25-26 NHL Playoffs - Round 2

[Wyldnwoody44]

52 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

There's a real risk here of the Sabres screwing up the next round because of the first. The next round will be a very different game from the Bruins game and the Sabres better be on that and already practicing and adapting. Their own D is going to face forecheck pressure similar to what they've done so far. 

Bruins were an ideal opponent to get used to the playoffs and the possible physicality. But both of the next two will be much much faster teams and thus the Sabres will not have the speed edge they had in round one. They will need to bring more physicality and structured solid D. 

Well I do agree with this for sure. 

I think this team is a bit better when playing "river hockey". The games may suit our style a bit more when you compare to the trap style game Boston was playing. 

The goaltending will be challenged much more in the coming rounds.

[LGR4GM]

8 hours ago, Big Guava said:

Wow, Sabres get an extra day of rest...most thought it would start Tuesday...hopefully that helps a little for the Östlund and Carrick timelines.

Yea, I'm gonna guess Östlund is 2-4 weeks minimum. I watched the replay and think he hurt his ankle. 

[tom webster]

6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Yea, I'm gonna guess Östlund is 2-4 weeks minimum. I watched the replay and think he hurt his ankle. 

High ankle sprain. I’d be surprised to see him anytime soon, if at all 

[JustOneParade]

So, based on the Round 2 schedule and the looks of the game last night (usual caveat applies here) Carolina could be finished with its series before the Sabres play Game 3. Weird.

* just saw this was mentioned in another thread. Oops.

Edited May 3 by JustOneParade

[French Collection]

21 minutes ago, JustOneParade said:

So, based on the Round 2 schedule and the looks of the game last night (usual caveat applies here) Carolina could be finished with its series before the Sabres play Game 3. Weird.

I’m hoping for two scenarios in that series.

Philly finds another gear and wins a few games and softens them up a bit or they sweep and sit around for a week+ losing their “game shape”.

[quill]

11 minutes ago, French Collection said:

I’m hoping for two scenarios in that series.

Philly finds another gear and wins a few games and softens them up a bit or they sweep and sit around for a week+ losing their “game shape”.

I think your scenario #2 is more likely to happen than scenario #1.

As much as I'd like to see the canes softened up or even eliminated by anyone but philly, there is no way I can find it in me to ever root for the flyers to win. I hope they never win another cup again, or at least not for another 51 years.

[ska-T Chitown]

6 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

There's a real risk here of the Sabres screwing up the next round because of the first. The next round will be a very different game from the Bruins game and the Sabres better be on that and already practicing and adapting. Their own D is going to face forecheck pressure similar to what they've done so far. 

Bruins were an ideal opponent to get used to the playoffs and the possible physicality. But both of the next two will be much much faster teams and thus the Sabres will not have the speed edge they had in round one. They will need to bring more physicality and structured solid D. 

OMG! Maybe the players should get together and hire some old ex-players and good hockey minds to talk to them about it? Maybe those same folks could show them video (if any exists!) of the team they end up playing? Heck, while they are at it; they could even join the players on the ice and help them do drills or something that might help?

/s

[eball]

44 minutes ago, quill said:

I think your scenario #2 is more likely to happen than scenario #1.

As much as I'd like to see the canes softened up or even eliminated by anyone but philly, there is no way I can find it in me to ever root for the flyers to win. I hope they never win another cup again, or at least not for another 51 years.

It is a series of two teams I never root for. I guess I hope the Canes sweep and then have to sit for almost two weeks. 
 

[Taro T]

7 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

There's a real risk here of the Sabres screwing up the next round because of the first. The next round will be a very different game from the Bruins game and the Sabres better be on that and already practicing and adapting. Their own D is going to face forecheck pressure similar to what they've done so far. 

Bruins were an ideal opponent to get used to the playoffs and the possible physicality. But both of the next two will be much much faster teams and thus the Sabres will not have the speed edge they had in round one. They will need to bring more physicality and structured solid D. 

Except the Sabres played the Bolts 3 time post Olympics and played the Habs at least 3 times in this calendar year.  How those teams play is still fresh in their minds.  And they'll have had 5 days between games preparing for it.  

It's a reasonable concern in a vacuum, but personally don't see it as a legit concern for this team the way they've been going since the light switch was flipped.

