Game Discussion Thread

[deluca67]

So, Mr. DeLuca, you've made it abundantly clear, in this post and others, that you are a big fan of Jack Edwards. I don't know where you live and how often you are subjected to his broadcasts, but I have very little choice (other than VS) and have to endure NESN if I want to watch the NHL here in NH. He is the poster boy for homerism. Unless I am in a lighthearted mood and able to laugh at his innumerable ridiculous assertions throughout his play by play call, it is truly maddening to put up with him. I turn off the sound most games. It's too bad, really, because he is very talented and can be an asset to the game he's doing, but he just can't help himself. Even Andy Brickley tries to reel him in once in a while, but he is rarely successful. I wonder if it is in Edwards' contract to be such a shill for the Bruins, or if it is just inbred in his nature. Either way, I'd much rather have silence than listen to him most nights.

I listen to him when online sites use the Bruins feed. He is a quality announcer.

 

For as long as I have been posting on this board there have those that feel the need to rip other announces almost in a way to try to build up the Sabres announcers. When I listen to other broadcasts I usually find them a bit more interesting than what we have here in Buffalo. I know RJ is beloved here in WNY, I find him to be a bit of a clown and more of a caricature of himself. Like John Sterling or the guy from the Penguins he is really hard to listen to at times. I guess I am more interested in informative quality announcing than I am gimmick calls.

[nfreeman]

Miller needs a break...........................

+1

Maybe it was listening to MJ the last two games; but KS wasn't bad tonight.

I listen to him when online sites use the Bruins feed. He is a quality announcer.

 

For as long as I have been posting on this board there have those that feel the need to rip other announces almost in a way to try to build up the Sabres announcers. When I listen to other broadcasts I usually find them a bit more interesting than what we have here in Buffalo. I know RJ is beloved here in WNY, I find him to be a bit of a clown and more of a caricature of himself. Like John Sterling or the guy from the Penguins he is really hard to listen to at times. I guess I am more interested in informative quality announcing than I am gimmick calls.

I thought Sylvester was quite good last night, and much better than RJ's kid, who I found close to unbearable.

 

I also think Jack Edwards is pretty good, although certainly a homer. The homerism doesn't bother me as much as it does others here, I suppose.

 

As for the game, I'm glad the Sabres won, but I'm not impressed. They still are suffused with the stink of loser-dom. Was there any doubt that they were going to blow the lead in the 3rd period? They came out for that period in the same way they started the game -- completely back on their heels and helpless. There are some nice plays here and there, but I don't see any focus or sustained intensity -- nothing indicating a winning mindset. Miller is far from sharp these days too. I have a hard time seeing them doing better than .500 for any length of time.

 

Hopefully, the sale to TP will indeed be announced shortly and it will breathe some life into these guys.

[inkman]

I love that Vanek slapper in the shootout. Sick.

It works in the shootout but he needs to stop doing it in regulation 8 feet away from the crease. He and pominville are asnine with it.

[thesportsbuff]

It works in the shootout but he needs to stop doing it in regulation 8 feet away from the crease. He and pominville are asnine with it.

 

Truest statement I've read on here in some time.

[spndnchz]

I dislike KS 4 other reasons, but after watching the game on TV today he's pretty good at PbP. As for the homerism, he's not as bad as these guys:

 

:30 and the WTF? at the end.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InzY0baLE8M

 

"An elbow to the head before the puck gets there"

"Now watch the puck is gone, then he gets hit with the shoulder to the head"

"That was definitive shoulder to head"

"Ur right that was a good shoulder to shoulder"

 

WTF?

[JujuFish]

Thank you, Stafford, for the hat trick. But when you've got three goals and you're still even for the night, it says something about your play in your own end.

It says something about his play for the first 15 minutes of the game, after which he was at -3. He was a +3 afterward.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

I dislike KS 4 other reasons

 

Did he pull out a 4 iron when you were expecting him to use the wood?

[nobody]

It's even harder to tell at home when the only microphones picking up the crowd are two banana mics sticking straight out from the press box. Believe me I looked all over during last nights intermissions and found no other visible mics anywhere. Just these two sitting under where RJ and Harry are.

 

 

But KS gave a shout out to PA; commenting on the nice job the crew does to get the sounds on the ice.

[deluca67]

But KS gave a shout out to PA; commenting on the nice job the crew does to get the sounds on the ice.

Did he call him "Big PA?"

[Eleven]

But KS gave a shout out to PA; commenting on the nice job the crew does to get the sounds on the ice.

