R_Dudley

:worthy: QFT QFT +2 QFT +3 All and all a pretty well played game by Bflo and IMO Robbie has been right on with his commentary, this game was there for the taking by Buffalo and they just did not get it done. Lindy has to take some of the blame on this one, he could have started the hot goalie from Portland that did a good job of getting this teams mini turnaround jump started but he was afraid of upsetting his veteran backup goalie. Lindy stop worrying about offending your players and more about offending your fans and show us why you won the Jack Adams. Trust the force is with you and become the coach that got us to the finals with the timely substitutions and honest read on your players or get out. :pirate:

Ahhh found the adult channels did we now...

I like Ray's comment that Gaustad looks like he came to work angry again tonight and that's a good thing.

How does he Goose get the penalty out of that. That is crap. He protected his Goaltender

Crap Connolly being careless with the puck at the blueline and ends up in the back of the net.

QFT Almost a second goal out of the box. Looks like he came to play again tonight...

Good observation except I disagree with "they usually call". What I see watching other hockey games is they actually allow you to push out or body check the other guy to the ice in front of the net if the puck is near/in the crease or the goalies playing or holding it. How many times a game do we see Vanek get knocked down around the crease w/o any calls. What I really like is Bflo seems to get it now and our D is actually doing that for Miller more than I remember in the past.

Amen to that. Both Gaustad and McCormick had great games last night and the whole team played with a bit more edge and were finishing checks. The key with that style game is everyone has to pitch in and take turns especially in back to backs. That kind of style takes a toll on a player if only one or two players do it game in and game out. Bruised body's, knuckles, dislocated fingers etc. are almost automatic in hard hitting/fighting games anymore because of the body armor and helmets. I clamour for that as much as anyone on this board although I know it's not possible for any team to play every game in a season that hard. We can however execute a tight checking finish our checks and drive the net style game in and game out and thats what I hope to see again tonight. Thomas vanek please keep playing the way you have so we can start the TV for captain campaign. Just win B'lo.

Good Post, seeing a lot of the same things. I would add that had to be Gaustads best game of the year. Well why the hell did he give him that kind of contract in the first place. This guy may be a decent GM for recognizing up and coming young players/talent but has no clue of true market value for established players. I believe no one would have signed Connolly away from Bflo for more than 2 million a year. If they keep DR quinn should hire/assign someone else to set player value/negotiate contracts, QFT, I have always liked Vanek just not his effort however it seems maybe the responsibilty of being a Dad may be translating to more responsibilty on the ice. Oh and I do like him for Captain because I think he is ready to take that on more responsibly as well. Speaking from my experience having Kids can do that to you.

LA one of the top teams in the first part of the season and coming off 2 losses, Bflo still not winning in regulation or burying their chances. I not sure which Bflo team will show up tonight, the one from 1st period in Wsh or the 3rd but I do know the margin for error is already thin according to our coach "We haven't etched anything into the schedule yet but we're still where I feel it's a real desperate stage. We need our best players to play and our best players to be big for us. That's on the offensive side of it, the defensive side and that goes for our goaltending as well." I am still not sold that this team can maintain the effort and focus that looks like will be required for the long haul and playoffs but they are still my team. Just win Bflo.

So many things bugging me right now like a bear with a sore arse that I am afraid of turning into whiny p rick instead of just being my normal self a big P rick.

I watched the game but missed the board last night and now I have read everyone elses critique. Here's mine. I saw Bflo play a pretty good road game against the best team in NHL at least right now both record and play wise. The officiating certainly can be called suspect with that 5-3 early by the fact they did not call it that close later in the game. If you are going to give the best offensive team in the league that marginal call to give them a 5-3 early then you have to call it late in the game when washington was mugging us on our PP. Miller did not make a difference last night, I know, I know he made the breakaway save on OV last night but he was at least good for one sometimes two of those a game last year. 2 of the 3 goals they scored could be considered weak and I'll bet he knows he should have had at least stopped one of them and then we would have all had that OT game we craved. The PP is generating better puck movement and chances but can this team be coached how to saucer pass and one time or wrist shoot it verse these windmill wind up slapshots that either get blocked or miss the net. Just get it in front with body's there boys good things can happen. Game in game out Montador is just earning my man crush and Leopold also has been solid, Meyers shows some improvment but just doesn't have the same poise or touch control with the puck in tight this year. Not sure if thats growing or too much muscle to fast related but he needs to work on his puck handling decision making not nessarily in that order. I agree with everyone else who say why is Connolly still out there and has he not tasted the bench and watch the game, Lindy you benched the captain for poor play how can you be such a friggan hypocrite and keep playing that useless piece of uniform. Bench him now, call up whoever's hottest in portland. Team still hasn't convinced me until they can bury their chances like good teams do. Curious to see if Lindy uses the loss as excuse to trot back out Rivet. If he does it will likely be at Butlers expense and excuse for the 1st penalty on the 5-3. Last, Mr Jack Adams honoree what are we going to do with the goalies in this weekends back to backs, do you really have the pulse of this team and can you make the timely/correct moves this year?

