Oilers with a PP in the last minute. Scrivens out for the 6 on 4

Blues win in regulation. (frank) my life.

Edmonton has given up a go-ahead goal late in the 3rd a lot lately.
- Pierceme69

The yotes and the oilers know how to tank. It's pathetic to watch the oilers, I mean I know their goal tending and D is crap, but they always lose these 2-1, 3-2 games in spite of having multiple potential 20 goal scorers. They've score what 4 goals in their last 4 games. The sabres 14 in their last 4. Sure hotstreaks occur, but they should be able to score more than that.

I never worried about the canes. they started the season missing both stalls and skinner, or both stalls were out at some point at least, so I knew they were going to suffer for a while, but as of late they've played much better and they'd have an extra 10 points of so if they didn't have so many injuries to overcome.

So it's down to the sabres, who seem to try every game they play, and it has paid off despite not having much talent ( ) the Oilers, who on paper should have a way higher PPG than 2.21, but somehow always seem to lose 2-1 or 3-2 and the yotes, who shoot a bunch of worthless shots that are easy to save and hold the puck for longer than the other team (which in my mind is much different than TOP) and then either allow themselves to get killed or blow a game magically in the closing minutes.

I think we might be in trouble if we keep trying b/c the other two aren't going to be helping us anytime soon

The yotes and the oilers know how to tank. It's pathetic to watch the oilers, I mean I know their goal tending and D is crap, but they always lose these 2-1, 3-2 games in spite of having multiple potential 20 goal scorers. They've score what 4 goals in their last 4 games. The sabres 14 in their last 4. Sure hotstreaks occur, but they should be able to score more than that.

I never worried about the canes. they started the season missing both stalls and skinner, or both stalls were out at some point at least, so I knew they were going to suffer for a while, but as of late they've played much better and they'd have an extra 10 points of so if they didn't have so many injuries to overcome.

So it's down to the sabres, who seem to try every game they play, and it has paid off despite not having much talent ( ) the Oilers, who on paper should have a way higher PPG than 2.21, but somehow always seem to lose 2-1 or 3-2 and the yotes, who shoot a bunch of worthless shots that are easy to save and hold the puck for longer than the other team (which in my mind is much different than TOP) and then either allow themselves to get killed or blow a game magically in the closing minutes.

I think we might be in trouble if we keep trying b/c the other two aren't going to be helping us anytime soon
- bberkey1

The Sabres saving grace is that after Monday they will have Lindback and Hackett as their goalies and no more Stewart. Plus Girgs will be out at least another 3 games.

The Sabres saving grace is that after Monday they will have Lindback and Hackett as their goalies and no more Stewart. Plus Girgs will be out at least another 3 games.
- Pierceme69

I'd imagine Mez and or mitchell, maybe even a shocker like ennis could also be dealt. I hope it's Hackett in net personally not just to make him a UFA but also, Lindback is a UFA, so he might end up standing on his head, not that I think it will happen, but a guy is more than likely to play out of his mind when his job and contract is on the line.

The Sabres saving grace is that after Monday they will have Lindback and Hackett as their goalies and no more Stewart. Plus Girgs will be out at least another 3 games.
- Pierceme69

Ready for the most stressful month and a half of our Sabre fan existence ?

I'd imagine Mez and or mitchell, maybe even a shocker like ennis could also be dealt. I hope it's Hackett in net personally not just to make him a UFA but also, Lindback is a UFA, so he might end up standing on his head, not that I think it will happen, but a guy is more than likely to play out of his mind when his job and contract is on the line.
- bberkey1

I didn't mention Mitchell or Mez because I don't think they hurt the tank. Maybe Mitchell. He has been scoring the last couple games.

I didn't mention Mitchell or Mez because I don't think they hurt the tank. Maybe Mitchell. He has been scoring the last couple games.
- Pierceme69

Coho has decided to start shooting more as well. I like his game, but not his contract. I wouldn't mind the cap hit if we got some talent and his 20 goal potential was reached

Ready for the most stressful month and a half of our Sabre fan existence ?
- sbroads24

It will be stressful. I try to look at it this way: The Yotes have lost 9 in a row. They now have 9 out of 10 at home. Let's say they only win 2 of those games. At that point they have 9 games left. 2 of them are against Buffalo. Let's say they split those. That leaves 7 games. If they can win 1 of those 7 that would be 4 wins out of 19 games. That doesn't seem like much, but with that awful record the Sabres would still need to get 13 points out of their last 19 games to pass them. That's not even counting any potential loser points.

I still think the Sabres are in good shape. Every we game we get no points makes it more likely. Tampa on Tuesday with Hackett should be a sure regulation loss. Tank on!

