New year, tons of firepower, still cant score.

[Stoner]

PA just can't see what you see. It's okay, I got you. This play from O'Reilly the other night was great. 

 

You sick bastard. I've privately told you about my seizure disorder. And you still post this.

[X. Benedict]

You sick bastard. I've privately told you about my seizure disorder. And you still post this.

Wasn't there a pill to cure this?

[Eleven]

Wasn't there a pill to cure this?

 

The blue pill?  That's for something else.

[SwampD]

The blue pill?  That's for something else.

It's green,… and it isn't a pill.

[bunomatic]

Blues pill. Great band out of Sweden. Real good female singer and a guitar wiz thats about 17 or 18. Oops, wrong thread :blush: sorry

 

Anyways, check them out on youtube ;)

[X. Benedict]

The blue pill?  That's for something else.

I forget, if you see O'Reilly for more than 4 hrs. Seek medical attention.

[Thorner]

I'm convinced that anyone who thinks this season doesn't look much different from the last two hasn't actually watched a single second of the team play. Yes, they're still low on the standings, but they are hugely improved on the ice.

 

Agreed. Also, there does seem to be a lot of puck-luck going against us, but then again it could be because we aren't used to seeing so many chances for, perhaps the likelihood of bad bounces naturally goes up with a higher quantity of shots for. More chances, more opportunities for "bounces" to not go our way.

 

Some of those bounces will start to go our way though, it's just a matter of time and the law of averages.

 

Also if anyone does think this team isn't vastly improved from last year, please raise your hand so I can put you on ignore.

 

:w00t:

The only issue I have seen is why is it mostly Reinhart constantly going into those so called dirty areas and going to the front of the net to screen the goalies. More players need to be involved in this. The other thing I have seen so far that is troubling is the lack of quality chances and I'm not talking last night. The game against the Leafs Bernier seen almost every shot and really only let up that fluke puck on its side shot by Kane. I get it they out getting more pucks on net and out shooting teams but they need quality chances over quantity.

 

I don't think that goal was a fluke at all.

[Kristian]

The Sabres out shot the Lightning 16-3 in the first period.  They out shot a team that is favored to be in the SCF mix again this year.  

 

When was the last time the Sabres had a +13 in shot differential in a single period... hell in a whole game?

 

I'm happy.

 

This team wasn't supposed to be a playoff team.  it was supposed to improve dramatically and then next year continue that momentum.  So... away we go.

 

For those who still can't get on board.. think of this perspective.  The next time you watch a game listen for the phrase "but not out".  You won't hear it as much anymore.  Be happy about that.

How DARE you critisise Lindy's "Let's have all 5 guys drop below the hashmarks, and let the points remain uncontested meaning if you don't clear or freeze the puck within 20 seconds you're dead meat in the 2nd period"???

 

Sorry, couldn't resist, but basically the above statement pretty much describes what I'm most happy with - No more 60 minute Alamo hockey. :flirt:

Edited October 25, 2015 by Kristian

[Jsixspd]

The ongoing comparison of the Tank/Rebuilds at 8 games into the season;     

 

Chicago Blackhawks - 2007  -  5-3-0,  22 goals for, 19 goals against

Sabres  2-6-0, 16 goals for,  27 goals against.  

 

 

[Randall Flagg]

The ongoing comparison of the Tank/Rebuilds at 8 games into the season;

 

Chicago Blackhawks - 2007 - 5-3-0, 22 goals for, 19 goals against

 

Sabres 2-6-0, 16 goals for, 27 goals against.

 

 

 

 

In general, you attach far too much value to extremely small sample sizes.

[BlueandGold83]

I know our Sabres ain't winning games right now. our team chemistry going to take awhile to get better. I told my buddy that the Sabres still need a goalie. I'm happy on how our team has been playing so far beside Montreal game. As for right now i'm really enjoying how we are playing even tho we are losing games.

[WildCard]

The ongoing comparison of the Tank/Rebuilds at 8 games into the season;     

 

Chicago Blackhawks - 2007  -  5-3-0,  22 goals for, 19 goals against

 

Sabres  2-6-0, 16 goals for,  27 goals against.  

 

 

 

I'm much more concerned with how we look more than having 6 less goals, and would generally be more interested in the advanced stats. The Canadien's game was anomaly anyways. 

[7+6=13]

So how much has changed? We still can't score goals. 

 

I know it's only 2 games but c'mon. Lets see something resembling offense.

 

You don't think our "new fire power" is contributing?

[Doohicksie]

The ongoing comparison of the Tank/Rebuilds at 8 games into the season;     

 

Chicago Blackhawks - 2007  -  5-3-0,  22 goals for, 19 goals against

 

Sabres  2-6-0, 16 goals for,  27 goals against.  

 

Yes I know the Sabres let some winnable games get away, but in those three games they faced TB twice and MTL, two teams that are considered Cup favorites.  In the 8 games Chicago played, how many of those were against really good teams?

 

I think the other thing to consider is the the amount of change the Sabres went through.  Basically half the team is new, the coach is new, the system is new (as in, they are finally being given a system), etc.  Oh and also the goalie they traded for stubbed his toe a few minutes into the first game.

