It was back to back games after playing a very spirited few games where they gave it their all. I think they finally felt true fatigue and it's understandable why they looked flat at times and it was only a one goal difference we got beat by, nothing to be ashamed about by any means.

Give them some rest, and I would expect a better effort next game and a W.

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Give it time; they'll find their real level over the next fifteen games. I am pretty sure we'll have a top ten pick, and be able to pick a player who will help us in the near future. Hopefully the two stooges will be gone before it's time to make that pick.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Dallas was on a back to back with travel in between and they played hard all the way to a shootout. It was a must win since Tampa is in the same exact boat as they are. The Sabres NEEDED to find energy deep down inside of them but they didn't. Hell, I would have accepted that if they played balls to the wall for the first two periods and lost steam in the third but it was exactly opposite. That is why this team isn't even close to be a playoff contender. As Miller said last night, they may be able to get away with 7 or 8 loses and squeak into the playoffs. They only have 27 games left, there is no way in hell do they win 20 games.

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Didn't they have back to back games before this set of back to backs, too? That's very exhausting

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

Ok I get it, they were tired. Poor baby's. Might as well throw in the fucking towel and forfit the rest of the season because it's not going to get any easier. They played exactly like they did before the All Star game, phone it in for 40 mins and then try really hard for 20 mins. If they really wanted to get into playoff contention then they would have mustered whatever energy they had left and played their asses off. Whats going to happen if they win their next 25 games and squeak into the playoffs. They're going to shit the bed in huge fashion and be out in the first 4 or 5 games.

Don't worry about the playoffs, that boat sailed in December although no one wanted to believe it. Sit back, have a drink, and enjoy the last 27 games (if they decided to actaully play them).

The only thing I'm looking forward to right now is what the almighty Darcy is going to do come the end of the month. Trust me, I'm not expected the deal of the century.

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sabresindc - they have the most back-to-backs out of any NHL team, and I'm pretty sure it's been that way for a few years running. They're getting fucked in the scheduling department.

Could you go out and give it your all 3 out of 4 nights? Let's say you needed to run 4 miles as hard as you can, 3 times in 4 nights. Would you expect your time to be the same every night? (I think this is a valid comparison to a hockey game, given that 15-20 minutes of hockey amounts to 30-40 sprints, and someone in great shape should be able to cover 4 miles in 20 minutes of sprints).

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I understand it was a horrible week for them and they do have the crappiest schedule in the league. I also know that I'm being too hard on them but thats my opinion. They have wasted all of their excuses at this point, there isn't anymore to use. The schedule is what it is, they knew that in August. they put themselves in the position that playing beyond complete exhaustion to win is a necessity.

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I used to post about the added adversity of back-to-backs, but the Sabres have a hand in making that schedule for ticket revenue purposes, so I can't be too critical of it anymore. Like DC said though, they've put themselves in this impossible situation, so no excuses. They played like crap for two periods and THEN picked up their game in the 3rd, so no excuses.

Seven games in 14 days for Regier to decide what path to take. Regardless, over the rest of the season I hope they stay healthy so that IF they still tank, the injury excuse won't be viable either.

I agreed that they've made their bed, and now must lie in it, but I can't for the life of me, at THIS POINT, accuse them of not trying. 2 months ago? yeah. Last month? Yeah. These past 2 weeks? No way.

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I say just spray fart the rest of the season in our trousers. One loss and and percentages are pretty much shot to shit.

3 games in four nights is a bitch to do.

I've done a game on Wednesday night and pickup on Thursday and on Friday my legs were dead, even on Saturday they weren't fully perfect either. I'm no professional athlete, but I am a human still and the human body doesn't just repair fully overnight.

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Mine repairs itself overnight. You must be doing something wrong.

You're right, I don't know that they stunk for two periods against TB because of lack of effort. I think physically they gave about all they had, but mentally they haven't been sharp for most of the season (could be coaching on that issue too). Three games in four nights takes it's mental toll as well, and that seemed to be the reason for all the bad passes and TOs.

I've said it already a few weeks back, but I think the biggest reason for their mediocre season, hand in hand with injuries, is a lack of mental preparation and focus. That's Ruff's fault, maybe all the assistants' fault, and the players' fault as well. How many games, even going back to last season, have they looked like their collective head is in the clouds going into as far as the 2nd period? Mental breakdowns are going to happen during stretches of time no matter what, regardless of how good/bad the season is going. Buffalo though seems to be perpetually flat and unprepared to start a game. I think a combination of poor coaching, other coaches knowing Ruff so well by now and being MORE prepared, and players that perhaps don't dedicate to film enough is a problem.

There's virtually no chance we make the playoffs this season. Yes injuries had some effect, but lack luster goal tending by our star goalie was another. Those 2 reasons added to the fact that our special teams suck donkey balls, our offense is in the bottom 5 in the league. That all will add up to a non-playoff contender.

Darcy needs to be in one mood and one mood only and that's to start cleaning house. We've got a lot of players that can be moved to playoff teams that can and will take on cap to get them. Right now our trade bait should include

Boyes - Kind of a hard sell seeing there's no shootouts in the playoffs but he can score with the right linemates. Good news for us is that he's UFA at seasons end.

Hecht - Also playing his last season in Buffalo is good ol' Jochen. Some might have interest if he's healthy before deadline day but other than that he's outta here July 1st

Leopold - How many puck moving D-Men do we need? You can also throw Grags and Sekera in the mix. I wouldn't mind keeping Sekera.

Gaustad - Darcy has a tendency to vastly overpay for these types of guys so I'd shop him right away. Doubt he'll be gone on deadline day but I'm sure he'll get some good offers to play with contenders in the summer.

