They need to learn how to play a complete two way game with their forwards. So often in our own end a guy will just walk right up to the net unopposed to receive a pass and he'll score. Unless the forwards start to figure it out in our own end we're going to be pretty much the same next year, and no acquisitions are going to change it. It's a coaching necessity and we'll see if Granato can get it done.
Agreed, they need to take a long hard look at their special teams and defensive coaching.... there is a disconnect somewhere. The power play was fine for awhile until everyone else figured it out.... no adjustments to compensate.
Seems like the biggest problem to me. Granato did an awesome thing, letting these guys play fast and loose, but now he’s got to rein it in. If these guys can’t learn to play more responsible we’ll have the same performance next year, no matter who they add on the back end
It’s strange too, because there have also been plenty of great moments where the back checking has hard and preventative. The consistency is the issue there for me in that regard
Tbh I think a few recent games (Toronto, NYR, Edmonton) they’ve actually done much better at it. But then we offer up a shitball like last game and I’m left with more questions again
Well said! All 5 skaters have to pull their defensive weight / it’s not just the defenders or the goalies, at times they prove they can get close to accomplishing that. But still struggle to maintain it for 3 periods, specially after taking a lead. How many loses occurred after we had the lead this season? … too many!
Another aspect of that is possession, we love to score on the fast transition and that’s awesome but I really wanna see the whole team work on maintaining possession in a defensive mindset, essentially this team needs to learn how to ‘park the bus’ if you will (lock up a game after you have the lead)
Still hoping they can heat up and steal a WC spot to give everybody some playoff experience!
If he was capable of getting it done the team would be getting better over the course of the season. They've gotten worse at it.
I haven't seen one thing the last three months that makes me think this team will be better next year. Our top line is one of the worst in the league at xGA and the guys who can play 2 way hockey are probably gonna get pushed out for more rookies next year.
I doubt we make the playoffs based on the contracts we have and who we’ll be willing to trade. We’re a pretty boy hockey team who look great when it’s all going well but have no steel and willpower when things aren’t going great.
I’m not sure the playoffs are grim.
The Islanders can easily lose 7 of their final 11. Even a couple OTL and they finish at 90 points.
Sabres can easily win 9 of 14 or even go 8-4-2 and pass.
It’s gonna come down to whichever 2 teams end up hot in April.
Any 2 of the 7 teams fighting for the WC can get hit. Sabres included.
https://records.nhl.com/records/team-records/milestone-goals-and-points/most-30-plus-goals-one-season
The Penguins and the Red wings. Interestingly enough, the Sabres had the most 30-goal scorers with 6 players reaching that mark in the 1974-75 season.
This goes to show just how important good, consistent goaltending is in the NHL if you want to make it into the playoffs. I’m so glad we have Levi on deck and I’m hopeful we can make the next step next year. If we don’t make the playoffs this year do we get a lottery pick or are we stuck in pick purgatory?
My friend, 1993 was *30* years ago, making this even more impressive.
But 1993 was just recently. Feels just like yesterday, 9 years old, riding my bike, playing with my friends... No, can't be 30 years ago
Oh my god, of course. Good catch, friend. I’ll edit it. I’m living in 2013 I guess 🥸😂
Why must you do this, fellow Kingkiller Chronicle sufferer?
They need to learn how to play a complete two way game with their forwards. So often in our own end a guy will just walk right up to the net unopposed to receive a pass and he'll score. Unless the forwards start to figure it out in our own end we're going to be pretty much the same next year, and no acquisitions are going to change it. It's a coaching necessity and we'll see if Granato can get it done.
Agreed, they need to take a long hard look at their special teams and defensive coaching.... there is a disconnect somewhere. The power play was fine for awhile until everyone else figured it out.... no adjustments to compensate.
Seems like the biggest problem to me. Granato did an awesome thing, letting these guys play fast and loose, but now he’s got to rein it in. If these guys can’t learn to play more responsible we’ll have the same performance next year, no matter who they add on the back end
It’s strange too, because there have also been plenty of great moments where the back checking has hard and preventative. The consistency is the issue there for me in that regard
Tbh I think a few recent games (Toronto, NYR, Edmonton) they’ve actually done much better at it. But then we offer up a shitball like last game and I’m left with more questions again
Well said! All 5 skaters have to pull their defensive weight / it’s not just the defenders or the goalies, at times they prove they can get close to accomplishing that. But still struggle to maintain it for 3 periods, specially after taking a lead. How many loses occurred after we had the lead this season? … too many! Another aspect of that is possession, we love to score on the fast transition and that’s awesome but I really wanna see the whole team work on maintaining possession in a defensive mindset, essentially this team needs to learn how to ‘park the bus’ if you will (lock up a game after you have the lead) Still hoping they can heat up and steal a WC spot to give everybody some playoff experience!
If he was capable of getting it done the team would be getting better over the course of the season. They've gotten worse at it. I haven't seen one thing the last three months that makes me think this team will be better next year. Our top line is one of the worst in the league at xGA and the guys who can play 2 way hockey are probably gonna get pushed out for more rookies next year.
I'm all for letting them play all offensive in the other teams zone, but after that blue line it needs to be a 2 way game from All forwards
That's a great feat for Buffalo though everyone is scoring this year so it seems kinda skewed.
I doubt we make the playoffs based on the contracts we have and who we’ll be willing to trade. We’re a pretty boy hockey team who look great when it’s all going well but have no steel and willpower when things aren’t going great.
Too bad our D is made of swiss cheese
I’m not sure the playoffs are grim. The Islanders can easily lose 7 of their final 11. Even a couple OTL and they finish at 90 points. Sabres can easily win 9 of 14 or even go 8-4-2 and pass. It’s gonna come down to whichever 2 teams end up hot in April. Any 2 of the 7 teams fighting for the WC can get hit. Sabres included.
The Sabres are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games. It’s grim.
I don’t think we can “easily win” anything at this moment.
how about now
I appreciate the optimism but we have seemed content to let other teams run their game on us. No such thing as "easily" for this team to close it out.
I still can’t believe Olofsson has that many goals this season when it’s seemed at times that he couldn’t buy a goal with Gretzky’s credit card.
Surprisingly, a lot of his goals have been 5v5 this year. While his D remains lackluster, he has taken a big step forward in 5 on 5 play.
It’s nice to see, truly. For the longest time he was a one trick pony with that power play one timer.
What team had five 30 goal scorers 30 years ago?
https://records.nhl.com/records/team-records/milestone-goals-and-points/most-30-plus-goals-one-season The Penguins and the Red wings. Interestingly enough, the Sabres had the most 30-goal scorers with 6 players reaching that mark in the 1974-75 season.
So being born in 95..that makes me 22 right?
According to my math, born in 1995 would put you at the age of 18. Enjoy adulthood. 😉😂
This goes to show just how important good, consistent goaltending is in the NHL if you want to make it into the playoffs. I’m so glad we have Levi on deck and I’m hopeful we can make the next step next year. If we don’t make the playoffs this year do we get a lottery pick or are we stuck in pick purgatory?
This would be depressing to get the record but miss the playoffs