It's obviously Vanek's fault.

Not surprised at all by Butler and Rivet -Rivet has taken a step back (Or a couple steps back) in his defensive play, and he's dragging Butler down with him.

I am really surprised by the top 6 forwards being a -25. Makes sense though -none of them have been able to score 5-5.

Ya, Rivet has dropped off defensively, but some of the plays in the last couple of games I've seen from Butler had nothing to do with Rivet. But agreed overall, these 2 have to get back to where they were the first 10 games of the season.

As for the top 2 lines. It really hasn't surprised me, the same as last season. We have trouble scoring and capatilizing. Plus the back checking shows up some games, others it dissappears. Very perplexing considering the beginning of the season. I'm starting to think ETC's name is starting to creep in. I think there may be a curse on Buffalo's teams.
I am curious though, has anyone noticed a shift in gameplan these last couple of weeks? I would imagine alot of what we see on the +/- column is a direct reflection of the last 2 weeks worth of games.

It's obviously Vanek's fault.

Have you been reading Garth's blog, ETC?

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTH/HELL-WEEK/6/24477

I think he must have been reading ME!

But; but the standings show we're really playing great!

Awaken from the slumber boys; Miller can't carry your lazy asses the whole way!

And no surprise on MacArthur; a few people knew he would drop off in production like he always does.

One telling stat: Rivet has just 11 hits on the season. That's two fewer hits than Lydman has, and Loods has only played 6 games to Rivet's 20. Rivet also has a paltry 13 blocked shots.

By comparison, Butler has 18 hits and leads the team in blocked shots with 24. Now, Butler has had his poor moments, but overall he has been a much more active and effective player than Rivet, who seems to have gotten real old real fast this season.

Also, the number of battles for the puck that Rivet has lost in his own zone is staggering. I wish they kept a stat on that, because his numbers would be atrocious.

Plus, he has dropped the gloves a total of once all season, so it's not like he's showing leadership that way, either. All of his stats are way down, and his play at both ends of the rink have declined noticeably since last season, when he played just 64 games due to injury.

Time to give the C to Gaustad, and an A to Kaleta.

But; but the standings show we're really playing great!

Awaken from the slumber boys; Miller can't carry your lazy asses the whole way! And no surprise on MacArthur; a few people knew he would drop off in production like he always does.