 goals and the rest of the team has ... 4 goals.

[SwampD]

Not liking Miller's game right now...looks very tentative...no reason to blow a 2-0 lead at home and lose...really inexcusable...

If the Sabres had a Hossa, we would have destroyed this team. This was a pretty good game. We skated like a hot mess and it was still a really close game.

[JohnRobertEichel]

Not liking Miller's game right now...looks very tentative...no reason to blow a 2-0 lead at home and lose...really inexcusable...

 

Blowing a 2-0 lead....reminds me of last year's playoffs.

[SabresFan526]

Two things that stand out to me immediately. First the Blackhawks are still ridiculously talented even after losing 10 players from last year's team. They are really good. Second, the Sabres are still mentally soft. I think they just stopped playing after Pominville got hurt. Sure, there's going to be a suspension, but there needs to be more than just Connolly going after the guy. Somebody has to go after Kane or Toews to even the score. This team is still mentally fragile.

 

A couple of things I'm noticing after the first few games. It does not seem like the defense is all that good and they really looked bad tonight. It seems like Myers has regressed. How much of that is due to Myers and how much of that is due to Morrison? I'm not sure, but Myers does not look the same as last year, does not look as aggressive with the puck and not as aggressive in the offensive zone. He seems to be playing tentatively. Additionally, it seems like Morrison is not very good. He seems out of sorts. It just seems like this team still hasn't gelled and developed any sort of chemistry with the new guys who have come on board. Leopold does actually look good and I have liked what he's brought aside from the one giveaway against Ottawa. I'd like to see Weber or Butler given a chance in the next game.

 

The defense has looked awful the last couple of games, but Miller also does not seem to look good right now. He seems a bit tentative and does not seem to be coming out as much and challenging shooters. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but Miller does look a little off. I'm not concerned by Miller, and I'm sure he'll get back to his normal form.

 

Connolly looks absolutely horrible with the puck and he's got to go. I don't care if he scored a tap-in goal, the rest of his play all night long warrants his dismissal. I'm getting a bit concerned with Vanek as he's getting a lot of chances and nothing's going in right now. I'm not sure what it is, but Vanek's struggles are beginning to concern me if he doesn't start scoring soon.

[SwampD]

McCormick earned a spot on the roster for the remaining 79 games.

 

I meant Starting Lineup.

This!

[rickshaw]

I just saw the Pommers hit. Brutal. But what's worse is we do nothing. Kudos for Connolly of all guys trying to get in the mix.

 

I too believe someone needs to go grab Toews or Kane by the neck and rag doll him. Sure, we'll get penalties but who cares? This team is so friggin soft it's sickening. What would the John Tuckers do? What would the Barnabys do? We did nothing, didn't score and we still lost. So what is the difference? Maybe we win if we retaliate. Maybe guys get their blood boiling and we get that sticking together mentality.

 

On a side note. Myers is going to have some bumps along the way. Will he have the jinx, I don't think so, but he'll do some learning for sure this year. It won't be as easy.

 

On another side note. Lindy Ruff, you are already burning out your goalie. Jeezus man, you have to play your backup whether you like it or not. Lindy Ruff and Marc Crawford quite possibly are the two worst coaches ever when it comes to goalies and how to use them.

[BuffalOhio]

First the puck was mo where near Pomminstein, that wasn't true

 

then it was an elbow and no he didn't elbow him

 

now it's a hit from behind when he hit him from the side

 

I think pommers just took a real solid body check

 

Ummmmmm....sorry but that was from behind (out of his lateral view as well) and dirty dirty dirty, puck or no puck. Sum bitch.

[SabresFan526]

Ummmmmm....sorry but that was from behind (out of his lateral view as well) and dirty dirty dirty, puck or no puck. Sum bitch.

Agree with you. First, the hit was not clean and it was clearly from behind where Pominville could not see him. It was definitely a boarding penalty and definitely worth a game misconduct. Second, even if this was a legal hit, it was still a very dirty hit as he came from behind and hit Pominville in the head.

 

For those who may have forgotten, the NHL has put new rules in place protecting players from hits to the head, just like this whether the hit is legal, clean, whatever. Hits like Mike Richards on Booth and Cooke on Savard are now illegal hits that will result in fines and suspensions even though the hit may technically look clean or legal. A player can no longer be given a hit to the head, and this clearly was a hit to the head of Pominville and as per the new rules Hjalmarsson should be suspended and severely fined if the NHL is going to put their money where their mouth is.

 

Edit: Here's the new rule as per the NHL Rulebook, Rule 48: http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=64063

[bob_sauve28]

Agree with you. First, the hit was not clean and it was clearly from behind where Pominville could not see him. It was definitely a boarding penalty and definitely worth a game misconduct. Second, even if this was a legal hit, it was still a very dirty hit as he came from behind and hit Pominville in the head.

