I've seen a few comments recently that one of the reasons for the Sabres' struggles has been the consistency of their top like of Vanek, Ennis, and Roy. I don't really feel as though this is accurate. Personally I believe it's inconsistency from the second line combined with the third line failing to chip in that's doomed us. Time to find out!

I took that Sabres top line and checked to see how many games they played where they tallied a point, goal, multiple goals, or multiple points.

Derek Roy - 25 games played, 16 games with a point (64%), 8 games with a goal (32%), 5 multi-point games, 1 multi-goal game.

Thomas Vanek - 25 games played, 13 games with a point (52%), 7 games with a goal (28%), 5 multi-point games, 2 multi-goal games.

Tyler Ennis - 25 games played, 8 games with a point (32%), 5 games with a goal (20%), 1 multi-point game, 0 multi-goal games.

Now obviously by themselves those stats don't really mean anything alone. Does tallying a point in 64% of the games you play mean your consistent? I don't know. To figure that out, you need to compare to another team. Let's take a playoff team (because that's what we want the Sabres to be), but not someone spectacular. I took the New York Rangers (6th place). Now a couple things: The Rangers have 11 more goals than the Sabres in the same number of games. Their top line should by significantly outpacing that of the Sabres consistency or no. Also, I did not include Gaborik because he's spent half the season hurt and he's been playing with Frolov and Christensen/Stepan anyways. The basis for being the top line is Average Time On the Ice (ATOI) because I'd rather shotgun sand than watch the Rangers to figure out who their top line is.

Brandon Dubinsky (LW) - 25 games played, 14 games with a point (56%), 9 games with a goal (36%), 5 multi-point games, 3 multi-goal games

Artem Anisimov (C) - 25 games played, 14 games with a point (56%), 6 games with a goal (24%), 3 multi-point games, 1 multi-goal game

Ryan Callahan (RW) - 24 games played, 14 games with a point (58%), 7 games with a goal (29%), 3 multi-point games, 0 multi-goal games

On a team with more goals, Dubinsky, Anisimov, and Callahan aren't any more consistent than the Sabres top line aside from Tyler Ennis which highlights what many fans have suspected all along. Roy and Vanek struggle at times because they have lacked a third top line talent to complete them.

The shortcomings lie on the second line which is closely resembling something the Republicans want to outlaw. (Hey it could be an abortion OR a gay marriage!) The Ranger's second line of Frolov, Steppan, and Fedotenko (basis - ATOI) has 15 goals and 21 assists. Hecht, Connolly, and Pominville have8 goals and 16 assists. Ladies and gentlemen, your consistency problem!

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Oh, I definitely agree. If we were getting ANYTHING from Pommers and Hecht, and the 3rd line scoring we got last year, we'd be several wins better, and no one would be bitching about how horrible we are.

im sick of pominville. get him the fuck out!

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Just to play Devil's advocate, Steppan, Frolov, and Fedetenko have all played 25 games. Pominville has only played 16 which is 1 reason why his numbers are so low (the other reason has been shitty play).

Hecht simply isn't getting it done offensively the way he was last year and Connolly has been piss-poor at best.

Whether it's warranted or not, I still feel that if we put Adam and Gerbe with Pommers, you'd see his production improve greatly. Maybe not right away, but after they've had time to gel I think it could be a productive line. They were together on the ice against the Leafs for one shift (maybe Poms was still on the ice when they made the change?), and that's the most dangerous I've seen Pominville all year. It's worth a shot, no?

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"Let's just trap Sekera in the caverns underneath HSBC arena." -BlueandYellow

Reporter: "Steve, you guys now lead the league in defensive scoring."
Montador: "It's probably because of how good-looking we are."

Sorry, Adam sucks. He's not ready. He's just turrable, like that Taco Bell commercial. Gerbe isn't too good either.

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

A little OT, but would you do a Pominville for Setoguchi trade straight-up? Apparently Sharks' fans would trade him for a Sandwich...

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"Let's just trap Sekera in the caverns underneath HSBC arena." -BlueandYellow

Reporter: "Steve, you guys now lead the league in defensive scoring."
Montador: "It's probably because of how good-looking we are."

I think you are correct, with regards to Vanek and Roy. I'm not sold on Ennis however as well.
He does need to continue to play with Roy and Vanek though, he's done better than anyone else so far we have put with them. But he still doesn't help "significantly boost that lines production and push them over the edge to be an elite line in the NHL.

I know he's young, and he'll learn, but this season is a rough time to hold class for him.
But ya CV, you've seen me bitching and moaning about a RWer worth a dam for that line.
Hell, since Vanek can play RW, a LWer could do it as well. But you are correct, another talent to solidify that line would go a long way in helping the overall offensive production of this team.

I completely agree with your assesment of our so called 2nd scoring line.
(which reminds me, I still cannot believe some of the fan base I have spoken with actually considered Connolly, Hecht and Pomminville as scoring line 1, that completely baffled me).

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

adams gonna be awesome. but hes 20 in his first year of pro. growing pains are to be expected.

even though i dislike gerbe, hes getting chances. as ive already said hes just not burying them. wouldnt say he sucks, but times running out on him. but i wanna see a few more games to see if he can find the net.

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Ennis is getting his chances and Adam is first year pro. We seem to forget the transition to the NHL isn't always super easy for some and growing pains are to be expected from rookies most of the time.

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First of all CV, you should definitely aim higher then the Rangers, but I get your point. Secondly, who gives a fuck.

















Psych!

I'm bringing 80's slang back and I also GAF or I wouldn't be typing a reply. It's interesting, what the numbers mean is that teams can focus on shutting down a single line of the Sabres in order to win, because the other lines shut themselves down. Regardless of what the Sabres stars have given, the team needs them to give even MORE of themselves, and at least be consistent in the way they approach the system. I believe in strong leadership, and the power of picking up morale in others by setting a good example for yourself. I think somebody needs to show these guys on the ice, night in and night out, shift after shift, exactly what confidence means. And the guys that have to do it are the teams most talented players.

They aren't bad, in fact they are really good. But given the circumstance they have to be even better. But don't look at me, I'll be eating potatoe chips off of my beer belly while farting during the games.

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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

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