Buffalo Sabres and NHL 2021-2022

[T&C]

Nice 1st period... good to see some grit. 

[oldmanfan]

People keep blasting the goalies but they've been pretty solid so far.  Especially Tokarski.  I am hoping the Pegulas are repeating what they found with the Bills, a GM and a HC who agree that you have to establish a culture to win consistently, and that you get players that buy in and get rid of players that don't.  Adams may not have been a popular hire but he was the kind of player who stayed in the league for a long time because he knew what you had to do day in and day out, knew what effort you had to put forth.  Granato is similar, he's been around a long time and knows what it takes to make it as an NHLer.  

 

I'm going to be watching to see how these younger kids do and to watch the culture evolve.  as much as Eichel might be a gifted hockey player, he did not have any business being a captain and his attitude detracts from the culture KA and DC are trying to establish.  

[Jauronimo]

On 10/23/2021 at 6:50 PM, T&C said:

Nice 1st period... good to see some grit. 

They ran out of gas halfway through the second.

 

Skinner's lazy looping BS is 100% responsible for that OT goal.  OT is all about man on man.  He should never see the ice in OT.  

 

Dahlin had an incredible chance to end it in OT.  If he finds his scoring touch he could be dangerous.

[T&C]

1 hour ago, Jauronimo said:

They ran out of gas halfway through the second.

 

Skinner's lazy looping BS is 100% responsible for that OT goal.  OT is all about man on man.  He should never see the ice in OT.  

 

Dahlin had an incredible chance to end it in OT.  If he finds his scoring touch he could be dangerous.

Turns out I only got to watch the 1st period, some stuff came up so I had to leave. I just want a team that is showing an upside this year, the playoffs are like a dream.

[Jauronimo]

Just now, T&C said:

Turns out I only got to watch the 1st period, some stuff came up so I had to leave. I just want a team that is showing an upside this year, the playoffs are like a dream.

The first period was well played and so was much of the second.  You could see the tide slowly turning later in the second and into the third period where the Devils started controlling the play and the Sabres couldn't generate any sustained pressure or possession.  I'll take the point though.  Lets see how they look against the defending champs tonight after some needed rest.

[T&C]

48 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

The first period was well played and so was much of the second.  You could see the tide slowly turning later in the second and into the third period where the Devils started controlling the play and the Sabres couldn't generate any sustained pressure or possession.  I'll take the point though.  Lets see how they look against the defending champs tonight after some needed rest.

I'll for sure have tonight's game on... I live in the Tampa area and this "champa bay" ***** is getting old as *****. Glad its at Keybank and not here.

[T&C]

What a great watch/win. 2nd period was sloppy but they adjusted between periods and played a strong 3rd. And it couldn't have been a better team to embarrass. Stamkos with the cheap shot and then the tackle of Anderson makes it even more satisfying... I'll be wearing a Sabres shirt when I'm out tomorrow lol. 

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, T&C said:

What a great watch/win. 2nd period was sloppy but they adjusted between periods and played a strong 3rd. And it couldn't have been a better team to embarrass. Stamkos with the cheap shot and then the tackle of Anderson makes it even more satisfying... I'll be wearing a Sabres shirt when I'm out tomorrow lol. 

 

Great team win again.  Now the boys head out West.

One Buffalo!

[Jauronimo]

Nice win.

 

I think the Sabres were outplayed and the shot totals reflect that (unlike maybe some recent Sabres games where game play was relatively even and Buffalo's high volume of low quality shots may have you think otherwise) but they played hard in both ends and stifled the most talented offense in hockey all night.  Credit to Caggiula, or Caligula as he likes to be called, for burying the breakaway chance at the end of the 2nd.  That goal was a killer.

[shrader]

Each night they either score once (3 games so far) or five times (also 3 games so far).  Man, if they ever figure out how to score more consistently.  Mittelstadt should help with that a bit eventually.

 

I'd imagine Stamkos will be getting a fine at some point today.  That should be an easy decision for the league, they can look like they actually care without having to suspend a big name player.

[Jauronimo]

1 minute ago, shrader said:

Each night they either score once (3 games so far) or five times (also 3 games so far).  Man, if they ever figure out how to score more consistently.  Mittelstadt should help with that a bit eventually.

