Shutdown Pair

Author: TheTick

  • Gameday 2010-2011 – Canucks at Sabres and SO MUCH MORE

    The Vancouver Canucks come to Buffalo for a rare visit, in the 40th anniversary year of both teams’ existence.  According to the Buffalo News, it’s Miller versus Schneider tonight, denying Ryan Olympic vengeance, barring an outburst of Sabres goals to chase Cory Schneider.  Craig Rivet is “getting very close to playing” or retiring, if you believe ESPN.com’s NHL rumor mill.

    • The Islanders shuffled the deck chairs on the Titanic and fired Scott Gordon as coach.  He will be a consultant, which means they don’t want to be paying a guy to do nothing (other than Yashin).
    • The whole Colin Campbell fiasco should be getting more mainstream play.  Most likely the big guns are doing their own diligence first, though, so hopefully we see stuff soon.
    • Raffi Torres (now on the Canucks) has 7 goals.  *sigh*
    • As mentioned in the Buffalo News’s notes up there, this would be the 10th backup goalie the Sabres have faced, which is what happens when you a: have been bad and b: other teams have goalie injuries

    I should be watching tonight, this could be another big statement game against one of the best in the West.

  • Vanek Dazzles on OT Game-Winning Goal

    It almost wasn’t fair to Braden Holtby, who had played quite well against the Buffalo Sabres.  When Thomas Vanek skated in alone, with two defenders in the area, Holtby probably thought he could handle it.

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd-IYT47kWw[/youtube]

    Yeah, John Carlson, you might just have to read up on this Vanek character.  What a way to get your first home win, no matter how delayed it was.  Vanek also had a more typical goal in the second, cleaning up a rebound in his office in front of the net.  Montador had the Sabres’ first goal.

    Ryan Miller had some great saves in his first game back, including stopping Ovechkin on a breakaway, though he did have a puck that he thought he squeezed bounce between his legs and thankfully not into the goal.  Great to see him back out there.

    Do yourself a favor and go back and watch that goal again.

  • That’ll do, Enroth

    Jhonas Enroth dueled Marty Biron to a tie through regulation, but in the end lost 3-2, gaining Buffalo another point.  5 out of 6 isn’t bad, considering they’d gotten, what, 1 out of 10 before that?  Now to see how they fare against stronger competition, and not fellow basement dwellers.

    I know Vanek is catching heat for not shooting on that play late.  I liked his patience to move around the sliding defender, and he thought Roy had a better shot.  Taken on it’s own, the play is fine.  Some would see it as a pattern of Vanek passing up chances, which is true to a point.  I think Thomas is just trying to contribute what he can while the goals aren’t coming.  Games are more fun when Vanek is sniping, will admit that.

    Enroth’s play has put Buffalo in an interesting quandry.  He’s winning, something Lalime hasn’t done much of in his time here.  His numbers aren’t super-impressive, but he’s made key saves and was strong in the two shootouts.  People say he should go back to Portland to continue development, but to what end?  Miller is the starter for the forseeable future, so what is Enroth’s career path?  Backup goalie is the only option that keeps him here.  If there was a trade offer that gave a solid return, I’d do it, but beyond that, what was he drafted for if not to play with the big club?

  • Gameday 2010-2011 – Sabres at Rangers

    This team is ROLLING now!  The Sabres are taking a two game win streak into MSG tonight to face the Rangers.  New York gets Gaborik back, and since they didn’t skate today, I have no idea who is playing goal tonight.  I have kid stuff to take care of tonight at 6:45, so hopefully that’s done quick so I don’t miss out.  Will update later if I have time.

  • Oh, Kovy…

    Were it not for the fact he’s making a cubic buttload of money over the next 15 years, you’d almost feel sorry for Ilya Kovalchuk.  It’s obvious that he WANTS to help his team out but the harder he tries, the worse it goes.  Sort of like a Ben Stiller movie, it’s almost too embarrassing to watch.

    A lot of positives for Buffalo last night, with many of the big names contributing.  Derek Roy scored both in regulation and the shootout, Tyler Myers had a goal and 2 assists, and the +3 goes a long way towards getting him back where he belongs.  Enroth had an up and down game but made big saves when it counted (until he didn’t have to, thanks to Kovalchuk).  Is there any reason Enroth shouldn’t be the backup right now?  Leggio is killing it for the Pirates (currently 7-1), so let the Williamsville native take the reins.  How much of a loss is it if Lalime is lost via waivers, really?

  • Gameday 2010-2011 – Sabres at Devils

    Some things you will hear ad nauseum tonight:

    You get the idea.  It’s the battle of a backup goalie versus an AHL goalie, with both teams trying to claw their way out of the bottom of the Eastern conference.  Craig Rivet didn’t make the trip, looks like Butler back in.  Perhaps for the best.  Patrick Lalime is back as the backup, apparently his appendix is in fine working order.  Interesting how no one is clamoring for him now that Enroth won a game, including a solid shootout performance.

    I am cautiously optimistic about tonight, considering the opponent, it’s on the road, and they beat this same goalie not that long ago quite soundly.  Beyond that, not saying anything else until I see the effort from the past few games continue on for a few more.

