A Few Positives

[msw2112]

The losing streak was rough, but they certainly ended it in style.  While there are certainly many negatives about the Sabres, I'd like to focus on a few positives.  First, Quinn has been playing much better of late, so maybe he's worked through whatever mental issues he's been having.  Second, Kulich played his best game a Sabre last night.  He made several plays, showing both tenacity (which this team sorely needs) and goal scoring ability (which every team needs).  His quick release and hard shot could at some point be recognized as among the best in the league, once the rest of his game rounds out.  It's a rare talent and it was great to see it on display last night.  I'll add a third-star to Malenstyn whose speed and determined style has finally resulted in a couple of goals in recent games.  Happy Holidays to all!

Edited 12 hours ago by msw2112

[Big Guava]

A little irritating the Sabres snap out of the long losing streak in a big way right before the holiday break and can't use it to build any momentum now since they are off for an extended period.

It's like anything that could go wrong or against them this year does.

[Big Guava]

A few other things...

This team is night and day different with Dahlin versus without him. If anyone is wondering who the MVP of the Sabres is, it's Dahlin without question.

Jack Quinn is quietly starting to heat up...3 goals in the last 4 games and he seems to be moving better and getting to the right places more often. His lethal shot starting to come back...expecting a big second half for him as his shooting percentage is less than half of his career average this season, I would expect it to continue to regress towards the mean.

Coming back from injury last year, Quinn was often times the best player on the ice for this team...seems like he is finally getting his game back...am excited to see how this translates the rest of the year.

Edited 11 hours ago by Big Guava

[Wyldnwoody44]

I wonder if they were allowed to be more freestyle in this game? It could be the Isles just slept walked as I don't think this team is that good consistently. I also don't know if they're as bad as their losing streak. 

[Flashsabre]

 

[PerreaultForever]

4 hours ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

I wonder if they were allowed to be more freestyle in this game? It could be the Isles just slept walked as I don't think this team is that good consistently. I also don't know if they're as bad as their losing streak. 

islanders were bad and not doing much, that's definitely true. Sabres played with pace and their shots were accurate and when they get open ice (which they did) they can be an effective offensive team. It's possible that after the Bruins game, where the Bruins played poorly but did take away a lot of the ice and made it tough to work through, they felt they had to come out even faster and harder expecting the same thing, and when they got open ice instead they just took over. It was overdue and inevitable to happen eventually. 

Chicago is a bad dump and chase team so if they play fast the winning streak can begin.