26CornerBlitz Posted November 22, 2017 Author Posted November 22, 2017 Game Preview: 11/22/17 vs. MIN Game Notes NHL Stats Press Clips LAST GAME Monday, November 20 Columbus 3 at Buffalo 2Goals: Reinhart, KaneGoalie: Lehner (26 saves/29 shots)PP: 0/3; PK: 1/1; Shots: Buffalo 32 – Columbus 29 CURRENT INJURIES – (Man Games Lost: 110)Player (injury, first game missed) – total games missed Zach Bogosian (lower body, Oct.5; injured reserve) – 21 games Jacob Josefson (lower body, Oct. 17; injured reserve) – 15 games Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body, Nov. 4; injured reserve) – 8 games Matt Tennyson (foot, Nov. 7; injured reserve) – 7 games Taylor Fedun (lower body, Nov. 17; injured reserve) – 3 games TRANSACTIONS IN PAST 7 DAYS11/16: Recalled F Kyle Criscuolo and D Casey Nelson from Rochester (AHL); Placed D Taylor Fedun and D Matt Tennyson on IR; Assigned F Nicholas Baptiste to Rochester (AHL)11/17: Activated F Evan Rodrigues from IR; Assigned Rodrigues to Rochester (AHL) UPCOMING GAMESFriday, Nov. 24: Edmonton at Buffalo, 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 25: Buffalo at Montreal, 7 p.m.Tuesday, Nov. 28: Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 7 p.m.Friday, Dec. 1: Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 7 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 2: Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. TONIGHT’S GAMEWILD at SABRES This is the first of two meetings between the Sabres and Wild this season. Last meeting: Buffalo defeated Minnesota 2-1 in Minnesota on Nov. 1, 2016 Next meeting: Thursday, Jan. 4 in Minnesota The Sabres are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games vs. the Wild; 2-7-1 at home This is the 21st game all-time between Buffalo and Minnesota; Buffalo has a 9-10-1 series record. The Sabres are 2-7-1 at home against the Wild all-time.
26CornerBlitz Posted November 22, 2017 Author Posted November 22, 2017 (edited) Projected Lineup 9 Evander Kane - 15 Jack Eichel - 29 Jason Pominville 67 Benoit Pouliot - 90 Ryan O'Reilly - 23 Sam Reinhart 28 Zemgus Girgensons - 22 Johan Larsson - 51 Kyle Criscuolo 17 Jordan Nolan - 10 Jacob Josefson - 21 Kyle Okposo 6 Marco Scandella - 41 Justin Falk 19 Jake McCabe - 93 Victor Antipin 4 Josh Gorges - 82 Nathan Beaulieu 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson Edited November 22, 2017 by 26CornerBlitz
BillsFan4 Posted November 22, 2017 Posted November 22, 2017 5 hours ago, 26CornerBlitz said: Sharp looking Jersey. I really like these a lot. I wish the Sabres would go back to royal blue. Actually, I heard a rumor that they are going to switch back to the royal blue jerseys in a few years for their 50th anniversary season. I hope it's true. 1
26CornerBlitz Posted November 22, 2017 Author Posted November 22, 2017 Just now, BillsFan4 said: Sharp looking Jersey. I really like these a lot. I wish the Sabres would go back to royal blue. Actually, I heard a rumor that they are going to switch back to the royal blue jerseys in a few years for their 50th anniversary season. I hope it's true. Been hearing the same and it'd be great.
BillsFan4 Posted November 23, 2017 Posted November 23, 2017 Well, damn. They came close. As as much as it stings to lose the 6th or 7th game in a row tonight, they at least made a game of it... I still hate losing but I can at least live with losses like tonight. They played hard + gave a real effort, won their puck battles, created scoring chances and generally looked like a pretty good hockey team for much of the game. If they continue to play like they did tonight, wins will come much more frequently.