Coho has decided to start shooting more as well. I like his game, but not his contract. I wouldn't mind the cap hit if we got some talent and his 20 goal potential was reached
- bberkey1

He can be a 20 goal guy. But not on this current team

Ready for the most stressful month and a half of our Sabre fan existence ?
- sbroads24

I thought that was what these last 6-7 games was

It will be stressful. I try to look at it this way: The Yotes have lost 9 in a row. They now have 9 out of 10 at home. Let's say they only win 2 of those games. At that point they have 9 games left. 2 of them are against Buffalo. Let's say they split those. That leaves 7 games. If they can win 1 of those 7 that would be 4 wins out of 19 games. That doesn't seem like much, but with that awful record the Sabres would still need to get 13 points out of their last 19 games to pass them. That's not even counting any potential loser points.

I still think the Sabres are in good shape. Every we game we get no points makes it more likely. Tampa on Tuesday with Hackett should be a sure regulation loss. Tank on!
- Pierceme69

Were definitely in good shape. Still, it's the NHL and you never know.

I just want the prize. McDavid is gonna be that guy. It would bring life to this city to have that face here

It will be stressful. I try to look at it this way: The Yotes have lost 9 in a row. They now have 9 out of 10 at home. Let's say they only win 2 of those games. At that point they have 9 games left. 2 of them are against Buffalo. Let's say they split those. That leaves 7 games. If they can win 1 of those 7 that would be 4 wins out of 19 games. That doesn't seem like much, but with that awful record the Sabres would still need to get 13 points out of their last 19 games to pass them. That's not even counting any potential loser points.

I still think the Sabres are in good shape. Every we game we get no points makes it more likely. Tampa on Tuesday with Hackett should be a sure regulation loss. Tank on!
- Pierceme69

As long as the yotes lost in OT I'd be cool with that, but man that Rangers game was the prime example of just opening up and letting a team win b/c they didn't realize that they were playing better than their opponent and got ahead of the score and needed to collapse.

My conspiracy theory is: with vermette and yandle out the door (assuming) the players that are going to be on that team contractually for the next few years have probably bought into the tank and think "hey with a superstar we might be better, not too mention my stock could rise for a better contract in the future: Tank on" (Probably not true, but It's fun to conspire )

Were definitely in good shape. Still, it's the NHL and you never know.

I just want the prize. McDavid is gonna be that guy. It would bring life to this city to have that face here
- sbroads24

The pooptiest part about it all is that even if we are the worst team we only have a 1 in 5 chance of getting him. Draft lotteries are one of the biggest blights in professional sports. The NFL gets it right. It's amazing to me that the NHL and NBA wouldn't copy off of the most successful sports league in the country.

As long as the yotes lost in OT I'd be cool with that, but man that Rangers game was the prime example of just opening up and letting a team win b/c they didn't realize that they were playing better than their opponent and got ahead of the score and needed to collapse.

My conspiracy theory is: with vermette and yandle out the door (assuming) the players that are going to be on that team contractually for the next few years have probably bought into the tank and think "hey with a superstar we might be better, not too mention my stock could rise for a better contract in the future: Tank on" (Probably not true, but It's fun to conspire )
- bberkey1

I think you're reaching to think the players on Arizona have any different mindset than the Sabres players. They want to win. Their goaltending is atrocious.

I think you're reaching to think the players on Arizona have any different mindset than the Sabres players. They want to win. Their goaltending is atrocious.
- Pierceme69

As I said, it's just fun to play. I'm just trying to rationalize and understand how that team has pulled a 180 from being a team many considered too far ahead to finsih last, to the laughing stock of the NHL if they really are better than people think. I know goal tending is terrible, but c'mon there is other talent on team and how many times can the "oh man we gave up a goal in the most unfortunate manner and time" occur before you start to wonder.

- homiedclown

I want a POTTY

The pooptiest part about it all is that even if we are the worst team we only have a 1 in 5 chance of getting him. Draft lotteries are one of the biggest blights in professional sports. The NFL gets it right. It's amazing to me that the NHL and NBA wouldn't copy off of the most successful sports league in the country.
- Pierceme69

You control the lottery draft, automatic ordering you do not. Does anyone actual think that the CAVs, who had a 1.7% chance to win the draft, after Lebron said he'd go back if they had more talent around him and magically won? Not to mention that they were the #7 (or 9?)team and no team higher than 4 had ever won. I'll never believe that was not a rig job, as the NBA has already tripled their profit on merchandise and apparel (or close to it if I read that projection correctly). and the tv deals are going to be through the roof come playoff time with the "prodigal son returnth"

