shrader Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Have expectations dropped that low? Is this a serious question? You've seen them play for the last 3 months (ok, maybe not the last month). They've been awful. Like you said, they can't score, so the only way they're ever going to compete this season is by not allowing any goals. That's exactly what they did last night. The increased energy level was obvious.
LabattBlue Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Is this a serious question? You've seen them play for the last 3 months (ok, maybe not the last month). They've been awful. Like you said, they can't score, so the only way they're ever going to compete this season is by not allowing any goals. That's exactly what they did last night. The increased energy level was obvious. I am serious. Yes they have been awful for the last two months, but does that mean people should be giddy about another loss in a game where they score no goals. Hooray for a better effort!
frissonic Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I see it as, this the the way the team usually plays, wait until their backs are against the wall and then play to potential. In past years they have limited this nasty little habit to within games, play nonchalant for 40 minutes and show up when the game gets late and they are down. This year they applied it to the season. They are at do or die and decided it is time to do. I've noticed the exact same thing. I even remember yelling after the OT win against the Rangers in game 5 that the Sabres don't need 60 minutes to beat you; they need 5 minutes. And yah, that's an extreme hyperbolization, but you get my point. WHEN they decide to actually play, they're good. Even great. But the last few years, those times have been few and far between. I don't know about y'all, but I can't recall a time in recent memory where they've played 2 complete 60-minute games back to back and gave it their all for both games. The last two tilts have been a blast to watch.
korab rules Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I see it as, this the the way the team usually plays, wait until their backs are against the wall and then play to potential. In past years they have limited this nasty little habit to within games, play nonchalant for 40 minutes and show up when the game gets late and they are down. This year they applied it to the season. They are at do or die and decided it is time to do. Great observation. It dates all the way back to the lockout. Although I would say that they took the season to the brink last year. They are like auto-erotic asphyxiators - but this year, I think they have gone all David Carradine on us.
dEnnis the Menace Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Great observation. It dates all the way back to the lockout. Although I would say that they took the season to the brink last year. They are like auto-erotic asphyxiators - but this year, I think they have gone all David Carradine on us. That is probably one the best analogies I have ever heard regarding a sports team :w00t: :w00t:
darksabre Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I am serious. Yes they have been awful for the last two months, but does that mean people should be giddy about another loss in a game where they score no goals. Hooray for a better effort! Why don't you knock it off wit all dem negative waves?
shrader Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I am serious. Yes they have been awful for the last two months, but does that mean people should be giddy about another loss in a game where they score no goals. Hooray for a better effort! I think your original question pretty much answered itself. There is no standard with this current team. Take whatever you can get from a game and then go enjoy something better.
Weave Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Why don't you knock it off wit all dem negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
LaFontaineToMogilny Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Few things, not sure if it was discussed...i can't really follow the game thread because of a major delay, but did lindy tweak the "system" a little and allow for at least one forechecker in while changing? i only counted a few times where they would dump and do a full change and it seemed to only be after a really long shift. Ennis, gerbe, anyone is a killer line. i hope those guys stay together because it would be awesome if they could get some real chemistry going. pommers is a captain...i think the past few games should be proof enough. i am also really liking what i see from leino and boyes lately...boyes especially. but leino i think has shown a lot of fight and skill lately...now if we can get him to pick his head up before he passes, we should have a great little player on our hands! really fun game to watch....thank you sabres. go sabres. You are spot on! I have been paying attention to the way they play in their own end and they are obviously playing a more aggressive checking style. As I've said before it would drive me crazy to see how the Sabres got themselves stuck in their own end by not putting pressure on the puck. This has changed radically the last three games and the defense has looked MUCH better as a result. But now that you mention it, it is also clear that they have changed their fore check philosophy as well. There were several times in the game that the Sabres cam all the way behind the Rangers net on the fore check, and always (or at least very often) they send one forward in on the change to cause some disruption. Good observation, that is a definite shift in how they play. I am guessing this is all part of Lindy's defense first mode, and I can't for the life of me not understand why the shift wasn't made in the middle of December.
carpandean Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I'm sort of on page with Blue. Yes, they've gotten 5 of 6 points in their last 3 games, but they've done so with a total of 4 (non-EN) goals. They may have their team defense working a little better, but their offense is still anemic.
BuffalOhio Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Has there been any word on the ref? He looked to be in awful shape as they were helping him off the ice, concussed for sure. Awwww, you do have a heart! How nice! I saw one of the players point to the side of their jaw when Leopold was asking about him. I wonder if it's a broken jaw. If not, definitely a concussion. Too bad he got hurt; maybe St. Pierre wouldn't have called that awful boarding call on Ennis. He didn't raise his arm until Girardi stayed down. Ennis hit him from the side, dammit! Ennis makes a world of difference on this team. His speed and creativity were sorely missed. His entries on the power play are very good, too.
dEnnis the Menace Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Why don't you knock it off wit all dem negative waves? are those better or worse than wtf waves?