 

That makes a lot of sense, you always can hear the scrapes of blades on the ice and the clicks of the sticks.

[Wraith]

Thank you, Stafford, for the hat trick. But when you've got three goals and you're still even for the night, it says something about your play in your own end.

 

Or maybe it says something about the validity of judgements made using the +/-. Stafford was on the ice for:

 

1) The Niedermayer own goal. Enough said on this one.

 

2) The Chara shorthanded goal. He was in front of the net when that break started and never had a chance. That goal is on Myers and Miller, both of whom played the shot rather than the pass, and Pominville, who let Chara blow past him like he was standing still.

 

3) The Marchand deflection. Watch the replay, Stafford was covering the other point man as he should've been.

[Cereal]

2) The Chara shorthanded goal. He was in front of the net when that break started and never had a chance. That goal is on Myers and Miller, both of whom played the shot rather than the pass, and Pominville, who let Chara blow past him like he was standing still.

 

Kind of right, I think. Myers should have played the pass. Not sure how you can blame Miller for this one? It is my understanding that Miller should play the shot, and Myers should challenge any pass to the other guy (forget who it was).

[JJFIVEOH]

Here's how I see it. Granted there's been a lot of goals scored this year against Miller that really weren't his fault. But nowadays in this league teams can't afford to have the best defense, the best offense and the best goaltending. Miller is supposedly an elite goaltender. He's paid to make the stops that most goaltenders wouldn't make. If we're going to have average goaltending then maybe the team needs to pick up an average goaltender and use the $$$ elsewhere. It seems like the teams with the best goaltending aren't the best when it matters. The Sabres depend on him to make the big saves. I don't know what Miller is like in the locker room and off the ice, but from his interviews and his body language on the ice, his attitude sucks. I think the defense is better this year than last year, if Miller were playing like he was last year the Sabres would be in the top 8 right now.

[darksabre]

Here's how I see it. Granted there's been a lot of goals scored this year against Miller that really weren't his fault. But nowadays in this league teams can't afford to have the best defense, the best offense and the best goaltending. Miller is supposedly an elite goaltender. He's paid to make the stops that most goaltenders wouldn't make. If we're going to have average goaltending then maybe the team needs to pick up an average goaltender and use the $$$ elsewhere. It seems like the teams with the best goaltending aren't the best when it matters. The Sabres depend on him to make the big saves. I don't know what Miller is like in the locker room and off the ice, but from his interviews and his body language on the ice, his attitude sucks. I think the defense is better this year than last year, if Miller were playing like he was last year the Sabres would be in the top 8 right now.

 

That's just what we need. This team of misfits being carried into the playoffs again. I don't think so. I'll let Miller slide this season if he comes back better next year, with a rejuvenated roster.

[JJFIVEOH]

That's just what we need. This team of misfits being carried into the playoffs again. I don't think so. I'll let Miller slide this season if he comes back better next year, with a rejuvenated roster.

 

I still have a glimmer of hope, lol. Not much mind you, but a little. I'm not sure I'm willing to let him slide this year, he needs to step up and perform now if they stand a chance. Miller's playing like a guy who wants out (and in a way I can't blame him). But if this is the case then they need to bring in somebody who wants to win. If he really does want out, nobody is going to be willing to trade for his contract unless he's playing like a superstar. I know this is a very likely scenario, I'm just thinking along the lines of the mentality of a pro sports athlete. He's not going to be able to play every game until the end of the season, he's going to need to sit eventually. I say do it now and let him think about it.

 

On the other hand, if/when the Sabres are sold to Pegula, if I were Miller I would be excited about the fact that he may have an improved roster in front of him next year. I say man up, stop being a baby, cut out all the lame ass excuses and go out and earn your paycheck. It'll be interesting to see who's in net the next couple of games.;)

[Stoner]

Here's how I see it. Granted there's been a lot of goals scored this year against Miller that really weren't his fault. But nowadays in this league teams can't afford to have the best defense, the best offense and the best goaltending. Miller is supposedly an elite goaltender. He's paid to make the stops that most goaltenders wouldn't make. If we're going to have average goaltending then maybe the team needs to pick up an average goaltender and use the $$ elsewhere. It seems like the teams with the best goaltending aren't the best when it matters. The Sabres depend on him to make the big saves. I don't know what Miller is like in the locker room and off the ice, but from his interviews and his body language on the ice, his attitude sucks. I think the defense is better this year than last year, if Miller were playing like he was last year the Sabres would be in the top 8 right now.

