Buffalo Rick

Love it!!  When they do not have Binnington its trouble.  Blues are very up and down but seem to be headed in right direction?

Tough loss to a good Nashville team.  Blown out vs Carolina.  Managed to beat Rangers 5-1.  Hard team to read.  But they can’t win without Thompson and Quinn would be a huge lift.  I see Jack Quinn with Paterka who has been solid.  I can’t say that for all.  I would not fire Granato.  Not unless when Thompson and Quinn return and still no results.  

I see your boys are back on track JR and are their beastly selves again!  I know your goalie shopping.  I think the Sabres might finally have their guy.? Winnipeg has been tough as has Vancouver.  It seems the Jets are very tough on the road?  I think Edmonton has them tonight?  The trade talk about the Sabres and Winnipeg may now be dead?  If they are not happy with Hellenbuk (don’t know spelling), they should have made a deal before Luukenen found his A game.  

Luukenen should be the Sabres number one goalie now!  He has earned it as he has given solid performance after solid performance.   The game in NJ, maybe worst recent loss, he did not play. That bum Comrie started and Levi finished.  Luukenen returned next game beating a frustrated Rangers team 5-1.  It will be interesting tonight.  Binnington vs Luukenen.  

Granato should have gone with Luukenen who earned the right to start with a solid performance and yet Granato is hell bent on starting Levi?  We lose a game we had.  OT so a pt.  Big deal.  Thompson and Quinn are needed big time.  When they come back I believe the Sabres are good enough to go on a run.  But not until they are back.  Granato must realize Luukenen is our best option in goal until dumb ass Adams gets us a goalie maybe as good as Donnie Edwards!  Miller and Hasek is probably asking too much.

Islanders at Edmonton tonight.  Once upon a time, 1980’s, this matchup was special.  

On 11/10/2023 at 5:01 PM, Alexandron said:

Actually, I placed similar message during our last playoffs season when we played against Dallas. We had a chance to win that round, but didn't have lucky bounces to pass 1st round. I even put a percentage on 70% plays the role of better team and 30% luck during the game.

 Regarding underachieving bunch in Minnesota is a big question who is more underachieving team Minnesota or Buffalo? ClusterChuck is right Wild never scarred any team. But we made 10 playoffs seasons since 2012. We passed 1st round in 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons and missed only playoffs in 2018-19 season. Regarding article on April 4;2023 from Athletic, Buffalo Sabres missed playoffs for 12 straight seasons, the longest active drought in pro sports. The Sabres last played in a playoff game in April, 2011. Every team in the league (besides the newly Kraken) has played at least 25 playoff games since then. Six NHL teams have played 100 playoff games since April, 2011.

Blown out by Dallas last night were the Wild.  Sabres shut out in Pittsburgh by a goalie that has been hot, but they should have done better catching them returning from the West coast

On 11/11/2023 at 10:18 AM, J0e Th0rnton said:

I'm amazed they are almost as bad as my team this year

Im not too happy with my team either.  This thread sure woke up the forum at least.  LOL.  Got some blood pumping in some.

2 minutes ago, Alexandron said:

Thanks for posting here. Yes, you have a chance to win this game too. The better team will be the winner. No doubt.

The better team does not always win in this sports where lucky bounces can make or break you.  

I just watched Marty Biron's take on the Edmonton Oilers and he says this is not likely to be fixed overnight.  Having arguably the best two players in the NHL as he said, the rest of them are non existent.  Who saw this coming? Sure, maybe you can kick my Sabres around some, but not this much

1 hour ago, Alexandron said:

We have a chance  to win this game. Entire team should be motivated to win this one. Predicting our win with a score 4:3 or in regulation; or in OT; or in SO. It does not matter how we should win this game, but it matters to start winning in permanent mode. Probably, Greenway will be motivated to play against us too. Last night we showed a nice strong 2nd period of pretty competitive play. Are we capable to repeat that play in entire 60 minutes tonight?

I will flip this post and say we, meaning the Buffalo Sabres,  can win this game with fair to good goaltending.  Vs an underachieving bunch in Minnesota.  They scare me not!!!!!

18 hours ago, Lindbergh31 said:

Yep the Oilers need to make a big trade to shake things up so the Flyers maybe the right trading partner. We'll see.

Unless you get McSavior what do they have you want?

20 hours ago, Howie58 said:

Yeah, this is a trap game.  If we are angry over our performance against LA and not too jet-lagged (per Buffalo Rick), maybe we continue SJ's losing streak.  Otherwise, a battle of the marginally competent versus the totally incompetent.  

I bet the Flyers and laid 1.5 on a bunch of parlays.  

1 hour ago, Howie58 said:

 

Sometimes these West Coast gigs have led to bonding and good play.  If memory serves, we play well the first game or two, then begin to sour, and the last one shows a combination of fatigue and limited talent.  

 

I might ask which team shows?  The one that beat Buffalo 5-1, or the one that looked dazed and confused and lost 5-0 against LA?  That is a toughie.  And it may reflect a young team going through growing pains, as well as being an offensively challenged squad that can only win via tight checking and great goaltending.   

I usually worry about East coast teams first game or two on West trip, jet lag.  It’s a long day , seems  endless as you go some that it’s 3 hours earlier.  

4 hours ago, Howie58 said:

Greetings:

 

We are the overwhelming favorites (-256).  But you wonder if this is another trap game?  We are 2-7 versus SJ over the last nine, and 3-13 in our last 16 road games. 

https://www.oddsshark.com/nhl/philadelphia-san-jose-odds-november-7-2023-2016534

 

San Jose has the worst overall offense, but their PP is middling and they are much better face-off team than the O and B:

https://www.oddsshark.com/nhl/philadelphia-san-jose-odds-november-7-2023-2016534

 

Lateness aside, I may sit this out.  This one could get upsetting if we repeat our LA performance.

