Shutdown Pair

Tag: NHL

  • Potential Opponents

    Now that the Sabres are all but assured of making the playoffs, let’s take a look at their most likely combatants.  There’s a few possibilities here, as the Sabres could be anywhere from 6th to 8th.  7th is the most likely spot to finish in.

    First up is the Washington Capitals.  The season series with the Caps was 1-2-1, with Miller going 1-2-0 with a 2.32 GAA and .924 SP.  Jhonas Enroth played the game last week, losing in OT (sandwiched between those 2 outstanding games for what it is worth).  The win, if you recall, was the game that Thomas Vanek dazzled John Carlson and Braden Holtby for the OT winner.  I’d be curious to see what a seven game series against the Caps would look like, as Buffalo is playing much better lately, and Washington has some injuries of their own they are dealing with, including Mike Green, Dennis Wideman and Tom Poti on the blueline.

    Next up in the likely opponents list is the Flyers.  Unlike the Caps, the Sabres have one more game against the Flyers this Friday, going 1-2 in the first three.  Ryan Miller has played all 3 games against Philly, and the numbers aren’t great – 4.03 GAA, .881 SP.  Again, a couple of those were earlier in the year and the most recent game is a 5-3 win.   The Flyers are 2-3-3 in their past 8 and who knows what’s going to happen with their goaltending tandem.  Bobrovsky is the likely starter for the playoffs, though you have to think Philly wouldn’t hesitate long to put the more veteran Boucher in there if  ‘Bob’ struggles.  They’ve also been missing Pronger and Briere, though Briere might be in for the Sabres game Friday.  Pronger hasn’t played since March 8th and had a ‘minor setback’ in rehab that puts his earliest return game 1 of a potential playoff matchup at the earliest.

    The other likely foe would be the Boston Bruins.  This probably happens if the Sabres can overtake Montreal for 6th in the conference.  Buffalo has gone 4-1-1 in the season series, with Miller posting the 4-0-1 portion of that, with a 3.01 GAA and .911 SP.  Those numbers are skewed a bit by the 7-6 SO win where Stafford scored with 30 seconds to go to tie the game.  Tim Thomas took back the goaltending job from Tuukka Rask and had a Vezina-caliber season.  I’m really hoping they end up playing Montreal, though.  It would be great drama, not to mention they are likely to beat each other up.

    As of today, it is still mathematically possible to see the Lightning (and an even smaller chance to see the Penguins) but it’s so unlikely that there’s no reason to worry about it.  Looking at the potentials, there’s nobody there that this team, they way they are playing can’t stand toe to toe with.  There’s a lot of variables right now with the health of key guys up and down the Eastern conference, including the Sabres with Miller, Pronger as I mentioned, and the Washington D.  Boston has the best goaltending situation, but the Sabres still have a great record against them.  I know the excitement builds with every passing day, and I expect tonight’s home game crowd to blow the roof off the place.  Let’s send this team streaking into the playoffs.

  • One Small Step Back

    Yes, the team looked like crap much of the game.  Yes, Miller whiffed on a few.  And Yes, it was the Leafs, who I will ALWAYS hate losing to.  At the end, it’s still one game.  The Sabres are still solidly in their playoff position, and can improve their chance to hold on to it immensely tonight by beating the Rangers.  It would help if the Habs could beat the Hurricanes, too, but they should focus on what they can do.  Besides, the game after is against the Canes, best to look at beating them directly when the time comes.

    Any positives?  Vanek and Pominville scored, putting the Population at 20.  Drew Stafford was noticeable again, and so were Gerbe and Ennis.  Reimer made some big stops on those guys at times, and they missed on their own a few others.

    I would like to give a big eff you to the officials last night.  They didn’t cause the Sabres to lose, though they tried, but their inconsistency was almost laughable.  They went most of the game calling very little, then called a very weak hooking penalty on Vanek.  That was followed by an obvious make-up call in Buffalo’s favor when they called the same penalty on Boyce a few minutes later.  There were blatant dives and embellishments missed, again on both sides, but it’s got to be tough for the players to play in a game where you have no idea what’s going to get called.