 

For those who may have forgotten, the NHL has put new rules in place protecting players from hits to the head, just like this whether the hit is legal, clean, whatever. Hits like Mike Richards on Booth and Cooke on Savard are now illegal hits that will result in fines and suspensions even though the hit may technically look clean or legal. A player can no longer be given a hit to the head, and this clearly was a hit to the head of Pominville and as per the new rules Hjalmarsson should be suspended and severely fined if the NHL is going to put their money where their mouth is.

 

Edit: Here's the new rule as per the NHL Rulebook, Rule 48: http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=64063

First it was the puck was no where to be seen, then the story was it was an elbow, now its that the hit was from behind. Will someone post the video of the hit so we can judge it???

[SabresFan526]

First it was the puck was no where to be seen, then the story was it was an elbow, now its that the hit was from behind. Will someone post the video of the hit so we can judge it???

 

If you go to the Buffalo News Sabres Edge Blog, you can find a couple of different videos of it. Here's the link: http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/10/live-from-the-arena-sabres-vs-kanes-er-hawks.html

[darksabre]

I just saw the Pommers hit. Brutal. But what's worse is we do nothing. Kudos for Connolly of all guys trying to get in the mix.

 

I too believe someone needs to go grab Toews or Kane by the neck and rag doll him. Sure, we'll get penalties but who cares? This team is so friggin soft it's sickening. What would the John Tuckers do? What would the Barnabys do? We did nothing, didn't score and we still lost. So what is the difference? Maybe we win if we retaliate. Maybe guys get their blood boiling and we get that sticking together mentality.

 

On a side note. Myers is going to have some bumps along the way. Will he have the jinx, I don't think so, but he'll do some learning for sure this year. It won't be as easy.

 

On another side note. Lindy Ruff, you are already burning out your goalie. Jeezus man, you have to play your backup whether you like it or not. Lindy Ruff and Marc Crawford quite possibly are the two worst coaches ever when it comes to goalies and how to use them.

 

Why the heck would you play Lalime tonight? Miller has a day between each of the next three games to rest which is plenty of time. Play Lalime in Chicago on Saturday. No problems. The man is a professional athlete. Let him find his groove.

[billsrcursed]

Why the heck would you play Lalime tonight? Miller has a day between each of the next three games to rest which is plenty of time. Play Lalime in Chicago on Saturday. No problems. The man is a professional athlete. Let him find his groove.

 

This "burnout" theory is beginning to grow it's own legs, and we're only 3 games in. :wallbash:

 

You'd think Miller was the biggest pu$$y to hit the ice since the last octopus in the Joe... very flawed argument indeed.

 

I'm not sure what Lindy's approach is in between periods, but it's not working. These guys come out of intermission like they just wrapped up a kettle of Tea and a real good round of "story time". WTF is happening in the locker room that they are so mind-fuked after the 1st??? I hope they learn how to shake this funk real quick or it's going to be a long season for these kids...

[bob_sauve28]

If you go to the Buffalo News Sabres Edge Blog, you can find a couple of different videos of it. Here's the link: http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/10/live-from-the-arena-sabres-vs-kanes-er-hawks.html

After watching it again I would be very surprised if there was a fine or suspension for that

[billsrcursed]

After watching it again I would be very surprised if there was a fine or suspension for that

 

I'll admit that it was closer than I first thought.... but a hit from behind is a hit from behind, on a defenseless player to boot.

 

No way that goes without some type of infraction.

[thesportsbuff]

I think it was obviously a dirty hit. Interference, hit from behind, boarding -- take your pick. It wasn't a direct hit to the head and as far as I recall, he's a "first time offender," so I would doubt that the league hands down any suspension. I think a 5 minute major + game misconduct was the right call.

[wonderbread]

This "burnout" theory is beginning to grow it's own legs, and we're only 3 games in. :wallbash:

 

You'd think Miller was the biggest pu$$y to hit the ice since the last octopus in the Joe... very flawed argument indeed.

 

I'm not sure what Lindy's approach is in between periods, but it's not working. These guys come out of intermission like they just wrapped up a kettle of Tea and a real good round of "story time". WTF is happening in the locker room that they are so mind-fuked after the 1st??? I hope they learn how to shake this funk real quick or it's going to be a long season for these kids...

 

 

You forgot the Madeline cookies with the individual fluted seperators. That and Blankies

[billsrcursed]

I think it was obviously a dirty hit. Interference, hit from behind, boarding -- take your pick. It wasn't a direct hit to the head and as far as I recall, he's a "first time offender," so I would doubt that the league hands down any suspension. I think a 5 minute major + game misconduct was the right call.

