GDT/ Hurricanes @ Buffalo Sabres Sunday 1pm THLN, WGR

[Taro T]

3 minutes ago, Big Guava said:

 

The problem is they talk about it a lot but don't actually do it far too often 

At home, after the 1st 2 awful games they started the season with when Benson was out of the lineup, they've gone 8-2-2.  Yes, the 2 regulation L's were awful embarrassing losses, but even with them they've taken 18 of the last 24 points in their own barn.  Which, if they could continue on at that level would enable simply getting to ~0.450 on the road be good enough to get to the dance.

So, they actually do it quite often at home, but not even remotely often enough on the road.

[JohnC]

18 minutes ago, Taro T said:

McLeod, Zucker, and Quinn got a ton of ice time down the stretch.

Ruff also mixed up the D a bit down the stretch pretty much stapling Bryson to the bench protecting the lead.  Had Dahlin and Power together some.

It is going to be interesting to see how Ruff is going to assemble the lines once Norris gets back. I expect the Zucker/McLeod/Quinn line to stay intact because playing with the vets has elevated Quinn's play. 

[Taro T]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

It is going to be interesting to see how Ruff is going to assemble the lines once Norris gets back. I expect the Zucker/McLeod/Quinn line to stay intact because playing with the vets has elevated Quinn's play. 

Personally am expecting Norris to get Benson and Zucker, with McLeod getting Quinn and Greenway.  But who knows.  Ruff is on record as saying Norris with be the #2; if that's the case, he'll get Zucker and then one of Quinn, Benson, or Greenway pretty much in that order (which is a direct contradiction of the previous sentence because am not sure if they'd have Benny as the 4th W or Quinn as the 4th W.  Quinn is better at finishing; Benny has a more all around game) as expectation of who he gets and McLeod would get the other 2 guys.

Doan being able to skate with Thompson and Tuch has opened up some additional possibilities.  And all of this is with Kulich on the shelf.  When he's back, he could move to wing, or if Norris has already broken become the 2/3C depending upon whether Ruff wants McLeod focusing on D or more 2 way/offensive play.

[Trettioåtta]

Only caught the condensed game highlights, but our speed and tenacity on the puck really stood out to me. Winning battles and hounding the puck and then break through their defense to generate odd man rushes. Looked good in the recap.

[JohnC]

3 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Personally am expecting Norris to get Benson and Zucker, with McLeod getting Quinn and Greenway.  But who knows.  Ruff is on record as saying Norris with be the #2; if that's the case, he'll get Zucker and then one of Quinn, Benson, or Greenway pretty much in that order (which is a direct contradiction of the previous sentence because am not sure if they'd have Benny as the 4th W or Quinn as the 4th W.  Quinn is better at finishing; Benny has a more all around game) as expectation of who he gets and McLeod would get the other 2 guys.

Doan being able to skate with Thompson and Tuch has opened up some additional possibilities.  And all of this is with Kulich on the shelf.  When he's back, he could move to wing, or if Norris has already broken become the 2/3C depending upon whether Ruff wants McLeod focusing on D or more 2 way/offensive play.

As you are indicating, with the return of some injured players, there are more pieces to juggle to rework the lines. And as you note, there are a variety of options that make sense. Ruff is not afraid to juggle the lines, including within the game. Now he has more material to work with. My sense is that he wants to keep Tage as a 1C because of his recent play and also the player's preference. 

[Flashsabre]

Tuch Tage Doan

Benson Norris Krebs

Zucker McLeod Quinn 

Beck Kozak Greenway

 

Krebs is less than ideal there but I like Quinn with Zucker and McLeod. I would put Kulich in Krebs place on the RW but I think he won’t be back soon. Östlund is an option there too.

 

 

 

[inkman]

5 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

Can anyone make sense of beating the 3 good to great teams and losing to the bad one?

This team only tries when they feel like it 

[Big Guava]

45 minutes ago, JohnC said:

It is going to be interesting to see how Ruff is going to assemble the lines once Norris gets back. I expect the Zucker/McLeod/Quinn line to stay intact because playing with the vets has elevated Quinn's play. 

This team actually might be pretty decent if they can stay semi-healthy based on their PK being exceptional this year.

[Night Train]

21 minutes ago, inkman said:

This team only tries when they feel like it 

That would insinuate they're actually good.  Wrong. 

 More like Mental Hopscotch.  Between the ears. 

[Huckleberry]

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

At home, after the 1st 2 awful games they started the season with when Benson was out of the lineup, they've gone 8-2-2.  Yes, the 2 regulation L's were awful embarrassing losses, but even with them they've taken 18 of the last 24 points in their own barn.  Which, if they could continue on at that level would enable simply getting to ~0.450 on the road be good enough to get to the dance.

