PSP, I'm not understanding you...if you believe "thats what they've done and continue to do" then why are you always defending them? They got paid, they got lazy, they lost their drive. Exactly which part of that do you so steadfastly stand behind? Optimism is great...blind-ass-cheerleading not so much.

The part I highlighted is what I was referring to. It was supposed to be highlighted in the other post. Not sure why it wasn't.

Results don't lie. They're shutting down the top competition and winning hockey games.

If they were a miserable team to watch, and they were out of the playoffs, then I'd be on board.

But the fact of the matter is, they're atop the Northeast division, they're not going on long losing stretches, and they're playing Lindy's system to a T.

This bitching and moaning is getting really old. It's not blind optimism if the results are there.

They create tons of chances with their play, and the main reason our scoring numbers are down is the lack of an efficient power play.

They work hard to draw those calls, and when they don't cash in, they miss out on an opportunity they created for themselves.

That... lies... with... coaching. Which they've changed up due to Saturday night.

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Wheelhouse

Great job backing up your opinion. The bird really supports your argument.

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Wheelhouse

Relax kids. Different arguments and opinions, nobody is right or wrong.

We have been shut out too many times this season. We have no scoring talent, we grind for goals. What happens in the playoffs when the defense gets tougher and harder? We get shut out

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

Im right... Like always..

Wait, Im not even in this convo..

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

KILL OTTAWA

Fix the power play and the problem is solved. Learn to shoot when you get to the slot and the problem is solved.

These are our inconsistencies. These are both things that will continue to improve when we reach our peak.

The constant is the effort this team has put in.

EDIT: By the way. The Sabres have been shut out 3 times this season. The Blackhawks have been shut out twice. Not much of a discrepancy. You know where there is a gap between these two teams?

The power play.

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Wheelhouse

He has a huge head. Never noticed that.

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Wheelhouse

THIS exactly....oh we'll still be in those one goal games...only we will be in the other end of it come playoff time..we'll lose 2-1, 1-0, etc......i don't care how good we are in one goal games in the regular season, it's gonna be alot different come playoff time.....

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"It is more about them than it is about the team...Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win." - Mike Singletary

Tyler Myers - Future captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and future Norris Trophy Winner

Manning the machine gun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon - just in case any teams have an idea of prying him away from us (3 GM's shot already)

Connolly/Roy - 2 goals in the last 47 playoff games

Prove it.

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Wheelhouse

When and if we get to the playoffs, Goose and Grier will still be doing there jobs well. The play in the trenches will get harder, and the likes of Roy and Connolly will fare even worse than the regular season - Vanek will have that disgusted look on his face more often than the regular season, as even fewer penalties will be called for crosschecking (sorry to use your name in Vain there Cross) him to the ice. That is why I think TV should do more moving from side to side near the hash marks than parking in front of the net, and why I think we need to get rid of Roy or Timmah and replace them with a bigger more aggressive center!!

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"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

P.S. - In addition to what I said earlier, Pominville hasn't missed a game since he was called up full time in '05-'06. 82 games played the last 3 years.

You assume that everyone will step up their games in the NHL except for our top 6.

This logic makes no sense.

The games against Chicago, Pittsburgh, and the first game against New Jersey looked a lot like playoff games to me.

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Wheelhouse

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"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

Tim Connolly's playoff statistics:
GP G A PTS PIM
24 5 15 20 4

Derek Roy's Playoff Statistics:
GP G A PTS PIM
34 7 15 22 30

Lets say you are correct. I can't wait to see how Drew Stafford does.

EDIT: Interesting stat. Mike Grier has played in 88 freaking playoff games. Wow!

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Wheelhouse

A lot of those stats for Derek and Timmah, I would consider slightly inflated due to the post lockout skills competition seasons. I realize we can't compare there playoff stats from the last couple of years, but maybe that in itself speaks volumes.

Just my opinion PSP, not trying to belittle anyone elses opinion.

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"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

Oh I know. I'm just trying to make a point.

I don't think the game has changed as much as people think. In essence, we're running the same system from 05-06 with a few modifications. It's working now the same as it did back then.

The difference is there's more commitment to the defensive side of things. In essence, it plays to our strengths, which happens to be the fitness of our forwards and their ability to forecheck and back check, the strong defensive core we have, and the insanely good goaltender who plays between our pipes.

I think you would also agree that Roy and Connolly's playing time was limited back then compared to what it is now. Also, they've matured and improved other aspects of their games since then.

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Wheelhouse

Hey who taught Pominville to hit the net last year? You think our guys can magically start to hit the net? It takes YEARS to learn this, if your already professional and you can't hit the net it takes longer. And btw, the Blackhawks have fucking Sharp, Toews, Kane, and other people who actually can shoot the puck and score. Who the fuck will do that on the Sabres? Roy can shoot sometimes... I guess... But he did it once this season... We have shit for scoring talent. Miller stands on his head and our D is fine.

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

The Blackhawks seemed to have a hard time scoring against us a few weeks ago.

Pominville is capable of hitting the net btw. It wasn't until last year that he really started to struggle. It could be as simple as changing his curve or his stick half way through the season. It could be extra shots after practice.

I'm not saying he will do it, but I am saying that I expect the power play to improve and bury the chances that they earn through hard work.

Also, Vanek still hasn't really gotten going yet. When he starts scoring at the pace he can and should be, we'll be even better off. If he's going to be slumping, I'd rather have it now than in the spring when it matters most.

My point is, you all seem to think we've hit our ceiling, when I think quite the opposite.

Don't you remember how much better they looked towards the end of last season when compared to the beginning?

EDIT: Also, one of this team's biggest problems is deciding when to shoot our pass. That has been a huge issue for us. That's something that can be fixed through practice and video.

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Wheelhouse

It's a shame you take issue with an optimistic outlook.

You must live a sad, depressing life. That's just what I'd expect out of a 40 year old trying to get a rise out of someone on an internet message board.

Not to mention you appear to be lacking the intelligence needed to say anything relevant.

And you called me out for being a douche. What a joke.

Is it just me or does anyone else find this obnoxious?

All I ask is that you contribute with your ideas, or just stop posting. It's not too much to handle.

Probably going to get timed out for this. Oh well. See you all later. I'm done.

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Wheelhouse