 

The only reason I would expect more from the league is because the result of his "dirty" hit caused JP to have a concussion.

 

I'd hope the League takes the stance of injury due to an illegal hit is cause for immediate suspension. And yes, I laughed a little while typing that... :blush:

[Eleven]

From the game (well, a suite, where I was entertaining, and so I didn't get to see everything):

 

1. The folks in my suite said that Pommer has a concussion, not a neck/back/nervous system injury. Hope that's true, and hope the concussion is mild.

 

2. Loved that McCormick forced a guy to fight. Loved it.

 

3. Stafford (don't care that he scored) and Connolly (my niece would have put that one in), well, you've proven me right. Would you please just go somewhere else? You are NOWHERE when the puck is in Buffalo's end. In Connolly's case, well, he had a great giveaway, and then floated while his teammates raced back to defend. Stafford won't stick up for himself, much less anyone else. Connolly can handle the puck, very well, but right into nowhere; Stafford shows no creativity at all. Go. Now.

 

4. Miller looks tired.

 

5. Ennis needs to learn to play without the puck. Seems to me that a guy with a similar problem was waived twice since July.

 

6. Vanek looked really slow in the third, and I hope his legs are ok.

 

7. So many missed opportunities. It's still about finishing. This team doesn't have guys who finish, except for Roy. Sorry, TV, but you're gripping the stick too tightly or something.

 

8. Is it just me, or is Tyler Myers much less impressive this year?

 

9. Pominville will be a bigger loss, as a two-way player, than most people think.

 

10. Not down on this team yet, but Ruff needs to stop giving free passes to 19 and 21 NOW. Bench 'em, even at the risk of losing a game.

[bunomatic]

I'd like to add to this by saying that Miller has looked pedestrian so far early in the season. He stole so many last year he spoiled us and so far he's been o.k. but no where close to great.

[Two or less]

I'd like to add to this by saying that Miller has looked pedestrian so far early in the season. He stole so many last year he spoiled us and so far he's been o.k. but no where close to great.

 

Miller isn't the problem, and neither is the offense. They are getting the chances. The problem is, the defense is brutal. Rivet is horrible. Even worse then he was last year. He's paired with Sekera, who's looked decent so far but has so many flaws that he gets exposed even when he plays well. He can't play with a guy like Rivet. Morrisson i am not so sure is the right guy for Myers and speaking of Myers, he's been one of the WORST players on the entire roster so far. He looks lost and mismatched. And no, it's not some stupid sophomore slump.

 

Speaking of players who are playing really bad, Mike Grier. They should have never gave him that extension. I know he means a lot to the locker room and is a leader, but, the man stinks this season. I really doubt he's going through a bad stretch. At worst case scenario, Grier will be a heck of a PKer for us, but this year, he can't even clear the puck out of our own zone. How many times will his clears get stopped at the blueline?

[mercury]

Sure, there's going to be a suspension, but there needs to be more than just Connolly going after the guy.

 

Kudos for Connolly of all guys trying to get in the mix.

 

I was beginning to think that I was the only person who noticed the fact that Connolly wrestled Hjalmarsson to the ice.

[CallawaySabres]

The entire game game changed when Connolly gave away the puck in Chicago's end which resulted in his stupid penalty and goal. Not only was Connolly invisible again but he, in my opinion, was the direct reason of why the game turned to Chicago....

[Eric in Akron]

Miller isn't the problem, and neither is the offense. They are getting the chances. The problem is, the defense is brutal. Rivet is horrible. Even worse then he was last year. He's paired with Sekera, who's looked decent so far but has so many flaws that he gets exposed even when he plays well. He can't play with a guy like Rivet. Morrisson i am not so sure is the right guy for Myers and speaking of Myers, he's been one of the WORST players on the entire roster so far. He looks lost and mismatched. And no, it's not some stupid sophomore slump.

 

 

I think the offense is the problem... they cannot sustain pressure in the offensive zone, which means your defense has to do a lot more up and down skating. Honestly, our offense looks like the bad news bears out there. Pucks going to nobody. Losing the puck off your stick when there is no one around you. Passing to the front of the goal when there is NEVER anyone camped there.

 

Every entry to the offensive zone is the same. Skate up the wing, get close to the blue line, chip it in and try to get around the defender. There is rarely someone joining the rush and when there is, no one can get a pass to them.

 

Someone said that Chicago is still very talented after losing 10 players. I disagree, Chicago looked to be more talented because they executed their game. Their passes were crisp and they were in sync.

 

Sabres better find their game or it is going to be long season.