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thesportsbuff

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Posted

Connolly was key on that early 5 on 3 kill... he did have a couple turnovers (two that i remember) trying to make a move and enter the Penguins zone in the third period. Probably just me trying to defend him but can you attribute that to feeling like he has to make a move like that based on the team's inability to get anything going since the first period?

Posted

People only hate connolly cuz he makes 4.5mil (.5mil more than Roy) and he has no offensive production. He has been better defensively lately and although I wish he had left at the deadline, if he doesn't go anywhere til the summer, I understand.

Posted

Que the Connolly hate because the Sabres played bad. It was all his fault.

Yeah, because your Two Minute Hate for Luke Adam was so much more insightful. <_<

Posted

Yeah, because your Two Minute Hate for Luke Adam was so much more insightful. <_<

 

It was a brutal elbow by Adam. The Sabres, who are normally pretty disciplined under Ruff, have games where they just go brain dead.

Posted

Yeah, because your Two Minute Hate for Luke Adam was so much more insightful. <_<

 

I'll admit I blew up a little bit there, but for the record I've been on Luke Adam's case all season. He's useless. He's slow, he's soft, and I don't know that he's actually hit the net on any shots he's taken this season. I'm just glad that the goaltender interference (high sticking actually) penalty on Gaustad was actually whistled a penalty, because if not, Adam backhanded the loose puck wide of a gaping 4'x6', and I would have lost it. He has still done nothing to impress me or make me think he has any chance of making the team next year. If he's going to be Connolly's replacement then boy, everyone firing shots at Connolly better reload, because there's a whole lot more terrible hockey coming from the second line center position.

Posted

But seriously does someone wanna comment on Fleury trying to score on the empty net? I think it's pretty classless I guess. Maybe classless is a little strong.. but what a risky, selfish move to make as a goaltender when you're fighting for playoff positioning. I really really wish Buffalo could have scored when he got caught out of the net and made him eat it, then maybe even tied the game up late! As a player I would have just bowled him over, you're allowed to if he's that far out of the crease playing the puck right?

Posted

But seriously does someone wanna comment on Fleury trying to score on the empty net? I think it's pretty classless I guess. Maybe classless is a little strong.. but what a risky, selfish move to make as a goaltender when you're fighting for playoff positioning. I really really wish Buffalo could have scored when he got caught out of the net and made him eat it, then maybe even tied the game up late! As a player I would have just bowled him over, you're allowed to if he's that far out of the crease playing the puck right?

lol and Idk if you can run him over... In soccer if a goalie is outside the box they are considered another player and you can run um over.... Imagine if someone had just toasted flurry with an awesome open ice check that would have been priceless.

Posted

I'll admit I blew up a little bit there, but for the record I've been on Luke Adam's case all season. He's useless. He's slow, he's soft, and I don't know that he's actually hit the net on any shots he's taken this season. I'm just glad that the goaltender interference (high sticking actually) penalty on Gaustad was actually whistled a penalty, because if not, Adam backhanded the loose puck wide of a gaping 4'x6', and I would have lost it. He has still done nothing to impress me or make me think he has any chance of making the team next year. If he's going to be Connolly's replacement then boy, everyone firing shots at Connolly better reload, because there's a whole lot more terrible hockey coming from the second line center position.

 

He was shooting that puck as the whistle was blowing. When an ump yells for time out in the middle of a pitcher's delivery, where does the pitch usually wind up? In the mesh.

Posted

But seriously does someone wanna comment on Fleury trying to score on the empty net? I think it's pretty classless I guess. Maybe classless is a little strong.. but what a risky, selfish move to make as a goaltender when you're fighting for playoff positioning. I really really wish Buffalo could have scored when he got caught out of the net and made him eat it, then maybe even tied the game up late! As a player I would have just bowled him over, you're allowed to if he's that far out of the crease playing the puck right?

 

He wouldn't have done it with a one-goal lead.

 

The goalie is not "fair game" when outside the crease.

Posted

I'll admit I blew up a little bit there, but for the record I've been on Luke Adam's case all season. He's useless. He's slow, he's soft, and I don't know that he's actually hit the net on any shots he's taken this season. I'm just glad that the goaltender interference (high sticking actually) penalty on Gaustad was actually whistled a penalty, because if not, Adam backhanded the loose puck wide of a gaping 4'x6', and I would have lost it. He has still done nothing to impress me or make me think he has any chance of making the team next year. If he's going to be Connolly's replacement then boy, everyone firing shots at Connolly better reload, because there's a whole lot more terrible hockey coming from the second line center position.

 

LOL a seasoned vet making 4.5M is supposed to be given the benefit of the doubt but a prospect in his first pro year is deserving of scorn and criticism when he isn't near developed into NHL talent yet. :worthy:

Posted

My bottom line on the game: Miller was terrific and the Sabres played hard but couldn't generate much if any scoring chances after the 1st period. Frankly, it reminded me of the Boston playoff series -- without Vanek, the so-called "top 6" just isn't good enough to generate offense against a tough, physical, well-coached, strong defensive team with good goaltending. (BTW this is further evidence that Pommer is a good complementary player but not a top-liner who can produce offense.) Lesson for the offseason: they still really need a true top-line forward.

 

I was kinda disappointed in how ineffective Boyes was.