 

Well said.

 

The Sabres' D, at least measured in shots on goal, is better this season. They've cut 1.7 shots per game from last year. Doesn't sound like much, but it is in a league where 4th and 23rd in shots against are separated by three shots per game.

 

Miller is sitting around 30th in goals against average and save percentage. It was totally predictable, as this guy, rightly or wrongly, is more about USA Hockey than NHL hockey. That the best half season of his career preceded the Olympics, and hasn't been seen since, is no surprise.

[nfreeman]

Well said.

 

The Sabres' D, at least measured in shots on goal, is better this season. They've cut 1.7 shots per game from last year. Doesn't sound like much, but it is in a league where 4th and 23rd in shots against are separated by three shots per game.

 

Miller is sitting around 30th in goals against average and save percentage. It was totally predictable, as this guy, rightly or wrongly, is more about USA Hockey than NHL hockey. That the best half season of his career preceded the Olympics, and hasn't been seen since, is no surprise.

Nonsense.

[Stoner]

Nonsense.

 

Well said.

[deluca67]

Nonsense.

I wouldn't say complete "nonsense." More like the right church wrong pew.

 

Miller could very well be suffering from a post Olympic hangover. He put a great deal of emotion in effort into Team USA and lost. For a guy as cerebral as Miller that could lead to his decline in performance.

 

If there is a positive side to Miller's decline it is that the rest of the roster has been exposed. Without Miller stealing games as he did last season fans are not distracted by the shiny standings and are more focused on the team and their performance. Despite a few bottom end changes this is the same team as last year.

[nfreeman]

I wouldn't say complete "nonsense." More like the right church wrong pew.

 

Miller could very well be suffering from a post Olympic hangover. He put a great deal of emotion in effort into Team USA and lost. For a guy as cerebral as Miller that could lead to his decline in performance.

 

If there is a positive side to Miller's decline it is that the rest of the roster has been exposed. Without Miller stealing games as he did last season fans are not distracted by the shiny standings and are more focused on the team and their performance. Despite a few bottom end changes this is the same team as last year.

Now, this is an intelligent post that is worth having a reasonable discussion over.

 

I don't think anyone would deny that Miller isn't playing as well as he did last year. However, I think overall team defense was pretty awful in the first month of the season as 3 of the top 6 were new and struggling to adjust, and Myers was also pretty mediocre. I also think that management essentially sitting on its hands in the offseason -- and Lindy and Darcy not getting extensions -- was a stomach punch to a still-mentally-weak group of forwards that resulted in poor all-around forward play. Add those factors together and you get a 3-11 start.

 

I think Myers has played much better over the past month, and team defense overall is much improved, although not yet at last year's level. Miller has been streaky, although certainly not great in the past couple of weeks. Still, if the team had started the season playing at the level they're currently at (i.e. without the 3-11 start), they'd be about #4 or #5 in the EC. That's not good enough, but I guess my overall point is that the team's poor showing this year hasn't been the result only of the dropoff in Miller's play.

[Stoner]

nfreeman, you seem to be studiously ignoring the part of my post that you labeled "nonsense." At least I assume that was the part about Miller caring more about USA Hockey than the Sabres, since the rest of it was factual and undeniable.

 

Look at the facts, look at common sense and look at a statement Regier made. The fact is that Miller was on fire roughly the first half of the season before the Olympics (actually started to tail off just before the Olympics). Afterwards, not so much. He was outplayed in the playoffs, and his numbers are way, way down so far this season. The first half of last season was a career stretch for Miller. He was finally elite. Why? Why down this season when the team, statistically anyway based on shots on goal, is playing better defense?

 

Darcy himself said the Sabres were benefiting from Miller's play in an Olympic season. What did he mean?

 

Finally, look at Miller's family and that family's hockey background.

 

Just my opinion, but Miller would want a Gold Medal for the U.S. before a Stanley Cup for Buffalo. I'm not accusing him of being a pedophile priest, so his fans can relax. It's not really a slam.

[nfreeman]

nfreeman, you seem to be studiously ignoring the part of my post that you labeled "nonsense." At least I assume that was the part about Miller caring more about USA Hockey than the Sabres, since the rest of it was factual and undeniable.

 

Look at the facts, look at common sense and look at a statement Regier made. The fact is that Miller was on fire roughly the first half of the season before the Olympics (actually started to tail off just before the Olympics). Afterwards, not so much. He was outplayed in the playoffs, and his numbers are way, way down so far this season. The first half of last season was a career stretch for Miller. He was finally elite. Why? Why down this season when the team, statistically anyway based on shots on goal, is playing better defense?

