game discussion thread GDT: Winnipeg at Buffalo 11/8/11 7:00PM

[LabattBlue]

I'm not Miller's biggest fan, but I thought the repeated Bronx cheers after he let in the first two goals were uncalled for. I always try to respect what others do at the games, but this just stupid. Would I have liked him to make a couple of big saves early in the game? Sure, but it's not like they were down 4-0. It was 2-0, and the majority of the game yet to be played.

[LastPommerFan]

My 2 cents:

 

1. I won't deny being a Miller fan, and letting in 5 (plus one that was disallowed) was not pretty, but still: he was hung out to dry on every one of them. He also made a number of really good saves to keep the deficit at 1. I was surprised to hear Lindy say in his post-game presser that Miller is "fighting it." He was pretty clearly (IMHO) implying that Miller didn't play well.

 

 

To be fair, Miller also said something along these lines.

[Derrico]

There's a lot to dissect, and a lot to be unhappy about, but I'm just going to stick with these two for now:

 

1. SO glad to see a win!!!!!

 

2. That was the prettiest SH goal I've seen in a long time. If Gaustad can move like that, pass like that, and win faceoffs like he does, then why the hell is he stuck on the fourth line?

 

Because he doesn't do that consistantly. That's the best game I've seen from him in a long time.

[Weave]

I think Miller was definitely fighting his game. Yeah, the team in front of him was making stupid plays but Miller most definitely didn't have his A game. I'm glad Lindy left him in to get the win. IMO his play, while not great, wasn't bad enough to justify another yank. Keep pulling him early in games and it becomes a Patrick LaLime scenario. We definitely don't need that.

[jwcolour]

I think you might be overreacting a little bit here. Sure, they had a bad night, but this is a pair that has shown a lot of solid play. To break them up after one bad night wouldn't necessarily be out of the realm of reality, though, as Lindy has been known to tinker with lines and pairings often.

 

Probably a bit but I just think Myers needs a more conservative partner to cover up his often mindless roaming of the ice. For all the skill and physical traits he possesses... he often seems lost.

[Derrico]

Wow, what a glorious mess that was.

Ugly, but ultimately very entertaining, with a happy ending.

1. We're fortunate to be playing an inherently undisciplined team, tired and at the end of a long road trip. Still, getting into a track meet with the Jets is match we should be winning most of the time.

2. Andrej Sekera has been our best Dman this year but he was brutal tonight. Bonehead plays by 44 led directly to two goals. I still don't know what he could possibly have been thinking on the Byfuglien goal.

3. Derek Roy epitomized the Sabres tonight: scary at both ends of the ice.

4. The captain was our best player. Again. His battle was as good as I've ever seen it. He kept battling when the old core would have folded like little kids. I liked Goose a lot as well.

5. Gerbe had a bit of a tough one. The desire, however, was there as always.

6. The team should have been flying from the RJ ceremony. Instead, they couldn't complete a pass and looked nervous as hell to start.

7. Of course they just could have been feeding off their goalie. I've been rolling my eyes at the goalie controversy, but it sure as hell felt real early. I can't remember the last time I felt that nervous when a puck came that close to a Ryan Miller net. Good on Ruff for sticking with him. Good on the offense for coming through when 30 needed it most. Bad on anyone jeering his play. I'm never in favor of sugar coating poor play. That's not the same thing as eating your own. Miller's track record should have earned him some slack with the fans.

8. Did anyone see how Cody got cut? Cause he sure seemed to get the better of the fight.

9. Tropp looks like he has a future as an NHL role player. Another win for video scouting?

10. Christian Ehrhoff looked for solid, smart and poised whenp the rest of blue line (with the it-goes-without-saying exception of Regehr) looked like stags flooded by halogens. It may have been his best game as a Sabre.

11. The power play looked dominant even when it wasn't scoring.

 

Very excellent post! I agree with absolutely everything. I don't want to get into a big debate with anyone but I just want to say that I am disappointed with the fans tonight who were mocking Miller on the easy saves. Watching the Jets feed, again, it's frusterating hearing them in shock over how the crowd has turned on Miller. They made the point, "this guy has won a Hobey (sp?) Baker award in college, several all star appearances, won a vezina, olympic MVP and olympic silver metal but in this league I guess it's only what have you done for me lately."

[dEnnis the Menace]

Morning After Musings:

 

1. The RJ ceremony and all those goal calls was impactful. Well done Buffalo.

2. Buffalo scored goals 5-5, 5-4, 5-3, 4-3 and 4-5 last night. All that was missing was 4-4. Will be a long time before your see that in a game again. Just when I had given up hope that Buffalo could score a SHG, they execute one of the most memorable SHGs I have seen.

3. How does a professional hockey player not know you can't clear a stick from the zone?

4. Rich man, poor man: Derek Roy 3 points (two goals) and a -2.

5. The Vanek slapper from the blueline was a laser. He wanted to do it again but they didn't cycle the puck to him in the high slot.

