GDT: Washington @ Buffalo, 7:00 pm ET, 12/29/2015

[SwampD]

That was a pretty fun game. Boy talk about close to the vest. We dropped two coverages and both times it ended up in the net. Not really sure what Gorges was thinking on that first goal.

 

Can't say I'm a fan of the Ennis Eichel Kane line. If Eichel is going to do it all himself, he needs to learn that shot of OV where he snaps it really quick using the Dman as his own screen. He had a couple of opportunities to do it tonight.

 

I'll take a 2-0 loss to that team.

[Doohickie]

  On 12/29/2015 at 4:20 AM, kishoph said:

Maybe Gionta was hurt.

 

YOIKS!

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Sabres played well but have to do better against a fine PK like the Caps.' 

 

I'd love to have Mitch Korn back to work with our young goalies.  Look what's he's done with Holtby and, of course, Hasek.  If you've every watched this guy coach in his camps, you truly understand.

[WildCard]

Of course the one night I watch espn they highlight this game :lol:

[dudacek]

  On 12/29/2015 at 4:33 AM, SwampD said:

That was a pretty fun game. Boy talk about close to the vest. We dropped two coverages and both times it ended up in the net. Not really sure what Gorges was thinking on that first goal.

Wasn't he thinking one of the back-checking forwards would pick up the high guy?

Bad pass/bounce by Reinhart on the breakout was the main cause of that one.

[SwampD]

  On 12/29/2015 at 6:35 AM, dudacek said:

Wasn't he thinking one of the back-checking forwards would pick up the high guy?

Bad pass/bounce by Reinhart on the breakout was the main cause of that one.

But when he looked back, there wasn't a forward anywhere near him because they thought they were breaking out, AND there were already two guys on the puck in the corner. It was reminiscent of the Sabrepede and just a bad decision. Like really bad.

[SwampD]

----

 

Ok. Sabrepede may have been a little harsh.

[Thwomp!]

  On 12/29/2015 at 1:44 PM, SwampD said:

----

 

Ok. Sabrepede may have been a little harsh.

 

Sabrepede may have been a little harsh, but that play was reminiscent of Sabrepede for sure.  Maybe a close cousin?

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25429858/look-alex-ovechkin-was-ridiculously-wide-open-for-career-goal-no-493

O'Reilly really lazy on that play, but there were still 3 Sabres (vs. 1.5 Capitals) in the corner with Ovechkin wide open in front of Ullmark.

[Stoner]

  On 12/29/2015 at 3:18 AM, Tondas said:

100% agree.  I hope that comes with time.

Unless Jack is the second coming, I have no confidence Bylsma's teams here will score goals.

[SwampD]

  On 12/29/2015 at 2:13 PM, pASabreFan said:

Unless Jack is the second coming, I have no confidence Bylsma's teams here will score goals.

Until he realizes that the dump and chase just doesn't work anymore, I agree. Every time they dump it, my only though is, "well, there's another wasted possession."

[woods-racer]

  On 12/29/2015 at 2:36 PM, SwampD said:

Until he realizes that the dump and chase just doesn't work anymore, I agree. Every time they dump it, my only though is, "well, there's another wasted possession."

 

The defense men are too well positioned and hoping for a dump in. A good team has a break out waiting to happen and consider it an easy way to get a turn over and rush up ice.

[SwampD]

  On 12/29/2015 at 2:45 PM, Woods-Racer said:

The defense men are too well positioned and hoping for a dump in. A good team has a break out waiting to happen and consider it an easy way to get a turn over and rush up ice.

Also, with the loosening of the interference rules, it just doesn't make sense anymore. I know it worked for him in Pittsburgh, but that was during the no touch era with a high motor superstar.

[TrueBlueGED]

  On 12/29/2015 at 2:36 PM, SwampD said:

Until he realizes that the dump and chase just doesn't work anymore, I agree. Every time they dump it, my only though is, "well, there's another wasted possession."

If he didn't realize it in a year away from hockey where he spent his time scouting the good teams...

[woods-racer]

  On 12/29/2015 at 3:23 PM, TrueBlueGED said:

If he didn't realize it in a year away from hockey where he spent his time scouting the good teams...

 

we're screwed.

[Eleven]

  On 12/29/2015 at 2:09 PM, EastsideOasis said:

Sabrepede may have been a little harsh, but that play was reminiscent of Sabrepede for sure.  Maybe a close cousin?

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25429858/look-alex-ovechkin-was-ridiculously-wide-open-for-career-goal-no-493

O'Reilly really lazy on that play, but there were still 3 Sabres (vs. 1.5 Capitals) in the corner with Ovechkin wide open in front of Ullmark.

 

Looked like O'Reilly was positioning for a breakout pass.

[MODO Hockey]

Man.. i cant let last nights game go. 

 

christ... :(

[Thwomp!]

  On 12/29/2015 at 5:49 PM, Eleven said:

Looked like O'Reilly was positioning for a breakout pass.

 

That may be, but he saw Ovechkin there all alone and very casually skated towards him.

 

O'Reilly was far from the main problem on that play. Risto or Gorges should have covered Ovechkin to begin with, but O'Reilly's very casual demeanor once he saw Ovechkin set up in prime position caught my eye.  Ovechkin should have been far more of a concern than a possible breakout pass at that point.

[MODO Hockey]

  On 12/29/2015 at 6:35 PM, EastsideOasis said:

That may be, but he saw Ovechkin there all alone and very casually skated towards him.

 

O'Reilly was far from the main problem on that play. Risto or Gorges should have covered Ovechkin to begin with, but O'Reilly's very casual demeanor once he saw Ovechkin set up in prime position caught my eye.  Ovechkin should have been far more of a concern than a possible breakout pass at that point.

Or ullmark could have done an hultby! but no :(

[Doohickie]

  On 12/29/2015 at 6:31 PM, MODO Hockey said:

Man.. i cant let last nights game go. 

 

christ... :(

 

Don't worry.  Once you're a Sabres fan for 30 years or so, it gets easier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, no, it doesn't.

[SwampD]

  On 12/29/2015 at 6:31 PM, MODO Hockey said:

Man.. i cant let last nights game go. 

 

christ... :(

We're rebuilding. We lost 2-0 to the best team in the East most likely to go to the SCFs.

 

Things aren't that bad.

[3putt]

  On 12/29/2015 at 7:57 PM, MODO Hockey said:

Or ullmark could have done an hultby! but no :(

In the short time Linus has been here he has shown tremendous improvement.  If Lehner rejoins the big club and Linus plays everyday in Rochester, he may be making Holtby like saves in a year.  I don't think we can expect much more from a guy who plays once every two or three games in his first season in the best league in the world.  To steal someone elses's line Ullmark will be fine. 

[Doohickie]

  On 12/29/2015 at 9:28 PM, 3putt said:

In the short time Linus has been here he has shown tremendous improvement.  If Lehner rejoins the big club and Linus plays everyday in Rochester, he may be making Holtby like saves in a year.  I don't think we can expect much more from a guy who plays once every two or three games in his first season in the best league in the world.  To steal someone elses's line Ullmark will be fine.

Agreed. Ullmark is getting an insanely fortunate opportunity to play in the NHL this year. Take some of the pressure off and put him in the AHL for the rest of the year and his development will take off.