[GDT: Flames @ Sabres, Oct. 19, 2023 - 7pm EDT, MSG 📺 WGR 📻]

Team does not look as good as last years club. And once again, just too many regulation losses at home and we’re only a few games in.  To have any chance at the playoffs they need to pile up some points at home and STOP losing in regulation.  At least get a losers point for goodness sakes. 

[GDT: Flames @ Sabres, Oct. 19, 2023 - 7pm EDT, MSG 📺 WGR 📻]

21 minutes ago, LETSTUCHINGO said:

I think we see Levi again and for the rest of the homestand. I hope they call up RJ as well, not a fan of Bryson. 

 

Hope so, my trust factor with the other guys is not there yet.  If Levi can stack some home ice W's that would be huge for this season.

[Around the NHL 2023-24 Season]

2 minutes ago, Two or less said:

Obviously very early, but something to keep an eye out as we chase for a playoff spot is Ottawa and Detroit look VERY good to start the season.

Ottawa has 18 goals so far this season.

Detroit has 17 goals so far this season.

Both still have a period to play tonight.

This is not good. Need one if not both of those teams to level off and lose a few games.  

[Sabres ticket sales still pretty dismal]

Start winning the majority of home games like all the good NHL teams do...and the fans will show up.

[Don Granato the Worm Tongue and the Culture of Losing]

Donny has to get these guys pushing the action like they did last season.  Now we have a real goalie, don't be scared to keep trying to score goals.  They packed it in and got too defensive last night.  

[GDT - Lightning @ Sabres - October 17, 2023 - 7:30 PM (EDT) - ESPN & WGR]

I thought the Sabres played a pretty good first period but somewhere in the 2nd they became very defensive oriented and were allowing Tampa to carry the play. Did not like that at all.  At one point, I was talking to a family member, and with one eye on the game I thought Tampa had a 5 minute power play.  They were just controlling play in the Sabres end for so long and our guys were just floating around with their sticks out trying to block passes.  It was weird.  Then i saw there was no power play. So what the heck was that?!?

Was glad to see Levi play strong in the net, that's key.  I'm sure Buffalo can play much better but as of today they don't look as good as last year's club (except goalie) Hopefully this win gives them confidence and they pick up the scoring pace.

[Don Granato the Worm Tongue and the Culture of Losing]

He has to say positive things.  What he says at a podium filters right back to the players.  If he said what he's actually thinking then we'd have some interesting sound bites. 

[GDT - Lightning @ Sabres - October 17, 2023 - 7:30 PM (EDT) - ESPN & WGR]

30 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I hate to say it, and Sabres, please, please, please prove me wrong, but this feels like another of those 10 game losing streaks 

😔

Go Sabres! Prove me wrong 

 

And Alex Tuch needs to show up 

I agree. Prove all the concerned fans wrong.   And if you count preseason the losing streak is already at 4 😒

[GDT - Lightning @ Sabres - October 17, 2023 - 7:30 PM (EDT) - ESPN & WGR]

40 minutes ago, inkman said:

Like 17 year old me on prom night, this is a little premature 

Ha,  I sure hope I'm wrong.

The first two games they played against 2 of the best goalies in the NHL, Shesterkin and Sorokin.   Tonight they will not be playing against a world class goalie.  Let's see some goals for and some saves on our side.

[GDT - Lightning @ Sabres - October 17, 2023 - 7:30 PM (EDT) - ESPN & WGR]

Sorry folks but it's only game 3 and this is a must win.  The Sabres are already falling behind every other wannabe team in the division who are looking improved.  Tampa just lost in regulation to Detroit and Ottawa and they are without a top flight goalie now.  

If they lose tonight I'm already writing it down, No playoffs.   You can't chase the pack all year, it won't work.

[GDT: Sabres @ Islanders - October 14, 2023 - 7:30PM, MSG-B/MSGSN/ESPN+📺WGR📻]

37 minutes ago, Shoot da Puck said:

I would say the Sabres need a veteran goal tender, bring Levi on slowly. They are putting to much pressure on this kid. That's my tweek.

I would agree, but assumed they would have done this over the past offseason.  I was somewhat surprised they went with the same 3 guys. I think Levi will be great as his career goes on. But right not they need the big save late and a guy that can steal a game once in a while. 

[GDT: Sabres @ Islanders - October 14, 2023 - 7:30PM, MSG-B/MSGSN/ESPN+📺WGR📻]

the good teams in this league most often get that mid to late 3rd period goal to take a lead and that one big save to preserve it.  Sabres just have to find that recipe.  it’s frustrating.They do the opposite  

[GDT: Sabres @ Islanders - October 14, 2023 - 7:30PM, MSG-B/MSGSN/ESPN+📺WGR📻]

Someone needs to let me know if there’s a Bedard or McDavid in 2024 draft.  too soon??

