From TBN...

"A lot of it is about simplifying things and we finally started doing it," said Thomas Vanek, who has team highs in power-play goals (nine) and points (19). "Making a few quick passes, getting pucks to the net, getting the rebounds and getting not just ugly goals but shooting goals. That's important to us."

The Sabres are 15-9-2 since the calendar turned to December and are 10-4-1 in their last 15 games to get back into the playoff race. During this run, they've done a much better job of puck possession, and that's especially true on the power play, even without injured centers Derek Roy and Tim Connolly.

"We've really progressed slowly but surely since the start of the year," defenseman Jordan Leopold said. "We've been able to take advantage of our opportunities. We're clicking. We've had injuries and different personnel on units all year long. The mixing and matching sometimes hurts you but sometimes it can help you too, getting everybody involved."
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Finally they are keeping it simple and just getting pucks on net, and since Dec. 1st they are 32% and 10th overall after a horrible start. Is it a coincidence that the PP turned around while Roy and Connolly have missed a lot of games?

I read the article too and they think it's because they're not staying to the outside as much. They're actually attacking the net on powerplays instead of trying to take point shots.

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And less wasting time dangling on the half wall. Here's the full article, but there's not much more of interest...

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabre ... 333553.ece

Why did it take them all this time to figure out what they were doing wasn't working?????

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Lindy probably thought it was just a matter of his line combinations all this time.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I loved the Leopold slap pass to Stafford during the Toronto game. I think it may just be because it's Toronto though because we always do that on the power play against them. Like last year when Myers got 2 goals and Kennedy got the goal, all nice pasiing plays on the PP.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

I loved the Leopold slap pass to Stafford during the Toronto game. I think it may just be because it's Toronto though because we always do that on the power play against them. Like last year when Myers got 2 goals and Kennedy got the goal, all nice pasiing plays on the PP.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

Killer instinct, better hustle, quick passes.

Wasn't there a Sabres team in the late 90's that snuck into the 7th seed and went to the cup finals because their power play suddenly got hot?

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Wheelhouse

Roy and Connolly always trying to be fancy, and apparently Ruff can't mash simplicity in their heads hard enough, or Ruff just isn't effective with his PP coaching...idk. That and a lack of a PP QB, but if the d-men are dumbing down the PP and just getting shots off quickly before the PK guy in front of them can get in the lane, then you don't really need a savy PP QB to make fancy stuff happen.

Five ogres can make an effective PP if they just keep things simple and can move the puck quickly and get shots on goal.

Without Roy and Connolly, I have seen several forwards slowly pick up their game. Besides Vanek and Pominville, Stafford and Gerbe have been working in strides. Still, we need that center we have eluded for years.

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Let's go Buffalo!

I'd be all for signing Richards if he goes on the market ...he'd make our PP own. Myers and Leopold at the points, Richards on the half wall, Roy in the corner and Vanek in front.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

I think it's just as simple as getting the shots through. They have always shot the puck a lot on the PP, but most of those shots never got through. Now, due to some simple quick passes the shooting lanes are there and the shots are getting to the goalie. When that happens everything else opens up.

Oh and puck retrieval. It's important to work hard on getting those pucks back

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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

it certainly helped, but i think more of it had to do with a certain elite goalie putting the team on his shoulders and taking them as far as he could.

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Now if Miller could elevate his game to last year's level...

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Wheelhouse

they use Richards primarily at the point in Philly, even though he doesn't have an overpowering shot. Of course I'm sure he could figure it out.

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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

miller has played alot better as of late from what ive seen. (havnt seen the last 2 games) but still.. last years miller and the 90s hasek are light years apart.

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I wouldn't say light years. He won the Vezina.

But there's no denying that Hasek was the most dominant goaltender during his prime of all time.

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Wheelhouse

i'd drink to that, but i cant find my liver after this weekend.

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They've played simpler, I don't think Roy was always that bad on the PP, but whenever Connolly goes out there I'm still scared shitless with him.

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I meant Brad. He's due to be a UFA this summer.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!