[K012010]

5 hours ago, JustOneParade said:

So, based on the Round 2 schedule and the looks of the game last night (usual caveat applies here) Carolina could be finished with its series before the Sabres play Game 3. Weird.

* just saw this was mentioned in another thread. Oops.

Yeah, I figured it had to be being discussed because it’s absurd how much rest they could get on their opponent for the conference finals if they make a quick work of the flyers

[TheAud]

Going to Avs-Wild game 1 tonight! Should be a good one. 

[Taro T]

16 minutes ago, TheAud said:

Going to Avs-Wild game 1 tonight! Should be a good one. 

Not surprisingly, expect the winner of that series to be the WC champion.  Maybe surprisingly, expect the Wild can, and will, beat them.

[Wyldnwoody44]

8 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Not surprisingly, expect the winner of that series to be the WC champion.  Maybe surprisingly, expect the Wild can, and will, beat them.

Would be nice, always had a soft spot for the North Stars... A market that easily matches buffalo when it comes to hockey. Plus McKinnon is a straight up douchenozzle, couldn't imagine being teammates with that guy. 

[bg17]

This is something. 

[Night Train]

Can't wait for this game 7.  

I hope it's a war with lots of brawls. Winner shows up spent for Wed. 

Blood ! 

Edited May 3 by Night Train

[Gatorman0519]

The Sabres have a tough matchup next round. Not sure they get any further. Either way Carolina is a juggernaut. At least winning a round is a huge step forward for the franchise. 

[thewookie1]

12 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

There's a real risk here of the Sabres screwing up the next round because of the first. The next round will be a very different game from the Bruins game and the Sabres better be on that and already practicing and adapting. Their own D is going to face forecheck pressure similar to what they've done so far. 

Bruins were an ideal opponent to get used to the playoffs and the possible physicality. But both of the next two will be much much faster teams and thus the Sabres will not have the speed edge they had in round one. They will need to bring more physicality and structured solid D. 

I loved that we faced Boston first as they were a perfect team to experience what playoff hockey feels like while still having a particular Achilles heel you could take advantage of. 
 

The matchups will only get harder but I have faith they can continue to improve and grow while adapting to their next opponent. 

[Eleven]

7 minutes ago, Gatorman0519 said:

The Sabres have a tough matchup next round. Not sure they get any further. Either way Carolina is a juggernaut. At least winning a round is a huge step forward for the franchise. 

Yep, and it's ok.  This has been a great season.  I didn't expect playoffs, and when they got there, I didn't expect a series win.

That said, I hope they kick some ass next round.

[PerreaultForever]

12 hours ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

Well I do agree with this for sure. 

I think this team is a bit better when playing "river hockey". The games may suit our style a bit more when you compare to the trap style game Boston was playing. 

The goaltending will be challenged much more in the coming rounds.

Yes I think this round was good for them in terms of growth. They had to show they could stand up to physical (and even out did them at it) and still play their own game. The loss in game 2 taught them a lot I think. They learned how to fight through it and they learned both how to win in the playoffs and the joy of winning in them which should make them want even more. 

The danger now though is facing a mirror image of themselves so hopefully the coaches are already on this and most of all FIX THE PP. 

5 hours ago, Taro T said:

Except the Sabres played the Bolts 3 time post Olympics and played the Habs at least 3 times in this calendar year.  How those teams play is still fresh in their minds.  And they'll have had 5 days between games preparing for it.  

It's a reasonable concern in a vacuum, but personally don't see it as a legit concern for this team the way they've been going since the light switch was flipped.

Regular season games, not playoff games. 

[thewookie1]

46 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Yes I think this round was good for them in terms of growth. They had to show they could stand up to physical (and even out did them at it) and still play their own game. The loss in game 2 taught them a lot I think. They learned how to fight through it and they learned both how to win in the playoffs and the joy of winning in them which should make them want even more. 

The danger now though is facing a mirror image of themselves so hopefully the coaches are already on this and most of all FIX THE PP. 

Regular season games, not playoff games. 

I would say that 8-7 game was about as close to Playoffs as you can get but I agree

[Gatorman0519]

1 hour ago, Eleven said:

Yep, and it's ok.  This has been a great season.  I didn't expect playoffs, and when they got there, I didn't expect a series win.

That said, I hope they kick some ass next round.

Jarmo certainly can see what he has now. The Tuch issue is huge. IMO we cannot lose him. I expect him to be aggressive in the off season bringing in another top 6.

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

Yes I think this round was good for them in terms of growth. They had to show they could stand up to physical (and even out did them at it) and still play their own game. The loss in game 2 taught them a lot I think. They learned how to fight through it and they learned both how to win in the playoffs and the joy of winning in them which should make them want even more. 

The danger now though is facing a mirror image of themselves so hopefully the coaches are already on this and most of all FIX THE PP. 

Regular season games, not playoff games. 

The biggest takeaway they got from game 2, and it's one Granato never learned, is it REALLY IS OK to swap goalies midstream if the guy your riding spits the bit.  Yeah, Lyon took the L in game 5 but even though much of that game was played the way the B's wanted to play it, he gave them a chance to win it.

And, yes, the Sabres didn't face the "Playoff version of the Tampa Bay Lightning."  BUT the Bolts didn't face the "Playoff version of the Buffalo Sabres" either.

Vasilevskiy is scary.  But the Sabres might be in his head right now too to a bit.  Also, expect the Sabres to be a bit more settled at home this coming round as they've now gotten a taste of playoff hockey and what it takes to win playing it. 

Still expect the Habs to be a tougher out for the Sabres than the Bolts will be.  Expect the Sabres will win the next round against either, but expect all the games to be close vs the Habs and expect the Sabres will get a bigger win or 2 vs TB.  And we won't have any way of proving it 1 way or the other for certain which would give the Sabres a tougher time as we don't get to observe the events of the path not taken.  So, am willing to agree to disagree about that one. 🍺

[PerreaultForever]

19 minutes ago, Taro T said:

The biggest takeaway they got from game 2, and it's one Granato never learned, is it REALLY IS OK to swap goalies midstream if the guy your riding spits the bit.  Yeah, Lyon took the L in game 5 but even though much of that game was played the way the B's wanted to play it, he gave them a chance to win it.

And, yes, the Sabres didn't face the "Playoff version of the Tampa Bay Lightning."  BUT the Bolts didn't face the "Playoff version of the Buffalo Sabres" either.

Vasilevskiy is scary.  But the Sabres might be in his head right now too to a bit.  Also, expect the Sabres to be a bit more settled at home this coming round as they've now gotten a taste of playoff hockey and what it takes to win playing it. 

Still expect the Habs to be a tougher out for the Sabres than the Bolts will be.  Expect the Sabres will win the next round against either, but expect all the games to be close vs the Habs and expect the Sabres will get a bigger win or 2 vs TB.  And we won't have any way of proving it 1 way or the other for certain which would give the Sabres a tougher time as we don't get to observe the events of the path not taken.  So, am willing to agree to disagree about that one. 🍺

Well mostly I agree but I don't think you get in Vasilevsky's head. He's been in all situations before and I doubt we've phased him in any way. Second, yes Lyon was a necessary switch at the moment but aside from the weird long bouncer UPL played about the same. I don't see goaltending having been the difference. What I saw was a Sabres team that tried too hard to show they could be tough in game 2 and in game 3 they realized they could just play their game. In other words be tough, like Tuch elbowing a guy in the head to get to the net and score, or like Doan taking the hit to make the play, but just drive the net and don't fear them. That was the key lesson. 

Past Sabres teams (recent years) have always been fast but they've also been soft and they were easily intimidated or shut down by close heavy checking. This is the first team that has learned they can initiate and play through these things. It's the huge leap forward. We can debate exactly how that happened in the off season but for now we can just be glad it did happen. 

Montreal is just like us so for me that's a toss up and luck maybe. Tampa's PP vs. our PP is the thing that worries me about that one. That's the big difference. otherwise I think we can beat them for sure if we play our game. 

[bg17]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

What I saw was a Sabres team that tried too hard to show they could be tough in game 2

Did this actually happen? The Sabres were credited with 53 hits in game one and 30 in game two. Buffalo was down 4-0 when they picked up 35 of their penalty minutes. Boston had 27 blocked shots. Game 1 was when they showed they were more than tough enough. 

[Flashsabre]

They just put an ad up for the Draft Lottery tomorrow at 7pm and I’ve never been happier not to give a 💩 about it.😀