You're as guilty as they are

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I gave you my opinion. I said the physicality can improve.

But I also point out that it's not as bad as you're making it out to be.

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE STATS, FOLKS!

When Detroit won the cup in 2008:

1. They had the fewest fighting majors in the entire NHL. Dead last.

2. They also had the 2nd fewest penalty minutes.

3. They were 25th in hits.

4. AND THEY WERE DEAD LAST IN BLOCKED SHOTS!

Don't we play a similar style to Detroit???

These stats are skewed because of the system they played. And ours are skewed because of the system we play.

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Wheelhouse

I'll stay on my soap box, and continue to say that we will go no where in the playoffs with two "soft as mink fur " centers. It would be possible if our top four wingers were hard nosed hitters and provided decent scoring, but that isn't the case either. When the clutching and grabbing is increased during the play offs, I believe we will be fucked!!

I hope I am wrong.

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

this is getting ugly...

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LETS GO BUFFALO!

Let me stop you right there.

Lilja.
Lidstrom.
Chelios.
Rafalski.
Datsyuk.
Draper.
Zetterberg.
Franzen.
Holmstrom.
Kronwall.

Yep. We sure do compare.

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What's your point? Chelios is worse than Rivet. He didn't even play.

Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Lidstrom are the only three players that you mentioned that are above any of the Sabres.

And Myers is pretty damn close to being a shut down d man.

The point is, when you play this style of hockey, you aren't going to be a leader in those categories. It doesn't mean that your team is soft.

Stop trying to spin it out of context.

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Wheelhouse

I'm done talking to you. You're in complete and utter denial, and will argue until you're blue in the face.

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Sorry for defending my argument. God forbid I call it like I see it.

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Wheelhouse

Easy guys.
Play nice.
Please.

in all honesty, that was probably the best game we've played against Ottawa all year long. Our first period was one of the strongest I've seen in awhile. A couple luckier bounces or better rebounds for us, and we would've had the lead going into the second. I don't know what the final hit total ended up being last night but I know for awhile we were leading in hits by a pretty good amount. Last night was not a soft and gutless game. Yes, maybe the reaction to Miller getting hit wasn't what it should have been, but we did end up getting a Power Play and being down by one goal, that was important.

I think what really hurts is how tough of a loss this was, because we came back from a 2 goal deficit and one major lapse in the last minute cost us. Yes, it was heartbreaking. and I think from the post game interviews you could tell the Sabres were angry with themselves as well.
I'm going to wait until I see how they respond to this loss before I get overly concerned. There's still much hockey left to play, and also two more Ottawa games.

Where are these hitting stats coming from? I can't find them anywhere, and I'd like to know the source before I go out and discredit it.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

NHL.com

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Yeah I found mine at NHL.com. You can look up many years back too.

It's tough to navigate at first, but I figured it out.

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Wheelhouse

Ahh, ok yeah, their garbage stats database...ok, I found it now...give me a few mins to analyze numbers, and I'll make a response that will be educated, and informed.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Stats on hits aren't always the most reliable. They're generally skewed in favor of the home team. Not always, but generally.

that was also our first home regulation loss since Dec 7th vs NJ. sucks how that streak had to end, but not a shabby streak to have.

Perhaps, but it does even out for all the teams and being last is a telling number.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

I think its time we find out what "Hitler" thinks of this situation with Buffalo and Ottawa. Any one have a current vidoe of Hitlers response to this?

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

Can we all calm down? It's the REGULAR SEASON. Beating division rivals would be nice, but all that matters is punching that ticket to the playoffs. I think the Sabre's depth, newfound discipline, and goaltending will take them far no matter what seed they end up with.

The next five games are against the 'Canes (twice), the Bruins, the Blue Jackets, and the Sharks. Four should-wins and a who-cares. If the boys don't pick up at least six more points before the break, then maybe we should be worried. But really, all they need to do is play .500 puck from here on out and they're in. No need to get so emotional about it.

Ok, here's my basic opinion on the matter;

The fact that we may or may not rank last in hitting is irrelevant, particularly because there are roughly a thousand different variables that go into being out hit.

The blocking shots thing also is a variable stat, because of our defensive system forcing shots from wide angles, that aren't blockable, simply because we're willing to give a low angle shot to protect the high angle shots.

The thing that I will agree on is that, we do need to add a piece or two down the stretch to bring some energy to this team. Our highest point scorers just aren't clicking together. I'm not suggesting that we split the entire top 6 up, but moving 1 or possibly 2 guys, could really help the dynamic of this team. Honestly I wouldn't mind seeing us move Roy and Stafford, or Roy and MacArthur for a big winger, and a 50 point per year, gritty center.

However, this team doesn't have a true enforcer on it, and it is a major reason why it seems we get worked over every night. Teams are willing to "test" the limits more, because our reputation for general toughness isn't there. We've got guys on this team that are tough, but none of them are guys that people genuinely fear.

What we really need for the regular season is a certifiable lunatic like Tootoo, or Derek Boogard that is a real threat to go after one of your stars, instead we put out Adam Mair and Matt Ellis and say, ok boys go be scary...oh wait...you simply aren't.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this team needs a certifiable enforcer to survive the regular season. You can't survive on tough guy by committee, especially when your toughest guy is a 36 year old defensive man who doesn't want to fight anymore.

Soft and Gutless I think is a bit much, but the fact remains we lack genuine toughness, and allow agitators like Neil and Rutuu to run around and throw our major players off their games, because they are looking over their shoulder to find those two ass clowns.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010