I'm not worried

[Doohickie]

There's a lot of concern in the fan base after last night's loss.  Sure, the Broons outplayed the Sabres.  Sure, Oopie had an awful outing.  This is playoff hockey.  ***** happens.  

I've seen Stanley Cup Champions get bombed 0-6 on their way to winning it all.  

Lindy will fix what he can.  Shake it off and move on.

[Big Guava]

I'm not worried about them being tied 1-1...

I am pretty concerned about their PP looking inept, them continuing to give up breakaways like they are trying to, and their inability to score until there are 52+ minutes gone in games.

They have to be better at all those of they want to win. Cannot let the Bruins get up 2+ goals every game and think you are coming back to win.

Edited April 22 by Big Guava

[Archie Lee]

This is generally how I feel. I told myself before game 1 that there was no reason to worry about the Sabres not winning a series until they fall behind by 2 games or are facing elimination. That’s where I’m at. No need to worry unless they drop both in Boston. Even then, we would be a home win in game 5 away from putting pressure on the Bruins in game 6. 

There are things that need to be addressed. But nothing to panic or worry over yet. 

No team wins the Cup without winning on the road.  We are in the same spot as  Vegas and Tampa and Dallas. 

[Pimlach]

I am still ok with things but concerned about the goaltending differences between the teams.   We need to win 1 in Boston, prefer it to be game 3 to keep their heads on straight.  

I do want to see Lyon in net next game.  I like that he challenged Jeannott and he stopped 7 of 7.   He needs to play next.  

 

 

[Eleven]

Neither am I.  Everything since December has been a bonus as far as I'm concerned.  They can lose this series 4-1 (I don't think they will) and I still will consider it a successful season.

[#freejame]

I thought it would probably go six games. I thought Swayman would probably goalie us at least once as well. I still think we should be the favorite. But my concerns about failing to adjust remain and are slightly heightened. I’m not worried yet. I’m frustrated by a lot, but I’ll save my real concern for if we’re down in the series and still ramming our head against the wall. 

Edited April 22 by #freejame

[TageMVP]

Its good that you're not worried, Doohickie, but you should be concerned

Before the series started I said over and over I did not want Boston in the first round and the series could easily go 7 games 

The Sabres aren't in terrible shape though. They might come out flying tomorrow and get that first goal. They need that 

[LTS]

12 minutes ago, Eleven said:

Neither am I.  Everything since December has been a bonus as far as I'm concerned.  They can lose this series 4-1 (I don't think they will) and I still will consider it a successful season.

But a wasted one. It's not like they squeaked in the 8th spot and should be thankful they finally made it. They turned a wreck into a dominating season performance and set the bar high in winning the most competitive division in hockey.

I didn't expect them to win every game, but they can't lose a game the way they lost last night.

[msw2112]

If the Sabres can get a lead, it will force Boston to take some chances, which will open things up for the Sabres' superior skating.  To get that lead, it's going to involve getting shots to the net with traffic in front.  Swayman is too good if he can see the puck.  If the Bruins are clogging up the blue line, dump it in and go get it.  The kind of effort and forechecking exhibited in the last half of both third periods is going to be necessary earlier in the game in order to get the lead.  The Sabres have the talent and are more than capable of executing this.

[CallawaySabres]

If it wasn’t for such a monster disparity in net, I would not be that worried either. The problem is that there is a huge advantage for Boston in that department.

[John Tucker]

Now the PP.... That's worrysome!!  🙂

[transient]

25 minutes ago, #freejame said:

I thought it would probably go six games. I thought Swayman would probably goalie us at least once as well. I still think we should be the favorite. But my concerns about failing to adjust remain and are slightly heightened. I’m not worried yet. I’m frustrated by a lot, but I’ll save my real concern for if we’re down in the series and still ramming our head against the wall. 

Watching them not adjust to Boston taking away their time and space last night was like watching young Josh Allen trying to figure out how to play when every defense he faced first went into a 2 deep shell (and having UPL Bass-shank balls wide of the uprights a couple times just to make matters worse). They better figure it out quick.

[Gatorman0519]

The playoffs will reveal the real you fairly quickly. So far the Sabres don't lack toughness or are afraid, but our goaltending is embarrassing and Dahlin and Power are non factors.

[PASabreFan]

Grasping: the Bruins scored very late in Game 1 to feel a little better about themselves and set up Game 2. The Sabres...

[French Collection]

Scoring the first goal in Boston would be great and what I would be pumping the team up to get after that.

Having a lead would quiet the crowd and change the dynamic of the series, not playing from behind for once. If they could pot a second one then the Bruins would get desperate and gamble, opening up some chances for the river team to breach the dam.

They should have the underdog mentality now, with the media pumping up the Bruins. They have been a good road team and have had strong bounce back games.

I would go with Lyon, who will battle hard.

Time for Dahlin to step up and have a strong game. I would like to see him fake the drop pass on the PP and gain the zone, he has the skill to get a few entries on his own.

