Was it Caro (fly) who was joking about Ryan Miller being hung out to dry, (and getting tired of the shitty play in front of him) and totally calling out the team, at some point?

Well, after the first period against the Thrashers - judging by the post-game interviews and Lindy Ruff's presser, that's exactly what happened.

Ryan Miller went ballistic in the locker-room and chewed the team a new one, for their sloppy, uninspired and undisciplined play:
_________________________________

Courtesy of the Canadian Press:

Link

"It was a game the Sabres had no business being in, if not for the solid play of goalie Ryan Miller who was selected to U.S. Olympic team earlier in the day.

The win didn't sit too well with Miller or coach Lindy Ruff, considering how flat the Sabres played.

"Any time you get points in this league, you're happy, but we're not satisfied," Miller said. "I think we have to be a lot better to truly call ourselves a team that wants to contend."

Miller added he wasn't positive in addressing his teammates prior to the comeback.

"They made me eat my words, so good for them," Miller said.

Ruff expressed concern about his team's performance, too.

"We're not going to keep coming back from 3-0," Ruff said. "We're right on the cusp of either getting it figure[d] out and going one way or looking pretty bad."

_________________________________

Lindy, when asked about Tim Connolly's play, replied: "I didn't like Tim Connolly at all." - Further criticizing his, Pominville's (benched) and the top two lines effort, saying: "These guys are going to continue to be stubborn...they're out there doing whatever they want; doing the same thing. What they're trying isn't working."

Seems that what many of us are seeing (and often criticizing) is actually what's happening. An odd coincidence that Miller should lose his usually positive demeanor and coolness, and simply explode with the frustration of it all.

While it may have been long-overdue, this episode has finally exposed a level of accountability that this team has needed to embrace, to take the next major step forward in addressing issues of discipline and effort.

Judging by the final results last night, it seems to have hit home (at least for the time being.)

And for that, I (perhaps alone) am heartily grateful.

I think Lindy needs to send Connolly and Pominville to Portland for some "conditioning" and bring up Gerbe

_________________

Gerbe is still up with the big club. He was injured while he was here, and is on IR. Fairly sure he can't get sent back down until he's healthy.

oh yeah...totally forgot about him being up here. They still need to do something with a few players to wake them up. Sending Lalime down really did the trick for him

_________________

I'd love to hear Miller's words and who he called out.

This situation makes me think about the captaincy. You never know what's going on in the locker room but Rivet seems very quiet right now (at least on the ice). He should start to kick some fancy asses...Oh, and take the "A" off Pominville till he starts playing like he's supposed to and give it to Grier.

Damnit, give Myers a "A", this would send a message to all these "supposed-to-be-leaders"

_________________

I think the Lalime situation was different. It's difficult for a goaltender to play in live action once every 3 weeks. That's been the big problem during his time here. Sending him to Portland was intended to have him see some pucks, and get used to playing again so they can start rotating him in more frequently back up here.

The current rotation seems to be working well. Lalime is getting in about once a week or so, which is a decent enough pace, and the results are showing.

Forwards that are playing like crap need to visit the press box for a night. Make them sit and watch someone else in their spot, that'll motivate them just fine.

I understand the Lalime situation but then I hope to see Connolly and Pominville in the press box for Sunday. Lindy can talk all he wants but if he doesn't send them to the box then it's pointless to say anything about it to the media. It's not like the team is going to miss them for a game or two.

_________________

gerbe got sent down to portland a couple days ago

_________________
Sophomore Bitches! Class of 2014!
R.I.P. Molly B. 5/28/96-5/23/11

_________________

WHATEVER!!! DO SOMETHING LINDY!!!! PISS THESE PRE-MADONNAS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_________________

Poor starts have definitely been an issue in the last 5 games.

But if you're suggesting that this is something that has been an issue all season, I'd strongly disagree.

You don't rise to 2nd in the eastern conference through uninspired play and poor effort.

I see these past two games as a very positive sign. Amongst many other things, you and others have called this team out for a lack of clutchness. I've been worried about this myself, as if we got down early to teams due to bad bounces or tough breaks, it'd be difficult for them to battle back.

This team hasn't had the ability to storm back into games since 06-07, minus the one fluke against Dallas last season.

This just goes to show that the accountability is there in the locker room, and that these guys have matured and will continue to evolve as the season continues.

_________________
Wheelhouse

It may have to come down to a situation where it's either "someone on the team", or Lindy. I'm hoping, of course, that some guys wake up, buy into the program and learn to tow the line...

But, it seems like an exercise in herding cats. You get one player going and the other handful go off in crazy directions: Bench Stafford, he returns to perform while the others are temporarily buoyed...they win, everyone gets fat and slacks-off. Bring back Roy, he slacks (because he wasn't "on the bus") everyone takes his cue...the team disappears. Call out the team, Connolly and Hecht wake up...they win, the guys get fat, again...and so on.

A cycle of inconsistency that sees poor play emboldened by success.

