X. Benedict

Gaustad - 2.5 M Salary - 2.3 M Cap hit. Although me being a faceoff geek, I thought Manny Malhotra winning all those defensive zone draws killed about 2-3 minutes of Buffalo PP.

Good to see our expansion cousins in town. So glad they finally went to the 2 game format between east and west. At least we get to see the Sedins here once a year. (don't need to see Luongo though :lol:)

Good catch. Nice to see the team shooting more altogether.

That was probably as much line matching as I've seen Ruff do in recent memory.

17 shots for that line. I can't remember the last time a line in Buffalo has had over 15.

Interesting to see what that line has been doing. Roy has been taking the draws and moving to the RW....Leaving Vanek to carry the puck through the middle. It opens Vanek higher in the slot and gives him room to work. They are looking dangerous. Love how Ennis sticks his 99.8 lbs into traffic in the crease.

:lol: Clones.

That was a treat. :lol: Wow.

And Miller, who is excellent at reading plays, just isn't used to those two. They've had a lot of netting to look at, and have missed about 2 or 3.

:lol:

Chintzy.

that was a dive. Pays off though.

Remember in Spaceballs when they made the jump from Light Speed to Plaid to Ludicrous Speed. I think Vanek has made the jump to Plaid. - Vancouver looks like the Spring 2006 Sabres. They come in waves. Vigneault was probably watching a lot of Sabres in 2005-06 - I think it will take 5 goals to win this. - Kicking myself for not being there tonight. Vancouver is fun to watch.

It was just fun to see him play. If Miller is injured again, I'm betting he's considered #2. I actually like the idea of a smaller, quicker guy playing backup. I think they can get in synch quicker. Although I don't really have any foundation in thinking that bigger goaltenders need more work to stay sharp.

Miller still gives you the best chance to win. IMO. But if I were an opposing coach against Enroth I'd be telling the team to shoot stick side on him. Its a little like a starting baseball pitcher does pretty well first few starts until hitters have a book.

I have a nuanced answer - I guess it is a matter of categorization. The team's hand was forced with the Edmonton contract, and he did have a 40 goal season the first year of that contract. Since then the Sabres have gone to a more traditional lineup- A top 6 - Checking - and Energy line.(rather than three and four smallish and fast lines that come in waves) What hasn't adjusted to this setup with a traditional top 6 style is you need a bigger game in front of the net. I could imagine Vanek playing elsewhere and scoring 45-50 goals with a classic down the middle, play-making center, say a Ryan Getzlaf, or even smaller guys like Toews or Richards. What I don't think happens in Buffalo, is that I don't think there is enough design with Vanek in mind. Organizationally, they really don't have that center (so that is Regier), and in terms of gameplay, I don't see nearly enough intention to get the puck on Vaneks stick to get him 5 or 6 shots a game. (that's Ruff). The last part of this is that I don't think Vanek has a sniper mentality. The team, and even other teams, should know if it touches his stick it is going to net. This would do two things. It would give his linemates more space...and they know when it goes to him it is their job to crash net. Too many times they freeze. All of 'em. They just freeze. (as much as Ruff asks for the shot.....it ain't happening) So there is my long winded answer. Certainly not a bust, but too often ineffectual for the above reasons. Take Vanek away, they are not a better team (as per first round playoff meltdown). :lol:

Recent troubles aside - Vanek has averaged 34 goals a year. You could make a case that that he has under-performed per dollars - but I would not say he is close to bust territory myself. (And no signing bonus, the $10 mil was his contract salary - he'll make 6.4 million this year for a 7.1 cap hit average). I guess I've never liked having a wing as the highest paid skater - but most 30 goals scorers are going to make at least $5 million once they have the leverage under the CBA.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarts Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Pillooooooooooooooooooooooooows!

Kind of like jumping at the last second before hitting the ground in a falling elevator, I guess. :lol:

The puck is only not moving relative to the skater. It's still moving forward.

Vanek had a good game. - I know that sounds hard, but he was as strong on the puck as he's been all year. Hecht had a terrific game too. Leopold's penalty while chintzy, is a penalty, the refs have been pretty consistent with that crappy stick stuff. Interference is another matter....the Sabres interfere on entries as much as anyone else. It's just not called much. While losing sucks. The D-pairs are starting to get comfortable with each other. Although it is pretty clear the Rangers wanted Bulter in particular to play the puck behind the net. Interesting putting Roy on the point on the Umbrella on the powerplay and Myer on the right halfwall. Didn't work tonight, but gotta try something to spark that.

I guess you can hit the goaltender from behind.

Save Butler falling off the post on the Rangers goal, that was a nice period.

As a team, they give way too much respect to goaltenders. Goaltenders have a way of saving every save they never have to make.

Let us congratulate each other on our hackneyed, yet brilliant insight. :lol: