Tag Archive for Sabres

SABRES VS BRUINS

February 10, 2013 NHL

When the Boston Bruins come to town everyone in Buffalo knows there is going to be a war on the ice.  The Bruins are as tough and skilled a team as there is in the NHL.  This was true of the first period tonight as the Bruins and Sabres battled hard and it was punctuated with first period brawl between Buffalo’s own Patty Kaleta and

Kaleta beating Campbell's ass

Kaleta beating Campbell’s ass

Boston’s Gregory Campbell, of which it appeared Mr. Campbell bit off a little more than he could chew.  Kaleta is not the biggest of heavyweights but man can he throw.  In regards to actual game action the first period, while scoreless, was an absolute joy to watch.  There was hitting, big saves, and tons of scoring opportunities.  Ryan Miller picked right up where he left off Saturday with numerous big time saves.

As the second period rolled around you could easily tell which team was playing back to back and which was fresh.  The Bruins really took it to the Sabres but Miller again stood on his head and the teams traded goals and took it to the 2nd intermission 1-1.  The Bruins goal was a nice snap shot from Brad Marchand and Sabres tally was a very patient Tyler Ennis dipsy do in front.

The same story in the third as the Sabres appeared to be skating in cement.  The Bruins took the lead for good on a bad bounce on off the boards on a Bruins power play that bounced right back to Patrice Bergeron and he didn’t waste time sniping it into the top corner.  The Bruins added a late empty netter by Lucic and there you have it the Sabres fall to 5-7-1 on the season.  All in all a much better team effort however, which hopefully carries over to Tuesday’s match-up in Ottawa.

It will be interesting to see if Tyler Myers is back in the lineup in Ottawa as well.  My view is that 2 games should be enough to prove the point to Myers that he needs to tighten his game up and fast.  If it isn’t then we could be in for a long season for the young phenom.

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SABRES VS ISLANDERS

February 9, 2013 NHL

Sixty minutes are in the books and the Sabres are victorious on Long Island.  The summary of this game can be said in two words….RYAN MILLER.  With the shots a staggering 43 to 15 in favor of the Islanders Miller played out of his mind.  This game also saw Thomas Vanek continuing his torrid scoring pace.

sabres1

MILLLLLLLEERRRRR WITH THE SAVE!!!

The big news prior to the puck drop was Tyler Myers taking a seat in the press box.   While everyone in Western New York saw this coming a mile away it didn’t really do much to tighten up a porous defensive unit.  While I am hopeful the kick in the ass will be just what the doctor ordered for Myers it isn’t a certainty.  Either way something needs to give if the Sabres hope to climb out of last place of the Northeast division.  The beauty of all of this is that even after a disastrous start to the Seasons the Sabres are literally tied with 3 other teams for 8th place with 11 points and are only 2 points out of 6th.

Now back to Thomas Vanek.  Sabres fans haven’t witnessed an force on the ice like this since the days of Lafontaine and Mogilny.  Vanek is on a different level and we can only hope it lasts just a little bit longer as it is so fun to watch.  Vanek had a goal and an assist and could EASILY have had 3 or 4 more points.

The focus now shifts to another huge showdown with the Boston Bruins at the First Niagara Center Sunday night.  It will be interesting to see if Ruff goes with Miller on back to back nights.  I can’t see how Enroth could possibly get the call between the pipes the way he has been playing.  Also will there be a Scott/Thorton round 2?  Lets hope so.

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Sabres vs Habs

January 31, 2012 NHL

The All-Star weekend came and went. The Buffalo Sabres Luke Adam and Jason Pomminville have returned home after representing the club well during all of the festivities.

Time to reflect on the good times they had can wait. We have way too much on our plate.

The Sabres are in Montreal tonight to finish out the worst road trip I have ever witnessed by this team. The Habs are 2 point better then Buffalo heading into this match up between Northeast division rivals.

The Sabres can take little comfort in the fact they have played very well at the Bell Centre winning the last 4 games held in Montreal (last was Oct 18th, 3-1). Buffalo had won it’s last game just before the break thanks in large part to the league’s shoot-out gimic. I actually enjoy the shoot-out, most Canadian loyalists think it’s a joke but whatever.

For the Sabres the struggles cannot be attributed to any one specific end of the rink or special teams play, they have all been poor to this point. From an offensive perspective 15 goals in the last 10 games sums it up. Ryan Miller was nothing short of spectacular vs. the Devils last Wednesday, prior to that game he was 3-9-0 with a gaa over 5. That’s down right garbage.

From an injury stand point (and there have been a ton to report) the Sabres are without the services of forwards Paul Gaustad and Jochen Hecht. Tyler Ennis could return tonight. Brayden McNabb is still recovering from a concussion but is reportedly skating with the club. I have no idea why Colin Stuart  shows up on the report, when he is healthy he better be shipped back to Rochester.

The Canadiens are still without the services of team Captain and Rochester area native Brian Gionta.

