sabresrocker56 wrote:
The point is, ANYTHING can happen in the playoffs. Remember '99, when it was thought the Sabres were going nowhere that year? Does this team not seem like the '99 squad? Outside of Satan, we had no big goal scorers. All we had was some goalie named Hasek, and we all know what happened in the end.
Also, Do not give me that whole "this team needs an overhaul" bull. Why would we piss away all these building blocks we have in place? It is obvious this team is doing something right. You don't lead your division by chance. The Canadiens had a major overhaul, and they're doing great, aren't they? There is no need for an overhaul, just a piece here or there (say a RW and PP QB) to have this team being favorites every year. However, they can still challenge if they play consistent, hard working style hockey. That is what wins games, especially in the playoffs. We all know the current roster can do that, because we have seen them do that all season. We are not on top of the Northeast by some fluke, or by luck. They have struggled at some points, but this team is hungrier than I've seen them in two years. If they show up every game and stick to the system, they can go far.
Don't be so quick to blow off the idea of an overhaul. I know that many people who stare at those rankings would find the notion of an overhaul ridiculous, but some of your posts ironically, yet unintentionally, point this out. Rankings can be very deceiving when trying to identify trends and I'm more focued on trends going into the playoffs rather than a season average.
In reality, the most IMPORTANT issue going into the playoffs is "How have you been playing against playoff teams lately? THAT is what concerns me the most. They could've beat Tampa by 100 goals and I still would be concerned.
DO NOT take this stat lightly:
The Sabres have gone 6-12 against playoff teams since Jan 1st. That's 6-12. That is eerily reminiscent of the 06-07 team which finished with 113 pts and the President's Trophy. That team also played so well in the first half of the season, that it covered up the problems they had in the second half of the season.
Best-of-7s against higher quality opponents tend to flush these things out quickly.