GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[nfreeman]

Here's my 2 cents:

 

1. That was a disappointing loss, but it was a much better effort and performance than the Rangers game, which was atrocious.

 

2. Chicago is the defending champion and a great team that came out determined to get a win.

 

3. Right now, Roy is the only top 6 forward who is playing well. Stafford and Ennis are playing OK, and TC, Pommer and Vanek are completely ineffective. There is no way the Sabres can beat an elite NHL team without getting more from the top 6.

 

4. Everyone here (and really, everyone with functioning eyes) watched the playoffs last year and concluded that the Sabres needed to make changes in their top 6. The sum total of the changes to the top 6 was the addition of a 150-pound rookie, combined with the hope that the guys already here would improve. So far, it ain't happening.

 

5. Vanek is in one of his funks where his mojo is completely gone. I have no idea what's going on with TC other than to say his passes are all well off target at this point.

 

6. They also aren't getting much from their 2 stars, Miller and Myers.

 

7. Last night showed why you can't throw away $9MM on guys like Pommer and Hecht, especially not on long-term deals. You wait for the right guy -- ie a guy like Hossa -- to become available, and then you give him $8MM or whatever it costs to get him.

 

8. I guess we'll see Gerbe tomorrow night. I'd like to see him on the PP -- he looked pretty good there in preseason.

[CallawaySabres]

You know what the excuse will be tomorrow night - hey, NJ was a desperate team with no wins and they just showed that they wanted it more tonight.....I hope Buffalo realizes that they have only won once

[Barnabov]

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?

 

 

Tell us how you really feel! :thumbsup:

[Derrico]

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?

 

That's the second poster to call out Myers. Just my observations but he hasn't appeared to be the problem to me. He's skated the puck out of the zone well and has jumped into the offensive zone well. Another poster called him tenative and I just don't see it. I don't disagree with your point that overall our Defense looks poor because they do. I just don't think it's been Myers who's the problem. Morrisonn and Leopold have not been good. Really Rivet and Monty haven't either. I like the play of Sekera and Myers but that's just not enough.

[Figster]

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

 

 

 

I know folks are disappointed with the outcome of the game, but personally, the game itself meant very little to me in comparison to the health and well being of Jason Pommonvile. I've often wondered If improvements could be made to form a safer barrier wide enough to encompass the most likely area the upper body would come in contact with the sideboards, much like whats been done in racing. Its apparent officiating is not going to stop this type of injury from happening and further measures are needed in my opinion.

 

As far as Tim Connolly goes, goes the Sabres...

[Kristian]

You know what the excuse will be tomorrow night - hey, NJ was a desperate team with no wins and they just showed that they wanted it more tonight.....I hope Buffalo realizes that they have only won once

 

"4 games in 6 nights".

[SwampD]

For those that don't think that was a dirty hit, watch at 17 secs in.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5675580

 

The ice level shot right after makes it look clean, but the overhead shot shows that without a doubt it was dirty.

It's going to be more than 2 games.

[Robviously]

As far as Tim Connolly goes, goes the Sabres...

In other words, the Sabres suck and aren't going far....

[mercury]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=337172

[Ohiofan]

That's the second poster to call out Myers. Just my observations but he hasn't appeared to be the problem to me. He's skated the puck out of the zone well and has jumped into the offensive zone well. Another poster called him tenative and I just don't see it. I don't disagree with your point that overall our Defense looks poor because they do. I just don't think it's been Myers who's the problem. Morrisonn and Leopold have not been good. Really Rivet and Monty haven't either. I like the play of Sekera and Myers but that's just not enough.

Really? While I'm not the best hockey analyst, I've been pretty happy with him. Doesn't the guy have 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 games? What am I missing?

[rickshaw]

I realize it is only 3 games in, but there is no reason to get Miller in there so much. The pattern will turn to desperation if they don't start winning.

The excuses will be that we need our Vezina guy in there to "make sure" we get the points. It's a slippery slope to go down.

 

Lalime should have played one of the first 3 games. I'm not saying Miller is "already" tired, but playing more than he should doesn't work out for him or the team later in the year and playoffs.

 

Ruff got spoiled by Hasek and has never really learned how to handle the keepers.

[Two or less]

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.