Money makes the world go round and if we finish last and we dont' get Mcdavid I'll never believe we lost fair and square (unless the oilers get him NHL wouldn't rig it for them ) b/c you don't get to see the balls being picked. I want to see someone spinning a big drum like the state lottery and pull the ball out and show the world who it is. With the lottery there's too much controversy as it's done behind closed doors. (Unless I've always missed this part of the system, in which I retract this statement, but I've only ever seen cards flipped over)

As I said, it's just fun to play. I'm just trying to rationalize and understand how that team has pulled a 180 from being a team many considered too far ahead to finsih last, to the laughing stock of the NHL if they really are better than people think. I know goal tending is terrible, but c'mon there is other talent on team and how many times can the "oh man we gave up a goal in the most unfortunate manner and time" occur before you start to wonder.
- bberkey1

I saw your post earlier about how they take worthless shots. I mean, I can't really argue the point when they don't score goals, but they get a lot of shots on goal. They had another 32 today. I just feel like they are due to get some bounces. They have 9 out of 10 games at home now. I think they will win a few games very shortly.

I saw your post earlier about how they take worthless shots. I mean, I can't really argue the point when they don't score goals, but they get a lot of shots on goal. They had another 32 today. I just feel like they are due to get some bounces. They have 9 out of 10 games at home now. I think they will win a few games very shortly.
- Pierceme69

That's a good point. They're shooting % lately has to be low. Just like ours recently has been relatively high. Hopefully they get some backup goalies soon

I saw your post earlier about how they take worthless shots. I mean, I can't really argue the point when they don't score goals, but they get a lot of shots on goal. They had another 32 today. I just feel like they are due to get some bounces. They have 9 out of 10 games at home now. I think they will win a few games very shortly.
- Pierceme69

I agree they are shooting a lot, but if 20 of their 32 shots are right at the goalie and have almost no chance to go in the net, is that really anything to write home about? Now, of course you have to sometimes take shots for shots sake, thats how you get garbage rebounds and unplanned redirects, but to shoot with no screen or when the goalie is literally waiting for the shot, is not what I consider quality shots. I'm not saying the yotes are doing this every game mind you, but I watched a game they played versus Dallas (I think) and they got lit up 6-0. I turned it off after 4-0, but most of the shots they took were just that. Blue line, clear lane with no traffic, easy peasy. They ended up with 30+ shots that game, but the 10-12 I saw I would only call shots by definition for stats sake

My point is stats can be very misleading and shots dose not always equate to outplaying and/or trying

That's a good point. They're shooting % lately has to be low. Just like ours recently has been relatively high. Hopefully they get some backup goalies soon
- sbroads24

They have the lowest shooting percentage in the league at 7.28% and their last 4 games it has been an astonishingly low 3.6%. There is definitely a positive regression coming. My guess is it happens in this next stretch where they play 9 out of 10 at home.

I agree they are shooting a lot, but if 20 of their 32 shots are right at the goalie and have almost no chance to go in the net, is that really anything to write home about? Now, of course you have to sometimes take shots for shots sake, thats how you get garbage rebounds and unplanned redirects, but to shoot with no screen or when the goalie is literally waiting for the shot, is not what I consider quality shots. I'm not saying the yotes are doing this every game mind you, but I watched a game they played versus Dallas (I think) and they got lit up 6-0. I turned it off after 4-0, but most of the shots they took were just that. Blue line, clear lane with no traffic, easy peasy. They ended up with 30+ shots that game, but the 10-12 I saw I would only call shots by definition for stats sake

My point is stats can be very misleading and shots dose not always equate to outplaying and/or trying
- bberkey1

I probably watch the Yotes more than anyone because their are my favorite west coast team, but I don't watch them enough to agree or disagree with you. I'm sure a good percentage of shots by every team are not hard to handle. Maybe scoring chances would be a better indicator. I'll see what I can dig up on that.

I probably watch the Yotes more than anyone because their are my favorite west coast team, but I don't watch them enough to agree or disagree with you. I'm sure a good percentage of shots by every team are not hard to handle. Maybe scoring chances would be a better indicator. I'll see what I can dig up on that.
- Pierceme69

SC would probably be a better indicator for sure, but I wouldn't work too hard though. I know you watch them more than I (I've only seen 4 games if you count being on in the background as watched) so I rely on guys like yourself for updates on their overall gameplay and progress. I generally believe that that team should be paying much better, and they do have more talent than the Sabres, it just baffles me that they have been playing so bad, right at crucnh time if you will. I hope your right about their home stretch and they at least warmup b/c they hit their coldstreak at just the right time

I'm out for the night folks. Pierce, nice chatting with you buddy. Have a good one