Stoner Posted November 10, 2010 Report Posted November 10, 2010 Fifteen games in, Sabres penalty killers struggling badly -- turn things around to finish league runners-up. Can it happen for the third time since the lockout? 05-06: Sabres kill 56 of first 70 SHS through 15 games (80%). End up at 86.6%, second overall. 09-10: Sabres kill 43 of first 54 (80%). End up at -- yes, 86.6%, second overall. 10-11: Sabres kill 47 of first 60 (78%). End up at -- 86.6% and second overall again sounds great right about now, and almost as implausible as it must have seemed those other two seasons. I started off thinking Ruff's teams almost always get better in the PK department as the season goes on, but alas... Things started off very well in 06-07, 07-08 and 08-09 and went downhill, finishing 20th, 11th and 14th, respectively. Ruff''s teams were a little more consistent at penalty killing early in his career. Top 10 in the finals season of 98-99 and 02-03 and 03-04 -- and first overall in 00-01. So, thumbs up or thumbs down, which way does it go this time?
Eleven Posted November 10, 2010 Report Posted November 10, 2010 Fifteen games in, Sabres penalty killers struggling badly -- turn things around to finish league runners-up. Can it happen for the third time since the lockout? 05-06: Sabres kill 56 of first 70 SHS through 15 games (80%). End up at 86.6%, second overall. 09-10: Sabres kill 43 of first 54 (80%). End up at -- yes, 86.6%, second overall. 10-11: Sabres kill 47 of first 60 (78%). End up at -- 86.6% and second overall again sounds great right about now, and almost as implausible as it must have seemed those other two seasons. I started off thinking Ruff's teams almost always get better in the PK department as the season goes on, but alas... Things started off very well in 06-07, 07-08 and 08-09 and went downhill, finishing 20th, 11th and 14th, respectively. Ruff''s teams were a little more consistent at penalty killing early in his career. Top 10 in the finals season of 98-99 and 02-03 and 03-04 -- and first overall in 00-01. So, thumbs up or thumbs down, which way does it go this time? I wonder if the team was missing a top PK guy in 05-06 or 09-10, like it has been in 10-11. I really don't know. Too tired/lazy to look it up. (Actually, two top PK guys now, since as soon as Pommer came back, Miller (who has to be regarded as part of the PK, right?) was out). I say they'll get better, unless there are other injuries or a significant Miller absence.
wonderbread Posted November 10, 2010 Report Posted November 10, 2010 Wow I just puked in my mouth a little. Was that a positive Lindy post? One could only hope the PK can step up. Lets hope the PP does as well. :thumbsup:
Stoner Posted November 10, 2010 Author Report Posted November 10, 2010 Wow I just puked in my mouth a little. Was that a positive Lindy post? One could only hope the PK can step up. Lets hope the PP does as well. :thumbsup: Somewhat positive. I wouldn't deny Lindy's ability to coach up the penalty killers most years. He'd be the perfect assistant in that area.
Stoner Posted November 10, 2010 Author Report Posted November 10, 2010 I wonder if the team was missing a top PK guy in 05-06 or 09-10, like it has been in 10-11. I really don't know. Too tired/lazy to look it up. (Actually, two top PK guys now, since as soon as Pommer came back, Miller (who has to be regarded as part of the PK, right?) was out). I say they'll get better, unless there are other injuries or a significant Miller absence. Yeah, you'd have to go back game by game to see who might have missed time early in those seasons. Miller's shorthanded save percentage is brutal this season, so I wouldn't attribute the problem to his absence. Swamp pondered whether the whole problem this season has been the power play, stupid. Maybe it's Miller.
bunomatic Posted November 10, 2010 Report Posted November 10, 2010 Miller is a huge part of the penalty kill.
SwampD Posted November 10, 2010 Report Posted November 10, 2010 Yeah, you'd have to go back game by game to see who might have missed time early in those seasons. Miller's shorthanded save percentage is brutal this season, so I wouldn't attribute the problem to his absence. Swamp pondered whether the whole problem this season has been the power play, stupid. Maybe it's Miller. The Sabres are either 24th, 25th or 26th in the league in - PK%, PP%, GF/G, GA/G. They have the most SHGA and the least SHG. It's everything.
Calvin Posted November 11, 2010 Report Posted November 11, 2010 The Sabres are either 24th, 25th or 26th in the league in - PK%, PP%, GF/G, GA/G. They have the most SHGA and the least SHG. It's everything. The PK will get better, i don't doubt that. The PP? at this point nothing short of new blood via a trade will change anything. Or maybe a new assistant coach.
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