GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GDT: Boston at Buffalo 12-19-13 at 7:00 PM EST

[TheMatrix31]

Damn good game. Any game we beat the living ###### out of Boston is a great one.

 

Keep it going. I love the heart and play right now. Can't complain about too much, just wish we'd be able to do this from the start of the season.

[CallawaySabres]

Costy game though as they lost Hodgson and I think Foligno..

 

perfect time to bring in the new kid. Injuries don't bother me at all (as long as not major) as we we get to see some of the possible futures...

[26CornerBlitz]

[Stoner]

That's good. I was listening on the radio and Razor made it sound like he pulled something trying to stay online.

Hell, I've done that.

[Jsixspd]

Wow, what a GREAT GAME!!!!! Ted had em firing on all cylinders tonight! Good stuff!!!

[Wyldnwoody44]

Let's be realistic, it was awesome that we won, but we came out flat in the 2nd and just watched Boston cycle and dazzle us out of our skates... Chess match in the first and 3rd and until our gwg we weren't taking any chances. I'd still like to see a full 60 from our guys in blue.... They showed about 45 min of fight this evening.... Still impressive against a good Boston team

 

Also their backup looked shaky tonight as well.

 

I'm not trying to be a downer, just evaluating things as I saw this eve

[26CornerBlitz]

POSTGAME LINKS

 

SABRES SCORE FOUR TO DOWN BRUINS

 

Dan Dunleavy recaps the Sabres 4-2 win against the Bruins

 

Ted Nolan speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-2 win against the Bruins

 

Tyler Myers speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-2 win against the Bruins

 

Marcus Foligno speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-2 win against the Bruins

 

Drew Stafford speaks with Brian Duff and Mike Robitaille following the Sabres 4-2 win against the Bruins

 

Brian Flynn speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-2 win against the Bruins

[SabreFX]

I've largely been okay with Mike Weber over the years, and at times have thought that he was one of our more solid defensemen, but watching him lately-particularly this game- I can't help but think that he's still playing Ruff's system, or worse yet, Rolston's (although I'm still unclear on what Rolston's was other than "playing the right way"). The physicality is there, but when the opposing team is entering the zone, he's still back-pedaling with his ass up in the air and his stick straight out like he's afraid of the oncoming attack until the guy with the puck is within feet of Miller. It's been costly at times, with him backing directly into Miller or obstructing his view.

[bunomatic]

Let's be realistic, it was awesome that we won, but we came out flat in the 2nd and just watched Boston cycle and dazzle us out of our skates... Chess match in the first and 3rd and until our gwg we weren't taking any chances. I'd still like to see a full 60 from our guys in blue.... They showed about 45 min of fight this evening.... Still impressive against a good Boston team

 

Also their backup looked shaky tonight as well.

 

I'm not trying to be a downer, just evaluating things as I saw this eve

 

Thats pretty much how I saw it too. Sure feels good to beat the Bruins though.

[grinreaper]

We sucked, but took it to the Bruins, I guess. Nice to play so better than an elite team

[Doohicksie]

http://youtu.be/bb7Y--ycwsA

 

FRAZIER GOES DOWN! FRAZIER GOES DOWN!

[Doohicksie]

This is the first game in a while that I actually hooted and hollered at the TV when the Sabres scored. It's also the first time I believed they would come back and win when they were down... and they did. The pressure's off; the Sabres know they're not going anywhere this year, so it's just a case of putting the best team they can out on the ice and letting it all hang out. Tyler Myers on the rush is starting to give me wood. When you have a D-man that can really bring offense like he can, it really puts the other team back on its heels. McBain too, although he is not as dramatic as Myers, but he seems to slip into shooting positions and get shots toward the net in such a way that he creates chaos in opposing defenses.

 

The Sabres are finally starting to get the lucky bounce. But it's not random; Nolan's hustle ethic is helping them make their own luck. When you hustle and force the other team, they make mistakes and things will work out good for you.

[nfreeman]

Best win of the year.

 

They continue to look mentally stronger and more confident. Other than the first part of the 2nd period, when they were knocked back a bit by the shortie, they looked not at all intimidated by Boston and like they believed they could win if they played their game and played hard.

 

Don't be surprised if stafford starts a iittle scoring streak.

 

I'll tell ya something else: the only way the Sabres are getting McDavid in 2015 is with the Islanders' pick, because the Sabres aren't going to be in the lottery.

 

That's right.

 

Holy mackerel I love Teddy.