Roy - This guys worn out his welcome in Buffalo. He's just having a bad season, change of scenery is exactly what this guy needs.

Stafford - Like I said from day one that Darcy would be crazy to resign this guy and most if not everyone on these boards thought I was crazy... All I got to say is look at the numbers. Doubt he'd attract much attention but no harm in trying. He'd be a good fit with Staal in Carolina also I heard his Dad was an equipment manager for the Oilers (TSN) and they seem to have interest in Stafford. I wouldn't mind seeing Hemsky/Stafford trade; obviously others would be involved.

Regher - I know it's his 1st year here but I'm almost 100% sure he will leave next season. He'd def waive his NTC to go to a Stanley Cup Contender. Plus the guy works his ass off every night, guy deserves to be on a playoff team. Philadelphia would be a great place for him.

And finally.............

Lindy Ruff - This team needs a new direction. It was barely working last year and obviously it's not working this year. He's done a lot for the franchise but time to go in a diff. direction.

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"If you want to know what I've been doing lately, I've been driving around from Tim Horton's to Tim Horton's, rolling up the rim. Haven't won anything yet. Thanks." - Lindy Ruff

You’ve brought up some good points, man. Not wanting to come across as nitpicking, I wanted to chime in with my own views on them;

Goaltending: Miller was playing pretty good before the Lucic incident. One thing that could be noted is that when concentration and focus make up about 70% of a goalie’s preparation, getting your head rattled is going to play a huge factor. Goalies take longer to bounce back from a concussion and given that he sustained a pretty bad one last year, it only intensifies the effects. (See Mike Richter) Enroth, although I think is going to be a great goalie in time, was exposed just as the team was after the Lucic thing. The team was searching for an identity, and he had some signs of running away with the position, but I think the pressure was too much for him.

On Boyes: I think with the right team/system, he would be a good playoff pickup. As clutch as he is in the shootout, you’re right; there are no shootouts in the post season. Again, though, with the right team and system in place, I think you’d see him rebound.

On Jochen: I don’t see a team wanting to roll the dice on him, even if he comes back from this latest injury. When healthy, I think he is an effective player, but that is the thing; when healthy. If he returns to finish out the season, I believe he will have played his last bit of pro hockey and I’ll be glad to say he retired as a Sabre.

Leopold: This bit of the D-Corps could be the most wanted at the deadline. He can move the puck, he’s shown he can play strong on the puck, mostly wise on the ice. However, with the depth on the blue line (See McNabb) he could be the most expendable with bringing in the biggest bang from the D-men.

Goose: For the right money, I’d sign him back for maybe 2 years. No crazy money to be dealt his way, but if he’s looking for a big pay cheque, I’d try to move him. But do so out west. Goose is the kind of player who (If sent to an eastern rival) could come back to bite us in the ass big time. Out of the forwards, he has the potential to land more than Roy in a deal, I think.

Roy: After seeing what he was capable of doing last season before going down to injury, this season has been a disappointment, to say the least. You could give him a big curve when the season started as he was likely still feeling the effects from last season’s injury (As someone with horrid knees, I can relate to this) but enough is enough. If he is to move, I think Darcy will have to lower his asking price to get something worthwhile in return.

Drew Keller: I’m not even going to address this, although his skits for Sabres.com are pretty awesome and lol worthy.

Regehr: He waived his no trade clause once, I can’t see him packing up his family and moving again. Especially after the effort that Pegula put into convincing him to come to Buffalo. I think he either signs a short term extension this offseason or re-ups after his current deal is done. IMO, they’d be stupid to either move him or let him walk away. The Sabres haven’t had that kind of size and strength on the blue line in a while.

And finally...

Lindy: This is a tough one. Many were saying that during/after the Boston game that Ruff was the problem and look at the great job Patrick was doing. Not taking anything away from that game as it was more awesome than anything we’ve seen thus far, but Lindy wasn’t behind the bench for the near loss to the Stars and the loss to the Bolts. Granted, they’ve played a lot of hockey as of late and maybe burnt themselves out, but I just didn’t see enough of a reaction on the bench or on the ice to say that Lindy is to blame and Patrick is the answer. To give him a fair evaluation, you’d almost have to give him another 10 games or so to really say for sure.


What it all means: We’ll have to sit and wait. With everything being so close with the bottom feeders and no one is tipping their hands yet, all we can do is hope that whatever moves are made, do not jeopardize the future of the club.

And that, is my best Ted Black impression

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If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

Agree with you 100% well almost. I think Regher would waive his NTC again to go to a contender. He's up there in age plus he's getting slower every year that makes it a must sell IMO. He's awesome D don't get me wrong but by clearing him and Roy from our books we can pursue one of the better offensive/defensive defensmen in the league in either Suter or Weber. One of those 2 or even both will hit the free agency market and that should be Darcy's focus going into July 1st and that of getting a #1 center which can really only be done by trade seeing what there is in the the free agency pool. Also I'm sure Lindy will stay on as head coach but in all honesty the franchise needs something new behind the bench. I don't want Patrick as HC either just a whole new regime in the coaching departments.

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"If you want to know what I've been doing lately, I've been driving around from Tim Horton's to Tim Horton's, rolling up the rim. Haven't won anything yet. Thanks." - Lindy Ruff

Regehr is 31, and has been quite injury free. He has plenty of hockey left in him.

Jesus god where have you been old friend?

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"If you want to know what I've been doing lately, I've been driving around from Tim Horton's to Tim Horton's, rolling up the rim. Haven't won anything yet. Thanks." - Lindy Ruff

I may have just shed a tear.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

2/14/12 - the day the internet found out the junkies loved each other