YankeeInRaleigh wrote:
PuckSniperPensel wrote:
This year, Lindy is utilizing the talent we have to draft the system, rather than the other way around. You're going to see a very aggressive Buffalo team this year. The puck pressure and relentlessness in the offensive and neutral zones will remind you much of some certain years prior, only with less odd man rushes and more defensive responsibility; a hybrid. You can see the players are much more passionate about playing under Ruff's rules now, and you can see how excited he is to get the year under way because of it.
Not to be all Buzz Killington...but where are you getting this from? Either you have some pipeline into the locker room you've not shared with us, or this is all just conjecture. I'd LOVE for what you're saying to be true, I just dont know how you can make these statements with any confidence.
"[We've changed some things in the system... we're going to be much more aggressive in certain situations, and the players are really enjoying it. We're probably going to give up a little more, but the puck pressure is more intense and I think you could really see it tonight."] - Lindy Ruff
And after watching them play Toronto, and seeing the goal highlights, you can tell. In a lot of situations, ALL THREE of our forwards are forechecking and funneling the puck carrier to the outside, forcing giveaways and mistakes. That's how we played 3 years ago.
The difference is, the defensemen won't be pinching as much at the point to avoid giving up odd man rushes.
http://sabres.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?c ... 8&id=47134Visit that link and fast forward to 2:43. You'll see a Leaf bringing the puck behind the net with Ellis on his tail. One of our other forwards (I think it's Cowan) steps in and double teams him, forcing him to get rid of the puck, which ends up as a giveaway, resulting in... a goal!
That's how Lindy's system works this year. Tons of puck pressure forcing turnovers so we keep the play in the offensive zone instead of our defensive zone.