 

Darcy himself said the Sabres were benefiting from Miller's play in an Olympic season. What did he mean?

 

Finally, look at Miller's family and that family's hockey background.

 

Just my opinion, but Miller would want a Gold Medal for the U.S. before a Stanley Cup for Buffalo. I'm not accusing him of being a pedophile priest, so his fans can relax. It's not really a slam.

Actually, I thought the entire post was paranoid, agenda-driven nonsense.

 

Let's take another look at the post:

 

Well said.

 

The Sabres' D, at least measured in shots on goal, is better this season. They've cut 1.7 shots per game from last year. Doesn't sound like much, but it is in a league where 4th and 23rd in shots against are separated by three shots per game.

 

Miller is sitting around 30th in goals against average and save percentage. It was totally predictable, as this guy, rightly or wrongly, is more about USA Hockey than NHL hockey. That the best half season of his career preceded the Olympics, and hasn't been seen since, is no surprise.

 

You watch the Sabres presumably as much as I or anyone else here does -- do you really think the Sabres' D is better than it was last season? Or did you find a stat that superficially supports your theory about Miller? Do you think shots against is a meaning ful proxy for good team defense? If so, how is it that 4 of the top 6 in shots against are Tampa, New Jersey, Toronto and Calgary?

 

It's also not plausible to claim that the last paragraph is "not a slam."

 

Finally, the main point here is that neither you, nor I, nor anyone else here has any idea whatsoever what makes Miller (or Lindy, Pegula or anyone else in the organization) tick. You are certainly free to indulge yourself in classic WNY paranoid fear and loathing of the wealthy, but when you do so you are susceptible to being called on it.

[Eleven]

nfreeman, you seem to be studiously ignoring the part of my post that you labeled "nonsense." At least I assume that was the part about Miller caring more about USA Hockey than the Sabres, since the rest of it was factual and undeniable.

 

Look at the facts, look at common sense and look at a statement Regier made. The fact is that Miller was on fire roughly the first half of the season before the Olympics (actually started to tail off just before the Olympics). Afterwards, not so much. He was outplayed in the playoffs, and his numbers are way, way down so far this season. The first half of last season was a career stretch for Miller. He was finally elite. Why? Why down this season when the team, statistically anyway based on shots on goal, is playing better defense?

 

Darcy himself said the Sabres were benefiting from Miller's play in an Olympic season. What did he mean?

 

Finally, look at Miller's family and that family's hockey background.

 

Just my opinion, but Miller would want a Gold Medal for the U.S. before a Stanley Cup for Buffalo. I'm not accusing him of being a pedophile priest, so his fans can relax. It's not really a slam.

 

That part is definitely not a slam. Most players in most sports worldwide put country ahead of club, as they should.

[Stoner]

You watch the Sabres presumably as much as I or anyone else here does -- do you really think the Sabres' D is better than it was last season? Or did you find a stat that superficially supports your theory about Miller? Do you think shots against is a meaning ful proxy for good team defense? If so, how is it that 4 of the top 6 in shots against are Tampa, New Jersey, Toronto and Calgary?

 

It's also not plausible to claim that the last paragraph is "not a slam."

 

Finally, the main point here is that neither you, nor I, nor anyone else here has any idea whatsoever what makes Miller (or Lindy, Pegula or anyone else in the organization) tick. You are certainly free to indulge yourself in classic WNY paranoid fear and loathing of the wealthy, but when you do so you are susceptible to being called on it.

The entire post was paranoid nonsense? Even the part about Miller sitting around 30th in goalie stats? You don't like facts? You one of these Tea Party birther flat-earthers?

 

And where does loathing of the wealthy enter into this? My paranoid fear, by the way, is of the WPA variety -- that the guvment is gunna put florite in the drinkin water.

 

"At least measured in shots on goal" pretty clearly puts into question the statement about the defense being better. I did that myself. I don't need your help, but thanks. Still, the stat can't be ignored. Scoring chances would be a better indicator.

 

And I stated that it's just my opinion about what drives Miller. I bet you believe to your core that Lindy is dying to win a Cup for Buffalo, right? How do you really know that?

[spndnchz]

23rd in SV%, 26th in GAA for the whole league. There are 75 goalies in the league.

 

With those 29 games or more he's 14th GAA and 12th in SV%.

 

You can make the numbers say whatever u want, we all know he's not as good as last year.