[Thorner]

We will also be heading into our next game without: 1. Our best winger, 2. Our best defensemen, and 3. Our starting goalie. That's a hell of a group of players to be missing. Combine that with all the youth on this team, the chemistry that needs to be built, the new coach and new system, and expectations for immediate success really need to be tempered.

[Jsixspd]

Yes I know the Sabres let some winnable games get away, but in those three games they faced TB twice and MTL, two teams that are considered Cup favorites.  In the 8 games Chicago played, how many of those were against really good teams?

 

I think the other thing to consider is the the amount of change the Sabres went through.  Basically half the team is new, the coach is new, the system is new (as in, they are finally being given a system), etc.  Oh and also the goalie they traded for stubbed his toe a few minutes into the first game.

Interesting question about the quality of Chicago's opponents - so I checked their October opponents records for the 2007-08 Season for the first 10 games of the season

 

October 2007 Chicago played  

 

The Wild, who won their division that season.  L Chicago

 

Red Wings - played twice -  2 wins, Chicago.  Red Wings were Stanley Cup champs that season

 

San Jose -  L Chicago - San Jose won the Pacific division

 

Dallas - W Chicago.  Dallas didn't win any titles, but had a winning record that year - 45-30-7

 

Boston -  L Chicago -  Boston posted a winning record - 41-29-12.  

 

St Louis - L - Chicago -  St. Louis posted a losing record for the 2007-08 season

 

Colorado -  W- Chicago -  Colorado came in 2nd in the Northwest Division -  44-31-7

 

Toronto -  W -Chicago - Toronto was sucky as usual - 36-35-11

 

Columbus - L- Chicago -   this was another loss to a team with a losing record - 34-36-12

 

 

 

So in their first 10 games, Chicago was .500 against some decent opposition, including 2 wins against the Stanley Cup winners that year, the Red Wings,  1 Win against the Stars who had a winning record for the season, a win against Colorado which also had a winning record.   3 of their 5 losses were to teams with winnings records for the season.  

 

And Chicago had a MASSIVE rebuild in the off season similar to Buffalo's - it was a Tank And Rebuild just like Buffalo.   And, Chicago didn't have Joe Quenneville as HC yet either.   So that's why I plan to continue to compare the 2015-16 Sabres to the 2007-08 Blackhawks;   with Chicago we have an immensely successful tank and rebuild to compare our results to.  

 

So, after 10 games

 

Blackhawks - 5-5-0,  27 goals for,  29 goals against

 

Sabres - 3-7-0,   23 goals for,  34 against.    That -11 goal differential is telling, vs Chicago's -2 differential after 10 games. 

 

I'm going to have to plug all this into a spreadsheet - will make keeping a running tally easier.  

 

 

 

 

[Jsixspd]

But the gap is really small -  2 wins more for Chicago after 10 -   Buffalo could easily close that and the win against hated Philly was a nice one!  

[matter2003]

Sabres have a lot going for them right now...in top 10 in Corsi, top 3 in shots for/shots against differential, and are tied for the fewest penalties in the NHL with Carolina.

 

Unfortunately their goaltending has been abysmal, with a team save percentage coming in at under 88%, and a league worst penalty killing percentage coming in at an embarrassing 69%

[qwksndmonster]

This is a fun team to watch without its 3rd best forward, 2nd best defenseman, and starting goaltender.  I'm very excited for when we get our guys back.

[deluca67]

The Sabres are averaging about a half a goal more this season (2.27) than they ended last season with (1.87). Which may not seem like a lot, if you look at the GF average compared to other teams, more teams are struggling to score this season. Last season a 2.27 would have placed the Sabres 27th, this season it's good for 21st. I know these are aren't blow your mind numbers, it will be interesting to see how these numbers play out for the rest of the season. Considering the slow start, 21st is decent, borderline respectable. 

[inkman]

It will come together but let's remember one thing the defense gets the play started most times and our defense is suspect at best. Here's a thing that needs to be noted O'Reilly is the highest paid guy on the team and suppose to be your top line guy and of right now doesn't look like he's earning that pay. We have some tough games coming up as we could possibly start the season 0-5 before we face the Leafs.

How does 5th in the league sound?

 

http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=20152016&gameType=2&sort=points&aggregate=0&pos=S

[LGR4GM]

How does 5th in the league sound?

 

http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=20152016&gameType=2&sort=points&aggregate=0&pos=S

Sounds like ROR is slacking, 5th? He better work harder and get to 1st. 

 

In all seriousness, I hope ROR keeps this up.

[inkman]

Sounds like ROR is slacking, 5th? He better work harder and get to 1st. 

 

In all seriousness, I hope ROR keeps this up.

History says he'll come back to earth but i'll enjoy the flight while we are on it

[Jsixspd]

Good strong finish to the month - back up to 4-7, we threw a monkey-wrench in Philly's winning ways (they're now down to 4-4) and Toronto is now at the bottom of the Atlantic. 

For comparison, we were 2-9 in October 2014;    and this team look a lot more solid.   Good stuff.   I would have liked to have seen 5-6 or 6-6 for the month, but we'll take the progress.   

[LGR4GM]

History says he'll come back to earth but i'll enjoy the flight while we are on it

Yea his shooting percentage is higher than his career average, so we should see regression.  Still gotta love how he is doing.