 

I'd imagine Stamkos will be getting a fine at some point today.  That should be an easy decision for the league, they can look like they actually care without having to suspend a big name player.

I think its pretty remarkable that they have scored 5 goals in a game at all this season given the level of talent on this team.  The fact that they have done it multiple times defies belief.  And as you pointed out, they have done it without Mitts who I think many of us expected to take a big step forward this year and drive our meager offense.

 

I am impressed with how this group has responded.  Clearly playing for pride in a season where the only expectations were a new low.  

 

[Rockpile233]

I thought they were thoroughly dominated in the first two periods, but were able to capitalize on a couple solid chances and somehow came away a goal ahead. 

They really played well in the third though. I’m having a great time watching this team. Really earned that win in the third.
 

Anderson  has been solid, but I worry about him holding up physically through the season. 

 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

1 minute ago, Jauronimo said:

I think its pretty remarkable that they have scored 5 goals in a game at all this season given the level of talent on this team.

 

The thing that I like about hockey (compared to other sports) is that "team play" can prevail over superstars.

 

In baseball/football/basketball the superstars play virtually 100% of the time, and a superstar can control a game (ex. Michael Jordan). In hockey the superstars (ex. Ovechkin) at best will play 33%, and the rest of the team will need work hard for the team to win.

[Doc]

2 hours ago, Rockpile233 said:

I thought they were thoroughly dominated in the first two periods, but were able to capitalize on a couple solid chances and somehow came away a goal ahead. 

They really played well in the third though. I’m having a great time watching this team. Really earned that win in the third.
 

Anderson  has been solid, but I worry about him holding up physically through the season. 

 

IMHO he was more than solid last night.  But yes, being 40 is a concern.

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

 

IMHO he was more than solid last night.  But yes, being 40 is a concern.

Fortunately Tokarski has been solid in a 1A role. Maybe UPL comes up later in the season for spot duty.

[BillsFan4]

Definitely a nice win last night. They were outmatched at times but hung 8n there, kept working hard and were able to get the win. Really liked their 3rd period as other mentioned.

 

Cant stand Tampa Bay. It was nice to see the Sabres beat them!

[Dr. Who]

1 hour ago, BillsFan4 said:

Definitely a nice win last night. They were outmatched at times but hung 8n there, kept working hard and were able to get the win. Really liked their 3rd period as other mentioned.

 

Cant stand Tampa Bay. It was nice to see the Sabres beat them!

I actually liked them when Andreychuk played for them. Now they're the NHL version of the Pats*.

[ChevyVanMiller]

[BADOLBILZ]

9 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

 

The thing that I like about hockey (compared to other sports) is that "team play" can prevail over superstars.

 

In baseball/football/basketball the superstars play virtually 100% of the time, and a superstar can control a game (ex. Michael Jordan). In hockey the superstars (ex. Ovechkin) at best will play 33%, and the rest of the team will need work hard for the team to win.

 

 

Actually,  the thing that makes hockey a sport where "team play" can beat superstars is that it's the pro sport where you get the least consistent effort from the product from night to night. 

 

When your team is playing hard and smart, it's fun to watch. 

 

The NBA has elicited greater effort by basically turning the players into greedy CEO's on the court.......there is so much money to be made.

 

The NHL isn't going to have that kinda' $ motivation so they really should be looking to do things to make the regular season more important.    The playoffs are way too ***** long.   Byes for the top teams would be good.   Nobody needs to see a 1 versus 8 series in round 1.   Let the barely qualified teams fight it out in short series for the right to play the teams that dominated the regular season etc.. 

 

[Dr. Who]

13 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Actually,  the thing that makes hockey a sport where "team play" can beat superstars is that it's the pro sport where you get the least consistent effort from the product from night to night. 

 

When your team is playing hard and smart, it's fun to watch. 

 

The NBA has elicited greater effort by basically turning the players into greedy CEO's on the court.......there is so much money to be made.

 

The NHL isn't going to have that kinda' $ motivation so they really should be looking to do things to make the regular season more important.    The playoffs are way too ***** long.   Byes for the top teams would be good.   Nobody needs to see a 1 versus 8 series in round 1.   Let the barely qualified teams fight it out in short series for the right to play the teams that dominated the regular season etc.. 

 

The 2012 L.A. Kings disagree.