    I’ll be away from home tonight as my son’s Cub Scout troop is going to Lasertron.  I’ll DVR the game and check in on it between matches.

  • Lovable…Winners?

    It was a great (FANTASTIC) weekend for the Sabres, with them winning both games, including another shutout for Miller, and the Canes losing to push them 5 points back.  New York and Montreal are both within reach, 2 points ahead.  I don’t even want to talk about 5th place, with Tampa Bay going 1-2-2 in their last 5.  Pittsburgh is the team I’d want the least to do with in the first round, what with them about to get Crosby back and all.

    What’s great to see is how much love the Sabres players are starting to get as a result of their performance.  The Pegula effect kick-started it, building excitement with the fanbase, but the team held up their end, winning games.  Not just winning games, but beating the teams they need to beat.  The ones they ‘should’ beat, and the ones near them in the standings.  They are getting shutouts (PLURAL) for Ryan Miller, who is making the saves he needs to make in close games.  Nathan Gerbe has gone from a guy that people thought should be back in the AHL to a big-time producer.  Of his 14 goals, 3 are game-winners.  He has 6 goals in his last 7 games.  Tyler Ennis has 19 goals is rolling along at a point per game pace over the past 9 games.

    The player that’s probably gained the most appreciation is Thomas Vanek.  He was a lightning rod for criticism after the huge offer sheet he signed in the wake of the Drury/Briere exits.  Over the past few years he earned his nickname “Atlas” when he’s tried to carry a less-talented team into the playoffs.  Now?  He has a cast around him, guys playing roles and chipping in, so that if he goes four or five games without a goal, who cares?  They’ve got his back, and he’s got theirs.  He’s got a letter on his sweater, and his quiet, earnest determination each and every night is rubbing off on his younger teammates.  Thomas cares deeply about the success of the Sabres, and it shows on the ice, whether it’s talking to himself after hitting the post or shooting wide, or the obvious relief and understated celebration after finally breaking through.  The fans are behind Vanek as well, starting a Vanek for Captain hashtag on Twitter, and I can’t remember the last time someone brought up his contract immediately after mentioning his goal total.

    It’s probably the best time to be a Sabres player since 05/06.  The future is bright, with the playoffs looking more and more certain, a new owner with a commitment to winning, who is already trying to improve both the fan and player experiences here, and a talent pipeline that looks to be stacked.  Everyone is having loads of fun right now, so let’s enjoy it and hope it lasts deep into the spring.  Let’s go BUFFALO!

  • Back to Back

    Another weekend, another pair of back to back games for the Sabres.  Tonight they host the Florida Panthers (7:30pm start, take note) and tomorrow it’s the New Jersey Devils.  Steve Montador and Jochen Hecht practiced and may return, though lineup changes may be tough to justify.  Unless the Sabres burn one of the few remaining non-emergency callups they have, Mancari would have to go back if someone gets back in.  He’s played well (Lindy said Mancari/Gerbe/Gaustad might be their best line right now) so it’ll be interesting to see what is done.

    For Florida’s part, they’ve been shut out the past two games, by Chicago and the Rangers.  If I’m Ruff, and Enroth is in the plans for this weekend, I’d be tempted to put him in tonight.  Don’t think it happens though, with Miller fresh off a shutout.  Speaking of, it was GREAT to see Miller finally out-duel another good goalie.  If that can continue on into the playoffs, there’s no team they’d face in the first round that would intimidate me.

    New Jersey’s run is over, as they’ve fallen 9 points back of the Sabres and 8th place.  They’ve lost 3 of four, managing just 4 goals, and will also be on the downslope of a back to back.  I hesitate to ‘expect’ 4 points out of these games, but if I’m Buffalo, I’d be disappointed with anything less.

  • Gameday 2010-2011 – Sabres at Canadiens

    The Buffalo Sabres play their final regular season game against the Montreal Canadiens tonight at 7:30 PM.  Buffalo wants to ‘channel their anger‘ from the somewhat embarrassing collapse against the Preds the other night, so hopefully that leads to a beatdown of the Habs.  Said Gaustad:

    I’ll say this: Guys on this team care. They do show emotion and don’t think they don’t. It’s just that you don’t see it. It’s not something we normally reveal to you guys but we care. You just happened to see some of it [Sunday].

