R_Dudley

Thanks Dark for those video's and blast from the past. Forgot just how much fun that was... I can't wait to watch tonight and see how this team responds to success. Has it gone to their heads yet or are they still that little engine that could, keep plugging, playing your game and flatten these Flyers. If Gudas takes any liberties as he has been known to do I want some old time hockey just like those video's. I would like to see Bogo take that guy and flatten him.. 1,2,3,4,5,6 we want Seven. Lets go Buffalo.

That's easy to explain. With Rob its reverse Polish notation. Although there is that saying in sports that when rookies get enough experience the game slows down for them. And at that point they stop thinking and are just playing fast and with confidence.

At the game down 4 to 1 in first period, looked bleak, mentioned to my PGH penguins friend this Buffalo team has made itself a come back kids club lately and they did just that, just kept plugging away playing their game. Shazam, they did it again. Never quit , kept coming playing their game. Hutton made some phenomenal saves. To many times I've been here in Pgh in the stands expecting more disappointed in getting less. Tonight was different after 1 period down 4 to 1, I felt like lets see how they respond and they did, timely saves and clutch plays and after 2 now down 4-3 going into the 3rd. It felt different like familiar territory from winning teams of the past, not desperate but focused and purpose driven. I'm liking this team and how they play and respond. Lets keep going Buffalo, I like six but I want seven, is that greedy or confidence? I don't care because it's been a long time coming and all us die hard Sabre's fan deserve a team worthy of the passion we've kept going woe all these years...

Well I haven't been on the board since I lost power last Thursday early Friday. Power just restored late yesterday morning and I missed all the fun of the Winnipeg and Minn wins.. Tonight I will be there cheering on our Buffalo Sabres. I hope they keep Pgh down and take advantage of the Pens horrible play of late. Do not take these wounded Pens lightly even though they have been losing they still score some goals. I have attended many games here in Pgh only to see my Sabres lose somehow someway. Please not today, Sabres give me something to cheer for. Lets Go Buffalo. Beat these Pens.

Yeah I watch some of the Jets and peek in on CI. Was watching the other night. I am kinda fond of the Jets after you traded us Dale Hawerchuk and Brad May for guess who Phil Housley, Scott Arniel, Jeff Parker and Buffalo's 1st round choice (Keith Tkachuk) in 1990 Entry Draft. You got your self a solid looking team there. Still not quite sure if you solved your Goalie woe's but it certainly looks promising right now. Best of luck to you except tonight, I would like to break Brossoit's streak and bring him back closer to his lifelong average... .

Well nobody has to really get hurt can't they just wrastle a little, you know one of those I hold your jersey you hold mine while we ice dance....? Actually I thought they were line mates and buds when Zach was there but maybe it was more Kane like..

Maybe its because they play a heavy game, very physical and fast. six forwards all 6' + tall and avg 205 and over weight. Not for the faint of spirit. I think Bogo needs to drop em with Byfuglien to set the tone we aint taken no sheet..

I am also in the #FreeRodrigues camp. Yes he had a bad game against Tampa but why did Phil change up lines that were working. I feel that had more to do with the bad game than Erod. The previous chemistry and balance across all the lines just wasn't the same. Also that is like the antithesis of coaching 101 that I have always heard through the years. If it's not broke don't fix it. You only make those changes when it stops working not while. Last after watching the Jets last night I am not feeling good about this game. The Jets are playing very well and Phil is fiddling while the lines burn. I will be watching tonight to see how this show plays out to see if the team makes Phil look like the genius mad scientist he appears to be trying to be... Lets Go Buffalo!

Way to vote w/o saying a word...

Well the only other notable trade and effect I'm aware of was the Erik Karlsson to SJS for Chris Tierney, Rudolf Balcers and dman Dylan Demelo back to OTT So far OTT looks to be on top with that one. Erik 0G 8A for 8 pts and a -9 Dylan is 2g 5A for 7pts +6 / Tierney is 2g 14A for 16pts and a -1 Watched a little bit of SJS nd Karlsson has not had the impact in SJS yet that many expected and OTT is playing better than many expected. So with the cap savings they got, looks like OTT did good.

But, he's a a Hoser wanna be, does that count / ?... He certainly hosed and grounded the Lightning Plus he is giving your boy Ullmark time to adjust to the big leagues and some competition to step up too. Which I do expect Linus will make it back to playing well. Just needs to keep practicing

Baby steps, you knew they were not at Tampa's level yet so its a measuring stick. They know it too...