Interesting fact and figure, if Ryan Miller wins it will put him with some elite company. Miller is 1 win shy of tying Dominik Hasek’s career victory total as a Sabre of 234.

Erik Cole leads the Canadiens with 39 points (19-20-39), not too shabby for a 33 year old who had been cast aside by the Carolina Hurricane’s not once but TWICE. Keep your eyes on PK Subban, this guy can flat out play. He’s also known for laying down a few hits along the way and he leads the team in PIM’s with 57. The former first round d-man stands 6′ and his presence will be felt around the net tonight for sure.

This will not be an easy game for Buffalo, they have not had back to back wins since before the Boston massacre. I hope they can build on their last game against NJ and steal a point or 2 out. They can’t afford to lose this game it is a 4 point swing in the wrong direction.

Let’s go Buffalo, take these Habs down tonight, I have them taking it 2-1 behind another beauty by Miller.

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Time to Move Miller

January 17, 2012 NHL

Edmonton Oilers with Gretzky, Coffey, Anderson, and Messier

In the late 1980′s the Edmonton Oilers had Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Glenn Anderson all are NHL Hall of Fame players. Besides winning multiple Stanley Cups with those Oilers these  players share another bond. They were all traded while in their respective primes. In the case of Messier, Coffey and Anderson they all went on to win another Stanley Cup in those new cities.

He's Been Horrible Since His Big Day

It’s not unthinkable to see Ryan Miller wearing an opposing sweater the next time he tends goal at the First Niagara Center. It’s time to turn the page. Ryan Miller’s performance this season has been horrendous. Dominik Hasek was always able to save Buffalo’s hide, time and again, the man won 7 Vezina trophies with lunch pail players. Not to say Ryan Miller hasn’t had success but his best years appear to be far removed from what we have seen. I don’t know that Jonas Enroth is the answer but I do know Miller is not capable of making the big save or keeping the Sabres in a close game like his Hasek could.

The bigger problem is that other GM’s are seeing the same garbage goaltending Sabres fans have seen. But, just maybe there is a team that is a lock to make the post season that could use a playoff caliber goaltender like Miller. He’s an insurance factor. Maybe he needs a change of scenery to get his game back. New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Washington or the Anaheim Ducks could be one of those teams.

In the case of the New Jersey Devils they are in the final year of a contract with Martin Brodeur. Brodeur is a legend, a slam dunk, first ballot Hall of Famer. They are also at risk of losing American born Zack Parise (also the team captain). Parise is sure to hit the free agent market and should command similar dollars and cents that Brad Richards received from the NY Rangers last off-season. Perhaps a Miller for Parise deal could be worth looking into.

Other notable free agents this summer are a pair of Nashville Predator blue liners in Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. The Sabres dipped into free agency this past July and snapped up Christian Ehrhoff. He couldn’t tie either of these guys skates. Any one of these 2 studs will improve Buffalo’s blue line times 10, and line one of them up next to Tyler Myers and you’d think you were looking at Al McInnis and Chris Pronger again.

Alexander Semin of the Washington Capitals has been trade rumour fodder for years. With a new Head Coach in Dale Hunter he better shake the “floater” reputation he has gained over the years. Semin is an incredibly talented center. He just can’t seem to bring his A game each night. If any player neeed a change of address, it’s Semin.

The crop of UFA’s isn’t as talented as I would like but these are the 4 best skaters available at seasons end.

Tukka Rask is going to be the most sought after goaltender at seasons end but he is slowly taking over the reigns from Tim Thomas, reigning Stanley Cup MVP. It’s hard to imagine Boston letting Rask go, expect him to be signed through 2013 and beyond.

The bottom line is the Sabres suck so bad right now I could care less if they shipped out Vanek, Miller, Myers or any of the young prospects for any of the above UFA’s. Make a move Darcy, let us know you are breathing at least.

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Sabres tied for 5th in Eastern Conference

October 27, 2011 NHL

Eight games into the 2011-12 NHL season, the Buffalo Sabres are in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-3, which included two straight losses against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The Sabres started the ’11-12 campaign overseas in Finland where they defeated the Anaheim Duck and the Los Angeles Kings.  The Sabres then returned home to the states where they made their debut in First Niagara Center against the Carolina Hurricanes, and sent the crowd home in a disappointment after a 4-3 loss.

Buffalo went on to win the next three games including one against the Pittsburgh Penguins before they traveled to Tampa Bay where they lost to the Lightning 3-0 and then again in Buffalo 4-3.  In the second game, the Sabres scored two quick goals in the first period before Tampa Bay finally got on the board before the first period ended.

Thomas Vanek as expected is leading the team in goals with 7 as well as in points with 11.  Drew Stafford and Luke Adam are tied for second in goals with 3.  Captain Jason Pominville leads the team in assists with 8, and Vanek is second with 4.  In net, Ryan Miller is 4-3 with one shutout, and Jhonas Enroth who started against the Penguins is 1-0.  I expect Enroth to earn 15-20 starts in net to let Miller rest.

The Sabres host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 7pm, and then the Florida Panthers Saturday night.

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