6. McCormick wailed on that guy.

7. I simply don't understand how Leino couldn't even get a point in THAT game last night. He finished a -2. And while I'm questioning the new guys, what ever they paid Ehrhoff all that money to do, he isn't doing it.

8. Buffalo rallied four times in that game.

9. The Jets were assessed 14 penalties to Buffalo's six. Buffalo had an amazing 5 PPG and a SHG..

10. Too bad they gave gave up that PPG. Tarnished, only slightly, their amazing PK.

 

just one more

 

11. Rob Ray said Miller was back after having a chance to work on some things. Presumably he got better. Too all you out there that said a few of those goals were not his fault, I agree. The big BUT though, was a Miller that was truly back would have stopped those. A few years back during the Captains era, those things happened to him all the time and he stopped those breakaways cold. IMHO he's not back yet. And if he really IS back, then the Miller 2011 is not as good as the Miller of previous years. A fact we may just have to learn to live with.

 

If the stick was broken, it would not have been a penalty, correct? The Jets player looked like he just dropped it, so I think Myers thought that it was broken...still inexcusable tho...work around it like you would any other time!

 

but I definitely agree with what you've said. The only thing I'd add is that our defense played their worst full 60 minutes of the season last night.

[Dave Dryden]

If this is true, his coach will not live with it and he will not be the starting goalie, Enroth will. Another fact we all may have to learn to live with.

Your posts are tiresome. We get your views on Miller-- fair enough. But the repetition, my God. Try something else would you?

[Dave Dryden]

I think Miller was definitely fighting his game. Yeah, the team in front of him was making stupid plays but Miller most definitely didn't have his A game. I'm glad Lindy left him in to get the win. IMO his play, while not great, wasn't bad enough to justify another yank. Keep pulling him early in games and it becomes a Patrick LaLime scenario. We definitely don't need that.

And he has a track record. He's a good goalie, at the worst. He is much better than he is showing now, even if 2009-2010 proves to be a career year that he'll never repeat. May end up being overpaid, but he is still better than most and is not worthless.

[FolignosJock]

Anyone else think Boyes looked great ??? I was impressed with his play in the offensive zone and for a while I thought he was Leino because I couldnt see the other 2

[dudacek]

Last night was deservedly RJ's, but I just wanted to put a little plug for the other guy who got a Sabre before the game.

Brad May may have had the play of the '93 playoffs, but the player of that year was Ducky.

The way Hawerchuk battled and produced against Boston and Montreal that year as Lafontaine and Mogilny dropped around him was one of the best playoff performances ever by a Sabre.

He was hell of a hockey player.

[spndnchz]

I'll echo the Roy was poor defensively, Sekera should stop giving the puck away, Gaustad working with the skating coach vibe.

 

I'll add that I don't want to see Sekera with Myers anymore. Myers needs Regehr.

[Samson's Flow]

Morning After Musings:

 

1. The RJ ceremony and all those goal calls was impactful. Well done Buffalo.

2. Buffalo scored goals 5-5, 5-4, 5-3, 4-3 and 4-5 last night. All that was missing was 4-4. Will be a long time before your see that in a game again. Just when I had given up hope that Buffalo could score a SHG, they execute one of the most memorable SHGs I have seen.

3. How does a professional hockey player not know you can't clear a stick from the zone?

4. Rich man, poor man: Derek Roy 3 points (two goals) and a -2.

5. The Vanek slapper from the blueline was a laser. He wanted to do it again but they didn't cycle the puck to him in the high slot.

6. McCormick wailed on that guy.

7. I simply don't understand how Leino couldn't even get a point in THAT game last night. He finished a -2. And while I'm questioning the new guys, what ever they paid Ehrhoff all that money to do, he isn't doing it.

8. Buffalo rallied four times in that game.

9. The Jets were assessed 14 penalties to Buffalo's six. Buffalo had an amazing 5 PPG and a SHG..

10. Too bad they gave gave up that PPG. Tarnished, only slightly, their amazing PK.

 

just one more

 

11. Rob Ray said Miller was back after having a chance to work on some things. Presumably he got better. Too all you out there that said a few of those goals were not his fault, I agree. The big BUT though, was a Miller that was truly back would have stopped those. A few years back during the Captains era, those things happened to him all the time and he stopped those breakaways cold. IMHO he's not back yet. And if he really IS back, then the Miller 2011 is not as good as the Miller of previous years. A fact we may just have to learn to live with.

Responding to your posts first:

4 - Roy looks really good in the offensive zone and it is good to see him put up points, but he was terrible in the d zone. leaving guys wide open all night. It takes a night like that to have a 3 point night and -2 (PP points helped that though)

5 - We were joking about that after he scored that goal from the point. It was almost as if he figured out that you take way less punishment hanging out at the point than in front of the net. Screw standing in front of the net, i'm gonna shoot from way out here... :clapping:

 

one other thing. Miller was not really totally at fault for a lot of those goals since they were terrible d zone coverage by the sabres. That being said, he looked really uncomfortable out there and was 'fighting it' all night. Huge rebounds, out of position, odd bounces. I definitely noticed that he did not look confident out there. Keep working on it cause we will need you later this year!

