Ahem ahem.

Ok, this isnt a review, just random thoughts.


Is it really not a penalty to swat at a puck in the air and smack the goalie right in the facemask? Are you kidding me? I know hitting someone with a follow through isnt a penalty, but how about when it's in the air a foot in front of someones face?

Glad to see timmy come to life, he's starting to show the talent we all expected. There have been glimpses of it all year, but this is one of the first games I recall him really taking control of the game at times.

Almost same story with pominville, one of the two or three games this year i've actually been impressed with his play. I used to be a serious pommer hater, but i'm starting to get it, he's just a solid overall player, with no real specialty. He plays D pretty well when needed, but he's not spectacular at any one thing. I'm still not in favor of him being on the PP though.

Vanek...I'm having a really hard time telling how effective he's being, most of the time I have no idea he's on the ice, and I really expected/hoped for more from him by now. He's not playing HORRIBLY, but he's not playing like the 7million dollar man. (i'm not really measuring him against his paycheck...more like what he's shown he's capable of.)

Kennedy, man...I really wish he were playing with someone who could take advantage of his playmaking ability. He reminds me a lot of afinogenov, without the utterly excessive puck possesion followed by retarded giveaway. He makes great passes, sets people up for really nice plays, and sometimes grier actually puts it away. I wonder how he'd fare setting up connolly or vanek.

Why does it seem that for a large part of the games played so far, it has been our third and fourth line which has been controlling the gameplay? I know it's great to be able to roll four solid lines, but I feel like our first two lines are being pretty craptastic (yes, I know our only even strength goal came from the connolly/pommers line, a DAMN fine play as well.) I suppose it could be a function of our 3rd and 4th lines going against the other teams weaker players, but still...

Hecht: He's not been playing terribly. That said, fuck him, lets get him off the team.

Myers, man...kid looked kind of shaky at times last night. I saw some bad decisions, a few bad positional plays as well, at least one of which resulted in him having to haul a guy down and take a penalty. overall of course he has never dropped below the level of serviceable D-man, but it's a reminder to me not to expect too much all at once. I hope the hype doesnt/hasnt gone to his head.

The above are of course just my opinions, if you disagree with them I invite you to go swallow a pinecone.

may Grier be with you.

Random Thoughts,
By Jack Handy

Agreed, where in the hell is line 1 consistency. Disturbing, very disturbing.
Roy - To fancy, not using speed appropriately, passing is much to be desired (8 assists most of them lucky bounces to other players or 3rd man in the string)
Vanek - ??????????????????????????????????? Foot work/Skating is horrible, positioning is good though, but not much else to say here.
Stafford - Quietly contributing and under the radar. Consistent on the score sheet both goals and helpers.

I don't see fear in the eyes of the opponents when these guys step on the ice, lack of presence in the corners, inability to win battles for the puck, passing is scary bad to name just a few issues with these 3.

Any suggestions on how to get this line motivated to show up game in and game out?

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Vanek did not earn an assist on the GW goal, but he's the reason it happened. Parked right in front, literally butted the d-man away to keep his spot, and allowed Connolly to drift into the goalie's blind spot before shooting.

The Roy line is getting the hardest match-up, and still collecting some pts...I'm not too concerned.

OK, so, Connolly and Pommer are (respectively) 10 pts in 10 games and 9 pts in 10 games...not so worried about the second line, especially with Griz leading the team in goals.

The VRS line draws the top match-ups letting the MCP line flourish. Of course, it's only a matter of time until our top line breaks out and goes nutso.

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mechaphil

During the game, I was thinking about how the Leafs in the past few days have been blowing off the trees.. Just my random thought..

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

KILL OTTAWA

Myers-I agree, he didn't look great. But he also saved a goal by diving in front a shot. Great play.

Hecht-Amazing game from him last night. He was fast, and he actually did things. I was impressed.

Vanek-He played okay in the 2nd and 3rd periods. He hasn't hit his stride yet.

I was out walking my 6 month old puppy around earlier, and he freaking caught a falling leaf in his mouth, hand to grier! I had a good chuckle, and glanced upwards. maybe there IS a god...

Grier smiles upon thee, true believer.

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mechaphil

Vanek was also parked right in front of the goalie on the first Buffalo goal, and didn't get an assist on that one either, but you can bet he played a big part in it.

Keep in mind, theres 4-5 players who have the flu, So this team may look flat tonight and itd why we played bad toward the end of the game against Tor.

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Feed Me Fear

According to the Sabres Organization, Goose is the only 1 out with the Flu.
Loods and Sejkera have body injuries, but its obvious, the defense is pretty solid and with depth.
No, my comments weren't about last nights game, I would like to see more consistency on scoring from a solid source. But hey, no complaints here, the entire team is showing up to win.

_________________
Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.