GDT: Sabres vs Blues 7:30 PM ET - TV:ESPN+, Hulu Radio:WGR550 - T'No'T

[TageGod]

They posted lines a long time ago. Think it was Benson Mcleod Tuch and Peterka Cozens Quinn.

 

[Jacob582]

Lance Lysowski:

The Sabres' projected lineup tonight with Tage Thompson out:

Benson-McLeod-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Zucker
Malenstyn-Lafferty-NAK

Dahlin-Byram
Power-Bryson
Gilbert-Clifton

Devon Levi in goal.

 

[old kummelweck]

Pressure is on that Cozens line to rekindle some mojo.

 

[Zman5778]

Been a bit removed from being able to watch every game closely of late...a few questions for the board:

-What are the thoughts on Krebs so far? His analytics look rougher than usual, but they're never strong. Scoring is about where you'd expect but perhaps we'd all hoped for more. Is he a viable 4th liner moving forward? He's just okay to me but think an upgrade to 4C could help the roster. Krebs still seems like the weak link there but I might be missing something that others are seeing. Is it poor linemates? Are Lafferty and Malenstyn even good? It seems to me they're downgrades on Girgs/Okposo in terms of on-ice impact, but their speed is noticeable if not providing tangible results.

-I see Cozens has elevated his scoring numbers a tad after a disastrous start. A few more multi-point efforts and he might be where we'd expect before long (my expectation for him is 50-55 point mind you). My question is...does he look at all competent on the ice? Is he starting to settle down and stop skating right into turnovers? Or is it just a matter of some puck luck finally going his way and PP production picking up? The analytics for him are also rough, which hasn't always been the case with him. What say thee?

-Is Bryson playing well overall? I know he and Power were on for a lot of goals against last game, which is disappointing. It seemed that the new Top 4 was looking good through the recent win-streak. I know he's not the long-term answer in the top 4 but is he a more steady option than Jokiharju for now? My quick thought would be to put him back with Clifton on the third pair which seemed to work well at the end of last season. They desperately need an upgrade at RD for the top 4 or a very good LD and shift Power to RD, which he seems fine at.

It feels like they need a couple wins in a row and not start another losing streak. Their schedule is going to get more difficult in the coming months. We haven't even played Carolina, Tampa, Washington, Toronto or Boston yet. Let alone the good teams out West. The sobering reality is that one bad losing streak would have us back in the basement, while a winning streak could catapult us up to the top three quite easily. The division games this year are going to be monstrous. It's as congested as it's been in a long long time, so every game is much more crucial right now.

1.) Krebs has been fine in his role. Even providing a bit of offense here and there. I wouldn't say he's the weak link in the 4th line....but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to a better 4C. Lafferty is kind of there, not bad but not particularly great. Malenstyn is good. He's fast, hits and is unafraid to stir the pot.

2.) Cozens is settling down some, and some of his shots are now starting to go in. Does he look competent? Certainly far more than he did to begin the season. And there is a legitimate question as to how far Quinn is dragging Cozens down. Quinn has been....not good....probably our worst everyday forward. Cozens is very much starting to re-become a legit #2C in the NHL.

3.) Bryson has been playing very well. Granted, I didn't see the St. Louis game. But, he's been steady-eddie back there. Excellent positionally and smooth getting the puck up and out of the zone. He's even showing a tiny bit of offensive awareness that his game has previously lacked. If this is his new, consistent form -- he's easily a legitimate 3rd pairing guy who doesn't look out of place on the 2nd pair......but strictly a 5v5 guy. You're absolutely right that a legitimate 2nd pair RHD (defensively-sound, can PK) is our most glaring need.

The "good" news is that the whole East is tightly packed, as you allude to. We still have time to iron out the kinks and if we can just start winning more than we lose......our chances are as good as anyone else's. And you mention that our schedule gets tougher -- we've beaten some damn good teams (and also lost to some damn bad ones). I am unconcerned about the strength of schedule -- we seem to play up to competition.

 

[Mattilaus]

It's WHEN they lose the games. They seem to do fine when they're basically counted out, but can't seem to sustain success in big games when they're in a true playoff race. I still think there's a clutch-gene missing in this group. It reminds me a bit of the Vanek, Roy, Pominville core (probably a worse version of that). The hope this year is that having steady veterans like Zucker and McLeod on your third line can provide stability, and hopefully a young gun or two can find their A-game in these bigger matchups. I could see Benson, Peterka and even Quinn developing there when teams are doing everything possible to shut Tage/Tuch down.

It's going to be quite the coaching job by Ruff if he can get these guys over that hump. They've been at this mental block for a few years where they just can't score in the bigger games or get saves. I look at a couple late season games against Detroit last season or the year prior against Florida. The other issue is them blowing games against lesser opponents when they're in the race. That's happened a TON over the last two plus seasons. Last game seemed to be a perfect example of that. They probably thought they were clearly better than Montreal, but the reality is that it's a slim margin between the two. You still need guys on their A-game and your goalie to make some saves. Neither happened apparently.

The slim margin thing is interesting and I agree. When they are flying high they seem to forget the the difference between a good team and a bad team in the NHL is closer to a 52/48 edge than an 80/20 edge. Bad teams are still NHL teams and they will burn the best of opponents if they don't bring their A game.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Lance Lysowski:

The Sabres' projected lineup tonight with Tage Thompson out:

Benson-McLeod-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Zucker
Malenstyn-Lafferty-NAK

Dahlin-Byram
Power-Bryson
Gilbert-Clifton

Devon Levi in goal.

Eeekkk...that second line. Kulich should be in Quinn's role.

 

[Samsonite23]

Lance Lysowski:

The Sabres' projected lineup tonight with Tage Thompson out:

Benson-McLeod-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Greenway-Krebs-Zucker
Malenstyn-Lafferty-NAK

Dahlin-Byram
Power-Bryson
Gilbert-Clifton

Devon Levi in goal.

Savoie for a #1C. Absolute robbery

But seriously, where would we be without McLeod? He’s a major piece keeping us from being absolutely abysmal.

 

[Beerz]

Eeekkk...that second line. Kulich should be in Quinn's role.

Yeah well until they get the nuts to waive Krebs they can't call up Kulich

 

[start winnin]

Expecting a loss here to continue the consistent inconsistency that seems to plague this team.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Well, sometimes teams play an extra hardnosed and gritty game when their star forward is out. This good be a good experience for the squad if they handle it right. Let's see if Buffalo can do that. I'm not expecting it from the second line.

 

[Jacob582]

Yeah well until they get the nuts to waive Krebs they can't call up Kulich

The trials and tribulations of carrying three goaltenders

 

[Butt Ox]

Buffalo Go!

 

[sabremike]

Going to the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ to see Saves The Day and I'm pretty sure they will in fact have to save my day (given they are playing "Through Being Cool" in it's entirety they most likely will).

 

[SundherDome]

f*** it, Sabres by a billion. Everyone plays their asses off.

 

[slip]

They posted lines a long time ago. Think it was Benson Mcleod Tuch and Peterka Cozens Quinn.

Still doing the JJ/Cozens/Quinn thing. I’m sure they’ll click — eventually.

Would prefer moving Cozens up to first line, and slide Krebs between Quinn and Benson.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Going to the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ to see Saves The Day and I'm pretty sure they will in fact have to save my day (given they are playing "Through Being Cool" in it's entirety they most likely will).

That album is such a solid album.

 

[HaNotsri]

I just want to care again. Is that so much to ask?

I'm still angry after last game so I just want to not care again.

 

[CowbellConray]

I'm afraid you're probably right. What other option do they have?

I'd probably prefer getting a look at McLeod up with Peterka and Tuch and keep the second line in tact. I'm not sure I want to see 1C Dylan Cozens but crazier things have happened and he might do well with two speedsters that play a bit more of a straight line game.

Either way, Krebs hasn't really earned a look in the top 6 and think he'd be fine between Greenway and Zucker for a game. See if McLeod's speed can help one of the top 6 lines tonight and hope that Tage is back this weekend.

I'd move Mcleod up with Tuch and Peterka, keep Cozens together, and then move Krebs between Greenway and Zucker as you mentioned

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Whoops

 

[GrierIsGod123]

I'd move Mcleod up with Tuch and Peterka, keep Cozens together, and then move Krebs between Greenway and Zucker as you mentioned

Yep ... but that Benson McLeod Tuch line should be a pain the in ass the play against. It's a different look with the hope that the "kid line" can find their spark. Perhaps a more mature Peterka can be the playdriver there. That plus Cozens seems to be coming alive, at least as much as he's capable of. Let's see if they can handle the pressure of expectations to be scorers without Tage.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Good chance for Levi to get his game going (here and then if down the 90) or we might start thinking about what we could get from Montreal for him in the summer (Tuch).