GDT: Sabres at Leafs 2-25-19 7PM

[Wyldnwoody44]

They showed stretches of being better, just not good enough, we need better D structure and a 2C badly, also I'm kinda sick of Tage "drop it in the middle to the other team" Thompson 

[Pimlach]

Well we get Montour next game so I hopefully will not see Hunwick play for this team ever again. 

Edited February 26, 2019 by Pimlach

[Gatorman0519]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Anderson knew what Eichel was trying to do. He knew Dahlin was sitting there. You'll not that Andreson was already in position with his pad before Dahlin even shot the puck.  Maybe in time Dahlin will learn he can afford to take a split second to look at the opening a goalie is giving him. In that case he should have shot over the pad or into the five hole.

Dahlin was off balance there 

[LGR4GM]

Good night, I see our issues and our strengths. This won't be a popular opinion but we're closer then most think. 

[PromoTheRobot]

Just now, Gatorman0519 said:

Dahlin was off balance there 

Hopefully that'll improve in time. I think he was off balance because he wanted to pull the trigger instantly. That wouldn't have worked since Anderson was anticipation that.

[Pimlach]

2 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Anderson knew what Eichel was trying to do. He knew Dahlin was sitting there. You'll note that Andreson was already in position with his pad before Dahlin even shot the puck.  Maybe in time Dahlin will learn he can afford to take a split second to look at the opening a goalie is giving him. In that case he should have shot over the pad or into the five hole.

Yes, experience is worth something.   He is a fine goalie. 

[SDS]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

Good night, I see our issues and our strengths. This won't be a popular opinion but we're closer then most think. 

I whole heartedly agree. One only need to look at 22 and 28 and realize they were top 6 players only a short time ago on this team. 

[SwampD]

If Phil would have pulled Hutton after the second goal, we win this game.

Prove me wrong.

[SDS]

1 minute ago, SwampD said:

If Phil would have pulled Hutton after the second goal, we win this game.

Prove me wrong.

Depends. After their second goal or ours?

[...]

1 minute ago, SDS said:

I whole heartedly agree. One only need to look at 22 and 28 and realize they were top 6 players only a short time ago on this team. 

I really don't disagree.  Replace Zegmus, Sheary, Sobotka, Scandella, Hunwick, KO, Pommenstein with better pieces and a lot of these losses are wins. 

[Pimlach]

Just now, SwampD said:

If Phil would have pulled Hutton after the second goal, we win this game.

Prove me wrong.

You know that “what if’s” cannot be proven but mathematically we lost by two goals, so you are wrong. Had he pulled  Hutton after 2 then the score is 4-3, we lose trying to take the lead in the third.  

 

 

[Gatorman0519]

Eichel was awesome tonight.  

[Scottysabres]

This team is close, very close. A couple of mistakes defensively. But they will learn.

The battle cry is now "KILL GRITTY"!!!!!!

[Pimlach]

Risto played 26:11 and finished -3.  He is -25 for the season   Hoping Montour can take some significant minutes away from Risto.   

This is a problem. 

[JohnRobertEichel]

32 minutes ago, Gatorman0519 said:

3 months just about and we cannot win 2 in a row 

 

But we're making progress! Or something. We are currently the Presidents' Trophy frontrunners for moral victories.

[PerreaultForever]

33 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Good night, I see our issues and our strengths. This won't be a popular opinion but we're closer then most think. 

This has been my view for a while. We need more consistent goaltending but otherwise I think we are 2 forwards and 1 defenseman away from being a solid contender. That defenseman might be Montour, I don't know enough about him to say, but if we can get a couple FAs up front we could be really good next year.

I still like the attitude this year though. They don't quit. That is something to build on. 

[jame]

44 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Good night, I see our issues and our strengths. This won't be a popular opinion but we're closer then most think. 

Closer to what?

we still have a massive hole where ROR used to skate, and McCabe-Risto continues to show themselves incapable of the role their games are designed for.

[Sabel79]

Reading Housley’s post-gam comments.  I find nothing to contradict the conclusion I came to awhile ago that he’s not the guy.  Effectively: “It was a good game, minus all the bad stuff...”

the roster is incomplete.  Plenty of JAGs.  Still, a higher standard is required.  Still.  If the coach is willing to accept less than the best,  what are we even doing?  

[CallawaySabres]

Not winning won back-to-back games in nearly three months is still totally unacceptable. Is this team better than last year? Yes, but my God, that was one of the worst teams in the history of the NHL.

This team has more Talent than they are showing on the ice and with back-to-back games coming up against Pittsburgh and Toronto this weekend, the trend of being a 500 team is sure to continue. With their playoff lives on the line, I expect more, way more out of this group.

[pastajoe]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

Risto played 26:11 and finished -3.  He is -25 for the season   Hoping Montour can take some significant minutes away from Risto.   

This is a problem. 

Stats don’t tell the whole story. Risto is always on against the best offensive players, and there are 4 other players with him. He can’t stop them by himself. Montour is not a better defensive defenseman, his skill is offense.

[SDS]

Matthews had a few moments tonight, but I would say Eichel was much more impressive.

[calti]

in one yr to go from awful to average is pretty darn good. we need several players..1 center scorer and 3 tough veterans.then we will be in the playoff mix.

we have 1-2 great players,4-5 good players and a lot of softies.

[Ogre]

11 minutes ago, SDS said:

Matthews had a few moments tonight, but I would say Eichel was much more impressive.

  The Matthews/Eichel debate will end someday.....Jack will be chasing Cups with the Sabres and Auston will be chasing contracts.....just sayin.....

[JJFIVEOH]

Can somebody tell me how in the hell Sheary played on a line with Crosby?

[Broken Ankles]

1 hour ago, ... said:

I really don't disagree.  Replace Zegmus, Sheary, Sobotka, Scandella, Hunwick, KO, Pommenstein with better pieces and a lot of these losses are wins. 

Problem is 5 of them have contracts that extend into 2020 and beyond.  I can see trading Scandella in the offseason and Sobotka could be a buyout candidate but it will take creativity to rid yourself of some of these.