[Kristian]

I've largely been okay with Mike Weber over the years, and at times have thought that he was one of our more solid defensemen, but watching him lately-particularly this game- I can't help but think that he's still playing Ruff's system, or worse yet, Rolston's (although I'm still unclear on what Rolston's was other than "playing the right way"). The physicality is there, but when the opposing team is entering the zone, he's still back-pedaling with his ass up in the air and his stick straight out like he's afraid of the oncoming attack until the guy with the puck is within feet of Miller. It's been costly at times, with him backing directly into Miller or obstructing his view.

 

I agree, but you have to keep in mind that Weber is a stay-at-home guy who's been up for a few years, who has learned to play NHL hockey under Ruff.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if his game has suffered more than :

 

a. Players who weren't drafted by Buffalo, and have played elsewhere.

b. Players who haven't been with the big club long enough to suffer permanent damage from the Ruff/Ruffton effect.

[Doohicksie]

Even when they didn't make the playoffs, I felt that on most nights the Sabres had a decent chance to win every game. I knew they wouldn't win every game, but the potential was there. Then the dark days: the end of LIndy's tenure, the RR fiasco, and it just wasn't even worth watching the games anymore because you just KNEW they would lose.

 

I feel like that's over. I don't expect them to win them all; hell they might not even be a .500 team from here on out this year, but I'm looking forward to the games again because, on any given night, this team can win.

 

Don't be surprised if stafford starts a iittle scoring streak.

 

There was speculation as to whether Staff would excel or cave under Nolan. I think we're getting our answer. I don't know that he'll score a lot, but he's putting in a ton of quality shifts lately. He's the last of the Old Rotten Core and was damaged by Lindy's system, but I like to think he still has some good hockey in hm.

[PromoTheRobot]

I live in New England so I get to listen to the Bruins PBP. The radio guys are beside themselves over the Bruins losing to Buffalo, like they just lost to an AHL team. Happy for Stafford but just saw the replay of his goal. What a limp move by the Bruin goalie to slide over! I'm betting Johnson doesn't get the start Saturday.

 

PTR

[...]

 

 

Thats pretty much how I saw it too. Sure feels good to beat the Bruins though.

 

Boston is a good team and the Sabres started the second with a lead. That's an awkward position for this "new era" roster to be in. I think Paul Hamilton was correct to say they "showed too much respect" there in the second. They'll get it right soon enough; Nolan has brought them a long way as it is.

[Huckleberry]

That 4th goal is the myers we all want to see, the kid is turning it around under nolan.

[neverenough]

Hell yeah lets go Sabres!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nucci]

FRAZIER GOES DOWN! FRAZIER GOES DOWN!

It's.....down goes Frazier...

[Buffalo Wings]

Does Lucic ever not look like an arrogant prick?

 

Nope...and every time the camera is on him, he looks like he's smelling something bad. Yeah, Lucic...that stink you smell is your attitude.

 

I hate Marchand even more.

 

He just looks like a spoiled snot-nosed brat punk.

 

But I'd love him if he was on my team.

[dudacek]

Holy mackerel I love Teddy.

I feel like that's over. I don't expect them to win them all; hell they might not even be a .500 team from here on out this year, but I'm looking forward to the games again because, on any given night, this team can win.

 

Seriously. Ted Nolan is exactly what this franchise needed and the best thing to happen to the Sabres since Black Sunday.

He believes. The players are starting to believe. I think I'm going to believe too.

[SwampD]

While his goal was pretty awesome, that assist by Flynn on the Myers goal was a hockey play the likes of which we have not seen in Buffalo for a long time. Wow, was that refreshing to see.

 

Another unsung hero last night was Ehrhoff. He had a really good game.

[North Buffalo]

Watched the game last night with my son and on one prior. Usually he does not stay to watch the Sabres with me past the 1st period cause they have sucked so bad. It was nice that he stayed. Thank you Sabres. Merry Christmas.

 

Loved the effort against the Bruins, though they were down a few men and playing slow. Agreed the goal from Flynn to Myers was nice. I am okay with a few wins around Christmas.

[Sabre Dance]

A really good game and fun to watch. I would have been thrilled with a tie and a shootout, but the win in regulation (and coming from behind) was awesome! I think Nolan's philosophy is finally beginning to sink in. The Sabres are still missing passes and failing to finish, but they are working harder. Sometimes, when a really good play is made, the boys look like they are shocked that the play actually worked. Imagine what they will be like once the increased confidence reaches the whole lineup.

Next, the REAL test - the Bruins at home on a Saturday night before a holiday. With Tuukka in net, more than likely. Let's hope that the team can at least stay with the Bruins. Of course, they just might steal one..... ;)