So, they actually do it quite often at home, but not even remotely often enough on the road.

So you’re saying going 1-5-2 on the road isn’t good enough?

 

[K-9]

5 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

Overall good game, but by far the worst line was Tuch/Thompson/Doan for most of the game.

Even strength they had 2 scoring chance for, 7 allowed.  Their shots for/against, Fenwick, Corsi, Expected goals for/against....all were awful.

McLeod, Zucker, Quinn by far the best line of the night in terms of analytics.  Dahlin has the best analytics of all D-men on the game.

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20252026&game=20347&view=limited

Imo, the fact that we still spanked them when our top line was our worst line is a great sign. Just out of curiosity, how was Carolina’s top line today in terms of analytics? I ask because Svechnikov, Aho, and Jarvis were all -2 on the day. 

[PerreaultForever]

5 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Or, we wait and see what Norris brings before we decide he's trash.

I disagree. Even if he brings some great hockey I just don't think he will stay healthy so building around him leads to problems. You'd be better off shedding that salary so you can pay Tuch or whoever else. 

4 hours ago, JohnC said:

Absolutely not! Are you taking hallucinating drugs? How about waiting to see what he brings to the ice. What is going on here?

He won't stay healthy. Guaranteed. 

[SABRES 0311]

2 hours ago, JohnC said:

It is going to be interesting to see how Ruff is going to assemble the lines once Norris gets back. I expect the Zucker/McLeod/Quinn line to stay intact because playing with the vets has elevated Quinn's play. 

Benson Thompson Tuch

Doan Norris 🤷‍♂️ 

Zucker McLeod Quinn

Malenstyn Kozak Krebs

[GASabresIUFAN]

I just re-watched the disallowed goal in the 1st.  Benson’s skate hits the goalie, but it’s a Carolina player’s skate that actually impedes Anderson.  It was a terrible call.  The “situation room” should have reviewed the play like they did on the Thompson play without the Sabres wasting a challenge.  

[Stads]

I was at work during the game but I watched the highlights. Malenstyn's goal was amazing on multiple levels. Obviously, his move around the defender and the one to score were nuts. The two passes by Kozak and Krebs were freaking awesome to see. Both make a play when they know they're getting hit. That's the effort I want to see more of on this team.

[Broken Ankles]

1 hour ago, SABRES 0311 said:

Benson Thompson Tuch

Doan Norris 🤷‍♂️ 

Zucker McLeod Quinn

Malenstyn Kozak Krebs

Why would you break up a first line that has shown consistency and chemistry? Doan is older, bigger, stronger and has shown a higher propensity of scoring the puck.  Qualities you look for as a first line winger. Seven to zero if your talking goals in 2025. Tages xgf is much higher with Doan than Benson.  I think there is an expectation to elevate Norris and Benson to top six minutes?  Why?  If McLeod/Zucker/Quinn can get it done, then roll them out as FL#2.  Ease Norris back in with 10-12 minutes 5v5 with Benson and Greenway.  Norris gets some PP minutes, Greenway some PK minutes and Benson a little of both. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Broken Ankles

[Broken Ankles]

8 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

Since he was activated, UPL has been the Sabres best goalie. 

There you go again, bringing facts to counter a narrative that a majority of those here share. UPL is not a legitimate #1, and his contract is an albatross on the organization. FWIW I didn’t believe you until I looked  it up myself.  Maybe UPL can be a true #1.  But for whatever reason, as soon as I let myself believe that, he’ll give up 8 against Dallas and start a winless streak that sinks the season. 

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20252026&thruseason=20252026&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=g&rate=n&team=BUF&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=gpdate&fd=2025-11-01&td=2025-11-24&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

34 minutes ago, Broken Ankles said:

There you go again, bringing facts to counter a narrative that a majority of those here share. UPL is not a legitimate #1, and his contract is an albatross on the organization. FWIW I didn’t believe you until I looked  it up myself.  Maybe UPL can be a true #1.  But for whatever reason, as soon as I let myself believe that, he’ll give up 8 against Dallas and start a winless streak that sinks the season. 

https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20252026&thruseason=20252026&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=g&rate=n&team=BUF&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=gpdate&fd=2025-11-01&td=2025-11-24&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL

 

Not sure what filters you used, but in UPL’s 5 games prior to tonight his save % was .881.  Until tonight he had had only one game of the 5 with a save % over .9.  In 3 of the starts his save % was a terrible .875 or less.  Tonight was his best performance by far.   

Lyon has had an over .900 save % in 7 of his 12 starts.  He did get shelled in Col.

Frankly, I don’t trust any of the 3 to give the team quality consistent goaltending.