Shutdown Pair

Tag: Hockey

  • Gameday 2010-2011 – Kings at Sabres

    We’ve got another Western conference foe in the building tonight, as LA is in town.  They are coming off two straight losses, putting their road record to 4-4.  Ryan Miller is likely to get both games, and Rivet is said to be making it back in the lineup (but not sure for who).  Kaleta may be ready to return as well.

    I like the team the Kings have put together.  Doughty and Johnson are a solid foundation on D, Jonathan Quick is in the top 3 in GAA and SP, and they are getting balanced scoring out of their top 2 lines.  They are really right where the Sabres SHOULD be this year, and perhaps will be moving forward.

    I wonder if perhaps the Kings’ backup goalie, Bernier gets in tonight for yet another backup goalie for the Sabres to face.  He had the Monday loss to San Jose, but the Kings play tomorrow in Boston so it is possible.

  • One, Two, THREE Periods! Ah-ah-ah!

    Now the Count, HE can backcheck

    Hey guys, that first period was not a glorified warm-up!  Those goals counted!  But seriously, it wasn’t a terrible game despite it being a loss.  Right now Washington is still better, so winning one of two games with them is not bad.  What I liked:  seeing Ennis/Roy/Vanek continue to play well, more D contributions, and not giving up when down 3-0.  Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth was very good, he was definitely the difference after Buffalo scored their two goals (which he didn’t get much help on).

    It’s not getting any easier for Buffalo, as they have a Friday/Saturday schedule at home, with the LA Kings and Steven Stamkos’s Tampa Bay Lightning in town.  Tampa had lost 3 in a row before facing the coach-firing, injury riddled New York Islanders.  If you are a Vanek fan, by the way, watch Saturday.  He’s got 16 goals in 20 games against them.

  • Gameday 2010-2011 – Sabres at Capitals

    The Caps look to get revenge on the Sabres tonight at the Verizon Center, as Buffalo makes the trip down to Washington to face the Ovechkins.  Did you know “that’s great” Derek Roy has 21 points, while Ovi has 25?  I also wonder if we’ll see an NHL goalie this time around.

    Gerbe is back in while Kaleta sits with a bruised sternum.  Rivet is…more interesting.  He’s healthy, but Ruff may not want to mess with a winning lineup.  Rivet isn’t happy about it, but even he said he understands the idea.  It’s something to keep watching as the season develops.  Would they ever reassign the captaincy with Rivet still here?

  • Atlas and the Two Tylers

    What a snipe from Tyler Myers!  After the puck rolled away from the defender, Myers picked the top corner of the net to end the game in the last minute of OT.  The Tiny Tyler had a goal also, along with Cody McCormick and Steve Montador.

    This was one of the most entertaining games I’ve seen this year, Vancouver deserves all their accolades.  That power play is insanity.  I thought the Sabres did a decent job on them, but the Sedins are some of my favorites to watch.  Shouldn’t have given up the lead in the third, but the Myers steal almost caused me to wake the kids.  Could’ve been a loss, but what a way to win.

    Would be nice to get one in regulation but hey.

  • 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.