So last week they looked good, fighting hard for a couple tough wins. I didn't post here about it, but I really thought they would come back flat against Florida, and unfortunately they did. With three days off they just came back and looked like the same old team, trying to be too fancy in front of the home crowd and not battling hard enough. Then to come back against Boston and still not be able to beat a bruised up team that just played the night before...disappointing. Tonight will be the inevitable loss to Ottawa, especially since Lalime is likely to start and the team will be tired and flat whenever they play in front of him.

So despite a decent record they are only 1-1-2 against division teams, and the win was in OT against Toronto. They are playing a brand of hockey that is necessary for them to be a playoff team - defense first. It's no coincidence though that the goals for are down, because that brand of hockey does not translate into as many quality chances - not for these players anyway. They don't have the pure playmakers and goal scorers that can still produce under this style of hockey, so what we've seen so far is what we're going to get. There won't be many 4+ goal games for Buffalo, they are going to have to grind out 2-1 and 3-2 wins, and suffer losses on a regular basis if they don't score 3.

Just get used to it now. It was a nice start, but this team is a 2nd place, 6 seed that might win a round in the post season...not much else.

thats how i see it too. maybe a little better.

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Ha. Their are 26 other teams in the league that wish they had as decent of a record as us.. 26!!

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

Their record right now isn't the point, it's about the type of hockey they are playing now and what kind of record they'll have at the end of the season.

I love how no one is quick to get excited, but everyone is quick to hate.

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Wheelhouse

Not hating, just saying they probably aren't the first place team that their record shows right now. Before the season most were calling them a non-[layoff team while I called them a six seed. I'm saying the same thing despite the fast start. That's not hating, just calling it like I see it.

They're a first place team.

I called it at the beginning of the season, and I'm sticking by it.

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Wheelhouse

Well if they win the division I'll make sure the teacher gives you the gold star and smiley face.

Oh yeah, make that 1-2-2 against division teams (tired Boston, Ottawa short Kovalev and Volchenkov).

Last year Pittsburgh and Detroit played games in which they weren't dominate.. Stanley cup winning teams don't look like Stanley cup winning teams 82 games a season..

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

Come on gang; it's not like this is the same cast of characters that have failed the last two seasons............

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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.

Best thing anyone has ever said right now.

We lose a few and everyone thinks we suck and the end is coming. the Boston game should have been ours, when they slacked off in the second Boston scored. They play that entire game strong they would have won it.

Florida, we feel off there. We didn't play up to the surging Panthers.

Tonight from what I saw in the third only. They waited too long to actually play tonight, maybe tired, maybe not.

They need to come out strong the next game win in a dominating fashion. Not on the scoreboard, but in every possible way other than scoring 40 goals a game. Soundly beat the next team, and regain confidence.

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I never expected more from this team. They had a great start yes but without a stellar Miller we are a po contender and miles away from being a powerhouse or juggernaut.

I not pessimistic nor optimistic I'm realistic.

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Sloppy seconds = 6 games "clean" headhunting = nothing
it's obvious Bettman and Campbell are Pens cocksuckers

Well you also have to realize this team has needed to adjust to this style of defensive play.

Remember when Vinny Lecaviliar had to become a two-way player. The year before he led the league in goals, the year after he had half from the year before. the next year, he picked up his goal totals again.

If they keep playing this style, the goal scoring will come a bit later in the year when the entire team is fully used to playing a defensive style first. Goals will come, right now they will have to grind out one goal games more often than not. But it will pick up soon.

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"We lose a few and everyone thinks we suck and the end is coming."

I've made every effort to say this is not what I think...no?

The ONLY thing I'm saying is that despite a first place record, Buffalo is not a first place team. Struggling to score and failing to beat division teams, especially when you have the advantage in rest or injuries, is a sign that you are not a great team. They should be a good, competetive team this season, but not a great team or ultimately a Cup contender.

That said, I thought they'd be a six seed, and anything can happen in the playoffs, so it's not like I'm disappointed.

I can agree to an extent to what you said.

This team can go very far, especially when they really do get used to this system of play.

I hate to say it, but we really need Grier back from his injury to help keep the faith on our players.

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Haven't we lost every game without him?

I'm not saying one man does maketh a team, I'm just asking.

His importance speaks volumes in his absence....

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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.

Pessimism based on our top six continuing to falter. They need to step it up, and if they can, the results should revert closer to earlier form than recent form.

Pessimism based on this scenario strongly resembling last years season so far.

Let's hope they find themselves enesday night; I mean hell, the Caps lost to the damn Lady Leafs!!

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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.

i would say it would set in quicker for buffalo fans because our football team sucks, the baseball team sucked. the bandits aren't playing yet. the only pluses the fans have now is local college basketball, which is just starting, and who really watches basketball, and the sabres. If the sabres tank buffalo sports fans lose their only current hope. as i highly doubt wilson will keep his promise of a big name coach. Brohm is likely the QB they will go with blow the draft pick, on say another aaron maybin. and hire a guy like gillbride. personally if they don't go big name coach i hope they take that guy from the montreal Alloutes. he had nice offensive production when he was offensive coordinator in this league. one can hope ralph actually does the right thing or the guy pulling his strings does the right thing. sorry if i botched the montreal football team name.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

What does it matter if you lose to division team or any other team in the league?? It's not like were struggling to score.. A few games we have but every team has in a few games.. We don't need to be so amazing at offense when we have been so great at defense..

But you are right that all you need to do is make it to the playoffs and anything can happen..

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA