GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins 3/17/25 ☘️ 7pm MSG, NESN, WGR

[Broken Ankles]

33 minutes ago, JohnC said:

My takeaway from the game is that even with the shooters out of the lineup, collectively this team played hard and with effort throughout. There were no lulls---the players kept pushing. When watching this game it was apparent why there was a need for keeping veteran rugged players, such as Greenway, Zucker, in the fold. What our young players, such as Quinn, JJP and Kulich, can't bring at this stage of their career is the physicality to go along with their offensive skills.   

In general, I thought Zucker, Tuch and Byrum played well. Just maybe, Byrum playing without Dahlin allows him to control the puck and freelance more??? Still an open issue for me. 

This was a good win in another end of season meaningless game. However, if the remaining games are used to instill playing the right way (tougher two-way hockey), then it can be a good lesson for next season. 

I'm aware that I have repeated myself but I strongly believe that if the organization can make a few smart moves to get a better mix and balance to the roster, this team would be much better. 

So true.  My number one observation was that Zucker, while not on the scoresheet was a beast.  Zadorov and few other Bruins  tried to impose their will, yet it was Greenway and Zucker who punished their forwards all game.   Something the youth on this team can’t do. 
 
My other observation was Murray was invisible.  In a game where you had an opportunity against a younger rebuilding team, you were a no-show?  Send him down.  

[Jorcus]

13 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

So true.  My number one observation was that Zucker, while not on the scoresheet was a beast.  Zadorov and few other Bruins  tried to impose their will, yet it was Greenway and Zucker who punished their forwards all game.   Something the youth on this team can’t do. 
 
My other observation was Murray was invisible.  In a game where you had an opportunity against a younger rebuilding team, you were a no-show?  Send him down.  

Murray had the fewest shifts and less than 12 min. of Ice time. Playing with Krebs and Quinn he did what he was supposed to do and get in front of the net. There was not much opportunity for him in that game. 

[Doohicksie]

42 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The Byrum trade for Mitts is looking good. I hope that we will be able to eventually get a contract worked out. 

Yeah, I like Mitts when he was here but he doesn't seem to be exactly tearing up the league since he was traded.  I think he was slotted about right when he was a 3C here... he could elevate his game and move up the lineup for periods, but really not quite top 6 stuff.

25 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

My other observation was Murray was invisible.  In a game where you had an opportunity against a younger rebuilding team, you were a no-show?  Send him down.

I think we've seen his ceiling, and it's as a AHL star/NHL 4th line injury callup.

[Doohicksie]

32 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Looks like you missed the 70's record buying era but to me music is music.  The era and the incessant need to label genres becomes too much of the conversation.  

I put a * next to the ones in my collection.  I put a $ next to the ones that have hit the Turntable or CD player in the past 2-3  years.  

I have plenty of 1970s music.  These lists are plugging holes that probably should have been plugged decades ago.

I will note that for the Rolling Stones, though, they're a recently acquired taste for me.  I considered them garage band hacks that weren't really that good, but it's more that their sound is raw/unrefined (unlike, say, Pink Floyd or Steely Dan, which are very meticulously produced).  But in the Stones' raw presentation, there's plenty of musical genius to be found.  I didn't realize that when I was younger.

The other notable change is my opinion of Bob Seger.  I loved him when I was a kid, especially the old rock (like on Live Bullet) but when he started to trend toward more grown-up material and embraced more of a country influence, he lost me.  I bought Against the Wind on vinyl when it first came out and can remember being disappointed.  With more miles on the clock I listen to the same music and I think it's just brilliant.

[Drag0nDan]

10 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Gave up just two goals, made critical saves to win the game too. But stats say he sucks. 🙄 

What you saw was good defense limiting the other teams scoring chances. As in 19 shots. That's a good thing. 

Here's how meaningless this sub .900 argument is. If UPL saw one more shot from the Bruins, his sv% becomes .900. What changes from the overall game? Still only two goals allowed.  Still a Sabres win.

The 2nd goal was a mistake by Muel, but he played that absolutely terribly.  

[Drag0nDan]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

Not  impressed with a road win in the Garden?   Peterka, Norris, and Kulich out.  Hmmm.  I thought they played pretty good, had some down stretches but kept the shots against down.  

Korpisalo really kept boston in it too, as well as the post.  

I thought power had a nice game on both sides of the ice.  Malenstyn brought some needed juice, same with zucker greenway and tuch.  

[Pimlach]

11 hours ago, Doohicksie said:

I have plenty of 1970s music.  These lists are plugging holes that probably should have been plugged decades ago.

I will note that for the Rolling Stones, though, they're a recently acquired taste for me.  I considered them garage band hacks that weren't really that good, but it's more that their sound is raw/unrefined (unlike, say, Pink Floyd or Steely Dan, which are very meticulously produced).  But in the Stones' raw presentation, there's plenty of musical genius to be found.  I didn't realize that when I was younger.

The other notable change is my opinion of Bob Seger.  I loved him when I was a kid, especially the old rock (like on Live Bullet) but when he started to trend toward more grown-up material and embraced more of a country influence, he lost me.  I bought Against the Wind on vinyl when it first came out and can remember being disappointed.  With more miles on the clock I listen to the same music and I think it's just brilliant.

Better late than never.  The Stones were amazing.  Beggars Banquet (68), Let it Bleed (69), Sticky Fingers (71), Exile on Main Street (Double record album, 72).   No rock band has matched this level of output for a 4-5 year span.  Everything on these albums is great, the deep tracks (lesser known songs) are the best ones IMO.  Even the Beatles best 4 years have a hard time holding up to this.   

Seger was always a favorite for me.  I saw him at a Rich Stadium Summer Fest Concert in his breakout summer (1975 I think - its a blur now).  Prior to the concert I heard some of his songs getting a lot of FM air time.  Pretty good, pretty basic stuff, OK.   The line up was Johnny Winter (amazing blues guy from Texas), Bob Seger and Silver Bullet Band, and Yes as the headliner.  

IMO Seger stole the show.  His sound was meant for the stadium, Yes really needs to be seen in a smaller and more intimate setting.  Seger had a few hits that summer but he had a huge backlog of great songs that were not recorded yet, and they really resonated on that summer night.  I took my GF to the show and it sure gave us the "night moves" while trying to lose those awkward teenage blues.  

 

Edited yesterday at 01:34 AM by Pimlach

[DarthEbriate]

33 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Better late than never.  The Stones were amazing.  Beggars Banquet (68), Let it Bleed (69), Sticky Fingers (71), Exile on Main Street (Double record album, 72).   No rock band has matched this level of output for a 4-5 year span.  Everything on these albums is great, the deep tracks (lesser now songs) are the best ones IMO.  Even the Beatles best 4 years have a hard time holding up to this.   

I think folks often forget how compressed the Beatles timeline was. In April 1966 they started recording Revolver. In September 1969 they released Abbey Road. Let It Be got the Spector production and some pickup recordings in early 1970 and was released in May, but its tracks were all recorded in January 1969.

You're really looking at 3 3/4 years to record: Revolver - Sgt.Pepper's - Magical Mystery Tour - The White Album - Yellow Submarine - Let It Be - Abbey Road. And that was their "slow-paced" half.

[dudacek]

Any one recall the last time the Sabres brought that level of grit - yes, fighting, but also pushing and pushback in general - in consecutive games?

 

[PromoTheRobot]

1 minute ago, dudacek said:

Any one recall the last time the Sabres brought that level of grit - yes, fighting, but also pushing and pushback in general - in consecutive games?

 

Even the Wings game where they got throttled they stood up for themselves.

[Drag0nDan]

1 minute ago, dudacek said:

Any one recall the last time the Sabres brought that level of grit - yes, fighting, but also pushing and pushback in general - in consecutive games?

 

Just now, PromoTheRobot said:

Even the Wings game where they got throttled they stood up for themselves.

I think the one of the biggest gripes i have with the team is their softness, so its good to see some fight in a lost season.  

[North Buffalo]

2 hours ago, Drag0nDan said:

Korpisalo really kept boston in it too, as well as the post.  

I thought power had a nice game on both sides of the ice.  Malenstyn brought some needed juice, same with zucker greenway and tuch.  

Thought Kozak played hard too... took the body well on the forecheck and was noticeable

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

14 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Ah When Genesis was great!

13 hours ago, Doohicksie said:

I'm diving back in.  Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is one of my favorites; I just picked up A Trick of the Tale and Wind & Wuthering on CD; I've never owned either one though I'm familiar with both.

12 hours ago, Pimlach said:

How about Yes and ELP?  

12 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Saw a great Genesis cover band play the entire Lamb stage show with the original slide and costumes.

11 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Saw Styx for the first time recently.

5 hours ago, Doohicksie said:

I've already got Grand Illusion.  And Equinox.  Crystal Ball completes the "golden trilogy" of the band for me.

2 hours ago, Doohicksie said:

I have plenty of 1970s music.

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

Seger was always a favorite for me.

[WhenWillItEnd66]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Any one recall the last time the Sabres brought that level of grit - yes, fighting, but also pushing and pushback in general - in consecutive games?

 

This will put the Sabres in the playoffs next year if they can keep doing this. It is and has always been what is missing.

[inkman]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Any one recall the last time the Sabres brought that level of grit - yes, fighting, but also pushing and pushback in general - in consecutive games?

 

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 minutes ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

Actually I’m not a boomer.  Born too late.  

[PromoTheRobot]

49 minutes ago, inkman said:

 

3 games in a row. Detroit counts too even though they lost.

[Doohicksie]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Actually I’m not a boomer.  Born too late.  

I am.  Unless you put me into Generation Jones, the mini-generation between Boomers and Gen X.

[Broken Ankles]

3 hours ago, Jorcus said:

Murray had the fewest shifts and less than 12 min. of Ice time. Playing with Krebs and Quinn he did what he was supposed to do and get in front of the net. There was not much opportunity for him in that game. 