The old saying is: "It's easier to fire the coach, than the whole team."

Lindy has it in his power (and it's his primary responsibility) to guide this team to a point of optimal performance - And, if he can't do it?

...Whether it's because he has troublemakers, or has lost the team on occasion, or has a flawed player-philosophy that doesn't compel a culture of discipline, or whatever...: CHOP!

I have advocated the potentially disruptive practice of waiving or trading a key component - a ringleader, if you will - to send a shockwave through the clubhouse. And have focused primarily on Connolly as being the one who sets the standard and acts as the greatest example for inconsistency, fanciness, listlessness and stubborn arrogance for such players as Roy, Stafford, Pominville and perhaps Vanek.

But, that's just me - Suggesting a pre-emptive strike to put an end to the nonsense. Time will tell how this all plays out.

For me, it's never been about whether they win or lose - But, HOW they win or lose. And it's always seemed that the most talented have always hurt the team-effort with their "individualism".

The trend of not playing three full periods is a habit that predates this season...it's like a dormant illness that has revisted this team for the past four (or more) seasons.

It's endemic to an overly talented team, that falls back into a poor work-ethic; emboldened by undeserved success.

Mike Robitaille said it best on the post game show the other day. Realistically, you won't get 3 solid periods out of a hockey team. Typically, the team that wins is the one that controls the game for 40 minutes.

I see this as a dead issue because it hasn't befallen this team this season, minus the Jersey game (random bad nights happen) and this recent little skid.

The reason to be excited is their obvious refusal to fall back into this pattern. If this were last year, you would have sen Derek Roy bashing his stick against the boards, or Thomas Vanek with a distraught look on his face on the bench.

That isn't what has happened the past two games with poor starts. They got up off their assess and took care of business.

It's no way to play on a regular basis, sure. But it shows character, and courage, and a refuse to lose attitude. Especially when you consider it's been against the defending cup champs, and a team that we have struggled to beat for a while now.

_________________
Wheelhouse

Well, team stats show it otherwise but neither Roy, Pommers or Connolly are playing like they are expected. Roy is 54th, Connolly is 55th and Pommers is 78th in points for the league. To be true contenders, out top line needs to be much more productive, IMO

_________________

What Ice said in his last two posts, +1

Some people want to give Connolly and Roy credit for last nights effort, but for the first two periods, neither would do what it takes to get the puck possession in the offensive zone!!

How many times do we have to watch them try to skate through three or four defenders at the blue line, rather than chip the puck in deep, and go after it. It's our barn, and their attitude should be, it's my puck!!
Odd man rushes occurring from the "I'm pretty, watch me skate the puck in" mentality is what leaves our goalies hung out to dry, most of the time. Crap hockey!!

_________________
-------------------------------------------------------
"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

I was smiling last night when I read about how Miller went batshit crazy on the rest of the Sabres during the intermission. It's about time, IMO, that the demon awoke inside him. I think a fiery Miller can be a dangerous thing.

Now, I know that we've seen calm, collected Miller post some fantastic numbers this season, but an angry Miller is a competitive monster, ordering the troops around. I think we might need some of that as the Sabres seem to regress into their habit of refusing to play full games.

And yea, Pominville ain't no kind of leader - give his A to Grier, dammit!

_________________
mechaphil

I'm really sick and tired of this argument.

Atlanta pays Kovalchuk to score. New York pays Gaborik to score. Tampa Bay pays Lecavalier to score.

Buffalo pays Roy, Connolly, Vanek, and Pommers to win.

There is a lot more in these guys' games outside of scoring goals that is being paid for.

By the way. This team has averaged 4 goals per game over its last 4 games, all of which have seen a better success rate on the power play.

Hmmm....

_________________
Wheelhouse

I'm really sick and tired of this argument.

Atlanta pays Kovalchuk to score. New York pays Gaborik to score. Tampa Bay pays Lecavalier to score.

Buffalo pays Roy, Connolly, Vanek, and Pommers to win.

There is a lot more in these guys' games outside of scoring goals that is being paid for.

By the way. This team has averaged 4 goals per game over its last 4 games, all of which have seen a better success rate on the power play.

Hmmm....[/quote]


Your happy with the way the team has played the last four games... Well I am not, so why argue. You have your opinion, which to you, is irrefutable, we came close to losing the last three games from irresponsible play, which is what some of us are sick of. You will be happy until they start to lose those games , so carry on.

_________________
-------------------------------------------------------
"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

I'm not saying I'm happy with how the team played the past 4 games.

I'm saying I'm happy with the character showed by them to get back in it.

I'm also saying that I'm happy with how this team has played so far this season as a whole.

I'm also saying that this team has continued to grow and mature and develop as I said they would from day one.

I find it difficult to rip on the top 6 when they've helped lead this team to 2nd in the eastern conference.

They haven't made any blunders. They've won games. They've fucking won games.

This stretch will soon be an anomaly, and you'll all be back to finding other things to rip on this squad about.

_________________
Wheelhouse