GDT: Sabres @ Rangers 7 PM ET TV:MSG Radio:WGR550

[Caroline Says ll]

As I said before, analytics and metrics don't give the whole picture. Jokiharju doesn't have chemistry with Dahlin and Power, and Rasmus is more comfortable playing on RD (he said it himself). Bryson is great, he's taking advantage of his chance, and Gilbert and Clifton look like a solid third pair right now.

A very underrated element of defense pairings is chemistry which is hard to quantify. Honestly if you go back to the most recent 10 cup winners you can examine their defences and fine multiple guys where you wonder how they won with that guy in their top 4. Often it comes down to just the chemistry they can have that clicks at the right time or just with one guy.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[Meichel Kane]

The Rangers didn't show up, and the Sabres took full advantage by being hard to play against. Lindy Ruff's fingerprints were all over it.

The wave of goals in the second felt like it was 1999 / 2006 all over again.

 

[joshjull]

As I said before, analytics and metrics don't give the whole picture. Jokiharju doesn't have chemistry with Dahlin and Power, and Rasmus is more comfortable playing on RD (he said it himself). Bryson is great, he's taking advantage of his chance, and Gilbert and Clifton look like a solid third pair right now.

I think thats a huge part of it. He’s just more dynamic paired with another lefty. He likes to shift back and forth between sides when he’s paired with one, you saw a that ton with Sammy.

Funny thing is he even tries to force that with Joker at times. There have been occasions when both are on their offhand backing through the NZ as the opposing team is on the attack.


If Byram can feel comfortable on his off hand and play the same way Sammy did with Dahlin. We may have something that is greatly needed development for the team. My only concern is last season when Byram was struggling (with Avs) he blamed it partially on playing on his offhand. Hopefully that was just his frustration talking.

 

[slip]

When UPL is dialed in like he is right now, and when the team commits to what Ruff is selling, as they’ve done the past two games — this is a top 10 NHL team.

Keep hope alive!

 

[Royal Thunder]

Zucker 11 pts in last 11 gms

He’s been amazing, effort level always at a 10. He’s also been a real leader, playing with a ton of emotion. No one seems to get more fired up when we score and he’s constantly talking and yelling on the bench, keeping the boys fired up and on their toes. Very impressed

 

[BowieSabresFan]

When UPL is dialed in like he is right now, and when the team commits to what Ruff is selling, as they’ve done the past two games — this is a top 10 NHL team.

Keep hope alive!

Their play the last 2 games has been really nice to see. They just need to find consistency.

 

[Bobby Bottle Service]

He’s been amazing, effort level always at a 10. He’s also been a real leader, playing with a ton of emotion. No one seems to get more fired up when we score and he’s constantly talking and yelling on the bench, keeping the boys fired up and on their toes. Very impressed

I didn't think he'd crack our lineup and would be an expensive 13th forward.

Mmmm, this crow is devine.

 

[Matt Ress]

So nice to see Quinn waking up. Still not sure if he was bothered by an injury the first few weeks.

UPL getting into a groove early in the season.

PP showing signs of life

Team being aggressive against a very good rag squad. Love to hear it

Editing was a little weird. I didn't watch this one. I'm assuming the called back goal was JJs short angle goal? They played the ruling before the goal. Unless they edited it correctly over night.

 

[KeepKane]

The wave of goals in the second felt like it was 1999 / 2006 all over again.

The speed of Peterka, Cozens, McCleod, Malenstyn, & Lafferty was infectious. They were flying past the Rangers similar to the 06' Flyers LOL. Maybe we managed the rocky waters while goaltending, PP, and 2nd line decided to wake up after a long nap. Quinn looks to be playing with more confidence. If we can get that line going and have the ability to feed them easier minutes, we can play .600 hockey which is all we might need to finish top 3 in division.

Zucker has been an absolute gamer. His grinding and positioning has helped lift the PP, and also has made his line more than hold their own at 5v5. I hope Benson can learn from him. Zach has the vision and should be more of a playmaker but if he can emulate Zucker in other areas, he's gonna be a beaut.

The D depth is paying off right now. We knew Bryson could fill in, Gilbert is a nice bottom pair physical Dman. Samuelsson to me just seems like the lazy guy that is just happy to get a check and leaves to play video games and smoke weed after practice. I was surprised when he received an "A" and I did not like his response to his benching. "oh well, I will have ups and downs, yada yada, I'm used to playing more minutes." Well you haven't earned 15 mins per night, let alone 22. He will get a chance to draw back in and better show the shutdown D type play from a few years ago. If Dahlin is back on the right side, maybe playing him with Samulesson would be best. This pair worked in the past. Let Dahlin roam and Sammy can cover for him and play PK. Sammy knows he doesn't need to handle puck, just give it to Dahlin. Joki just doesn't fit well with anyone.

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Power
Gilbert-Clifton
Bryson

 

[Fjordy]

The speed of Peterka, Cozens, McCleod, Malenstyn, & Lafferty was infectious. They were flying past the Rangers similar to the 06' Flyers LOL. Maybe we managed the rocky waters while goaltending, PP, and 2nd line decided to wake up after a long nap. Quinn looks to be playing with more confidence. If we can get that line going and have the ability to feed them easier minutes, we can play .600 hockey which is all we might need to finish top 3 in division.

Zucker has been an absolute gamer. His grinding and positioning has helped lift the PP, and also has made his line more than hold their own at 5v5. I hope Benson can learn from him. Zach has the vision and should be more of a playmaker but if he can emulate Zucker in other areas, he's gonna be a beaut.

The D depth is paying off right now. We knew Bryson could fill in, Gilbert is a nice bottom pair physical Dman. Samuelsson to me just seems like the lazy guy that is just happy to get a check and leaves to play video games and smoke weed after practice. I was surprised when he received an "A" and I did not like his response to his benching. "oh well, I will have ups and downs, yada yada, I'm used to playing more minutes." Well you haven't earned 15 mins per night, let alone 22. He will get a chance to draw back in and better show the shutdown D type play from a few years ago. If Dahlin is back on the right side, maybe playing him with Samulesson would be best. This pair worked in the past. Let Dahlin roam and Sammy can cover for him and play PK. Sammy knows he doesn't need to handle puck, just give it to Dahlin. Joki just doesn't fit well with anyone.

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Byram-Power
Gilbert-Clifton
Bryson

I don't think Byram - Power pairing worked. For now, Byram is playing with Dahlin and we're winning games, so be it. They may not be a good fit on paper, but in practice, it could work. We don't need to force Power to play RD, if Dahlin plays better at RD and likes it there, it doesn't mean Power needs it and Lindy doesn't like it either. For now, Bryson is working, and then maybe some kind of deal will be needed for a defensive RD to join the second pair.

I don't see any place for Jokiharju in this lineup.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

The wave of goals in the second felt like it was 1999 / 2006 all over again.

Was listening on the way home from work, caught Tage’s goal and then popped into the gas station real quick. It was 5-0 by the time I was back.

I’ll gladly miss watching most games live if they play like that!