In terms of 5v5, his  line was close to the Greenway/Tage/Tuch line and 3 more minutes than The 4th line.  Beck/Kozak/Lafferty brought their big boy pants last night and deserved more time. Maybe the special teams affected the distribution of 5/5 time.
 

And while the Murray/Krebs/Quinn line had a decent Cosi (all lines did), their expected goals for/against were by far the lowest.  And they were on ice for one of the two goals against. You have to impress the coach when you get the call up. It’s just not there. 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

Any one recall the last time the Sabres brought that level of grit - yes, fighting, but also pushing and pushback in general - in consecutive games?

 

I believe that fighting should be banned from the game. (I'm aware that it is a very minority here.) However, as you point out, the last two games from a style of play perspective is noticeably different. You can't play this tougher brand of game unless you have the players who are suited to play this more rugged game. Zucker, Tuch, Greenway, Dahlin, Benson etc. provide a better roster mix compared to when the roster is too loaded with young players who lack the physical maturity to play a harder toe to toe game.

I have been a consistent critic of the current GM's ability to construct a roster with the right mix of players. Hopefully, he is belatedly recognizing that deficiency with his recent contract extensions. There is still more to do on that roster balance issue but it should be achievable if there is a desire to do so.  

[mjd1001]

28 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I believe that fighting should be banned from the game. (I'm aware that it is a very minority here.) However, as you point out, the last two games from a style of play perspective is noticeably different. You can't play this tougher brand of game unless you have the players who are suited to play this more rugged game. Zucker, Tuch, Greenway, Dahlin, Benson etc. provide a better roster mix compared to when the roster is too loaded with young players who lack the physical maturity to play a harder toe to toe game.

I have been a consistent critic of the current GM's ability to construct a roster with the right mix of players. Hopefully, he is belatedly recognizing that deficiency with his recent contract extensions. There is still more to do on that roster balance issue but it should be achievable if there is a desire to do so.  

I agree with you.  I hardly ever watch a game, especially a high scoring game or a win and think "That game was OK but it really needed a few fights."

Since fighting is still part of the game, I do wish the Sabres had someone a bit better at it as more of a way to deter it though.

[PerreaultForever]

14 hours ago, Doohicksie said:

Noice.  🙂 

  

All in good time.  I've got a couple of each of their albums.  When a piece of music strikes me and I dig into it a little and decide I like it, I put it on a list and eventually buy the CD, or for my birthday and Christmas I give the list out to my family if they don't know what to get me.  The list is currently comprised of:

• Bob Seger:  Against the Wind
• Pretenders:  Learning to Crawl
• Joe Jackson's Jumpin Jive
• Joe Jackson:  Body and Soul
• Jack White:  Blunderbuss
• Jack White:  Entering Heaven Alive
• Linda Ronstadt:  Heart Like a Wheel
• Steven Wilson:  The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)
• Steely Dan:  The Royal Scam
• Styx:  Crystal Ball
• Genesis:  And Then There Were Three
• The Rolling Stones:  Sticky Fingers
• The Rolling Stones:  Beggars Banquet
• The Doobie Brothers:  Toulouse Street
• Fleetwood Mac:  Then Play On
• Bruce Cockburn:  Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws
• Al Stewart:  The Year of the Cat

Last week I got A Trick of the Tail and Wind & Wuthering.

And this was my Christmas haul

• Michael Franks:  The Art of Tea
• Willie Nelson:  Red Headed Stranger
• Steely Dan:  Gaucho, Katy Lied
• Billy Joel:  The Nylon Curtain
• Joe Jackson:  Stepping Out
• Traffic:  Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
• The Raconteurs:  Consolers of the Lonely

Weird to see all that old stuff but then Jack White gets in there. I have no real comment here that just stuck out for me. 

[JohnC]

5 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

I agree with you.  I hardly ever watch a game, especially a high scoring game or a win and think "That game was OK but it really needed a few fights."

Since fighting is still part of the game, I do wish the Sabres had someone a bit better at it as more of a way to deter it though.

I would rather add another rugged player or two than a designated fighter as a responder who isn't much of a contributor. And it should be noted that many fights, if not most, are pre-arranged between the combatants before they square off. Every time I state my position on this assaultive behavior on ice I get overwhelmed with thumbs down, which makes my positioned hardened even more. I find it so freaking stupid and repugnant. 

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

Proud member.   

[ska-T Palmtown]

21 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I would rather add another rugged player or two than a designated fighter as a responder who isn't much of a contributor. And it should be noted that many fights, if not most, are pre-arranged between the combatants before they square off. Every time I state my position on this assaultive behavior on ice I get overwhelmed with thumbs down, which makes my positioned hardened even more. I find it so freaking stupid and repugnant. 

In the salary cap era, most teams can't afford to have a designated goon. 

I am a bit torn on fighting. I can see why something like what Greenway did is needed. Even if Z was getting a penalty - he took liberties and that needs to be fixed. I think it is a fine line because the other way to address crap like that is to overly involve the refs in their subjective penalty calling. As a Sabres fan, I am not sure I want the refs having even MORE influence on the game.

I think the USA-Canada fights, while somewhat entertaining, were also kinda dumb from the perspective of having a hockey game.