 

These next 2 games vs Boston and the Leafs are suddenly looking a bit scary.

 

Gut-check time.

 

Yep. They still need top 6 forwards and against a good team that is on their game it really shows.

Posted

He wouldn't have done it with a one-goal lead.

 

The goalie is not "fair game" when outside the crease.

 

I would certainly hope he wouldn't do it with a one-goal lead lol, but still, you'd think given their recent struggles and trying to play without their two best players and a bunch of other guys, Fleury would have more important things to worry about than scoring a goal. Especially when the zone was clogged and he clearly didn't have a lane to shoot it anyway. It's like he just decided "I'm gonna score a goal against Buffalo and it's gonna be the most embarrassing thing for them hahahahahaha! It'll be the talk of the league!" If I recall he had come out looking like he was about to shoot it just a few moments before, but I could have just imagined that in my brain overnight. Watching the re-run right now so we'll see.

Posted

LOL a seasoned vet making 4.5M is supposed to be given the benefit of the doubt but a prospect in his first pro year is deserving of scorn and criticism when he isn't near developed into NHL talent yet. :worthy:

 

The difference is Connolly has actually played well the last ~3 months but gets the bulk of the criticism any time the fans are upset with the team. Like others have said, they use him as a scapegoat and lay all the blame on him regardless of how the rest of the team played or how many mistakes they made. Adam has actually been pretty brutal to watch most of the games he's played this year, and I suppose that's evidenced by his 7 minutes-ish of ice time. At least Lindy agrees.

Posted

The difference is Connolly has actually played well the last ~3 months but gets the bulk of the criticism any time the fans are upset with the team. Like others have said, they use him as a scapegoat and lay all the blame on him regardless of how the rest of the team played or how many mistakes they made. Adam has actually been pretty brutal to watch most of the games he's played this year, and I suppose that's evidenced by his 7 minutes-ish of ice time. At least Lindy agrees.

 

The difference is Connolly has a 5 year history of underperforming and Adam isn't even ready fort he NHL yet. I'll get on Adam when he's actually expected to perform like a vet and making vet money and still screws up. Connolly takes much less to get criticism. It comes with the salary, talent level, and experience.

 

Keep in mind, I'm not being critical of Connolly's game last night. It was one of his better ones. It is your logic over defending the Tin Man while abusing Adam that I am questioning. The kid is a 1st year pro. How many 1st year pros around the league do you think can be expected to be able to step in to a late season playoff drive game against the top team in the conference and be a productive player? The best you can do really is cross your fingers and hope he doesn't cost you a goal.

Posted

The difference is Connolly has a 5 year history of underperforming and Adam isn't even ready fort he NHL yet.

 

Connolly has a 5 year history of missing games due to injury, not underperforming. This is the first season he has "underperformed."

Posted

Connolly has a 5 year history of missing games due to injury, not underperforming. This is the first season he has "underperformed."

 

LOL

 

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then.

Posted

LOL

 

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then.

 

05/06: 63GP, 16G 39A for 55P +5

06/07: missed all but 2 games due to injury

07/08: 48GP, 7G 33A for 40P +4

08/09: 48GP, 18G, 29A for 47P +12

09/10: 73GP, 17G 48A for 65P +10

 

hard to argue that's "underperforming." 48 assists last year? that's more than Briere ever had, with the 06/07 year one exception. that's more than drury ever got in his career. Also 1 less than Derek Roy's career high.

 

Second leading scorer last year behind Derek, fourth leading scorer behind Roy/Vanek/Pommer the year before despite only playing half the games.

 

Decent +/- numbers too.

Posted

05/06: 63GP, 16G 39A for 55P +5

06/07: missed all but 2 games due to injury

07/08: 48GP, 7G 33A for 40P +4

08/09: 48GP, 18G, 29A for 47P +12

09/10: 73GP, 17G 48A for 65P +10

 

hard to argue that's "underperforming." 48 assists last year? that's more than Briere ever had, with the 06/07 year one exception. that's more than drury ever got in his career. Also 1 less than Derek Roy's career high.

 

Second leading scorer last year behind Derek, fourth leading scorer behind Roy/Vanek/Pommer the year before despite only playing half the games.

 

Decent +/- numbers too.

 

What's he done in the playoffs when Drury and Briere weren't around? And do you really think we are getting $4.5M out of him? I don't.

Posted

What's he done in the playoffs when Drury and Briere weren't around? And do you really think we are getting $4.5M out of him? I don't.

 

And I ask you what have any Sabres done in the playoffs since Drury and Briere weren't around?

 

Tell me this, do you think Vanek has underperformed the past 3-4 years?

Posted

And I ask you what have any Sabres done in the playoffs since Drury and Briere weren't around?

 

Tell me this, do you think Vanek has underperformed the past 3-4 years?

 

Nothing, and yes.

 

Connolly is part of it. A big part. Considering his salary and his position as a top 2 center he should be in the crosshairs when the team fails (as should Vanek), not some kid in his first year as a pro.

Posted

GOOD NEWS!

 

Vanek, Grier and Hecht all on the ice this morning.

 

Adam, Mancari and Parrish sent back to Portland.

 

Thank goodness... maybe Vanek really did have the stomach "flu" instead of the real deal.

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