[GDT: Sabres @ Islanders - October 14, 2023 - 7:30PM, MSG-B/MSGSN/ESPN+📺WGR📻]

Just now, rickshaw said:

Adams HAS to make moves if this team is playing like this by game 10. 

By game 10? by game 3 i’d say.  The Sabres cannot fall 6-8 points off the playoff line a couple weeks in, that would be disaster. 

[GDT: Sabres @ Islanders - October 14, 2023 - 7:30PM, MSG-B/MSGSN/ESPN+📺WGR📻]

1 minute ago, Gatorman0519 said:

Get rolled in front of the home crowd on Tuesday and this could get ugly quick. At least we were entertaining last year. 

Last year was a special kind of year with the offense clicking at a ridiculous clip at times. This is a new year and they look blah

[GDT: Sabres @ Islanders - October 14, 2023 - 7:30PM, MSG-B/MSGSN/ESPN+📺WGR📻]

This club, for several seasons in a row suffers the most heartbreaking late in game regulation losses.  Close games that could go to OT.  Not getting at least a losers point from these games are killers. 

[Come on Granato!!]

4 minutes ago, EasternOHSabresFan said:

Who owns the NHL record of 12 seasons in a row without a playoff appearance (by FIVE seasons), and 16 consecutive seasons without a playoff series win?

 

They will NOT be fine. This is not normal AT ALL. Every season I hope they will turn it around, and every season they do virtually the same thing. 

 

You ain't kidding.  The Sabres should come out every game and play with their hair on fire.  They should be more desperate than any team they play.  Instead they look like a preseason scrimmage, gliding around doing nothing.  The Rangers blocked a lot of shots?  Yes, that's because the Rangers were trying harder than Buffalo.. which should never have happened.

I like Granato but if they have another losing home record, he should be fired.

[Come on Granato!!]

Until the Sabres can identify and fix their woes on home ice, they will never make a playoff run. They just don't earn enough points at Key Bank Center. Just like the last few years, the defense is worse at home, the goaltending is worse at home, the penalty kill always gives up a goal (and the PP chipped in with a shortie against). The offense will show up once in a while they will win some 7-4 games.  But those cannot be expected like last year.  Figure out how to make it hard for opponents at KBC or just submit to being a bottom feeder team with some good individual players.

[GDT: Rangers @ Sabres - October 12, 2023 - 7:00PM, MSG-B📺WGR📻]

Year after year they just can’t earn many points in the home arena. Too many regulation losses downtown and here we go again.  

[GDT: Rangers @ Sabres - October 12, 2023 - 7:00PM, MSG-B📺WGR📻]

Sucked on home ice last year, suck at home to start this year. Nothing new there

[GDT: Rangers @ Sabres - October 12, 2023 - 7:00PM, MSG-B📺WGR📻]

If they can't win this, at least get to OT.   The home record was terrible last season and too many regulation losses.  

[Around the NHL 2023-24 Season]

10 hours ago, Taro T said:

Of course those 3 each got to open against a team expected to be a bottom feeder this year.  And 2 of them had real games on their hands.  (Not sure about the B's game.  Knew Chicago scored 1st, but didn't see it past 1-1.)

Tampa still needs to address goaltending while waiting for Vasilevskiy or they'll have a real hard time making the dance.

And the Bruins got to play a lethargic Chicago, as the Blackhawks were Pittsburgh's home opener on Tues night.

[Around the NHL 2023-24 Season]

Of course the Atlantic Division is already Toronto, Boston and Tampa at the top.  It took all of one game. Hope Buffalo can keep pace.

[How concerned is Sabrespace about the defense and goaltending?]

Count me in as concerned.  The Sabres just give up way too many Grade A chances and they don't seem to put pressure on the opponents much on the penalty kill.  If Buffalo is to make the playoffs, Levi is going to have to be everything we hope for...and the D simply has to play smart.  The Sabres need to get more games to Overtime and get a losers point if nothing else.  They have too many regulation losses and several are late losses.  Not getting to OT costs them dearly in the end.

[The Stanley Cup Playoffs 2023: Second Round GDT.]

I like the Kraken.  I saw them in game 1 this season and was impressed then and even more impressed with them now. Just crazy that they are in the league for 5 minutes and cranking through the playoffs.. Vegas too for that matter. The home atmospheres have been amazing.

We Sabres fans have been tested,  we have to experience playoff hockey soon. My twins turned 18 and they have no idea what Sabres playoff hockey is.