I just don't want you people who doubted this team to say "Oh I KNEW THEY HAD IT IN THEM" if we make the playoffs. You guys can stay off the bandwagon if you REALLY don't believe in this team.
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The team was on a 10 game winless streak at the time and they still haven't proven that they can win on a consistant basis in order to even make the playoffs, so where do you come off telling me and other Sabres fans to stay off the bandwagon because of our legitimate concerns?
BTW, aren't you the same guy who was supposed to cancel his account because the Pens ended making the playoffs last year?
Lol...Its brutal how fast peoples opinion change. I said it before, if any team would/could make a playoff push it was the Sabres. They are loaded with Playoff hardened players. And I think Lindy Ruff is again the best coach in the NHL. I think the leadership we lost in Briere and Drury hurt more than we thought it would.
No team in the Eastern Conferance wants to draw Buffalo in the first round no matter where Buffalo is seeded.
At this point if they do make the playoffs, it's going to mean lots of players getting hot, players who aren't scoring starting to score, very few games off/poor efforts which means leadership might have emerged...if these things happen, I'm all for it.
I stand by the above statement. Unlikely. Stranger things have happened....
So far going 8-0-2 to climb back into is has been just that. Unlikely and strange.
Yeah, and as much a 10-game winless streak has most people completely down on the team, a 10-game point streak has most people hoping for a deep playoff run.
I stand by my estimate: it's an inconsistant, young(ish) team, which can go hot or cold at any time. Fortunately, many teams in the East have had issues this season (SE division), while some can't take that next step to further secure a hold on a playoff spot (Boston, Rangers, Philly).
I really didn't think Carolina would have these sorts of issues, and I though the Rangers will pull it together by now.
Amyways...As long as we get the good Tallinder, the good Vanek, the awesome Miller... We'll be fine. Guys like Hecht and Gaustad and Paille and Pommer will turn up every game. Roy as well, regardless of his mental lapses on the PP, there's much more to his game.
While these three (Hank, TV, Miller) play like they have recently, things should be fine.
Yeah, and as much a 10-game winless streak has most people completely down on the team, a 10-game point streak has most people hoping for a deep playoff run.
I stand by my estimate: it's an inconsistant, young(ish) team, which can go hot or cold at any time. Fortunately, many teams in the East have had issues this season (SE division), while some can't take that next step to further secure a hold on a playoff spot (Boston, Rangers, Philly).
I really didn't think Carolina would have these sorts of issues, and I though the Rangers will pull it together by now.
Amyways...As long as we get the good Tallinder, the good Vanek, the awesome Miller... We'll be fine. Guys like Hecht and Gaustad and Paille and Pommer will turn up every game. Roy as well, regardless of his mental lapses on the PP, there's much more to his game.
While these three (Hank, TV, Miller) play like they have recently, things should be fine.
A lot of it is the consistency of certain players. We haven't seen many of the "doh!" softies from Miller in this stretch. Nor have there been as many handgrenade moments from the defense -- cutting down on chances. And Miller pointed out, the forwards are backchecking with a purpose. Think about a few of the times Vanek is coming back (or in the Leaf game, getting down to block shots). TV is invested and that is but one example of how they're playing right now.
Now the upside to the blown Bruin game is they still picked up a point but they kicked their collective ***** after the game. It dialed them up for the next three. If they can maintain consistency of effort that we're seeing now... they will be there. If not... FORE!!
the oldest HF rule of them all - a better prospect pool is 100 times better than a shot at the big prize.
Yeah, no you're right. A first round exit against the Sens or Devils would be much better than a shot at a franchise player that can help us for years to come.
Yeah, no you're right. A first round exit against the Sens or Devils would be much better than a shot at a franchise player that can help us for years to come.
The Sabres aren't bad enough to get into the bottom 5 of the league, so the point is moot.
Yeah, no you're right. A first round exit against the Sens or Devils would be much better than a shot at a franchise player that can help us for years to come.
No, you're right. 6th-8th seeds never get hot and go on runs in the playoffs. Cinderella stories are virtually unheard-of in the NHL. I can't even remember the last time a low seed upset a high seed in the first round. I mean, it's not like it happens every single year or anything.
No, far better to completely forego a chance at winning the Stanley Cup in order to get a high draft pick. Now, there's a completely sure bet, never a crapshoot. Just ask Alexandre Daigle, he'll tell you.
This team has yet to show me anything to make me think they could win a playoff series let alone make a run at big shiny. Yeah, teams get hot and go on unlikely runs. I just don't see this team having the heart to pull something like that together.
First time watching Buffalo today, hope you dont mind a Rangers fan chiming in... I would guess Buffalo has too much regular season skill to be kept out of the post-season by Boston, plus TWO southeast teams aren't going to make runs to catch them in points. Buffalo should make it.
That being said, is the softness of the Sabres a big issue? They got plastered today and just rolled over and died. They didn't even try to make a statement or stick up for one another or throw some big hits. When the physicality of the playoffs gets here, its hard to imagine the Sabres not being pushed all over the ice and succumbing to whatever 1st round opponent they get. Maybe today was an aberration (but then again, not many really tough players in the lineup).
If we don't trade for one or two Players with experience and some leadership to Buffalo, then I'm not sure if we are going to make the Playoffs.
We have much young Players on our roster who needs a true leader. Guys like Paille, Stafford, McArthur, Pommers, Vanek and even Roy need a veteran who knows how it is to fight for a Playoff spot. They need somone who they can look up. Hecht shows some effort and tries to be the leader but I don't think that he should be more than an alternative Captain for the sabres.
I'm afraid but it's possible that the sabres are going to miss the Playoffs because they miss some leadership and experience on the team. They miss a veteran like Shanahan, Jokinen, Lang, Lidstrom, etc.....
I'm afraid but it's possible that the sabres are going to miss the Playoffs because they miss some leadership and experience on the team. They miss a veteran like Shanahan, Jokinen, Lang, Lidstrom, etc.....
I've followed Lang throughout his career, the guy has never been, and never will be, a leader.
And I like him as a player.
I've followed Lang throughout his career, the guy has never been, and never will be, a leader.
And I like him as a player.
Not only that but the love in by some for Jokinen is a bit baffling at least as it pertains to the playoffs. Considering he has never played in the NHL playoffs let only led a team into them.
It's not going to take 96. Mirtle's "safe" projection in the East is 90 points.
And I'd rather have Montreal fall apart, Ottawa continue to struggle, and Buffalo streaks to the finish to steal the division, but I thought this thread was about making the playoffs.
Your plan looks good so far:
A. Montreal trade sstarting goalie - Habs fans bewildered - CHECK.
B. Ottawa fires coach - former coach returns; hopefully wearing his iron turtleneck as a premier playoff choker. CHECK
Both Montreal and Ottawa have West Coast trips ahead of them. Ottawa has 4 more road games than home games the rest of the way. Both Boston and BUF might close quite a bit of gap on both of them by season's end.