    I think it’s good for fans to see a bit of it like that (and to hear about Jerry Sullivan’s logo gaffe too) as it’s been a concern for some in the past, whether the Sabres players ‘care’ enough.  Sort of like the ‘Vanek is lazy’ meme.  Anyway, here’s hoping the team’s energy is well-focused tonight, as the Canes play Ottawa, which is not exactly an automatic loss for Carolina to say the least.

  • Leads

    The Sabres still have a 3 point lead as far as staying in the playoffs, right?  Just checking.

    I won’t be able to blog too much for the next week or so, but will be on Twitter a bit.  Just FYI.

  • Random Sabres Thoughts

    There’s a lull in the schedule, following the loss on Tuesday, so here are some random thoughts.

    • Tim Connolly played…well?  Has had a few games.  This would be huge if it continues, so Buffalo can keep Boyes on the wing.
    • Where is Jordan Leopold?  Might be better on D but we could use his scoring.
    • Does Kaleta have a spot in the lineup when he gets back?  In the playoffs?
    • Does Patrick Lalime still wear that hat in the press box?
    • Love the tribute painted on the ice for Rick Martin.  I never saw him play, but I can see how big he was here, on and off the ice.

    The next few nights are nerve-wracking, as Toronto and New Jersey both play tonight, with NJ and Carolina in play tomorrow.  The Sabres need to have a good weekend against Atlanta and Nashville (who really need points too).

  • Jinx!

    It’s that time of year again, where the little jinxes and superstitions you have about watching hockey intensify right along with the importance of the games.  You saw it last night with Jeremy White’s successful petition to get the Sabres to at least try a different goal song…and then not score at all.  Maybe you concern yourself more with where you are stting during the game, and maybe re-wearing that shirt you had on when they won the other night.  You’re dressing your kid in the ‘lucky’ onesie.  You consider turning the game off when your bad-luck spouse walks in the room.  Don’t act like it’s not happening.  You know who you are.

    If you’ll excuse me, I need to go find that classic logo hat I wore during Stafford’s hat tricks…

  • Character Wins and Subsequent Losses

    A come from behind win against the East-leading Philadelphia Flyers is an event to be celebrated.  Some even declared the weekend a success just by getting these 2 points.  While that’s true enough from a certain point of view, I’d like to see Buffalo take the playoff spot by the throat and not let go.  Win tomorrow, behind Enroth (who they have won for before), and show the league they are not an easy out.  Take that 7th spot, gain points against a couple of good teams in Pittsburgh and Boston, then roll the Leafs in front of their own fans.  I want waffles on the ice, guys.  Too many times this team has impressed and regressed.  The move needs to be made now.  Make it so.

    As far as the game goes, you have Pominville, Ennis, Stafford and Sekera scoring, with Nathan Gerbe getting the empty netter that many of us missed (see below).  Brad Boyes and Thomas Vanek both had 2 assists, and Vanek played more than 20 minutes.  Tim Connolly, by the way, 17 min, -1, ‘winning’ just over a quarter of the draws he took.  So valuable.  Montador, +3.

    By the way, Time Warner Cable and MSG combined for a horrible series of gaffes in the broadcast today, twice causing those of us on the SD feed to lose the game, including with 2 minutes to go when MSG switched back to…halftime of a Women’s College Basketball game.  You just can’t be that asleep at the switch on such an important game.  I’m smart enough to have my DVR record 30 minutes past the normal end time, you’d think they could have a guy you know, watching the game to make sure the right broadcast stays on.  Terrible.

  • Gameday 2010-2011: Sabres at Flyers

    1pm game today at the hated Flyers.  Been back in town for a few days, but no time to watch the previous games back on DVR.  Glad they got points, not so glad about losing to Carolina.  Two today would be HUGE but it’ll be tough.  Gotta crash the net on these Philly goalies, and have Goose/McCormick/Montador clean up in front of Miller because you know the Flyers would retaliate.  Let’s do this.