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Anaheim is for real. I don't expect a Sabres win tonight with that style of defense they are playing (non-existant) Won't matter who is in goal as they will be hung out to dry yet again. Have to hope Anaheim's goalie has a really "off night". Sorry to say it, but things are getting really miserable being a Buffalo sports fan.

I wish I was Belichick. $$$$$$$!!!!!!! I don't know his secret, he just seems to get his teams to perform. I expected the Pats to be total horse#### this season and they have rebuilt it yet again. Can't stand Bill personally but his arrogance is earned.

Why? I can't stand Bill but I give credit where it is due. The guy works magic and if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!

Hate to say it, but Belichick is the man!!! I am not a Pats fan at all but I have to say, what a turnaround for a team that lost it's star QB, gets rid of his replacement who was underperforming, brings in another QB (who????) and goes right back to first place. The Bills D cannot stop the run. It has been a big problem this season when they face a powerful RB and I hate to say it, but maybe the Bills believed they hype and press releases. This team isn't going anywhere this season and they will have to address their line issues. They have a good QB in Josh and a great receiving core but if you take that away from them or get the Bills behind the 8 ball, they are toast. Very disappointing.

and the collapse is now complete. No looking back for the Panthers. Carolina will be another loss.

Absolute truth! Never taking the body, stick checking and letting the opposition dine out in front of the Sabres net. This hasn't changed for the past 3 seasons now.

I'm sensing collapse and another loss.

Tonight? The entire Sabres defence corps has been abysmal for several seasons now. You would need "Tokarski in Pittsburgh" performances almost every night to get some points for this club. They still don't take the body, stick check and are as soft as butter. Still! Doesn't seem to matter who the head coach is.

Because the defence still absolutely sucks. Yes, the goaltending isn't helping right now but, the D has been hot garbage for several seasons, stick checking, not clearing bodies and soft as butter. Even with great goaltending, it would have to be great each and every night when you play defence like that. Absolute shite defence. Back to being very Krueger-like coach Granato!!!!!

Getting owned early. Worse than I imagined it would be and Krueger-like.

The bloom is off this rose. The next 5 games don't bode well either. Maybe a win vs. Montreal. Maybe.

still lacks defensively. Still.

an old habit that is starting to resurface on this west coast trip.

That is truth also! I do feel bad for Risto as he has the skills, size and strength. Too bad he didn't come into the fold now under coach Donny, as he may have done much better. You can see the change in Dahlin which is great. I hope Ristolainen works out in Philly but I see the need to rid the core that was here during this awful stretch.

Just look back on page 3 in this forum "What Do You Expect from Robert Hagg #8". People thought he sucked and would get bitched about on this forum. He was coming off injuries and literally a throw away for Philly.

I won't do your home work for you (I didn't for LGR4GM either when he denied that Dahlin wasn't a punching bag near the end of last season- it took one poster in under 5 minutes to find several posts attesting to it) Yes, some on this forum were disppointed with the return, as they went on the Philly sites that were happy Hagg was gone and assumed he was hot garbage for a young strong d-man. And for the record, I do believe Ristolainen will work out nicely in Philly under decent coaching (which he never got in Buffalo, not by a long shot) He was terrific for the Finnish Juniors that won the gold medal. He has the skills and I believe the change in scenery will be very good for him. I am enjoying the game Hagg is bringing and by my previous post, I do not miss Ristolainen one bit. The culture had to be changed and removing most of those that had been around for the majority of it was the right thing to do.

My tone? Give me a break. People were disappointed in the return which was Hagg. So far, Hagg has played well. My tone.LOL!!!

Truth. At the beginning, the posts here were disappointed in his acquisition, but I have to say, he has been a really pleasant surprise to the start of this season. So far, I really like his play. Risto who?

I saw plenty of Tokarski when he was in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs (I live in the area) and he was a terrific goalie who could steal you some games. He's been around the block and is an excellent choice for a back up. He knows his role and accepts it. He can fill in in a pinch due to injury etc. Glad to see him get the chance here. Better than Hutton in my opinion. Glad Granato got the job. I know the season is very early and we have seen similar Sabre streaks in the past couple of seasons but the style they are playing under Coach Donnie is fun to watch and you can see the team chemistry out there. Such a nice change for this long time suffering Sabres fan! Go Donny Go!

Right now, he’s coach of the year! Good for you Donny! I would have bet the house Tampa Bay was really going to lay one on the Sabres tonight. Never happier to be wrong! And hey, how about the goaltending so far? Pretty damn good from an old guy and a career AHLer!

I may beg to differ. there were several times in each of the past few seasons he played, when he coughed up the puck in the offensive zone and couldn't be bothered to come back and provide some much needed backchecking. That was a selfish and he did this on several occasions and it was noted in this forum.

That's been a problem for a few seasons now. Not much physicality and really obvious by the defence. Still has gone unaddressed and it will be a huge problem when the regular season starts.

Nope, pretty sure I read the post correctly.

As this Sabres team stands now, Boston will come into Key Bank and own them. Repeatedly.

We can only hope because I can see Hall, Lazar and Linus coming back to Key Bank and feeding the Sabres their lunch. (repeatedly)