Post-Game Talk (GBU): Sigh.

[struckbyaparkedcar]

Oh hey, Steve Ott attempting 7 ES draws wouldn't have anything to do with this team being garbage at faceoffs now, would it? He's above 60% at the dot and yet is 5th in faceoff attempts.

 

[Fire Lindy]

Oh hey, Steve Ott attempting 7 ES draws wouldn't have anything to do with this team being garbage at faceoffs now, would it? He's above 60% at the dot and yet is 5th in faceoff attempts.

He's around 56% his last 3 seasons and was 2nd in total faceoffs taken the past two seasons for Dallas, I don't understand why he isn't taking them.

 

[Royisgone]

He's around 56% his last 3 seasons and was 2nd in total faceoffs taken the past two seasons for Dallas, I don't understand why he isn't taking them.

Look at the photo in your avatar. It provides a clue.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Didn't catch much of the game as I was busy at my internship.

One thing that has stuck out through three games (and at least once last night) is that they need to get back to basics on the power play. Whoever has the puck on our half-wall is trying to make cross-ice feeds far too often. It's getting picked off and sent down the ice.

Furthermore, it appears as though the strategy to thwart a Lindy Ruff power play is to aggressively pursue the puck. I find that all of our players panic when faced with an aggressive checker and either cough it up or dish it to a guy not in position to receive a pass or make a play.

I noticed yesterday as I was at the game that the Hurricanes were really pressuring the blueline on the PP. That was bad, we couldn't hold it in. The cross arena feeds killed us as well. We really had no composure.

 

[DapperCam]

Vanek has been on the ice for every buffalo goal, yet he is only a +1 for the season. Not very good.

 

[joshjull]

Vanek has been on the ice for every buffalo goal, yet he is only a +1 for the season. Not very good.

We have 4 PP goals (Vanek has 2 of them). You don't get a plus for those. So pointing out his +1 in the context that you are is sort of pointless.

 

[HockeyH3aven]

They really need to find a decent broadcast team. Rob Ray is not a good color guy, and we just don't have a suitable backup for RJ. Listening to Sylvester and Rob and then watching other games with different broadcast groups is just pathetic.

 

[joshjull]

They really need to find a decent broadcast team. Rob Ray is not a good color guy, and we just don't have a suitable backup for RJ. Listening to Sylvester and Rob and then watching other games with different broadcast groups is just pathetic.

The PxP guy is usually the anchor of a broadcast. I really think Ray will be fine once RJ returns. It will give him an experienced PxP guy to work off of as opposed to K-Sly who is brutal. How on earth is he the go to option if RJ is sick? I really hope the Sabres have been getting emails and calls over how bad he is.

 

[Timbo Slice]

They really need to find a decent broadcast team. Rob Ray is not a good color guy, and we just don't have a suitable backup for RJ. Listening to Sylvester and Rob and then watching other games with different broadcast groups is just pathetic.

On my way home from work last night I was trying to listen to the 3rd period, and I literally had no idea what was going on. No idea what zone it was in, no idea who had it, or what was going on.... Sylvester is terrible.

 

[HockeyH3aven]

The PxP guy is usually the anchor of a broadcast. I really think Ray will be fine once RJ returns. It will give him an experienced PxP guy to work off of as opposed to K-Sly who is brutal. How on earth is he the go to option if RJ is sick? I really hope the Sabres have been getting emails and calls over how bad he is.

While what you say is true, I disagree that Ray is adequate. He makes the same points over and over again every game. He also thinks everything is really "nice", and stumbles in his speech an awful lot.

 

[hizzoner]

I watched the 2 Cane games on the national feed on Cente Ice. It was deplorable-a love in for the Canes with the odd mention the Sabres were on the ice--usually to mention they should have had a penalty....

 

[joshjull]

While what you say is true, I disagree that Ray is adequate. He makes the same points over and over again every game. He also thinks everything is really "nice", and stumbles in his speech an awful lot.

I'm not trying to sell you on Ray. I'm just saying the broadcast will be much better and his deficiencies will be less noticeable/annoying.

I was looking forward to Ray and RJ busting on each other this year

 

[chadthestampede]

Ray is fine. Especially because of my new drinking game where I take a drink every time he says 'down low'

 

[HockeyH3aven]

I watched the 2 Cane games on the national feed on Cente Ice. It was deplorable-a love in for the Canes with the odd mention the Sabres were on the ice--usually to mention they should have had a penalty....

I don't care about how Homeriffic the announcers are. They're employed by the team to do their games, it's to be expected. I'm talking about individuals being quality broadcasters.

Lots of people just can't do it, especially former sports players who spent their entire career getting punched in the face. Ray is actually much better than I would expect him to be, but he still doesn't belong in an NHL press box IMO.

 

[Timbo Slice]

Didn't catch much of the game as I was busy at my internship.

One thing that has stuck out through three games (and at least once last night) is that they need to get back to basics on the power play. Whoever has the puck on our half-wall is trying to make cross-ice feeds far too often. It's getting picked off and sent down the ice.

Furthermore, it appears as though the strategy to thwart a Lindy Ruff power play is to aggressively pursue the puck. I find that all of our players panic when faced with an aggressive checker and either cough it up or dish it to a guy not in position to receive a pass or make a play.

Where do you intern?

 

[sba]

What about McNabb

Seems like he's regressed according to the people who watch the Amerks a lot.

 

[Zman5778]

I watched the 2 Cane games on the national feed on Cente Ice. It was deplorable-a love in for the Canes with the odd mention the Sabres were on the ice--usually to mention they should have had a penalty....

Huh? There was no national feed for either Cane games......


Maybe you were watching the Hurricane feed?

 

[BowieSabresFan]

Huh? There was no national feed for either Cane games......


Maybe you were watching the Hurricane feed?

For the Friday night game, the only Center Ice feed was the Canes announcers. So yes, he was watching the Canes announcers.

 

[Endless Ike]

agreed. I think it's that we all know, deep down, this team is short another top end center, and knowing this management team, Grigs is the only hope. But he's no that this year. He may have a place on the roster, but he's not the cure, at least not this year.

Even if that's true. We're not winning the cup this year, we're not even close. So take your lumps and play him through thick and thin, especially for his five "free" games.

Instead we'll stick to the system and get badly outplayed with Hecht while learning nothing.