[Apollo]

1 hour ago, msw2112 said:

If the Sabres can get a lead, it will force Boston to take some chances, which will open things up for the Sabres' superior skating.  To get that lead, it's going to involve getting shots to the net with traffic in front.  Swayman is too good if he can see the puck.  If the Bruins are clogging up the blue line, dump it in and go get it.  The kind of effort and forechecking exhibited in the last half of both third periods is going to be necessary earlier in the game in order to get the lead.  The Sabres have the talent and are more than capable of executing this.

It all comes down to sustained effort and who can keep it going the longest.

[PerreaultForever]

The over reactions are quite amusing and it's clear too many fans in the Buffalo area have been out of the playoffs for too long. Midway through game 1 it was all doom and gloom. After game 1 they were sweeping the Bruins and winning the cup. Now doom and gloom again. It's a 7 game series. Many a cup winner has gone 7 games in the first round, sometimes even to OT in that game 7. Nothing comes easy. 

This series is tied. This series is even. It's a clear study in contrasts as predicted and right now it could go either way.

Sabres need to stop worrying about proving they are tough enough and get back to who they are. Make the Bruins play their game rather than trying to out do the Bruins at the Bruins game. So far Sturm is winning the psychological battle. That's the only issue and it's easy to fix. 

[Sabre The Cup]

2 hours ago, Doohickie said:

There's a lot of concern in the fan base after last night's loss.  Sure, the Broons outplayed the Sabres.  Sure, Oopie had an awful outing.  This is playoff hockey.  ***** happens.  

I've seen Stanley Cup Champions get bombed 0-6 on their way to winning it all.  

Lindy will fix what he can.  Shake it off and move on.

It was neck and neck until UPL started to let the softies in. 

Offense does need to step up and strategize against their D. Hopefully two late goals yesterday keep them optimistic. 

[msw2112]

27 minutes ago, Sabre The Cup said:

It was neck and neck until UPL started to let the softies in. 

Offense does need to step up and strategize against their D. Hopefully two late goals yesterday keep them optimistic. 

I agree that those 2 late goals were very important to the upcoming games.  It showed that they CAN beat Swayman and to some extent how (shots on goal with traffic in front).  If they had gotten shut out, Swayman may have gotten into their heads.  It also helps prevent Swayman from feeling invincible and maybe dents his confidence just enough.

[HumanSlinky39]

The resiliency of this team over the last few months has been amazing. I'm nowhere near writing them off. I do think you have to look at Lyon right now because UPL hasn't been good. Also, they have to do something about the power play. It is actually HURTING them. In both games, you could sense a shift in the crowd after a couple of brutally bad power plays. It amazes me that they flat refuse to try anything different after, what? 30 straight failures? Philosophically what they're doing is not working. That's on Appert. It's also on Lindy for not making him to try something different. That has to change. They should have scored just by dumb luck by now.

Edited April 22 by HumanSlinky39

[SwampD]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

The over reactions are quite amusing and it's clear too many fans in the Buffalo area have been out of the playoffs for too long. Midway through game 1 it was all doom and gloom. After game 1 they were sweeping the Bruins and winning the cup. Now doom and gloom again. It's a 7 game series. Many a cup winner has gone 7 games in the first round, sometimes even to OT in that game 7. Nothing comes easy. 

This series is tied. This series is even. It's a clear study in contrasts as predicted and right now it could go either way.

Sabres need to stop worrying about proving they are tough enough and get back to who they are. Make the Bruins play their game rather than trying to out do the Bruins at the Bruins game. So far Sturm is winning the psychological battle. That's the only issue and it's easy to fix. 

I was coming here to say this very thing. Losing Tage for ten minutes was just dumb. Did they learn nothing from the Hagel/Dahlin incident? Play hockey and let them be stupid. The Bruins have to do that because they are not as talented. Even during all the stoppages, just skate away. I’d rather they win than prove they are tough guys. We saw enough of that when they sucked.

[caseydean]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

The over reactions are quite amusing and it's clear too many fans in the Buffalo area have been out of the playoffs for too long. Midway through game 1 it was all doom and gloom. After game 1 they were sweeping the Bruins and winning the cup. Now doom and gloom again. It's a 7 game series. Many a cup winner has gone 7 games in the first round, sometimes even to OT in that game 7. Nothing comes easy. 

This series is tied. This series is even. It's a clear study in contrasts as predicted and right now it could go either way.

Sabres need to stop worrying about proving they are tough enough and get back to who they are. Make the Bruins play their game rather than trying to out do the Bruins at the Bruins game. So far Sturm is winning the psychological battle. That's the only issue and it's easy to fix. 

Sabres are pick'em or slight favorites tomorrow.  Senators slight favorite over Hurricanes.  So, bettors think Sabres are better than so many overreacting here.

[Second Line Center]

Krebs-Tage-Tuch

Östlund-Norris-Doan

Zucker-McCleod-Quinn

Benson-Dunne-Malenstyn 

 

Same D

 

Send Greenway to the sun 

 

[caseydean]

4 minutes ago, Second Line Center said:

Krebs-Tage-Tuch

Östlund-Norris-Doan

Zucker-McCleod-Quinn

Benson-Dunne-Malenstyn 

 

Same D

 

Send Greenway to the sun 

 

Is this based on anything other than hope?

[...]

As I said in last night's GDT: let's check back when the Broons win another two.