Yes it's a very huge step. Actually making it to the first round and getting experience with what the playoffs are like will be something new to them and another step in their learning curve.

I am enjoying see this, been a long time since we been relevant...

Haha, told you not Ullmark. That was larceny by Hutton. Ok I will say Tage did not look bad on the 4th line although I still Bergland was better and more calm at some of those key times.. A little too much standing around and backing up showing too much respect for Tampa. I would say they stole this one playing that way. They better get back to playing on their toes instead of their heels on this upcoming trip. Curious when Ullmark will get his next game Definitely one of the back to backs I'm guessing Hutton gets next start , ullmark the 2nd of the two and Hutton back in for Pgh.

I think 2-1-1 would be a fantastic result. I'm just not sure how fresh they are going into the 4 games in 7 nights test coming up. If we can't roll 4 lines and balance the minutes across both forwards and D with solid goal tending and/or even stealing one with a spectacular effort this will be a difficult challenge. But I am very interested to see this play out from coaching to how well they play.

Another Hockey night in Buffalo. Lets hope the Tampa team stayed in TO a little late for St. Louis enshrinement and maybe even had a couple of Lagers to celebrate with all them hosers. I just don't understand Phil's fixation on getting Tage ice time against a top team given how poorly he has played. He skates fast but hasn't shown any ability to process the game quickly. I can't think of a worse match up to throw him out there in against a fast, smart, shifty Tampa team. Maybe Doohickie is right and Bergland is nursing an injury but if speeds what Phil really wants why not Remi. As for you NS, No way to Ullmark he played like Mutton, we want Hutton. So we get a backup goalie no respect card and Phil juggling lines that were working well. Last years Sabres made backup goalies look like all stars.. I guess i'll see if this years team has really changed. If the lines look disorganized and not working well, how long will Phil wait before he puts Sam back between Vlad and and Erod? I'm going with 3rd period if we are behind by 2 or more goals.. Lets go Buffalo, lets win one for the home crowd.

Well Tage has the wheels and youth going for him but Pommers has experience and a better feel for the game. Going some where fast vs. knowing when and where to go can easily balance out. Even if that's the case given what I've seen from Tage's play I'm not sure getting him ice time against some of the better teams we have played is the right time to be doing that. If we are worried about the team speed of the teams we are going to be facing moving Ba-lou to a forward and putting Nelson in on D is also an option if you want to be creative, now I'm not saying i would do that but I have seen it done...

While I agree with Taro that i would like to see what they do as a top line I am more in line with nfreeman and not sure I would be making this change right now going into a tough stretch of top teams when the team has been playing well and we have had better support from the 2nd and 3rd lines. Unless they know Pommers is just flat out hurt or hit a wall I am concerned secondary scoring goes missing putting possibly our 3 best players on one line. Will it be feast or famine with that change... We will know soon enough

Yep, w/o mentioning the stats this is where I was focused in my earlier post. The Defense playing as a 5 man unit has really made the transition game out of the their zone as well as jumping into the offensive play work well. The back checkers seem to have regularly cover their spot when they do and I would say Housleys stated desired style of play is finally working with the players we have. Upgrade in talent and time in the system definitely help that.

Yes, I do believe this is the main reason although I also think the shift to the fast skating 5 players activated all over the ice model has contributed as well. By that I mean I see more defense men then ever before jumping into the plays in offensive zone. That style worked for some of the recent Stanley cup winners and that is now being copied for its success. So more nimble defense men vs the lumbering Dion Phenuf's of the world working as a five man unit all over the ice. It is definitely a reason the Sabres have been better.

That's Ok Casey can be our SO ace. Who would have known i just checked and not counting today's Most Shootout Wins: Buffalo Sabres & Pittsburgh Penguins (65)

Damn only bad thing about Direct TV center ice, they always cut the post game interviews, want extra cash to get them and I pay enough for the CI. But that's why I love this board, you all keep the updates coming...

Standing look so nice right now. Since Sabres are done for the day I'll be watching Boston Toronto tonight one of those has to lose right? I don't know which one I'd prefer to lose but maybe boston since we are ahead right now in the standings And Vegas at Montreal is easy, Knights all the way lets keep Montreal in the rear view mirror for a few days anyways...

I'm not sure but it does make sense.