 

 

 

 

Think you guys will hang 10?   

How the hell did you guys get Peterson?  You sneaky slimey little weasels!  Kings rung his bell twice as I type!   

4 hours ago, ruxpin said:

 

I'm not surprised by their record. I'm surprised by the cause.  They either made a horrific decision to stick with the morons posing as goaltenders or just couldn't swing a deal.  But anyone with an elevator reaching the top floor had to know the offense had to click on all cylinders at all times if they were going to win games. Because their defense is suspect as well 

 

But whether it's the offense being hampered by trying to help with a pedestrian defense and moribund goaltending or there's something wrong up front, as well.

 

I'm really hoping their front office tried to make a goalie move and failed rather than thinking they'd be okay in goal, because the latter should induce either criminal charges or a medical intervention.

I’m sure JR is as mad with them as I am with Sabres.  Who’s in goal for Flyers tonight?  I suspect they had to call up someone from AHL?

21 hours ago, Howie58 said:

Dear Rick,

You hope to have at least one functional goalie.  I am wondering if the days of a 1a, 1b of near equal competence are hard to find.  I thought a franchise strength of the Flyers was a cadre of goaltending prospects.  Between politics, injury, and underperformance--we may have not be so blessed.

 

I suspect San Jose is paying a price for hanging on to a core (and overpriced D-corps) for too long, and delaying the inevitable.  Now it is coming home to roost.  Shoot, 10-1....Ouch.

 

Meanwhile, if your goalie corps is decent+, the team should do quite well.  It can certainly put the puck in the net.

 

Cheers

Killed by Flyers, couldn’t watch, no feed.  Now on to Toronto to get our arses steamroller!  No clue if Levi or kid from Rochester?  Can you believe Edmontons record? Surprised 

20 hours ago, Howie58 said:

You may have a very good duo.  Levi is supposed to be athletic and Luukenen looks calm and collected.  

Comrie injured long term. So if Luukenen plays vs Flyers, this Cooley(whoever in the Dickens he is), gets thrown to the wolves tomorrow in Toronto if Levi isn’t quite ready?  I feel bad for the Sharks who are now the worst team in hockey ,!  It seems they quit on coach last night in 10-1 debacle at home vs Vancouver.  I imagine the boos rained down 

2 hours ago, Howie58 said:

I missed the first, so my take is limited. But this high shot total, low score gig brings back bad memories of the last few years. Ersson was part of the problem, but from the looks of things, their forwards sniped. We shoot, but a lot are from a distance and with little finesse. Our young guns often miss the net altogether. Playing them again in short order is a test of coaching and character. 

Yes we were badly outshot. And the scoreboard looks like Sabres beat them handily.  Luukenen has proven to me last two that he should be our number one goalie.  I assure you the Sabres will play harder on offense at home Friday.  I hope your goalie is ok.  If the Flyers have to use a backup for any extended time it won’t be good.  We have a back to back Friday/Saturday so expect Comrie to play Friday.  A trip to Toronto looms Saturday and Luukenen likely gets that task

Both teams off to decent starts.   Could be better.  If we had realized Luukenen might be our best guy moving forward?   Levi injured.   Not sure how long.  But I would be shocked if Luukenen is not in goal tonight.  He has earned the right.  I think I might be able to watch on this new app I saw advertised?  

I looked it up. April 5 next meeting.  So spring.  By then they likely both know their fates.  

12 hours ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

Luukko certainly earned that one and good for him!

But honestly, it was a complete team effort.
Everyone on the Sabres just outplayed and outclassed everyone on the Avalanche.

I commented on another thread that the Sabres looked angry and determined, and the Avs looked like they hadn't had their morning brew yet.
It was THAT one sided IMO.

Is this the catapult Buffalo needs?
Luukko should be super confident in his own abilities, but hopefully, he also recognizes how well  his team played in front of him.

The one weakness I always felt the Sabres had: how the team plays start to finish....and they put together one of the best 60 minute stretches I have seen in a while.

Luukenen likely has earned one of the starts vs the Flyers who are up next.  What this team really needs is Jack Quinn.  I wonder how close he is?  He is going to really help.   No doubt he will be with Paterka.  Once Quinn returns then we know what they can do.

Maybe Luukenen is the answer at least short term?  But I’ll be cautiously optimistic as Pittsburgh, and I assume Jarry, blanked them game before.  But this Colorado team has been good on offense most games, led by McKinnon of course.  Comrie has been decent and played in a tough 5-4 loss to Lindy and his Devils.  I hope Luukenen continues to play well.  

It should be more than 30 when you consider how Patrick Roy won that series for Montreal all by himself!  That was one of the worst teams to win a cup in my lifetime.  

45 minutes ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

I just HAD to come check into this thread.

From browsing the titles on the main page, it sounded like Jake Allen got everyone stoned on the Sabres with his gold plated bong as they left MTL, but they proceeded to beat Ottawa the next night anyhow!

For a second I thought I missed some TREMENDOUSLY 'must watch' TV!
I see I am in error.
My apologies.

Carry on. 

Just saying Buffalo played well in both games and Montreal only escaped with win due to an unusual stellar performance by Allen.  I see your boys beat a good team 3-0.  A needed win after a not so great start.  They should win next game easily, can’t remember opponent but not a good team