GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ SJ Sharks 8:00 PM EST MSG-B, NBCSCA, WGR550

[That Aud Smell]

20 minutes ago, SwampD said:

I really hope that they are winning in spite of Tage being out and not because of it.

Great post — with the possible exception of this … question?

Thompson should get Lady Bynge (sp?) votes at some point in his career. He’s their 1C. They’re absolutely better with him.

I mean … right?

[CallawaySabres]

Let’s not kid ourselves here, it is not like Buffalo has looked that great without Tage. Goaltending saved their butts last night, and the offense has not looked great. This team is totally different, and for the better, with Tage.

[JustOneParade]

Which begs the additional question: Who decided to name an award in such a macho sport the Lady Byng Trophy??

Edited 8 hours ago by JustOneParade
Typing

[JustOneParade]

Many comments about the condition of the ice during the game. Might the pre-game ceremony for Thornton have had something to do with it?

[SwampD]

8 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Great post — with the possible exception of this … question?

Thompson should get Lady Bynge (sp?) votes at some point in his career. He’s their 1C. They’re absolutely better with him.

I mean … right?

I stand by my statement.

[That Aud Smell]

3 minutes ago, SwampD said:

I stand by my statement.

Standing by an equivocal statement. A neat irony.

[Pimlach]

10 hours ago, ... said:

They're playing with confidence in front of Reimsies.

[SwampD]

1 minute ago, That Aud Smell said:

Standing by an equivocal statement. A neat irony.

Sorry, I should have said “the statement stands.”

[Pimlach]

13 minutes ago, JustOneParade said:

Which begs the additional question: Who decided to name an award in such a macho sport the Lady Byng Trophy??

The Brits 

[Cascade Youth]

This team goes from middling to good when Quinn and Cozens are on.  And from good to really good when Quinn and Cozens are on and the goaltending shows up.

[shrader]

21 minutes ago, JustOneParade said:

Which begs the additional question: Who decided to name an award in such a macho sport the Lady Byng Trophy??

She donated the trophy. 

[JohnC]

39 minutes ago, SwampD said:

Man, the Sabres were much better than the impression I got from reading this thread. I watched a much different team than was described here. I never saw a team that looked “like ass”, or gassed or terrible along the boards. Of course there were times they got hemmed in, but that happens every game to every team.

I’m really enjoying the type of hockey they are playing right now and it’s not surprising that they are winning because of it. It’s some of the best in close hockey we’ve seen from a Sabres team in a very long time. It’s awesome. I so prefer it the back and forth, lose the puck, bag skates that doesn’t win in the playoffs.

I really hope that they are winning in spite of Tage being out and not because of it.

The Sabres won all three games on this trip. On the other hand, all three of these tight games could have just as easily gone the other way. Without Tage, the first line's scoring threat steeply declined. You can see how not having Tage on the ice limited the space and scoring chances for JJP. 

The question that you seem to be posing is if Tage is on the ice would the Sabres play such a defensive oriented game. Probably not. However, I'm confident that with him there would be more scoring chances. It's a balance. My position is that Tage is our biggest scoring threat and because of that the team would definitely be better with him playing. Ultimately, the difference for the Sabres on this road trip was the superb netminding in all three games. You are not always going to get that level of play from that position. We definitely need Tage back to give our offense more potency. (Just my opinion.)

 

[Pimlach]

9 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

I agree they need another top 6 forward. I would see if there is a legit scoring winger to play with Tage and Tuch. Move JJ down to reunite with Cozens and Quinn and get them going again:

legit scorer Tage Tuch

JJ  Cozens Quinn

Benson McLeod Zucker

Greenway Krebs one of Lafferty/Malenstyn/NAK

Quinn does not deserve 2nd line minutes, especially if we add a top 6 player and are healthy. 

Before his injury Greenway was outplaying (and out scoring) Cozens, Quinn, Benson, Krebs, and the entire 4th line put together.  His defensive play and his PK work was stellar.    If we bring in a top 6 forward some of the guys on your list are probably gone.  

Unless Quinn’s game takes a major step up, I just don’t see Lindy giving Quinn  more minutes than Greenway.  It appears that Quinn could fall behind Kulich too.  

Quinn is playing a little better right now, but Benson (who started the season injured) and Kulich have improved their games by even more IMO. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Pimlach

[eman]

9 hours ago, Big Guava said:

I guess beating Dallas and then kicking the living hell out of the Rangers were games we were supposed to win too?

Losses to Columbus and Montreal were games the Sabres were supposed to win and they didn't. It's a wash.

[Pimlach]

3 minutes ago, eman said:

Losses to Columbus and Montreal were games the Sabres were supposed to win and they didn't. It's a wash.

And Philly 

[SwampD]

25 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The Sabres won all three games on this trip. On the other hand, all three of these tight games could have just as easily gone the other way. Without Tage, the first line's scoring threat steeply declined. You can see how not having Tage on the ice limited the space and scoring chances for JJP. 

The question that you seem to be posing is if Tage is on the ice would the Sabres play such a defensive oriented game. Probably not. However, I'm confident that with him there would be more scoring chances. It's a balance. My position is that Tage is our biggest scoring threat and because of that the team would definitely be better with him playing. Ultimately, the difference for the Sabres on this road trip was the superb netminding in all three games. You are not always going to get that level of play from that position. We definitely need Tage back to give our offense more potency. (Just my opinion.)

 

Again, I hope you are right.

[steveoath]

Good score. Looked like the Alamo in the first for a bit. Good dig to get the win. 
 

Quinn for granlund. Who says no?

[DarthEbriate]

Electricity returned. Unlimited power and such.

Catching some highlights from last night. SJ is going to love Smith-Celebrini in the next few years. They play quick. Krebs has been working on his shot for the last two seasons -- now he has an actual NHL-level shot. Quite good.

Reimer, that's why they got him (initially); steady, controlling the game like a Craig Anderson -- but the right age and the backup to a better goalie. (And it helped last night to make an amazing own-rebound-backhand glove snare.)

[JohnC]

Just now, SwampD said:

Again, I hope you are right.

What's encouraging is that Lindy is instituting a more responsible two-way style of play that the players are buying into. And if you factor in a healthy Tage and the return of Greenway, you can see a deeper roster. Cozens looked like one of the best players on the ice last night. And Quinn seems to be steadily, although incrementally, playing better. The point being that with the young players there should be even more upswing to their play. If we continue to get consistently good goaltending, then we should be able to get the breakthrough on that tormenting playoff wall. I hope, I hope, I hope. The abused Sabre fans deserve it.  

[JohnC]

7 minutes ago, steveoath said:

Good score. Looked like the Alamo in the first for a bit. Good dig to get the win. 
 

Quinn for granlund. Who says no?

I say no. I'm sticking with Quinn and hope that he becomes the player that many of us hoped he would become. I don't want to see any of our own late bloomers on other teams. Patience is a virtue. 

[JohnC]

7 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

Electricity returned. Unlimited power and such.

Catching some highlights from last night. SJ is going to love Smith-Celebrini in the next few years. They play quick. Krebs has been working on his shot for the last two seasons -- now he has an actual NHL-level shot. Quite good.

Reimer, that's why they got him (initially); steady, controlling the game like a Craig Anderson -- but the right age and the backup to a better goalie. (And it helped last night to make an amazing own-rebound-backhand glove snare.)

Curious, was the loss of electricity a weather related issue? What part of the country or world do you live in? I'm a nosy fellow. 😃

Edited 7 hours ago by JohnC

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, Cascade Youth said:

This team goes from middling to good when Quinn and Cozens are on.  And from good to really good when Quinn and Cozens are on and the goaltending shows up.

What games have both Quinn and Cozens been on?   I can’t think of even one game this season.  

In Tage’s absence Cozens has had some better games, he is starting to contribute more but I am not seeing any revitalization of the pair.  If anything they hold Peterka back when he is paired with them.  

Quinn is -8 with a 3% shooting percentage.  His one goal is an empty netter.  The only reason he hasn’t been benched is Tage and Greenway are out.  
 

[JohnC]

33 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

And Philly 

And Islanders. The Montreal and Islander losses got my stomach in a state of agitation. On the other hand, sometimes tough losses can result in the team refocusing their efforts and bringing more attention to what the coach is espousing. As the saying goes: You learn more from your failures than from your successes. 

[DarthEbriate]

8 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Curious, was the loss of electricity a weather related issue? What part of the country or world do you live? I'm a nosy fellow. 😃

Yup -- in the Seattle area, part of that PNW cyclone. Missed the entire west coast road trip.

I'm guessing Dudacek is in a similar un-electrified state up in BC.

[Pimlach]

24 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I say no. I'm sticking with Quinn and hope that he becomes the player that many of us hoped he would become. I don't want to see any of our own late bloomers on other teams. Patience is a virtue. 

Be careful with hope.  We have enough assets to not have to rely on hope.  If we are to acquire a top 6 forward then it’s likely some players and prospects will go.    

Look at the play of Peterka, Benson, Cozens and Quinn.   Who is the one you move on from?  

Look at the promise of prospects Kulich, Rosen, Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg. -   Kulich is breaking out.  Helenius is probably untouchable right now.  Wahlberg has the size and strength that makes him a compelling player.  
 

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Pimlach