GDT: Bruins (booooo) visit keybank center. 6pm FO. MSG-B, NESN.

[dudacek]

1 minute ago, mjd1001 said:

Maybe I read it wrong, but I saw 100% shots (but that was simply 2 to 0), and expected goals just barely above 50 (53.96,  0.18 for, 0.15 against)

His line won Corsi 10 to 3, and Fenwick 5 to 2, But scoring chances and high danger chances were even 2 for/2 against and  1 for/ 1 against.

Good numbers, very good still for one game.

Oh I probably got it wrong, or the source did.

Shouldnt have posted off memory when I didn’t even look to closely.

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

Boston traded 3 guys. Only 2 of those trades were for futures. They aren't tanking, they just suck. 

What Buffalo did in 2013/2014 is what tanking is.

The Bruins tanked the end of one season, which was smart given where they were and that they do need a bit of a rebuild. A top 5 pick can help accelerate that. One good offseason, a center for Pastrnak, and a healthy top D-pairing of McAvoy/Lindholm, and they can be right back on the ascent. However, the Korpisalo contract is a problem. 

The Sabres did a multi-year tank of their entire franchise. They didn't keep Miller (Swayman), Vanek or anyone top-line worthy (Pastrnak), or a real top-D pairing, in reserve.

[dudacek]

2 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Oh I probably got it wrong, or the source did.

Shouldnt have posted off memory when I didn’t even look too closely.

Found it. Was a screen shot of a website that doesn’t indicate the source.

And it was 90.91% Corsi and 100% xGF for the entire line.

The xGF % was so high because they did not register an xGA.

Extraordinarily small sample size.

[JohnC]

6 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

Lets not forget about their goaltending, the same issue facing the Sabres this year. 

And yeah, i know the goalies numbers have a lot to do with the team in front of him...I get that, but Swayman has fallen off a cliff. Swayman went from a CAREER .919 save percentage to .895 this year.  And again, not just a bad team in front of him, he has looked bad, allowing a lot of goals this year that he made the saves on last year. 

The goalie issue for the Sabres, as it is for all teams, is that with the exception of the few elite goalies, the players playing the position are erratic in their play, year to year and also within season. Reimer has been stellar over his recent extended play. Can he expected to carry a full load next season if he becomes our primary goalie? I'm skeptical about that. Should UPL be relegated to a backup role or be dealt because his recent play in general has been lacking? I'm not sure? 

What this recent winning stretch demonstrates is that with good goaltending this team can be a competitive team. However, what does the GM do to solidify the position and make it a more consistent position to depend on? I don't have the answer for that. As you point out with Swayman, he gained a rich, long term contract based on his play when his contract was coming up. Now, it seems that he is adrift. 

In watching the game against Boston what became apparent was that the Sabres were the superior team. And as the game advanced it became ever more apparent. Looking back at this season, how many games against lesser teams did we lose to and how many games against superior teams did we elevate our play and win. This team had opportunities but due to a lack of maturity it did not seize on them when they were there for the taking. 

I'm aware that from a playoff standpoint this is a failed season regardless on how this team plays these end of season games. But what is apparent to me is that this team in general is playing a more responsible two-way game. And it is also apparent that the coach is giving out playing time and roles based on performances. The focus now isn't so much player development as it is on which players put this team in a better position to win. How Quinn is being handled by Ruff is an example of that. When his play is lacking, his playing time becomes limited and his line assignment is dropped. That's a good thing for the team and also for the player in question. 

[Thorner]

Dahlin’s put up thus far his second best career mark in assists, goals (tie), and points - but it’s arguably been his best season. 
 

this one stings 

[dudacek]

39 minutes ago, Thorner said:

Dahlin’s put up thus far his second best career mark in assists, goals (tie), and points - but it’s arguably been his best season. 
 

this one stings 

He's been fantastic.

Makar gets the Norris, no questions asked, but I think objectively the next three this year have been Werenski, Hughes and Ras.

It's a shame the Buffalo stink will probably rob him of his first post-season all-star team spot, which will go to a less deserving candidate like a Morrisey or a Bouchard because their teams are more successful.

I see fan bases touting guys like Sanderson and Seider, when their numbers aren't even close.

[HumanSlinky39]

Just realized the Sabres have 6 hat tricks this season. They had just 2 last year. (They had 8 in 2022/23).

[HumanSlinky39]

16 hours ago, Stads said:

One year, the April Sabres will show up the rest of the months

I'd say cross your fingers, but this has been a trend 4 years running.

2021/22: 16-30-8 through Feb, finished 16-9-3

2022/23: 33-31-6 through Mar 21, finished 9-2-1

2023/24: 23-26-4 through Feb 15,  finished 16-11-2

2024/25: 27-35-6 through Mar 21, 7-1-1 since

Every year, this team turns it on at some point over the last 2 months, but each time their poor play over the previous 4-5 months rendered it too little, too late.

This is a roster with talent, but there is very obviously something missing preventing them from being able to play sustained good hockey for long enough to get to the postseason. They need to identify where those gaps are (and I think anyone with any hockey sense can see them) and use this summer to improve those areas. Will they? I doubt it, because for the 4th season in a row KA will almost assuredly look at the last few weeks and take that as this team "figuring it out." 

 

Spoiler alert: It's not.

[Thorner]

2 minutes ago, HumanSlinky39 said:

I'd say cross your fingers, but this has been a trend 4 years running.

2021/22: 16-30-8 through Feb, finished 16-9-3

2022/23: 33-31-6 through Mar 21, finished 9-2-1

2023/24: 23-26-4 through Feb 15,  finished 16-11-2

2024/25: 27-35-6 through Mar 21, 7-1-1 since

Every year, this team turns it on at some point over the last 2 months, but each time their poor play over the previous 4-5 months rendered it too little, too late.

This is a roster with talent, but there is very obviously something missing preventing them from being able to play sustained good hockey for long enough to get to the postseason. They need to identify where those gaps are (and I think anyone with any hockey sense can see them) and use this summer to improve those areas. Will they? I doubt it, because for the 4th season in a row KA will almost assuredly look at the last few weeks and take that as this team "figuring it out." 

 

Spoiler alert: It's not.

And the rub is that, even it it might be: why the heck risk it. Add to the team as if making the playoffs *actually is* the goal and missing is unacceptable. The roster isn’t close to contender level, regardless! Either way, there is zero reason not to do eveything you can to improve and that means attacking the roster aggressively in all areas. also, then when excuses happen, they are merely roadbumps. 
 

NOTE: this post is *not* sarcasm this time 

[JohnC]

17 hours ago, Doohickie said:

It's a fad.  I've got one like that.

Looks like it started in North Texas.  That checks out.  I've seen them around for a coupla years now.

You may not be aware of it but you have a menacing look. You look like a west side bookie bill collector from my youth who was just told by a tardy gambler that he'll come up with the money tomorrow. The collector then pulls out a crowbar and wacks the guy on a knee. When the wounded scofflaw asks why he was hit, the collector responds that he wanted to make the point that it is imperative that he comes up with the money owed, plus interest, very soon.