[Weave]

Anyone else think Boyes looked great ??? I was impressed with his play in the offensive zone and for a while I thought he was Leino because I couldnt see the other 2

 

I liked the game that both Boyes and Leino had last night. Boyes in particular had a couple real nice chances.

[Derrico]

I liked the game that both Boyes and Leino had last night. Boyes in particular had a couple real nice chances.

 

Agreed. Boyes has looked fairly strong the last few games now. I know he was dropped off the top two lines because of his poor production but maybe playing on one of the lower lines is takng some pressure off of him.

[LabattBlue]

Myers needs Regehr.

Actually, Myers needs to get his head out of his ass. Enough with the "he is still young". Did his agent say "don't pay him all this money because he is so young" when his new contract was being negotiated?

 

Stop thinking about the 10 million dollar bonus that will be deposited into your bank account next summer, and start playing hockey!!!

[Samson's Flow]

I would guess that towards the end of the year and hopefully into the playoffs Myers and Regehr will be the #1 pairing and eat up a ton of minutes. It wouldn't make sense to do it now and wear them out. Plus, a Sekera and Leopold pairing would be frightening.

 

The early season wishlist now includes a veteran defense-man to be picked up at the trade deadline.

I agree, but it isn't because of Sekera. Right now I have no confidence in Leopold. Last night when he took that holding penalty trying to defend Antropov (sp?) he looked lost and grabbed him because he didn't have the angle. For my money, I think Leo should be the lowest on the depth chart based on last night's performance.

[Samson's Flow]

Agreed. Boyes has looked fairly strong the last few games now. I know he was dropped off the top two lines because of his poor production but maybe playing on one of the lower lines is takng some pressure off of him.

It also seems to be giving him a little bit of a physical presence. Playing with Goose and Gerbe has made him use his body a little more which has allowed him to win the battles in the boards on a more consistent basis.

[Claude_Verret]

If you are DVRing the game ... replay the Vanek goal. The gesture by the Winipeg goaltender is priceless immediately after realizing he just got scored on .... love it :-).

 

That was a double WTF wave that a lot of folks here like to get on Miller for.

[donteatyellowsnow]

Your posts are tiresome. We get your views on Miller-- fair enough. But the repetition, my God. Try something else would you?

 

 

How does NO sound!

[LGR4GM]

I'll echo the Roy was poor defensively, Sekera should stop giving the puck away, Gaustad working with the skating coach vibe.

 

I'll add that I don't want to see Sekera with Myers anymore. Myers needs Regehr.

I agree with this. Regehr and Ehrhoff were brought to help our young def corp. Myers and Regehr should get put back because Myers is playing some insanely up and down hockey, you don't know what he will bring one shift to the next.

 

The more and read and think, Old Miller would have stopped those breakaways because thats what he did... I remember thinking even last year that when someone went in on him 1v1 he would stop 7/10... This is going to be hard to work through.

[NNYSABRESMAN]

I'll echo the Roy was poor defensively, Sekera should stop giving the puck away, Gaustad working with the skating coach vibe.

 

I'll add that I don't want to see Sekera with Myers anymore. Myers needs Regehr

 

Meyers needs to sit a game. I can't figure out how Regehr can be his boyhood idol and yet he's the biggest wuss on the ice. On the second WPG goal he got pushed by his man in front of the net, got turned around and the WPG player was clear to pick up the rebound and put in the net. He very seldom finishes checks with any physicality.

[That Aud Smell]

If you are DVRing the game ... replay the Vanek goal. The gesture by the Winipeg goaltender is priceless immediately after realizing he just got scored on .... love it :-).

 

 

That was a double WTF wave that a lot of folks here like to get on Miller for.

~3:13 mark

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

[LabattBlue]

That was a double WTF wave...

 

:lol:

[waldo]

I agree with this. Regehr and Ehrhoff were brought to help our young def corp. Myers and Regehr should get put back because Myers is playing some insanely up and down hockey, you don't know what he will bring one shift to the next.

 

The more and read and think, Old Miller would have stopped those breakaways because thats what he did... I remember thinking even last year that when someone went in on him 1v1 he would stop 7/10... This is going to be hard to work through.

 

 

there is no"up" in the "up and down " hockey he is playing ...to date... they need to bring in somebody who can fix him ... not that difficult to do, actually. IMO Pairing him with the german is not the answer. The Sabres need to get their d playing effectively as a unit and leave pairings in place for multiple games.That means as many d first games as necessary are in order . Bring up Weber. Let Tyler fix his game in his own end first before you push him up the ice. A stay home, back to basics approach,more physical play in defined situations,hipchecks,deeks, body vs puck, anticipation, quick decision making on the boards in the d zone,more physical play in front of your goaltender. More active sticks in the lanes , more traps under the right circumstances. This d needs to gell.everything else follows.