Buffalo Sabres and NHL 2023-2024

[Bray Wyatt]

Leave it to the bills and Sabres to have disappointing openers against NY teams. Hoping they bounce back next game like the bills did

[zow2]

Unmitigated disaster for a team that is openly talking about playoffs and the fans saying "this is finally the year".  Worst of all is the fact that their home record last season was really bad for a playoff hopeful team.  They just don't play their A game at home.   All that juice in the building and it's a big flop.

[Doc]

2 hours ago, zow2 said:

Unmitigated disaster for a team that is openly talking about playoffs and the fans saying "this is finally the year".  Worst of all is the fact that their home record last season was really bad for a playoff hopeful team.  They just don't play their A game at home.   All that juice in the building and it's a big flop.

 

It's very odd.

[DD4Bills]

Wasn’t able to watch to whole game, but the portion that I did was really disappointing. They looked slow and disorganized. Rangers beat them to every puck, Sabres couldn’t string together two passes, had no time to set anything up, and just looked out-classed. 
 

it’s a long season and no doubt every team will have games like this…I just wish it wasn’t the FIRST game!

[DrDawkinstein]

Lot of season left.

[BillsPride12]

Can't wait for tomorrow night...there's no way they could possibly look as bad as they did last night.  They will get it going 

 

Expecting a big bounce back weekend for both the Sabres and Bills 

[SinceThe70s]

5 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Lot of season left.

 

Are you saying that in March you won't still be lamenting the opening night loss? 😀

 

Everyone loves starting the season with a W but win or lose opening night is inconsequential, just another game in a long season. With that said, you can check back with me on Sunday if your Sabres beat my Isles, maybe I'll change my tune if the Isles lose.

 

As an aside, I just checked the standings and 4 teams have already played two games while the Isles sit idle until their opener tomorrow. Bizarro scheduling imo.

[Warcodered]

 

[T&C]

Picked up right where we left off Thursday night... ugh.

[Fleezoid]

Things are looking up! The Greenway, Benson and toothless Mittelstadt line is impressive. What a strange mix. Best line so far. 

[zow2]

They suck.  12 years and counting is such an embarrassment.

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

I can almost hear it now … “It’s only game 36, plenty of season left, gotta play a full 60 minutes, they’re young and squeezing their sticks too tight” 😂

[Jauronimo]

First line has been completely ineffective. Tage has been mostly invisible which is tough to do when you're 7'6".  Peterka, Cozens, and the Mitts line are generating all the chances.

[BillsFan4]

47 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

First line has been completely ineffective. Tage has been mostly invisible which is tough to do when you're 7'6".  Peterka, Cozens, and the Mitts line are generating all the chances.

I thought Tage was bad in game one and a bit better against the islanders but still not good enough. Tuch and Skinner look invisible so far. Hopefully it’s not one of Skinner’s down years. Right now he looks like the bad version of Skinner. 

 

Greenway/Mittelstadt/Benson has been by far their best line the first 2 games.

I’ve been impressed with Greenway. He looks a LOT better than last season. Mittelstadt has been Buffalo’s best center. And Benson is staying for more than 9 games if he keeps playing like he has. You could argue that Benson has looked like the Sabres best player (during preseason and the first 2 games).

 

Peterka has been decent. I’ve thought Cozens has looked like crap though.
 

Clifton looked lost again. I hope it’s just growing pains in a new system. He went from a team known for great structure and team defense (Boston) to a team that’s basically the opposite (Buffalo).

 

I thought Levi looked pretty good after that first goal. I also thought the Sabres looked bette in general in the 2nd and 3rd period.

 

The officiating was atrocious. The NYI got away with crap all game long.

I thought that 3rd goal was Offside. He didn’t have possession of the puck when he crossed the blue line. He didn’t touch the puck again until both skates were clearly across the line.

 

 

Definitely a disappointing start to the season but I’m trying not to overreact. Yet.

lol

[aristocrat]

Tage started slow last year and then ripped it up. Rags and isles always give us fits 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

Jeez!  It’s been 2 games and people are already in doom and gloom mode.  😂 

 

I’ve watched both games.  Some good stuff mixed in with some sloppiness.  I fully expect things to come together for this squad.  Love how they clawed back against a very frustrating Islanders team.  Love how that 3rd line is playing so well.  Agree with those who are a bit frustrated with the Thompson line.  I remain optimistic.

[BillsFan4]

14 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

Tage started slow last year and then ripped it up. Rags and isles always give us fits 

Yep. They both play (boring) styles of defense that always seem to give the Sabres trouble. They aren’t good when teams take away all their time and space to create.

[BillsPride12]

2 hours ago, aristocrat said:

Tage started slow last year and then ripped it up. Rags and isles always give us fits 

Exactly.  I don't know why he always starts off so slow but there's no way this is going to be his standard production for the rest of the season.  I thought even by the 2nd half of the Islanders game he was starting to find some rhythm.  If anything it's more reassuring Greenway looks like a beast this year and Mittelstadt is showing his performance at the end of last year wasn't a fluke.

 

I am not worried about Tage, Tuch, Cozens, and Power being able to kick it into another gear as the season gets going 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

So, I'm back. How's the pipeline looking?

 

Holding off on buying the NHL package until I hear something good.

 

[QCity]

19 minutes ago, Pine Barrens Mafia said:

So, I'm back. How's the pipeline looking?

 

Holding off on buying the NHL package until I hear something good.

 

 

4-game homestand starts tonight. If this goes south it could be a loooong season.