What I'm really hoping is that one of the sabresjunkie vets will hope in and drop some logic on me.

The last several games only a couple of players have stood out to me with what I'll tag as 'inspired play'. That is to say, plays that end fantastic or poorly, but had 100% effort involved by the player. While this has been a roller coaster season, the last dozen or so games have arguably been the most important of the season. That being said, the young guys needing to prove their worth seem to be the only ones I notice giving a shit.

Enroth gets way out of position sometimes, and Miller is definitely still a far better tender, but this guy is playing inspired do-or-die hockey.
A lot of players seem to peak and valley rapidly on our team, but honestly, the player with the most heart out there right now is Gerbe. He's the only one I see throwing his weight around (albeit small) EVERY PLAY. Every break-out he's skating hard, every back-check he's there.

My main point: Why does it seem like the younger guys are setting the example that for the old guys when it should be the other way around?


Disclaimer: I'm pretty rabid after that game and those refs, so I apologize if this sounds like pure rage.

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Only One Me.

The young guys have more to prove, they are trying to get a permanent roster spot with the big club.

Seriously though...who would have expected that Enroth, Butler, and Gragnani would be the deciding factors in the team's biggest game of the season?

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

But I don't think it's fair to say that the young guys are inspiring the veterans and not the other way around. You don't know what goes on between the players in the locker room, and I'm sure a lot of the younger players look up to the veterans and it shows on the ice.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

Gerbacity...

Don't forget that our veterans are playing against much tougher lines than our rookies. That can make them look really good sometimes.

This team isn't going to win with our first line alone. The Sabres strength right now is in their depth. Lets just enjoy it for what it is and keep things rolling.

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Wheelhouse

Exactly, just like how Roy was tearing shit up on the 3rd line in 05-06 and 06-07.

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Sophomore Bitches! Class of 2014!
R.I.P. Molly B. 5/28/96-5/23/11

They make a lot of mistakes too, like that bench penalty and the head lock Weber put Staal in. Inspired is a good way to lose and win by, but there also needs to be poise. Tonight, ENROTH was the teams poise. They got away with A LOT of mistakes because of HIM. Make no mistake about that, I know you may be eager to create some kind of "youth is better" clique but that is just silly. You need a combination of everything, and the "old guys" can play just as inspired if not more so from time to time.

It takes an ENTIRE TEAM to win the Cup, including a great back up like Enroth who will be called upon to win some huge playoff games like he did tonight.

I think Myers is going to be the captain of the Sabres someday, with performances like tonight setting the example for Sabres of ALL ages.

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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

I don't think the Sabres made that many mistakes tonight.

I think the biggest reason for the ones they made was the overuse of guys on all of those retarded penalties.

Momentum favored Carolina big time for that reason. But somehow, the Sabres found a way.

XPens has always leaned into the Sabres because of their lack of gut check in their own end late in games. Today, I think they proved they're capable of overcoming that.

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Wheelhouse

Blocked shots, guys coming out from nowhere to block shots was a key factor tonight.

Goose, came from the corner on that one Hurricane player wide open in front of Enroth and made that block during the last powerplay was also huge.

Pominville taking one square off the chest, Myers blocking a many shots also tonight. Defense was tight tonight with blocking shots and jumping on rebounds, and just getting in the way.

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Younger guys tend to play harder. It's always been that way. They're not spoiled veterans yet. They're kids getting a shot at their lifelong dream.

That goes a long way.

Um, no. Backup goalies aren't called upon in the playoffs unless the starter absolutely can not play.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

This team has been playing well (understatement of the year). Tonight was a playoff game, and they stepped up big time. They could have easily been wallowing about all the penalties and give up. But instead they played hard, put their noses to the grind stone and tore shit up. They turned on the clutch, and have really had it on during this stretch that has us in 7th, and gives us the ability to creep on 6th (only one point away!). This team certainly did in an odd manner, but they found a way to get work done and they're being rewarded for it. Now they just need to finish strong and take whatever hell magic they have bottled up right now and carry it into the playoffs.

Mike's Secret Stuff, anyone?

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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 totally agree- lately it's been the young guys who are stepping up and making the game-changing plays. I feel like Vanek is the only veteran on the team that can be counted on to step it up a notch in clutch time. This season is a bit of a miracle when you think of how important the contributions have been from guys that were barely involved last year - Sekera, Gerbe, Ennis, Enroth, Weber. Butler has become solid, too, and Myers has been great for several months running. Gragnani has showed a ton of potential in just a few games, and even Mancari has been a solid addition to his line. There has been little to get excited about with the veterans, however.

Changing of the guard? I like this new "core" a lot better than the one we've been suffering through for so many years. Hopefully the new kids can inspire the vets to be better.

I agree with this. Also, out of all of the players in our organization, the young guys have the most to gain from the new ownership and shake up. We're rebuilding and they can have a role in shaping a winning team and the only thing stopping them is well...themselves. If players like Gerbe, Ennis, Myers, Enroth etc show that they can play at a high level then they will be the future faces of this club. If they don't...well who knows what will happen to them. this is their big shot so i think you'll see them playing accordingly.

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