BillsFan4 Posted November 23, 2017 Posted November 23, 2017 Quote http://www.wgr550.com/articles/locker-room-sabres-wild-0 Jordan Nolan: On why the team cannot get over "the hump": "I think we have to start holding guys accountable. Start being honest with ourselves and our teammates. We're turning pucks over and not working hard. It kind of slips itself under the rug. If someone does turn [the puck] over; they don't chip it in at the red line or blue line, we have to say something. This team hasn't been too successful over the years and it needs to change or it's going to be a long, long season and a few seasons to come if that's the way it is." On his time with the L.A. Kings, and how that tenure differs from his time as a Sabre: "If I made a mistake [in L.A.], like in my fifth year, I would have guys telling me 'you need to work harder, you need to chip that puck in'. I remember Jeff Carter telling me a few times when I was younger that I need to work harder, or that my shifts were too long. That's just little things. That's what I learned coming into the league. I think we're missing that in this room. Guys are young. They need to be told." Full audio: http://www.wgr550.com/media/audio-channel/11-22-jordan-noilan-post-game Jordan Nolan's comments after the game were dead on IMO. Obviously I'm not in the locker room, but you can almost see that this is a problem. This seems to be be a common theme we've been hearing for years now. There defrinitelt seems to be a culture/leadership/accountability problem with the Sabres. Ennis and Foligno's both mentioned in their comments how losing wasn't acceptable in Minnesota, which wasn't the case in Buffalo. They also said they've had to learn a lot of the small details it takes to win and how the veteran players have really been the ones helping the most in that area. I think this is one of the dangers of complete tear down rebuilds like the Sabres. They got rid of all their good veteran players all at once, which I am sure left a huge void in leadership and accountability in the locker room. Com in that with the players knowing that the expectation is to lose probably allows this type of losing culture to develop and then fester. Theyve ve tried to bring in veterans, but I'd imagine it's pretty hard for most veterans to come in and make a meaningful,change to the culture on their own. There aren't too many Chris Drury type players that can come in and command the respect of the whole locker room - a guy that just know how to win and how to lead. We are currently asking a 20yr old with no experience winning in the NHL to lead our franchise. Problem is that he's one of the main culprits as far as not working hard every shift and making bad turn overs. Is there a player currently on this team that can really put him in check? Is there anyone who he can really look up to and who'll help him to learn the proper ways? I'm not so sure there is... hopefully Housley is on his ass about it. But I think it also takes teammates asdrsssing it, too. I think sometimes it's just different, and more meaningful, when coming from a teammate. Especially a well established, well respected NHL veteran. Thats why I'm really hoping that we can somehow land a good veteran player that can perform at a high level on the ice (because as Eichel said "who's going to follow you if you're not performing on thr ice?") and be a mentor to Eichel. Someone Eichel will respect and listen to. Someone who DNA put Eichel in his place when necessary. My dream is somehow landing John Tavares. Out of everyone possibly available this offseason I can't imagine a better mentor for Eichel, and the entire team, than Tavares. I doubt it's actually an option but until he signs that extension I can dream! lol One way or another I'd love for Botterill to find some type of veteran leadership that can help change the culture here. 2
ExiledInIllinois Posted November 23, 2017 Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) It's gotta be Phil. Talent is there. This is what the Blackhawks would have looked like if they kept Denis Savard as coach and never fired him for Q. They are underachieving, now we have a legacy coach we can't eviscerate. The team is way too chill, laid back. Kane and Eichel should be able to lead as the core. They aren't getting destroyed on scoreboard, losing by one goal all over the place. They are down and coming back. Culture is out of rhythm here. Edited November 23, 2017 by ExiledInIllinois Typo
26CornerBlitz Posted November 23, 2017 Author Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) Edited November 23, 2017 by 26CornerBlitz
plenzmd1 Posted November 23, 2017 Posted November 23, 2017 Good thing we have Okposo on the ice in the final minute these last two games, dude has been a definite difference maker
26CornerBlitz Posted November 23, 2017 Author Posted November 23, 2017 After summer changes behind the bench and in the front office, this season was supposed to mark the dawn of a new era for the Buffalo Sabres. It still may, but after a miserable start to the year it’s clear that change won’t come easily. It’s common in hockey to boil the hardships of a team down to problems with its most skilled player(s). This is especially true when the player in question is slumping himself, as is the case with Jack Eichel. Eichel has failed to build on a breakthrough performance in 2016-17. His goal totals are on the low side overall, and he has only scored once in the last month. The league’s antiquated and somewhat ridiculous plus/minus system may have fallen out of favour among serious analysts, but his dash-8 is easy fodder for anyone looking to make a claim that he’s irresponsible defensively. Combine that with the weight of expectation, and it’s easy to be disappointed. Easy, but wrong.