Yeah but how much are you putting down on that ? What are the Odds maybe I want in on the action. ;)

One shift, One period, One game at a time. Let's let loose. Tonight would be a nice time to see that game where all the previous games missed chances find the back of the net. Let's go B'lo

yeah i read that online earlier and i am hoping the same thing. so far he sure is playing like he gets it though.

Wow another great game. 5th OT in a row and won 4 out of 5. This team looks like it is starting to learn how to win. The top line, Roy,Vanek and Ennis looks great and like they are building some chemistry. Congratulations Thomas on your twin boys and proud daddy showing us how hockey is meant to be played. Now just imagine if our 2nd line could actually contribute anything consistent. Hecht, Pommers and Connolly are too scrambly and just not clicking and continue to not generate anything but frustration. The 3rd and fourth lines pretty much did their jobs and actually had better chances than the 2nd. I also agree with others posting here the defense has looked much better with these pairings lately, Monty/Leopold, Meyers/Sekera, Butler/Morrison. Nice to see Meyers redeem himself after that penalty they scored on. They may have been playing it a little too safe to start the 3rd and started to look a little out of sorts at times but you do have to give credit to the Canucks for causing some of that. The Canucks are a good exciting team to watch and do generate some real good offense. Hey Lindy maybe we could learn something from their PP film. Just another good team win. Still need a lot more of this. I do like what the Ray said about the tough schedule they have facing them. Makes sure they know no cakewalks coming up and they need to show up every night and be ready to try and put in 60 minutes. I am still waiitng for that game every hockey team gets where they convert majority of their chances instead of the near misses we have been seeing game in and out, Wednesday on the road would be nice.

Still baby steppin, need to keep these toddlers moving forward. Come on Bflo repeat the mantra after me One shift, one period, one game at a time Oh and best of wishes to Ms. Vanek on a healthy and successful delivery of her twins and please let TV come out and play tonight. Go Bflo.

Well they finally beat a good team. If this team could learn how to bury their chances they could go on a tear. All and all I thought that was a pretty well even played game except for the first period. Although to be fair Wsh did get into some penalty trouble in the 2nd and 3rd with errant sticks but still had some good chances as well. Miller looked solid in his come back. It may be coincidence but since Ellis has come up and stafford has been out I have liked this teams compete level better. Looks like they are all hustling more. They still drive me to drink with their "dipsy doodle with the puck instead of shooting" but I gotta believ thats their puck possesion system they are trying to execute that has them doing that, they just have to be smarter with the puck and know when to just dump and chhase. Vanek has looked so much better last couple of games and really came on tonight. I love somebody called the twins for Vanek earlier in the post. Good Call, The line of Roy,Vanek and Ennis had looks all game now if they could just convert a few more. I thought these line combos tonight all worked pretty well. Lets see if Ruff keeps them together for a few games. For the D, Really haven't missed Rivet but I agree Meyers really could use to watch a game or two from the press box, his decision making and to many passing have looked really bad more than not. Montador and Leopold best pair again out their tonight I thought and butler and Morrison were servicable. Sekera still has me sitting on the edge of my chair with some of his moves and/or puck mis-handles however I guess you can call that exciting. They deserved it no shame in this win, 4th OT in a row, wow now I'm greedy and want more lots more and I wanna see if they can keep building on it.

Wow wish I had your optimism. Reading Miller talking about his hip sounding less then 100% he is healed vs. having to learn to overcome it isn't convincing me. Not sure he might not be coming back a tad to soon or is foregoing surgery so he doesn't miss the season. This team has learned to rely too much on Miller over the last two years and still hasn't convinced me. They have not beat a really good team in recent memory and unlike Buffalo, Washington bury's their chances and can beat us playing only one good period. Unless Washington comes out and plays a stinker I am guessing they keep us winless at home.

Not too sound negative but two SO wins against two worse teams then them right now has not shown me enough yet. Need 8 more wins out of the next 11 and I will start to consider this team a potential playoff team.. Just let it loose!

Wow , Ok who wanted the chuck on this team? How much puck would a Kova chuck if a Kova could chuck a puck? Okay they get the win baby steps...still not convinced they are not losers yet though. I just want 8 more of those before I start changing my mind.

Why can't Vanek do that in a game. Sweet shot.

Thx...

Wow Enroth gets into back to back SO's, lets start the W streak with those as well, right now...

Okay so I got back from son's basketball tryouts in time to see an Excellant OT by Sabres but same old story no finish. How was the rest of the game played ?