I just have the feeling like he'll come back, the guys in the locker room will relax a little, vanek will skate at half speed and be thoroughly ineffective, we lose because we traded enthusiasm and intensity for what is supposed to be our marquee player.

I guess I could see Stafford leaving...at this point he really is the most useless mofo in the series. But the grit, effort, speed that Gerbe, McCormick and Ennis are playing with must remain.

I could not agree more with that statement. That Gerbe-Mair-McCormick line was awesome yesterday. And then Ennis just tore it up with Roy and Pominville, it seemed like Ennis was everywhere at once.

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

If Vanek can come back at 100%, then I think we should work him back in and somehow work Stafford out. However, if he's anything less than perfect, keep the lines exactly the way they were (and hopefully the intensity). You don't win an important Game 5 playoff game 4-1 if what you have isn't working.

Every game is fighting for our playoff lives now, I don't care who comes into the lineup and who leaves, they should be giving it their all every game. Of course, that's just the ideal though.

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I agree with the gist of what people seem to be saying, that at the very worst if you insert Vanek for Stafford, you won't really be losing anything.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I would say that game 6 sees either Vanek (if healthy) or Torres in for Stafford. Everyone was noticeable in a positive way last night EXCEPT Stafford. He was just invisible.

Why did they ever sit Torres to begin with? He's been one of the 4 or 5 best forwards for Buffalo in the series if you ask me.

I went to the game, and I personally think Stafford was more useful than Connolly. Connolly turned it over because he tries dangling all of the time. When he is able to shoot the puck out of the zone, he tries dangling it out. He's fucking useless, and if he has a foot issue he shouldn't be playing.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Yeah, Connolly has been crappy. Especially considering what his potential is. Did you see him hesitate when handed the puck POINT BLANK in front of the net, wait too long and have his stick checked at the last second so the shot went astray. He seems to have zero confidence right now. Whereas stafford seems to have confidence, but it's completely unfounded because he's fucking useless, without speed or skills.

even though gerbe was certainly an asset yesterday, vanek proves much more useful then him in a playoff setting. vanek was playing inspired, good hockey before he went down.

id rather see mancari up before gerbe. but id rather see hecht in there then anyone.

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Stafford sitting for Vanek is the only change they need to make if Vanek is ready for game six.

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mechaphil

I've been really surprised how much i've missed Hecht in the playoffs, we could really use him right about now as a steadying presence who can win battles along the boards and actually in some way use his size and strength to hold the puck when faced with a physical challenge.

I have to quote myself from last night's GDT:

"I'd NEVER EVER thought of saying this - but I do miss Jochen Hecht in the line up"

Are people just now realizing Hecht has been a very important piece that the Sabres have missed? Right from the get-go, it was apparent Hecht's work along the boards, puck protection, and bad angle scoring ability was badly missed.

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mechaphil

if he is back stafford can always sit.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Seriously. You never hear anyone badmouthing Tallinder anymore. Hecht also had a good season, but it's been so much harder for him to shake off the negative comments. And Hecht did it without the benefit of star rookie as his partner. No love.

torres sat because he hasn't scored
There is a shot that Ruff was trying to give the young guys a shot. the youth enthusiasm.
All torres has offered is grit and McCormick steps in and does more.

A lot fo people think he was a trade bust. a big one.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

I don't want a 90% Vanek.. The guys on both teams are giving it their all and Vanek will only be a problem..

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

During the season, he did nothing to impress me. But honestly, in the first four games what forwards were better? In my opinion, only Ennis, Grier, and...and...

...oh and maybe Kennedy. Torres has 2 assists and is a plus 1. That gives him the same amount of points as Roy in one less game (the game Buffalo scored the most goals!), and more points and a better +/- than Connolly or Gaustad.

Bring back Raffi!!!!!

I would have thought stafford to sit. over torres. but maybe there is an injury and he is getting a day to re-cooperate. the youth infusion was for energy. and experience i believe.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret