GBU The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Got Cane'd and Had Fitz in Carolina - 11/4/22 Loss 5-3 in Carolina

[CrazyWayne]

The sabres style is always going to give up odd man rushes and scoring chances. It's just their system

What's killing them right now is defensively there are a bunch of stupid/dumb turnovers that's caused either by a lack of skill or a lack of communication or combo of both

Without Samuelson joki and boosh, the sabres tend to start running around in the defensive zone as soon as something goes wrong. Once they come back you'll see those high danger chances come down slightly but they will always be high just due to the style of play the sabres play

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

The sabres style is always going to give up odd man rushes and scoring chances. It's just their system

What's killing them right now is defensively there are a bunch of stupid/dumb turnovers that's caused either by a lack of skill or a lack of communication or combo of both

Without Samuelson joki and boosh, the sabres tend to start running around in the defensive zone as soon as something goes wrong. Once they come back you'll see those high danger chances come down slightly but they will always be high just due to the style of play the sabres play

Facing Carolina's pressure, Clague was able to dish it off to Power, who usually found a way to exit the zone effectively. Pilut and Fitz were clearly not up to the task. Pilut was better but Fitzgerald (as much as I want him to improve) looks like a train wreck out there. He just doesn't have the mental processing down fast enough and becomes a spastic deer in headlights. I'd say Pilut looks like the best of the three and hope that he stays as the 7th guy. The other two need time in Rochester and probably just aren't good enough to deserve a spot in Buffalo long-term.

This is a game that shows how badly Buffalo needs to stay healthy on defense because they just aren't deep enough to succeed against better teams with puck pursuit or a forecheck like that. Horrible officiating played a part, but Carolina had many high quality chances that they just plain missed. Carolina showed how to disrupt the Sabres while they're down three Dmen. Hope these guys can get back before they lose too many points in this tougher stretch.

 

[BUCKSHOT]

 

[CrazyWayne]

Facing Carolina's pressure, Clague was able to dish it off to Power, who usually found a way to exit the zone effectively. Pilut and Fitz were clearly not up to the task. Pilut was better but Fitzgerald (as much as I want him to improve) looks like a train wreck out there. He just doesn't have the mental processing down fast enough and becomes a spastic deer in headlights. I'd say Pilut looks like the best of the three and hope that he stays as the 7th guy. The other two need time in Rochester and probably just aren't good enough to deserve a spot in Buffalo long-term.

This is a game that shows how badly Buffalo needs to stay healthy on defense because they just aren't deep enough to succeed against better teams with puck pursuit or a forecheck like that. Horrible officiating played a part, but Carolina had many high quality chances that they just plain missed. Carolina showed how to disrupt the Sabres while they're down three Dmen. Hope these guys can get back before they lose too many points in this tougher stretch.

Fitz is weird to me because in my opinion (out of him/pilut/clague) he makes the most plays that are that of an every night defensemen in the NHL but then follows it up with just as many plays that makes you question how he even played D1 hockey

Pilut right now is best suited for the 7 spot

The sabres really just need one of joki/Samuelson back so they can at least have one of dahlin/power/Samuelson on each pairing with the ability to shorten the bench in the third

 

[start winnin]

Is it just me or is Fitz not playing with the same physical presence he was playing with last year? He needs to get back to being that agitator on the D.

 

[Bendium]

Sabres had no answer for the Canes tenaciousness and speed. They stood still too much, and could not make decisions fast enough.

I liked this game for exactly this reason. Thats playoff style hockey and they will need to learn how to play in that environment. After some early success doing it their way, it was a good time to get Carolina and Tampa. Give them a reminder of the kind of game they are in for if they get to the playoffs. For that matter, will get the last 20 games trying to make the playoffs.

 

[2 others]

I really like Bryson, but his tendency to have at least two gaffes every game is annoying

 

[TehDoak]

So, i was actually able to watch the 2nd/3rd periods, a few thoughts:

- A good positional team seems to simply derail their PP/Forecheck. Carolina was able to clear the zone with ease most of the game.
- Teams are starting to take note of Thompson. Carolina shaded over towards him when he was on the ice, something teams didn't do much of last year. It seems to free up some ice for Skinner, however.
- Anderson's lateral speed continues to degrade, and Carolina knows it. They kept attempting cross ice passes to get him moving on the PP. He still seems very positionally sound in straight forward saves, but man once you get him moving side to side the net opens.
- The officiating was not good. Calls went from ticky tack to complete swallowing of the whistle.

Overall, I thought the effort level was there, Carolina was well coached and fundamentally sound.

When teams are able to neutralize Buffalo's speed, I think we are going to struggle to score.

 

[Bendium]

No softies from Anderson last night. However, no big saves either

This has basically been sabers goaltending so far this year. Making the saves they should solid. Not killing the team, nor saving it. Thats what I expect out of Andersen, while I am hoping to see more from Comrie. I have seen him be just an inch or two slow to make some spectacular saves. I am hoping that with more play, the game continues to slow down for him and his reads speed up just enough to start making an impact.

We also give up a lot of grade a chances. Its not like they are seeing 30 shots from the perimiter.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

According to MoneyPuck, Anderson has save 2.1 goals above expectation while Comrie has saved 0.2 goals above expectation.

In other words, we are getting average goaltending, or slightly above average. The goalies are doing what is expected of them but not much more, but also not less. Obviously it would be nice if they were more effective, but right now they are passable for us, which I'll take.

 

[Chainshot]

I really like Bryson, but his tendency to have at least two gaffes every game is annoying

Not to worry, Fitzgerald was there to have more gaffs and in half the ice time.

 

[Diaspora]

Deleted. Boring and redundant.