  • Should the Sabres play for next year?

    No, this is not a panic button post, but more the other team in town getting me thinking:  Should Buffalo target next year as the year to make a cup run?  There are some good reasons why they should:

    • Connolly, Niedermayer, Grier, and McCormick off the books – should open some top 6 minutes for Gerbe and Ennis, and possibly an FA center who is more consistent.
    • Next year could mean Luke Adam or Zack Kassian (or both) making the team, upping the size and tenacity of the team.
    • Seriously, read this about Kassian (h/t to Sabres Prospects):

    At the Memorial Cup (in Brandon), neither one of the western teams wanted any part of him. They wouldn’t look him in the eyes.

    • I can’t imagine Jhonas Enroth not being the backup here next year.  Either that or trade the guy.  Tomorrow’s game might be a big factor in that.  If he starts again, I’m seeing the writing on the wall for Lalime, no matter how much Miller and the rest of the guys love him.
    • The biggest question for me is what to do with the defense.  Hopefully a partner for Myers is settled by the end of the year, so whoever that is has to be kept (if it’s not Morrisonn).  Montador and Rivet are UFAs, while Weber, Sekera and Butler are all RFAs.  Someone (or preferably two of them) need to take the next step this year.

    So there you have it.  What does that change about this year?  I’d be hesitant to trade for a ‘rental’ player at the deadline, especially if there is a prospect moving out.  I like our prospects a lot more than I do most of the guys Darcy has brought in at the deadline recently (though a lot of that is hindsight).  I might change my view on that as the season wears on, though.  I do think this team can still make the playoffs, but I can’t imagine a true cup run.

  • Some Random Thoughts

    I have a few rare minutes to sit and write, but of course, I didn’t get to see the win against the Leafs.  I am a big fan of Enroth, saw some of his World Jr. work, so I was glad to see him do well.  Watching the highlights and reading random stuff:

    • Love that even the Leafs’ arena crew were fooled by Jhonas’s stop on MacArthur.
    • Love Enroth’s mask even more.
    • Hey, Komisarek, I know fights after clean hits are stupid, but man up and actually fight.  Montador never wins, anyway.  Don’t wrestle him down and then punch.
    • Nice chipshot, Roy.
    • JOCHEN.
    • Enroth had to make some tough, tough saves on breakaways and 2 on 1’s.  Is Lalime making those?
    • Really need to work on that ‘The Two Tylers’ shirt concept.  Ennis!

    Should hopefully get to see most of the games this week.

  • Gameday 2010-2011 – Canadiens at Sabres

    Another day, another chance at a home win.  It won’t be any easier than beating Boston, however, as Miller may not play, and it’s the same crew of lackadaisical scrubs giving pucks away like candy on Halloween.  I still feel they can stand in with any team in the league, but I won’t expect it until I see it more than once.

    I don’t want them to feel any undue pressure, but another start like last game that ends in a bad loss could be what triggers the proverbial bomb getting set off in that locker room.  And I don’t know if I’d really be against it.  Yes, I’ve acknowledged that the panic button is in the room, and might’ve even flipped the up the protective plastic cover.  I bet if I update my ‘untouchable players‘ list, it’s going to be really short.

    You know what, let’s do that now…currently untouchable (and I don’t mean because they are injured or suck):

    • Ryan  Miller.  Duh.
    • Tyler Myers.  Yes, giveaways, but he’s had some bad luck too.  He’ll come around.
    • Uh, Derek Roy?  He’s probably been the most consistent forward so far.
    • Thomas Vanek.  He’ll score.  Needs help though.

    Goose is off the list.  At one time, he seemed to be developing a bit of leadership, but I haven’t seen it at all this year.  Faceoff prowess isn’t enough to keep you on a team.

    Interesting to think of Kaleta, who other Sabres bloggers wanted on the list.  I haven’t noticed him making much of a difference.  I want him on the list, but there’s nobody else doing enough for me to put them on there.

  • Mauled by Bears

    I intentionally did not write this game up last night, in hopes that some distance would be good for the analysis, but honestly I’m just as angry now as I was after the first period.  How you can play with so little passion, especially after giving up TWO short-handed goals?  You can’t just keep doing the same things, making the same plays when they are NOT WORKING so spectacularly.  The team didn’t even get shaken out of the ‘funk’ or whatever you want to call it until midway through the second, when Cody McCormick fought.

    I’ve been fairly non-commital on Tim Connolly this year, but if he’s going to turnover the puck  repeatedly, there is absolutely no reason for him to be here.  Newsflash, your power play won’t improve if you keep giving up breakaways and odd-man rushes the other way!  Not even getting into Lalime/Enroth, weird decisions abound there.

    There are a few guys worthy of praise, but I’m not going to do it (beyond McCormick).  The whole team needs to be accountable.  If I’m Lindy, I bag-skate these lame-o’s until the whole lot of ’em are curled up in the fetal position.  Ruff has nothing to lose at this point.  He’s going to be the scapegoat so he needs to pull out all the stops, all his tricks.