Vanek - Briere - Dumont Line

[kcclor]

Ruff's new #1 line is finally together and they are off to a quick start. After one period, the Sabres are leading Minnesota 3-0. Briere has two goals (one on the pp) and both Vanek and Dumont have two assists. Seems promising so far.

[Saber61]

Looks like a good line but where did they put my boy Afinogenov... :( ah well whatever works and gets us goals... cuze we need em!

[Larry Playfair]

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20050921/2060346.asp

 

spare rt up in the Bflo news...since they must be busy deciding which AP story to pick up.

 

I didnt see the game, any insight into the 6 goal defenseive meltdown?

[Taro T]

I didn't find a good recap, but the box score shows Minnesota scored twice in the 2nd on 5 shots and their 1st 2 goals of the 3rd came less than one minute apart. The 1st of those 2 came on a 4 on 4.

 

Mika did stop a penalty shot in the 3rd period to keep it a 1 goal game for a while. Marian Gaborik sat out the game for Minnesota. No word on Afinogenev.

 

Dave.

[IKnowPhysics]

I was at this game. As expected, the Vanek-Briere-Dumont line looks great, especially down low.

 

Connolly centered the second PP line, which was wholly ineffective. He put on one or two fancy-ass stickhandling moves, but couldn't set anything up. Lot's of penalties in the game, many 5-on-3's against Buffalo. After half-way through the second, there were many shorthanded chances against Buffalo.

 

Peters lost his only fight in the game, against oaf Derek Boogaard. Gaustad seemed anxious to fight, and successfully completed one match against Kyle Wanvig.

 

Two of the second period goals were a direct result of mental mistakes by Doug Janik.

 

The allowable two-line pass also seemed to be giving us trouble, as early in the third, four breakaways occured (one resulting in a penalty shot). Despite losing races, the defense seemed unwilling to pinch to help up front. Defensemen that can really skate will save the day.

 

Mika had light duty in the first period, but looked good on what he handled. Once he was burned on the Wild powerplay, his confidence seemed shot. The Wild won the shootout 2-0. Shooters for Buffalo: Tallinder and Vanek.

[Taro T]

I was at this game.  As expected, the Vanek-Briere-Dumont line looks great, especially down low.

 

Connolly centered the second PP line, which was wholly ineffective.  He put on one or two fancy-ass stickhandling moves, but couldn't set anything up.  Lot's of penalties in the game, many 5-on-3's against Buffalo.  After half-way through the second, there were many shorthanded chances against Buffalo.

 

Peters lost his only fight in the game, against oaf Derek Boogaard.  Gaustad seemed anxious to fight, and successfully completed one match against Kyle Wanvig.

 

Two of the second period goals were a direct result of mental mistakes by Doug Janik.

 

The allowable two-line pass also seemed to be giving us trouble, as early in the third, four breakaways occured (one resulting in a penalty shot).  Despite losing races, the defense seemed unwilling to pinch to help up front.  Defensemen that can really skate will save the day.

 

Mika had light duty in the first period, but looked good on what he handled.  Once he was burned on the Wild powerplay, his confidence seemed shot.  The Wild won the shootout 2-0.  Shooters for Buffalo: Tallinder and Vanek.

Were the Sabres still trying to use their 1-3-1 with the one defenseman pinching up into the neutral zone to try to clog it up, or were they playing more of a 1-2-2 and just getting beat back to the zone?

 

Also, how did Lydman look and who was he paired up with?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dave.

[IKnowPhysics]

They were playing 1-3-1 on the PP, and getting flat burned by skating speed by the PKers. 1-2-2 for 5 on five, and had trouble not getting split deep by a good pass.

 

Didn't notice who Lydman was paired with... not Jillson or Janik. He's a good skater, able to get back quickly. Didn't pinch much. His youth showed with only a few of his decisions.

[Taro T]

They were playing 1-3-1 on the PP, and getting flat burned by skating speed by the PKers. 1-2-2 for 5 on five, and had trouble not getting split deep by a good pass.

 

Didn't notice who Lydman was paired with... not Jillson or Janik. He's a good skater, able to get back quickly. Didn't pinch much. His youth showed with only a few of his decisions.

Thanks,

 

Dave.