26CornerBlitz Posted November 24, 2017 Author Posted November 24, 2017 Game Preview: 11/24/17 vs. EDM Game Notes NHL Stats Press Clips LAST GAME Wednesday, November 22 Minnesota 5 at Buffalo 4 Goals: Nolan (2), Eichel, Reinhart Goalie: Johnson (10 saves/13 shots); Lehner (17 saves/19 shots) PP: 0/3; PK: 1/3; Shots: Buffalo 34 – Minnesota 32 CURRENT INJURIES – (Man Games Lost: 114) Player (injury, first game missed) – total games missed Zach Bogosian (lower body, Oct.5; injured reserve) – 22 games Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body, Nov. 4; injured reserve) – 9 games Matt Tennyson (foot, Nov. 7; injured reserve) – 8 games Taylor Fedun (lower body, Nov. 17; injured reserve) – 4 games TRANSACTIONS IN PAST 7 DAYS 11/22: Activated F Jacob Josefson from IR 11/24: Assigned D Casey Nelson to Rochester (AHL) UPCOMING GAMES Saturday, Nov. 25: Buffalo at Montreal, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28: Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1: Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2: Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5: Buffalo at Colorado, 9 p.m. TONIGHT’S GAME OILERS at SABRES This is the first of two meetings between the Sabres and Oilers this season. Last meeting: Buffalo defeated Edmonton 4-3 (OT) in Buffalo on Dec. 6 Next meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 23 in Edmonton The Sabres are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games vs. the Oilers; 4-4-2 at home. This is the 74th game all-time between Buffalo and Edmonton; Buffalo has a 24-38-11 series record. The Sabres are 14-15-8 at home against the Oilers all-time.
26CornerBlitz Posted November 24, 2017 Author Posted November 24, 2017 Projected Lineup With Ristolainen playing on a pair with Scandella, Justin Falk will slide down to a pair alongside Nathan Beaulieu. Falk spent the bulk of his season thus far playing alongside Scandella in Ristolainen's absence, and his average ice time of 18:12 is his highest mark since his age 23 season in 2011-12. "Justin, he's a battler," Housley said. "He brings what he can bring every night. He brings a physical element. He's not afraid to put his body in harm's way blocking shots and he's going to try to give you everything he has." Here's how the rest of the lineup is expected to look: 9 Evander Kane - 15 Jack Eichel - 29 Jason Pominville 67 Benoit Pouliot - 90 Ryan O'Reilly - 23 Sam Reinhart 28 Zemgus Girgensons - 22 Johan Larsson - 51 Kyle Criscuolo 17 Jordan Nolan - 10 Jacob Josefson - 21 Kyle Okposo 6 Marco Scandella - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 19 Jake McCabe - 93 Victor Antipin 82 Nathan Beaulieu - 41 Justin Falk 40 Robin Lehner 31 Chad Johnson
26CornerBlitz Posted November 24, 2017 Author Posted November 24, 2017 Back to the #Sabres now as GM Jason Botterill joins Schopp and the Bulldog live at @716FoodandSport! Then we will be heading to the Paul William Beltz pregame show at 6. Botterill- It's not shocking, our entire organization is disappointed in where our record it right now. What we're focusing on and trying to improve it. How are we improving it? How are we getting out of this hole. We're looking for players to help us out in that scenario. Botterill- Ullmark has been one of the better goalies in the AHL. That's a bright spot for us. It was a situation we were worried about in the expansion draft. We wanted to make sure he remained in our organization. Botterill- Both Rodrigues and Nylander back in our lineup down in Rochester just adds a whole different level of skill to our group... It'll take them some time to get back into hockey game shape after missing a couple months of the season. We're ecstatic to have them back. Botterill- It's similar to our group, there's the consistency element that's not there all the time. What I really like about Jack, he's not taking it for granted or ducking the situation. He's taking responsibility for it. Botterill- We want that consistency. If we want to get to where we want to go in the grand scheme of things. There has to be an internal push coming from within our team. Botterill- I love the speed of our game right now. Is it perfect? No! And that's where the dialogue is. It's great that there's at least that ongoing discussion versus saying, hey, it's a perfect game.
Recommended Posts