LGR4GM Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 It was really telling to watch Roy V. Ennis V. Kassian in the corners last night. I was in section 112 and I got to say it changed my mind on a lot of things. Roy and Ennis both get pushed off pucks fairly easy, but Ennis fights like a wildcat to get the damn thing back. Kassian on the other hand gets slammed into and guys just bounce off. Being that close and seeing it in real time made it perfectly clear what "toughness" actually means and Roy doesn't have any for the 50 minutes of the game. The main problem the Sabres suffered from last night was consistent traffic in front of the net. I was very noticeable that Vanek was not out there on the PP. Final thought, I would guess judging from what i gathered that 5-6 players in the locker room are against ruff and are angry about the high priced UFA's that were brought in. These core guys dislike that these new guys make more than they do. I can't prove it so for now it will remain my opinion but I think there is some serious high school jealousy going on in that room.
nfreeman Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Here's something else: I criticize Pommer a lot, but in 2 of the last 3 games, the Sabres have been down to their last shot in the shootout, needing a goal to stay alive, and Pommer has converted when they really needed him. I hate his contract and his captaincy, but he's a good player.
Rox11 Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I hardly think fans here are 'giddy' because the Sabres got a point without scoring. I think 'excited' because there are more positives than negatives to pull out of the last 3 games. I know I'll be corrected but aren't the NYR one of the best defensive teams? The way the Sabres have been (not) scoring lately, a 1-0 shootout loss is probably a whole lot better than anyone here expected. The defense looks a lot better, Miller is solid lately, and the Sabres are hitting more, all of these things that lots of us have been questioning in the last 2 months or so. A Stanley Cup in 2012? Yes, we all hoped, but Id' like to think most of us are a little more in tune that it wouldn't happen this year. I whole heartedly agree with SOMEHOW getting rid of Roy & Stafford and that's where I'd start. Whew .... Buffalo to Long Island with the Isles playing Friday night ... I hate to say it, but I hope Ottawa runs them ragged.
SDS Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I hate his contract and his captaincy, but he's a good player. I'm not going to argue the validity of the statement, but I just wanted to make a comment about the logic behind it. Maybe it is just what fans do, but I'm not a big fan of the "look what he did this week - he's good!" thought process. For those like me who read a lot more than we post, the roller coaster attitudes on players is always traced back to the myopic what have you done while I was watching tonight and not distracted by my ham sandwich or my kid's math homework. Jason Pominville, Lindy Ruff, Paul Gausted, etc... all have an extensive body of work that defines their mean. Up 2 games, down 4 games, up one season, down one season... they are all fluctuations around their baseline. If Pominville was good after these two SO goals, he was good before.
spndnchz Posted February 2, 2012 Author Report Posted February 2, 2012 I am serious. Yes they have been awful for the last two months, but does that mean people should be giddy about another loss in a game where they score no goals. Hooray for a better effort! I wouldn't say giddy but it feels better than losing 5-4
shrader Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 Here's something else: I criticize Pommer a lot, but in 2 of the last 3 games, the Sabres have been down to their last shot in the shootout, needing a goal to stay alive, and Pommer has converted when they really needed him. His quick release is really something else. That shot comes out of nowhere. The second he sees a window, the puck is gone.
nfreeman Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 I'm not going to argue the validity of the statement, but I just wanted to make a comment about the logic behind it. Maybe it is just what fans do, but I'm not a big fan of the "look what he did this week - he's good!" thought process. For those like me who read a lot more than we post, the roller coaster attitudes on players is always traced back to the myopic what have you done while I was watching tonight and not distracted by my ham sandwich or my kid's math homework. Jason Pominville, Lindy Ruff, Paul Gausted, etc... all have an extensive body of work that defines their mean. Up 2 games, down 4 games, up one season, down one season... they are all fluctuations around their baseline. If Pominville was good after these two SO goals, he was good before. Well, your point is fair enough, but I've said multiple times that he's a good player and that I just don't like his contract or his captaincy. The point of my post was just to give credit where it's due.
spndnchz Posted February 2, 2012 Author Report Posted February 2, 2012 Get McNabb back and we'll have 2 great pairs! McNabb sent back to Amerks
LabattBlue Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 McNabb sent back to Amerks The next move should be sending Adam back to Rochester ASAP, and bring up Szcshfsfslkf or Whitmore...actually it should have been done weeks ago. He has been in an awful slump, Lindy has reduced his minutes to nothing, and is playing him on the 4th line with scrubs. Sounds like a good career development path to me. <_< He's not helping the team anyways, so get him in a place where he can play 20 minutes a night, work on the little things, and get his confidence back!
Who Else? Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 The next move should be sending Adam back to Rochester ASAP, and bring up Szcshfsfslkf or Whitmore...actually it should have been done weeks ago. He has been in an awful slump, Lindy has reduced his minutes to nothing, and is playing him on the 4th line with scrubs. Sounds like a good career development path to me. <_< He's not helping the team anyways, so get him in a place where he can play 20 minutes a night, work on the little things, and get his confidence back! Been saying that for weeks. Now trade Leoplod for picks and put McNabb in that spot.
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 So...did you make him laugh? There was money on the board
frissonic Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 so, i noticed this in the couple videos that were posted. kaleta really stops and stares at that wall. it's like he's idolizing the people he watched play for the very team whose uniform he now wears. almost like a reverence for them. and then he goes out and kicks some ass. gotta love a home town kid playing for his childhood team. especially after seeing those vids and chz's pic.
shrader Posted February 2, 2012 Report Posted February 2, 2012 so, i noticed this in the couple videos that were posted. kaleta really stops and stares at that wall. it's like he's idolizing the people he watched play for the very team whose uniform he now wears. almost like a reverence for them. and then he goes out and kicks some ass. gotta love a home town kid playing for his childhood team. especially after seeing those vids and chz's pic. And speaking of Kaleta, it was pretty cool to hear St. Francis mentioned on a national broadcast last night.
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