[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

Was it a dumb play? He looked up and saw his outlet guy, Gaustad, and tried to get him the puck. Horton jumped the pass like a corner-back does. I have a few questions about that play. Why is Gaustad floating around the slot there? Horton was his guy, Gaustad should have read his break towards the net. Why was Butler late in getting to the other corner for the outlet? Why was McCormick just standing there along the boards? Weber made the wrong play because it was the play that led to a goal. The other guys on the ice did nothing to help the kid out or give him safer options.

 

I agree that zone coverage was poor and that his teammates did little to nothing to provide an outlet. In the defensive zone, when you don't have the puck, your job is to create an outlet. This particular ailment has haunted the Sabres all year. Even so, yes, it was a dumb play. At even strength you only make a defensive zone clear up the middle if you are 100% sure it's safe. Usually (though not always) this is when it's only you and your partner back in the zone, say when the other team is changing. And even with that, often coaches strictly forbid an up-the-middle clear in the 3rd period, regardless of the situation. In that situation, Weber has to clear it up the boards, in either direction, or eat it. Period. Even if you have a potential outlet up the middle. You just don't make that play. That's how I was taught at least.

 

Regardless, while it was a miserably bad play, goal or no goal, Weber has been excellent the last few games, even in that game. I would quickly forgive him and move on.

[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

So you're saying that they got the call right? That there wasn't interference on the goaltender?

 

I don't want to speak for him, but I'm guessing he means the Sabres' record is reflective of their play, not the ability, or lack thereof, of the officials. So there's no one call, or even a series of calls/non-calls, in a game that is going to be a major factor in terms of their overall record. Maybe that's not what he means, but that's how I see it. One call can decide a game, we've all seen that, but officiating doesn't make or break a team in the grand scheme.

 

All that said, I agree with the assessment of Recchi and the "grandfather clause." I've thought the same thing, not just in last night's game but in other (B)ruins games I've seen. This guy is all about clutching and grabbing and doing things all over the ice that other players would never get away with. The commentators clearly notice this (and not just that idiot Brickley), but they constantly refer to it as "veteran savvy" or "he sure is a crafty veteran" or "there's a veteran move for you." Right. I used to like Recchi when he actually possessed measurable ability, but now he's a borderline hack who gets away with murder out there, under the guise of "veteran savvy."