GDT: Sabres at Wild, Nov. 1, 2016, 8:00 pm

[hockeyhound]

We were ahead going into the game.

We're also ahead of Florida.

And only two points out of second place in the division.

 

Imagine if we can keep this up and then Jack comes back. It's hard to imagine sometimes after being shell shocked for the last 3 seasons; however, after today one can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

What did you think about Bailey?

[Doohicksie]

What did you think about Bailey?

 

He belongs.  A -ton of hustle.  The fourth line looked good.  Baptiste will move up in the depth chart for sure, and probably Bailey too.

[3putt]

If they are working Bailey on the off wing i.e. the left, I think they see him or Baptiste playing with Sam and Jack.

[Doohicksie]

DD was rolling 4 lines at the end and it was almost more than Minnesota could handle.  The first line is big and skilled.  The second line has the one-two punch of the uncontainable Ennis and Zemgus the human wrecking ball.  The third line is smart and tenacious.  And the fourth line has two high energy wingers.

[hockeyhound]

He belongs.  A ######-ton of hustle.  The fourth line looked good.  Baptiste will move up in the depth chart for sure, and probably Bailey too.

 

Hustle  :worthy:  I'd hate to be the guy retrieving on the dump and chase when Bailey is on the move.

[Doohicksie]

If they are working Bailey on the off wing i.e. the left, I think they see him or Baptiste playing with Sam and Jack.

 

Exciting to think about.  VeinsVeinsVeins:  "The Future is here, now."

Hustle  :worthy:  I'd hate to be the guy retrieving on the dump and chase when Bailey is on the move.

 

Late in the game he chased a dump into the offensive zone.  He was about two lengths behind the defenseman and just skated right by him (kinda like players skate by Franson).

 

Speaking of Franson, he blew up a stick attempting a slapper from the point, and the Wild player pushed the puck by him and took off.  Franson caught up to him, hassled him enough to hamper his shot, then CRUSHED him into the boards.

[sodbuster]

So apparently bogos skate got caught in a rut against the wall. Ruh roh.

[3putt]

I thought I heard Rayzor say that Dan Bylsma said Bailey's future is on the left. I assume they see Nylander as the future rw, while Kyle Samson and Baptiste on the right.

[hockeyhound]

DD was rolling 4 lines at the end and it was almost more than Minnesota could handle.  The first line is big and skilled.  The second line has the one-two punch of the uncontainable Ennis and Zemgus the human wrecking ball.  The third line is smart and tenacious.  And the fourth line has two high energy wingers.

 

I kind of like the idea of keeping the 4th line together for a few more games just to see what they can do.

[Doohicksie]

I miss Jack, and even Evander I suppose, but having a chance to see Fasching, Baptiste and Bailey is kind of exciting.

[SwampD]

Has there been a single fight by any Sabre yet this year?

[Doohicksie]

I kind of like the idea of keeping the 4th line together for a few more games just to see what they can do.

 

Looks like instant chemistry.  This is exactly what I hoped for:  young dogs eager to make their mark, competing for spots on the big team.  They know there's talent on the farm and they're all trying like hell to make the most of their opportunities.  When we get to that point with the D, this team will be actually good.

Has there been a single fight by any Sabre yet this year?

 

Not that I recall, but that isn't to say they're not tough.

[Randall Flagg]

Kulikov got over 27 minutes, woah. 

 

[TrueBlueGED]

I thought I heard Rayzor say that Dan Bylsma said Bailey's future is on the left. I assume they see Nylander as the future rw, while Kyle Samson and Baptiste on the right.

Hasn't Nylander been playing the left in Rochester? Could be Bylsma is just thinking more long term with either a 3rd scoring line or Kane's eventual departure.

Kulikov got over 27 minutes, woah.

 

 

I expect this to continue for whoever long Bogo is out.

[hockeyhound]

Has there been a single fight by any Sabre yet this year?

 

They're workin to hard to fight. Them been some high pace games of late.

[Brawndo]

D-Lo should not see the ice again for this team

[Randall Flagg]

Has there been a single fight by any Sabre yet this year?

No, and past-me wouldn't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad.

D-Lo should not see the ice again for this team

I agree. Having a fourth line that could do something with the puck made the difference tonight. Minnesota never got an easy shift.

[Brawndo]

 

Bogo's Skate got stuck in the boards, DD is not sure how bad the injury is.

[hockeyhound]

Looks like instant chemistry.  This is exactly what I hoped for:  young dogs eager to make their mark, competing for spots on the big team.  They know there's talent on the farm and they're all trying like hell to make the most of their opportunities.  When we get to that point with the D, this team will be actually good.

 

Not that I recall, but that isn't to say they're not tough.

 

I would like to see Buffalo make one more free agent acquisition at the D position. If we can keep up the current pace just maybe we can attract some real talent.

 

Great game tonight; good night all.

 

Let's Go Buffalo!

Edited November 2, 2016 by hockeyhound

[3putt]

Hasn't Nylander been playing the left in Rochester? Could be Bylsma is just thinking more long term with either a 3rd scoring line or Kane's eventual departure.

 

I expect this to continue for whoever long Bogo is out.

You may be correct. But either way with Kyle and Sam on the right all the opportunity seems to be on the left.

[beerme1]

D-Lo should not see the ice again for this team

 

 

Should Grant?

[Doohicksie]

Kulikov got over 27 minutes, woah. 

 

 

 

Bogo was injured.

Should Grant?

 

He's done a good job at 4th line center.  His FO% is almost 60%, just behind ROR and Gionta.

[DarthEbriate]

Bogo's Skate got stuck in the boards, DD is not sure how bad the injury is.

Curses. Hope it's not too serious. That's what began the downfall of Bure.

[Doohicksie]

D-Lo should not see the ice again for this team

 

Not ready to go there.  Eventually yeah, but he brings a lot of intangibles to the team- good locker room guy, can play creditable defense in a pinch, is the team's designated fighter (should that become necessary).

If it turns out his injury is serious and he's out for an extended period, though, I may rethink that position.

[nfreeman]

We're not playing gay porn hard.

 

Very nice.

 

Gritty effort to get to the magic Deluca 500. Three very solid games in a row. Are we good now?

 

They are still one under you hoser.

 

My game notes:

 

- that was the definition of gutting out a road win.  And ROR took over at the end, kept everyone together despite getting stuck on the ice from the icings and got them over the goal line in a Drury-esque performance.

 

- I thought the Sabres came out well and had the better of it in the 1st and then got completely dominated in the 2nd and were lucky to be tied after 2.  Then, though, at a gut-check moment, they played a smart, albeit conservative 3rd and again carried it to Minny for the most part.  It was an encouraging sign of developing mental toughness. 

 

- Lehner was very sharp again.

 

- I was glad to see that Pommer is still a good player.

 

- Ennis is finding his game and his confidence.  I thought he created a lot of offensive pressure tonight.

 

- Another solid performance from the D group, and more impressive due to increased workload having lost Bogo early on.

 

 

I didn't check the 2 tank years, but they didn't win 4 in a row last year or the year before the 2 tank years.  So if they beat Toronto, it will be the first 4-game win streak in at least 5 years.

 

Next stop:  DeLuca .500.

 

Go Sabres.