It would appear more and more likely Miller is getting worn down with all of these starts. He doesn't appear as sharp as he was in the first half of the season. What are your thoughts on this? Is Miller feeling the wear and tear of the schedule and if so, is it time to speak with the Islanders on the availability of Biron?

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Biron has been sent to the AHL for conditioning and hasn't looked great for the Isles this season.

I'd rather call up Enroth right now if they have no confidence in Lalime.

I think the bigger issue is the defense taking too many risks.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

You're an idiot if you'd rather have Enroth than Biron (that's how I'm taking your post...if you meant it any other way, I apologize).

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Birons stats this season:

2-11-2, .900%, 3.22 GAA

Pass...

Miller does this every single season.

Starts very strong. Has an average middle, and then dominates down the stretch.

I'm not worried about it.

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Wheelhouse

I would like to see Lalime get a start coming up

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

First, you're new here, so I take your argument worth a grain of salt. Second, it has nothing to do with stats, and everything to do with how the team plays in front of him.

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And how he'd play if he were in a Sabres jersey.

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Wheelhouse

Not sure how to take that, so I'll wait for clarification...

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I think it's a bit of a stretch to just assume that Biron would put up better numbers just by virtue of being back in this organization.

Besides, backup goaltending isn't the problem right now. They're losing games with Miller in net . Biron doesn't fix that problem.

Lalime has been capable this year. Aside from the sinker he put up out west, he's played about as good as you can expect a backup behind a superstar to play.

I think Marty would change a lot within the club. That being said, unless the players are blowing smoke up our asses, they give kudos to Patty as well, so it may end up being a wash

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It means exactly what it says.

First of all, Biron has never been a first half goaltender. He never tightens up his game until they reach the home stretch.

Second of all, I've seen plenty of guys elevate their games after a trade has been made. Based on what we all know about Biron, I see him as the type of guy who would come here and get in a groove.

That said, I'm not advocating for this trade. I'm just chipping into the conversation.

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Wheelhouse

Interesting view points, and I must agree, getting back to that tight defensive style would be an advantage to this team. I think I could look at this from 2 points of view. Maybe another big bodied, puck moving D man, someone to clear the front of the net and help keep the puck to the outside (but I see goals being scored from the outside as well on Miller) .

Really hard to put a finger on a definitive solution. Not being a coach and not playing hockey for a number of years now, I could see the need to spend more time with puck control, either in transition, the nuetral zone or in the offensive zone. I do agree with many people that mistakes have cost us 5 or 6 games at the minimum this season. Pinching D men are one facet I look at. But overall, puck control seems to be a real issue with this D, is this a correct statement from others point of view?

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

In my view, the forward play is causing more defensive problems than anything else.

The defense is encouraged to jump into the play by the coaches. This is good. During their more successful stretches, the forwards would do a better job covering a defenseman who works down low.

Lately, that hasn't been happening as much, and it needs to.

The reason Miller was shining the first half was because our D was T-I-G-H-T, forcing the puck to the outside, blocking shooting lanes, taking away passes, and allowing Miller a clear view at the shots that are coming in on him. Now, our D is passing the puck into opposing teams' legs/sticks, being beat on the boards, getting caught in the zone, and generally being outworked.

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I definitely think Lalime needs to get a start this Weekend. Miller does need some resting time and Lalime needs a chance to get his confidence back.

I wonder if he will against Carolina?

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

He's not new, he used to frequent the old forums before they were "upgraded". And what does someone's join date have to do with their credibility in the first place?

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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

Pipe down sub 3,000 post count

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Hey! I had like, 11,000+ posts on the old boards... All those posts down the drain.

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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