 

I am not saying the offense is A problem but how can we say it is? They are getting chances and are scoring goals. But, in our system under Lindy Ruff, we rely on the defense to start the attacks right at a turnover. We need the defense to bring the puck up the ice and get it to the forwards in stride. The problem is, we can't get the puck past the red line most of the time. It takes a total team effort to get the puck over center ice and that is the problem. Too much energy is being used on defense because the defense is absolutely playing like garbage this season.

 

They need to bench Rivet because he's been the worst one, but, is Weber or Butler any better? And, how do you bench a captain?

 

If the defense can't move the puck up the ice, we will have massive issues. It's our style of play and we will live or die with it. Theres nothing the forwards can do.

[darksabre]

I realize it is only 3 games in, but there is no reason to get Miller in there so much. The pattern will turn to desperation if they don't start winning.

The excuses will be that we need our Vezina guy in there to "make sure" we get the points. It's a slippery slope to go down.

 

Lalime should have played one of the first 3 games. I'm not saying Miller is "already" tired, but playing more than he should doesn't work out for him or the team later in the year and playoffs.

 

Ruff got spoiled by Hasek and has never really learned how to handle the keepers.

 

I really just don't see any support for these claims. Miller will play when he wants to and take breaks when he wants to. Is it so unreasonable to think that Lindy trusts his players and their trainers?

[rickshaw]

I really just don't see any support for these claims. Miller will play when he wants to and take breaks when he wants to. Is it so unreasonable to think that Lindy trusts his players and their trainers?

 

 

The reason you have coaches is so they can make the lineup and the decisions. It shouldn't be Miller's decision. Any pro athlete should want to play every game. It happens in Vancouver with Luongo. The guy is a very hard worker. Won't miss a practice, plays too much, gets burned out and sucks in the playoffs. And he's a big, strong man. Unlike Miller who is a skinny rake of a man. I'm saying it. You have to trust the backup. Play him in the tougher games so your team instinctively works harder for him. God forbid Miller gets injured and then you'll see what happens when you have to play your backup all the time.

[zow2]

Looks like the schedule is backfiring. This team won the road opener and seemed like they got too comfy and loosey goosey at home. Now we have two more at home against "desperate" opponents. Would have loved to see 3 out of 4 games on the road to start the season. The team is more focused and responsible away sometimes.

[nfreeman]

I am not saying the offense is A problem but how can we say it is? They are getting chances and are scoring goals. But, in our system under Lindy Ruff, we rely on the defense to start the attacks right at a turnover. We need the defense to bring the puck up the ice and get it to the forwards in stride. The problem is, we can't get the puck past the red line most of the time. It takes a total team effort to get the puck over center ice and that is the problem. Too much energy is being used on defense because the defense is absolutely playing like garbage this season.

 

They need to bench Rivet because he's been the worst one, but, is Weber or Butler any better? And, how do you bench a captain?

 

If the defense can't move the puck up the ice, we will have massive issues. It's our style of play and we will live or die with it. Theres nothing the forwards can do.

I respectfully disagree. The team has scored 2 goals in each of their 3 games, plus a couple of garbage-time goals. Last night, the passes in the offensive zone, especially from TC, were not crisp or accurate. Just as importantly, the forecheck wasn't there. Like Detroit, Chicago is really good at getting the puck out of their defensive zone, and the only way to create offense is to disrupt their defensive clears with a powerful forecheck.

 

Other than Hossa's breakaway last night, I didn't think any of Chicago's goals was the result of poor defensive play. One was a PPG, one was a freaky pinball bank shot and one was an awful giveaway by Grier.

 

My bottom line is that so far this year, TC, Vanek and Pommer are playing terribly, and the team doesn't have enough scoring to overcome their lack of production.

[...]

I respectfully disagree. The team has scored 2 goals in each of their 3 games, plus a couple of garbage-time goals. Last night, the passes in the offensive zone, especially from TC, were not crisp or accurate. Just as importantly, the forecheck wasn't there. Like Detroit, Chicago is really good at getting the puck out of their defensive zone, and the only way to create offense is to disrupt their defensive clears with a powerful forecheck.

 

Other than Hossa's breakaway last night, I didn't think any of Chicago's goals was the result of poor defensive play. One was a PPG, one was a freaky pinball bank shot and one was an awful giveaway by Grier.

 

My bottom line is that so far this year, TC, Vanek and Pommer are playing terribly, and the team doesn't have enough scoring to overcome their lack of production.

 

Yeah, I don't think you can simply single out the D as the problem. Watching the last three games, I can point out a bunch of players who still think it's summertime: TC, Vanek, Pominville, Myers, Grier, and Rivet. I think Sekera has been better, but right now his offensive-minded defense isn't what the Sabres need with the team playing so poorly.

 

I have to give credit to Roy and Stafford for their effort, albeit with the usual errors in judgement on the ice from time to time, but both of these guys are playing well. And I was pretty down on them last season.

 

I think Ennis' lack of experience is showing - and I think he's being coached to set up plays when ever possible rather than take the shot. He looks okay, but it seems like he's thinking "too much" at times out there.

 

Likewise, I don't know what's happened to Niedermayer these past two games, he's not playing like did during the preseason.

 

I have no problems with Leopold or Monty; they're playing as expected.

 

I just think for some reason these guys are simply not mentally prepared.

[nobody]

Has anyone used the 'we try to put on a show for the fans' excuse for the losses yet?

[Patty16]

I respectfully disagree. The team has scored 2 goals in each of their 3 games, plus a couple of garbage-time goals. Last night, the passes in the offensive zone, especially from TC, were not crisp or accurate. Just as importantly, the forecheck wasn't there. Like Detroit, Chicago is really good at getting the puck out of their defensive zone, and the only way to create offense is to disrupt their defensive clears with a powerful forecheck.

 

Other than Hossa's breakaway last night, I didn't think any of Chicago's goals was the result of poor defensive play. One was a PPG, one was a freaky pinball bank shot and one was an awful giveaway by Grier.

 

My bottom line is that so far this year, TC, Vanek and Pommer are playing terribly, and the team doesn't have enough scoring to overcome their lack of production.

 

 

Exactly. They didnt have the scoring depth last year and they dont now. Our top guys have to play like it for us to win with any consistency.

[shrader]

That's the second poster to call out Myers. Just my observations but he hasn't appeared to be the problem to me. He's skated the puck out of the zone well and has jumped into the offensive zone well. Another poster called him tenative and I just don't see it. I don't disagree with your point that overall our Defense looks poor because they do. I just don't think it's been Myers who's the problem. Morrisonn and Leopold have not been good. Really Rivet and Monty haven't either. I like the play of Sekera and Myers but that's just not enough.

 

The big thing that I'm noticing about Myers is that when there's a loose puck near him, he's sitting back a bit and hoping a teammate goes to it instead. I don't know if it's a laziness thing or a lack of comfort out there right now, but I hope he changes this soon.

 

And a question for anyone who was at the game yesterday. Did Hossa ever actually enter his own defensive zone?

[SabresneedaCup]

that loss got me angry last night. but im not flippin, so why is everyone else flippin. we are only 3 games into the season theres nothin to flip about yet. anyway here is a couple things i noticed last game and through the season.

 

miller looked bad yesterday and in the rangers game.

ruff can never make a good decision about anything.

our third and fourth lines are beast.

the sabres still have trouble finishing games and that falls on coaching.

the offense is just fine.

i dont think the defense is really that terrible.

[nobody]

And a question for anyone who was at the game yesterday. Did Hossa ever actually enter his own defensive zone?

 

 

Probably when he went to congratulate his goaltender on the win.

[nobody]

From TSN article.

 

"To me, you could argue that it (wasn't) even a penalty," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "I don't want to see anybody go down and get hurt like that, but (Hjalmarsson) wasn't even looking at the guy, he was playing the puck. There was no intent at all on the hit."

 

 

Really?

[Sterling Archer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_twXZeZUr0

 

God! That was all kinds of ugly and dirty.

[Sabre Dance]

From TSN article.

 

"To me, you could argue that it (wasn't) even a penalty," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "I don't want to see anybody go down and get hurt like that, but (Hjalmarsson) wasn't even looking at the guy, he was playing the puck. There was no intent at all on the hit."

 

 

Really?

 

Chalk it up to a coach trying to deflect criticism from his player - a little positive "spin" so the powers that be will go a little lighter on the supplementary discipline. You can bet if the situation was reversed, Quenneville would be calling for a blood sacrifice.

 

Unfortunately, it may take some poor ba$tard getting paralyzed by one of these cheap shots before the NHL will take any meaningful action. I hope that isn't the case, but.....