Now that the Sabres have clinched third at least, and COULD claim second if they win out, what strategy do they employ for these last 3 games?

I see two choices:

1)Fight for everything. Win out, get second, try and have strength and momentum heading into the first round. The price for this is that the players will be less rested, we might get an injury or two, bumps and bruises will have less time to heal, etc etc.

2)Treat these 3 games as exhibitions. Let the stars rest, give the kids and new guys as much time as possible, hell, I dont know if it's possible to just pull up a bunch of AHL players (probably not) to get some NHL experience? Whatever, do what it takes to get the guys some rest. Be happy with third place, and use this week to just sort of chill, recuperate, prepare via tape for possible first round opponents, etc.


I'm guessing in reality it will be somewhere in the middle. They'll SAY they're going to go balls to the wall to try and get second place, but the effort on the ice wont match that, and they'll only win one of the last 3 games.

opinions? More options I forgot?

The only option for this team...keep playing hockey.

It's not like the NFL where you can play second string players down the stretch. Sure you can give your 3rd and 4th line guys more ice time, but that just effectively tires them out for the playoffs.

We just keep going like we have, maybe even out the shifts a bit, but it's not like you can play guys that play 8 mins a night, 38 mins a night, and expect them to be well rested for the playoffs. We just keep playing win what we can, and take our lumps. If nothing else Gerbe and Ennis have proven they can step in and fill the void left by our two best players while they've been injured.

All in all, it's just a matter of keep playing hockey, do what you can, and rest the biggest equalizer we have over teams like Washington and Pittsburgh, Ryan Miller

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Lindy's already adjusted ice time to even things out among the forwards. The only adjustment is that maybe Miller gets and extra game off, assuming Lalime can get over the flu.

Other than that, keep playing. If you can get 2nd, cool, if not, ok.

Play hockey. Home ice advantage.

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Wheelhouse

Play the starting skaters and play Lalime. Tell the team that if they truly think they can contend, they should be able to win with Lalime in net.

If a guy's a little iffy, err on the side of caution and hold him out. Otherwise play to win.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I say fight for second! That way we have home ice until the Eastern Conference finals if we get that far and so does Washington. Idk its all a numbers game I guess lol

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

If they get second, and are still in it until the ECF, then I can guarantee that Washington won't be there.

They need defense in the playoffs. It became apparent that the Capitals have no defensive mindset whatsoever when i watched them play the Penguins the other night.

The Sabres are always an unknown in the playoffs, which is why I'm always excited when they make the cut.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I agree with VF26. I think the capitals record in 1-goal and overtime games suggests an early exit if they meet a quality opponent, or a hot goalie.

Hmm, hello Tukka Rask...

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Honestly. I would pull for Tuukka in that matchup. Why? I'm getting kind of sick of the Capitals and the guy has 2 U's and 2 K's in his name.

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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!"

I think it wise to keep the intensity and tempo all the way up until the playoffs begin. Having said that, I would rest Miller on the 2nd to the last game. I'm sure there are a few nagging injuries to key players that could be given a couple of days extra rest. But don't rest them all at once in any of the games, and keep the peddle to the metal.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

They are relying on some really shaky goal tending too.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

We'll keep playing. Just because Lalime is playing tonight doesn't mean we've quit. It's all up to the players. They'll either let Patty down tonight, and we'll know that they've mostly packed it in (Though we'll get up for the Ottawa game no matter what happens tonight, I'm positive), or they'll keep playing hard and go for the #2 seed.

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

I want them to play hard for the 2nd seed, but with injuries, Miller wanting rest, and the division just wrapped up, they won't have the talent or the desire on the ice to do it.

I expected a bland effort tonight and a loss. With Ottawa having no reason to play anymore (they are locked into the 5th seed) and Buffalo still having a chip for them, that game might be a win. The New Jersey game might not matter by then, but even if Buffalo wins the last two games, Pit plays Atl and NYI, and NJ plays NYI and Buffalo. It's unlikely that Buffalo will overtake both teams.

Just plan on playing the 6th seed, which will be Boston imo.

Damn. I hate boston.

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

Put this in perspective:

THe Caps haven't got a great record in 1-goal games, but they also HAVEN'T HAD a lot of 1-goal games. DO you know why? Hmmmmm?

Because they have often dominated the shit out of their opponents---and this includes plenty of the "quality opponents" you speak of.

ECF - Penz and Caps.
WCF - Vancouver and Detroit

Anybody's guess after that.

i really dont see Vancouver and Detroit both in the WCF. Vancouver, fair enough, between the Sedins and Louongo they have a legit chance at the WCF. Detroit has some questions though. the biggest being Howard for me. while he has had a phenomenal regular season, the playoffs are a different game. In addition, i think that Chicago could make a serious run, and i think SJ can as well.

for the ECF. Washingtons goaltending is a concern. a team can score as many goals as they want but it does nothing if your goalie lets everything in. beyond that, in the playoffs, teams tend to opt for a more defensive system. which wont allow Washington to run their offense as effectively. Pittsburgh is a threat but, i dont know, they dont seem as threatening as they did last year.

I think Buffalos playoff chances rest with the offense. we know Millers going to be fine and do his job. with the offense...if they show up, Buffalo should be able to do well. if everyone decides to have a circle jerk at center ice then Buffalo is fucked.

the sabres will stay in third giving miller, and whoever else needs it, the rest he needs.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.

I'm sorry, but you're just wrong.


Number of 1-goal games played (as of 4-5):

Montreal - 31
Buffalo - 28
Washington - 27
Pittsburgh - 27
NYR - 27
Boston - 27
Philadelphia - 26
New Jersey - 23
Ottawa - 21

And it doesn't matter if you haven't played as many. Good teams win a majority of their close games whether they play 5 or 25. Period. Paragraph.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Additionally:
# of extra time (OT/SO) games as of 4-5

Boston - 26
Montreal - 24
Washington - 22
Buffalo - 20
Pittsburgh - 20
New Jersey - 15
Ottawa - 15
NYR - 14
Philadelphia - 11

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I've had the Canucks making the WCF for at least 2-3 years now, and every time Luongo chokes it. This isn't the Olympics: Luongo doesn't have super-team in front of him this time.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550