I just read this article from the Buffalo News.

http://www.buffalonews.co...204/SPORTS/130209589/1104

Now I agree we need some production from our 2nd and 3rd lines, but I don't believe that's why we are doing so bad. It comes down to one thing and that's defense.

Sabres are currently tied for 8th in scoring, 3rd in the East, 1st in the NE. While they are tied for last place in goals against. There is only one other team that gives up more shots than Buffalo as well. Now one big thing that will help is if we start doing better on face offs. With Kevyn Adams here, we should start to get better. He was always top 5 when he played. The thing is, are centers are young and aren't quite as strong as some of the guys they're facing on the dot.

I hope Darcy can make an uncharacteristic move and trade for a 2nd/3rd line center who can win some faceoffs when we really need them.

deal but you have to healthy scratch spezza when he plays us
- hubie

well he's non-healthy scratched tonight (and for the rest of this season), does that count?

well he's non-healthy scratched tonight (and for the rest of this season), does that count?
- sensarmy_11

he's hurt? What rock have I been under?

he's hurt? What rock have I been under?
- hubie

A huge rock...

he's hurt? What rock have I been under?
- hubie

He had back surgery/ Is having back surgery. (I Think)

Ottawa has been real tight lipped about the severity of it from what I have read/heard.

I just read this article from the Buffalo News.

http://www.buffalonews.co...204/SPORTS/130209589/1104

Now I agree we need some production from our 2nd and 3rd lines, but I don't believe that's why we are doing so bad. It comes down to one thing and that's defense.

Sabres are currently tied for 8th in scoring, 3rd in the East, 1st in the NE. While they are tied for last place in goals against. There is only one other team that gives up more shots than Buffalo as well. Now one big thing that will help is if we start doing better on face offs. With Kevyn Adams here, we should start to get better. He was always top 5 when he played. The thing is, are centers are young and aren't quite as strong as some of the guys they're facing on the dot.

I hope Darcy can make an uncharacteristic move and trade for a 2nd/3rd line center who can win some faceoffs when we really need them.
- adambuffalo

Because of 1 line, once they cool off scoring will be the bonafide number 1 problem. Defense has been brutal, but we have only scored 1 goal twice and 2 goals once.

well he's non-healthy scratched tonight (and for the rest of this season), does that count?
- sensarmy_11

ahh herniated disc, that sucks

So Miller is in net then
- sbroads24

Yeah, and we let the Amerks borrow Enroth

A huge rock...
- JVince11

lol season started at the wrong time for me

A huge rock...
- JVince11

lol season started at the wrong time for me

he's hurt? What rock have I been under?
- hubie

he's out for the season, back surgery. MAYBE back for the playoffs, if we make it.

Yeah, and we let the Amerks borrow Enroth
- qcstudios

So Enroth breaks his 13 game losing streak?

Yeah, and we let the Amerks borrow Enroth
- qcstudios

wait waht??

Amerks just called up Liewuen too?

So Enroth breaks his 13 game losing streak?
- sbroads24

No he lost in the shootout after vanek scored 10

wait waht??

Amerks just called up Liewuen too?
- JVince11

haha, no this goes all the way back to "yeah at this point our AHL team would beat us"

Because of 1 line, once they cool off scoring will be the bonafide number 1 problem. Defense has been brutal, but we have only scored 1 goal twice and 2 goals once.
- sbroads24

Bad defense will be problem #1 all season long

If you have good defense, you can survive inconsistant scoring . Pourous Defense combined with meager scoring just means your team sucks. This team is one Vanek (or Pomminville) injury away from an even more catastrophic season.

I just read this article from the Buffalo News.

http://www.buffalonews.co...204/SPORTS/130209589/1104

Now I agree we need some production from our 2nd and 3rd lines, but I don't believe that's why we are doing so bad. It comes down to one thing and that's defense.

Sabres are currently tied for 8th in scoring, 3rd in the East, 1st in the NE. While they are tied for last place in goals against. There is only one other team that gives up more shots than Buffalo as well. Now one big thing that will help is if we start doing better on face offs. With Kevyn Adams here, we should start to get better. He was always top 5 when he played. The thing is, are centers are young and aren't quite as strong as some of the guys they're facing on the dot.

I hope Darcy can make an uncharacteristic move and trade for a 2nd/3rd line center who can win some faceoffs when we really need them.
- adambuffalo

IMO this F/O thing is being blown way out of proportion. I know it directly lead to goal on Sunday, but league leaders are usually around 55% - 60%. What does that equate to in a game? 2 – 4 more won F/O's?

Bad defense will be problem #1 all season long

If you have good defense, you can survive inconsistant scoring . Pourous Defense combined with meager scoring just means your team sucks. This team is one Vanek (or Pomminville) injury away from an even more catastrophic season.
- RynoBull

You just made my point. If Vanek goes out this team is nothing. You win games by scoring more goals then the other team. They have lost 6-1, 3-1, 3-2. You won't win too many games by scoring 1 or 2 goals. Sometimes Miller is average, you're 2-4 lines have to be steadily on the score sheet for you to win games. Defense is a huge problem right now, but secondary scoring is 1A then

IMO this F/O thing is being blown way out of proportion. I know it directly lead to goal on Sunday, but league leaders are usually around 55% - 60%. What does that equate to in a game? 2 – 4 more won F/O's?
- jzabawaj

i agree, i think people's counterpoint mostly revolves around just wanting to win a faceoff when you need to and being bad at them usually means that doesn't happen.

Because of 1 line, once they cool off scoring will be the bonafide number 1 problem. Defense has been brutal, but we have only scored 1 goal twice and 2 goals once.
- sbroads24

I agree they need more production from the 2nd and 3rd lines, and i'm sure that will get better. The 2nd line has had a lot of good chances and just need to start burying some of those chances. Grigo will get better as well. I see the concern with scoring only 1 goal twice and 2 goals once, but we have also scored 3 goals in three of the games we loss. That's why I think our D is the main problem. At least 4 goals given up in last 4 games.

i agree, i think people's counterpoint mostly revolves around just wanting to win a faceoff when you need to and being bad at them usually means that doesn't happen.
- FIREonICE

I think people only care about faceoffs when your loosing in the last couple mins of the game. Does anyone care if we win or loose the opening faceoff?

You just made my point. If Vanek goes out this team is nothing. You win games by scoring more goals then the other team. They have lost 6-1, 3-1, 3-2. You won't win too many games by scoring 1 or 2 goals. Sometimes Miller is average, you're 2-4 lines have to be steadily on the score sheet for you to win games. Defense is a huge problem right now, but secondary scoring is 1A then
- sbroads24

Minny only has 9 points and like us they only have 1 line scoring

double post

I agree they need more production from the 2nd and 3rd lines, and i'm sure that will get better. The 2nd line has had a lot of good chances and just need to start burying some of those chances. Grigo will get better as well. I see the concern with scoring only 1 goal twice and 2 goals once, but we have also scored 3 goals in three of the games we loss. That's why I think our D is the main problem. At least 4 goals given up in last 4 games.
- adambuffalo

Right but where did the 3 goals come from in the games we lost? The Vanek line. If he was playing even like a regular 1st line player, we would have lost the BOS, PHI, and TOR game.

Minny only has 9 points and like us they only have 1 line scoring
- hubie

Yup