Lalime

[Stoner]

I tell you what. If I was a player on Millers team and he called me a "fragile little child" I'm not going out of my way to help him out. Especially when he is good for letting in one softie a game. I have problems with an average player, a goalie at that, constantly calling out his teammates. I can't believe nobody has fattened his lip in the locker room yet.

Maybe he needs to step it up before he shoots his mouth off.

 

All right!

 

The irony of that Miller comment is that he said it with his lip quivering.

[JoDo]

I tell you what. If I was a player on Millers team and he called me a "fragile little child" I'm not going out of my way to help him out. Especially when he is good for letting in one softie a game. I have problems with an average player, a goalie at that, constantly calling out his teammates. I can't believe nobody has fattened his lip in the locker room yet.

Maybe he needs to step it up before he shoots his mouth off.

 

Please point me to this comment by Miller.

[carpandean]

Please point me to this comment by Miller.

If I remember correctly, it was during that mid-season drop last season that started during the West coast swing. He said something along the lines of "if we're going to act like fragile little children every time some little thing goes wrong" and there may have been a "woe is me" comment in there, too.

[waldo]

I tell you what. If I was a player on Millers team and he called me a "fragile little child" I'm not going out of my way to help him out. Especially when he is good for letting in one softie a game. I have problems with an average player, a goalie at that, constantly calling out his teammates. I can't believe nobody has fattened his lip in the locker room yet.

Maybe he needs to step it up before he shoots his mouth off.

 

 

+2

[Weave]

I tell you what. If I was a player on Millers team and he called me a "fragile little child" I'm not going out of my way to help him out. Especially when he is good for letting in one softie a game. I have problems with an average player, a goalie at that, constantly calling out his teammates. I can't believe nobody has fattened his lip in the locker room yet.

Maybe he needs to step it up before he shoots his mouth off.

 

A couple exceptions aside, Miller was right. And the proof is that none of his teammates did stand up to him for that comment.

 

At the time he made that statement I thought he was going to alienate himself from his teammates. It didn't seem to happen. I guess the rest of the team needs a dominatrix to lead them around.

[Stoner]

A couple exceptions aside, Miller was right. And the proof is that none of his teammates did stand up to him for that comment.

 

At the time he made that statement I thought he was going to alienate himself from his teammates. It didn't seem to happen. I guess the rest of the team needs a dominatrix to lead them around.

 

Are you saying Miller's comment had the effect of turning things around for a slumping team? Because the record, to this day, doesn't indicate it.

 

I believe he also admitted he'd been "pissed off for months" with the way the team was playing. This necessarily included the parts of the schedule when the team was winning, a lot. It's almost like he had to wait for a slump to get it off his chest.

[Weave]

Are you saying Miller's comment had the effect of turning things around for a slumping team? Because the record, to this day, doesn't indicate it.

 

LOL No. I just meant that if they weren't a bunch of fragile children one of them would have/should have called him on it. And that they are a bunch of wusses that need someone to lead them around by calling them derogatory things and stepping on their sacks.

 

I believe he also admitted he'd been "pissed off for months" with the way the team was playing. This necessarily included the parts of the schedule when the team was winning, a lot. It's almost like he had to wait for a slump to get it off his chest.

 

I remmeber that quote from Miller as well. The way I recall it, even when the team was winning they were still playing poorly but managing to get wins. The poor play started to result in more losses than wins and Miller finally spoke up about it.

[Stoner]

LOL No. I just meant that if they weren't a bunch of fragile children one of them would have/should have called him on it. And that they are a bunch of wusses that need someone to lead them around by calling them derogatory things and stepping on their sacks.

 

I guess my question stands. Did Miller's comments "lead" them anywhere?

[Weave]

I guess my question stands. Did Miller's comments "lead" them anywhere?

 

IMO? probably not.

[bunomatic]

You know, $h!t happens. Otherwise Lalime played a great game. Previous posters are correct, the team never scores for him.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIJom-tv6sw

After the pens game tonight its apparent they don't score for Enroth either.

[Sterling Archer]

They don't score consistently. It seems like they go on benders and have 5 goal nights and then come back and are lucky if they get 1.

[DFITZ1]

Loses another two points. We need to send him to the minors to back up leggy and bring up enron. They always make such a big deal about staying fresh by playing but isn't practicing with the big club playing?

 

His team let him down just like they let Enroth down tonite. Lalime won't win games like Miller does, but keeps us in the games for the shooters to win. Problem - we have no shooters. The Sabres are the only team where a 1-0 deficit seems insurmountable.

[donteatyellowsnow]

His team let him down just like they let Enroth down tonite. Lalime won't win games like Miller does, but keeps us in the games for the shooters to win. Problem - we have no shooters. The Sabres are the only team where a 1-0 deficit seems insurmountable.

 

Why no credit to the other goalies in this league? Maybe the goaltending around the league is better than what is in Buffalo and just don't realize or want to admit it.

[DFITZ1]

Why no credit to the other goalies in this league? Maybe the goaltending around the league is better than what is in Buffalo and just don't realize or want to admit it.

My point is that if your offense cannot score more than 1 or 2 goals a game, your team will have a losing record even with above average goaltending. Both Lalime (even with the 2nd goal gaffe) and Enroth played well enough to win the last 2 games. The skaters let them down. We can't demand perfect goaltending every night just because Roy, Vanek, Connelly, Pominville, etc. can't find the net. It's like faulting a pitcher for having ab ERA of 1.00.

[donteatyellowsnow]

My point is that if your offense cannot score more than 1 or 2 goals a game, your team will have a losing record even with above average goaltending. Both Lalime (even with the 2nd goal gaffe) and Enroth played well enough to win the last 2 games. The skaters let them down. We can't demand perfect goaltending every night just because Roy, Vanek, Connelly, Pominville, etc. can't find the net. It's like faulting a pitcher for having ab ERA of 1.00.

 

your missing my point and are still blaming the offense and not giving credit to the goalie at the other end of the ice. Fluerey(sp) was incredible last night.

[Stoner]

your missing my point and are still blaming the offense and not giving credit to the goalie at the other end of the ice. Fluerey(sp) was incredible last night.

 

No, he wasn't. Just good. Most of us know incredible is just how the Sabres make most oppposing goalies -- be they future Hall of Famers or farmhands getting their first shot -- look. By the way, if not for the flu, the Sabres were going to see another backup last night.

 

I will say this. If Ryan Miller had a game like that, Father Baker would be out of luck. The community would take up the cause for Saint Ryan.

[DFITZ1]

your missing my point and are still blaming the offense and not giving credit to the goalie at the other end of the ice. Fluerey(sp) was incredible last night.

Yes, Fleury played a fine game, but for the season the Sabres have the worst or near the worst goals/game average. Our goaltenders cannot give up more than a goal to have any expectation of winning. On average, allowing 2 goals/game should guarantee a winning record.

[donteatyellowsnow]

Yes, Fleury played a fine game, but for the season the Sabres have the worst or near the worst goals/game average. Our goaltenders cannot give up more than a goal to have any expectation of winning. On average, allowing 2 goals/game should guarantee a winning record.

 

 

Oh, I don't know about that. Just in their division they are tied with Montreal scoring goals at 2.5 goals per game only behind Boston at 2.9 goals per game(Toronto 2.3 per game and Ottawa 2.4 per game). The issue as I see it is the goaltending. Buffalo is at 3 goals per game against and the only one worse is Ottawa at 3.1 against. Montreal and Boston are 1.9 against and Toronto is 2.7 against.

 

Scoring 3+ goals against is elite offensive scoring. Again the goaltending in this league is good and having a 3gaa is not going to cut it.

 

How would you like to be part of a team knowing before every game you needed to score at least 4 goals a game to win because your goaltenders are giving up 3 per game? Goaltenders in this league do not give up very much on a nightly basis, Buffalo seems to have to scratch and claw everynight just to get 2 or 3 goals. Is that because of an inept offense or is it good goalie play? I thinks it's a little of both but lean more towards good goalie play.

[DFITZ1]

Oh, I don't know about that. Just in their division they are tied with Montreal scoring goals at 2.5 goals per game only behind Boston at 2.9 goals per game(Toronto 2.3 per game and Ottawa 2.4 per game). The issue as I see it is the goaltending. Buffalo is at 3 goals per game against and the only one worse is Ottawa at 3.1 against. Montreal and Boston are 1.9 against and Toronto is 2.7 against.

 

Scoring 3+ goals against is elite offensive scoring. Again the goaltending in this league is good and having a 3gaa is not going to cut it.

 

How would you like to be part of a team knowing before every game you needed to score at least 4 goals a game to win because your goaltenders are giving up 3 per game? Goaltenders in this league do not give up very much on a nightly basis, Buffalo seems to have to scratch and claw everynight just to get 2 or 3 goals. Is that because of an inept offense or is it good goalie play? I thinks it's a little of both but lean more towards good goalie play.

Your points are well taken, but look at all the giveaways as well. Our goaltenders have played well, but have been let down by ill timed giveaways (Connelly the ace at this) and poor penalty killing (until recently). Are you suggesting Miller isn't pulling his weight more so than teh forwards?

[donteatyellowsnow]

Your points are well taken, but look at all the giveaways as well. Our goaltenders have played well, but have been let down by ill timed giveaways (Connelly the ace at this) and poor penalty killing (until recently). Are you suggesting Miller isn't pulling his weight more so than teh forwards?

 

Giveaways? as an excuse! I don't believe that.

 

Every goalie in the league has to deal with the exact same circumstances. To say the Buffalo goalies have to deal with more of them is hogwash.

 

Miller needs to be better, period.

[JJFIVEOH]

Why no credit to the other goalies in this league? Maybe the goaltending around the league is better than what is in Buffalo and just don't realize or want to admit it.

 

Take away the one game against Anaheim last year and Lalime's save % would have been the same as Luongos. Is that what you mean?:rolleyes:

 

Edit: Guess I missed the point too. Responded before I saw your next post.

[Weave]

Oh, I don't know about that. Just in their division they are tied with Montreal scoring goals at 2.5 goals per game only behind Boston at 2.9 goals per game(Toronto 2.3 per game and Ottawa 2.4 per game). The issue as I see it is the goaltending. Buffalo is at 3 goals per game against and the only one worse is Ottawa at 3.1 against. Montreal and Boston are 1.9 against and Toronto is 2.7 against.

 

Scoring 3+ goals against is elite offensive scoring. Again the goaltending in this league is good and having a 3gaa is not going to cut it.

 

How would you like to be part of a team knowing before every game you needed to score at least 4 goals a game to win because your goaltenders are giving up 3 per game? Goaltenders in this league do not give up very much on a nightly basis, Buffalo seems to have to scratch and claw everynight just to get 2 or 3 goals. Is that because of an inept offense or is it good goalie play? I thinks it's a little of both but lean more towards good goalie play.

 

How much of that increase in GAA is due to replacing Tallinder and Lydman (I'd have never thought they might be that valuable)? And how much is attributable to the forwards not being able to keep possession of the puck? Or Myers troubles? Or a lousy PK for most of the year so far? Or leading the league in short handed goals against?

 

My point is, it is way too simplistic to blame it on goaltending, startrs or backups. This team needs an enema.

[DFITZ1]

Giveaways? as an excuse! I don't believe that.

 

Every goalie in the league has to deal with the exact same circumstances. To say the Buffalo goalies have to deal with more of them is hogwash.

 

Miller needs to be better, period.

And our goalies have dealt well with the giveaways, etc. How about Miller stoning Ovechkin on a breakaway following a giveaway. Lalime and Enroth have made great stops following miscues as well, not to mention Enroth winning 2 straight shoot outs. You're saying that the goalies have to be perfect. They stop 5 of 6 (for example) high quality scoring chances and we should trade them? Again, the problem is the inability of our forward lines to finish play and power plays and put points on the board. Last night there were at least 2 point blank shots that went over the cross bar. That kills the play, no goal, no rebound, and often a defensive rush out of the zone.

[SwampD]

Oh, I don't know about that. Just in their division they are tied with Montreal scoring goals at 2.5 goals per game only behind Boston at 2.9 goals per game(Toronto 2.3 per game and Ottawa 2.4 per game). The issue as I see it is the goaltending. Buffalo is at 3 goals per game against and the only one worse is Ottawa at 3.1 against. Montreal and Boston are 1.9 against and Toronto is 2.7 against.

 

Scoring 3+ goals against is elite offensive scoring. Again the goaltending in this league is good and having a 3gaa is not going to cut it.

 

How would you like to be part of a team knowing before every game you needed to score at least 4 goals a game to win because your goaltenders are giving up 3 per game? Goaltenders in this league do not give up very much on a nightly basis, Buffalo seems to have to scratch and claw everynight just to get 2 or 3 goals. Is that because of an inept offense or is it good goalie play? I thinks it's a little of both but lean more towards good goalie play.

Actually, with a goalie in net, the Sabres have a GAA of 2.77. It's only after you factor in the empty netters that it goes above 3. And we have a lot more of those than Boston and Montreal because we are losing at the end of games.

[donteatyellowsnow]

And our goalies have dealt well with the giveaways, etc. How about Miller stoning Ovechkin on a breakaway following a giveaway. Lalime and Enroth have made great stops following miscues as well, not to mention Enroth winning 2 straight shoot outs. You're saying that the goalies have to be perfect. They stop 5 of 6 (for example) high quality scoring chances and we should trade them? Again, the problem is the inability of our forward lines to finish play and power plays and put points on the board. Last night there were at least 2 point blank shots that went over the cross bar. That kills the play, no goal, no rebound, and often a defensive rush out of the zone.

 

 

and your saying everyone but the goalie has to be perfect.

 

I liken it to, lets say the Buffalo goalie has to face 10 unbelievable, unstoppable shots per game and he saves 7 of them whereas the goalie at the other end of the ice also has to face 10 unbelievable, unstoppable shots and saves 8 of them. Neither goalie played bad but the opponent was just a tad bit better and outplayed the Buffalo goalie.

 

To blame the goalies faults on the defense or lack of backchecking is ridiculous. Every goalies defense breaks down and is forced to make unbelievable saves, it's just our goalie makes 1 less unbelievable save than the opponent.

 

Making saves is the goalies job isn't it? Our goalies need to be better.