mjd1001

Through 2 periods, Peterka now leading forward in ice time (13:31) Dahlin now way up on everyone else on D (15:54) Jokiharju led all D in time on ice in the first, but only had about 5 minutes total in the 2nd. Dahlin with almost 9 minutes of Ice time just in the 2nd (8:47)

Other than not being able to do anything on the Powerplay, that Tuch, Thompson, and Peterka line are producing like a legit top line. 10 goals between them in 6 2/3 games.

Just watched the replay of the last Chicago goal.... Biggest problem was Samuelsson with the puck behind the net, he has time but just throws it around the boards into a 'gaggle' of players, including 2 blackhawsks. He was chased from behind and hit, and the guy that hit him took Samuelsson out of the play and then beat him up back to the boards. So, the problem there was he made a lazy pass, and then got hit, and the smaller guy hit him, knocked him down, and then beat him to the skates to continue the play. None of that would have mattered if Clifton controlled the puck, it looked like it came right to his stick but jumped over his stick...kinda bad luck. Finally, Krebs kinda had the goal scorer tied up, but let him go for 1/2 second when Samuelsson got back into the play. Krebs released him 1/2 second before Samuelsson could pick him up, and he had just enough time to get the rebound. To me that goal is 60% on Sameulsson, 20% on bad luck, 20% on UPL (for the rebound) and Krebs/Samuelsson again (for not deciding who should tie up the scorer) Its really a hard goal to diagnose, even from 2 different angles and going frame by frame.

out of town, Washington and Jersey playing an exciting game. 10 goal so far, shifts of momentum, lead changes, even a fight.

Just go back to the PP set up where all you do is feed Thompson on the side to take one timers over, and over, and over. Can it be much worse? Of course, that would require the gain the zone and control the puck long enough to even try that....

and now a PP opportunity just minutes after allowing a goal? When it rains.... I mean, at some point if this PP drought goes on long enough, can it become a momentum killer? I think if the team is having a good period 5-on-5, and they get a PP and fail miserably at it again, does it have any kind of negative impact on their psyche/confidence?

UPL needs to make that save. Levi had 3 that were on him against Columbus...1st one I think goes on UPL.

Nice contrast between the Sabres and Blackhawks uniforms. Makes the game easy to watch. Krebs right now IS playing, overall, better than Cozens. Complete game.

I saw on ahl.com that not only is Rochester 0% on their PP, but they have had 21 opporutunities? They are 0-for-21, can that be true? That would mean combined the 'organization' (apologies to Jacksonville) is 0-for-39 on the powerplay. It seems almost impossible.

Samuelsson with only just a bit over 4 minutes, and 7 shifts. A little less ice time due to 'accountability'? Or random chance?

Cozens led all forwards in ice time in period 1, and had the most shifts. Jokiharju tops among D-men in both ice time and number of shifts.

Even if you aren't a great coach....watch video of every single entry and set up of the top 5 teams in the league on the PP. What are they doing that you aren't? Whatever it is..there have to be SOME tendencies.....just find out what they are and try them. I posted this earlier...my wife and I went for a quick walk and a trip to the store...I rushed back because I wanted to see the beginning of the game. So we got back right in time at 6:55pm. Um...I forgot it was an 8pm game, not a 7pm game. Rushed home early for no reason (no jokes about the way the sabres are playing, rushing home at ALL to see them is for no reason)

I actually think he was just in the wrong place and they fell, nothing wrong....Kinda feels stranger saying something about Cozen without it being too negative.

What happens first? Cozens or Quinn score any goal? Or the Sabres score a Power play goal?

Honest question...when you hear a penalty against the other team, do you think its a good thing or something you dread thinking we know the outcome already? I'm almost seriously at the point I enjoy 5-on-5 more than the PP.

At least the sound is synced and perfectly fine on commercials. Glad to see that got the important stuff right.

4 in 7 for Tage and getting good chances. He's heating up after a slow first couple games.

That might be a new thing during a really bad game, or on an off day.....have everyone show a picture of their preferred location/view to watch the game. If the season gets any worse, we might have to start doing things like that.

When Foligno had that hit on the near boards, did Dunleavy call him "Mike Foligno"? Maybe not, I'm 'half' listening to the game, but I thought I heard Mike Foligno

Anyone ever watch a Rangers game or a Devils game on MSG out of NY city? do they show the shots? Wondering if it is just a Sabres thing...or an MSG network thing?

an every-so-slightly better start than against Columbus. They are skating 2% faster than against C-bus. Not much else, Tage looks to have beat the goalie but hit a post.

Only 3 minutes into the game but they look like they are skating a bit faster...or at least Chicago is letting them get through the neutral zone better. Maybe its a trick to help Ray and Dunlevy look better, it won't seem like they are as far behind the play.

-I think the defense unit (yes, including Samuelsson) hasn't played as bad overall as many think. Sure, some bad mistakes, but overall, i'm kinda happy with their play. I think Dahlin is the biggest issue. The difference between what I expect of Samuelsson and how he has played is less than the difference between what I expect of Dahlin and how he has played. However, overall I'm not at panic mode with the entire defensive unit. -Up front. I think Thompson has been decent-to-good. Not great, but I'm ok with is play. Peterka and Tuch too. I think the issues right now are Quinn and Cozens. If you just get those 2 guys going and nothing else changes up front, and goaltending returns to 'league average' the team is OK going forward. -Cozens, I'll even accept lower expectations. Just get to, and maintain 10% shooting percentage for the year. Just 10%...that is all I ask in the offensive zone. -Ruff I have no problem with also. PP is an issue, but lets just see you try different things. -All of the above is 'do-able', and I would be surprised if they can't start to take steps to get there. It SHOULD happen. -Tuch, Thompson, and Peterka is your top line. Between them, you have 8 goals in 16 games (cumulative). Thats pretty good. Even with Peterka missing some games, that is 1.33 goals per game played by the team for that line. 1.33 goals per game by one line? That is legit 1st line production in this league. Between those 3 guys, you also have 8 goals on 42 shots...collectively shooting just over 19%. First line is producing (no assists, but overall I personally consider assists more 'noise', as long as the goals are going in, I don't care for assits) 3rd line is playing well. 4th line is 'ehh' but they don't get much ice time. Just get that 2nd line going and your forward are producing pretty well.

We went out, told my wife that I wanted to be home to at least watch the start of the game. So we stopped at the store and kinda rushed home. 8pm, not 7pm start. Oops! I really like east coast start times so much.

He "lost favor" in NJ because they wanted to try anything to salvage a season. 2 years ago when they were healthy, he had them near the top of the conference. Last year they were destroyed by injuries to key players and had no quality goaltending. Still even after he was fired, the team played WORSE after he left than they did when he was there. The past few years, if anything, actual results show the opposite that he has 'lost touch with the way the game is played today'