Godzilla1960 wrote:
For a team that has gotten off to such a good start to the season, it is still difficult to gage if this year's Sabres are the real deal (we're still last in the league in the powerplay on the road).
There are currently six teams that have more points than we do - S.J., Chicago, and Colorado in the West and New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Washington in the East. Our record against the teams who are better than we are (on paper at least) is 3-2-1. We split two games with NJ, two games with Washington, beat Chicago, and lost in OT against the Pens.
This is one of those games that will help determine if we belong with this year's elite teams or are just in middle of the pack. The Caps record versus the elite teams (and Buffalo) is 3-3-1, with three losses coming at the hands of New Jersey, which is looking like the beast of the East (they've owned both Washington and Pittsburgh).
It's fun to beat up on Toronto, but I want these guys to take it to the NHL's best. And let's do it with some scoring. Eighteen teams in the NHL have recorded hat tricks so far this season. This is a good game for Buffalo to be added to that list.
Decent points you made there, 'Zilla.
I'd love to see one of our boys pot 3 in a game as well. Right now, I'm happy with the scoring (somewhat) being spread around. Scoring from all areas really gets the boys goin. Granted, I wouldn't be upset if one of our top six would score a hatty one of these nights
For me, I damn near shat myself when watching TSN not too long ago and the panel said this Sabres team is the real deal and could be considered a legit contender this season. I was like
Then again, it was against Toronto on Friday night so it was pretty much a given that we'd look good against them.
But I'll agree. Looking at the top teams we've played this season, we're pretty much mid pack right now. Splits with NJ and the Crapitals, beating Chi-town and loosing out in a close one to the pens, a win tonight would really help in looking at the big picture on the season if we are in fact, a legit contender. There is still plenty of games left on the season. Some of those games were 4 point nights. Those close games against the division teams are what will make or break this team this year. Looking back at the last 2 seasons and barely missing out on the playoffs, even just one of those games we lost in OT are what did us in (in a sense). So, I say, lets blow the doors off the scoring, run the board on any team we can to get the confidence flowing!!!
When you score, you win. When you win, it feels good. When it feels good, score again!!!