This is the NHL not the NFL though. The steamrolling of bad teams isn't the same in hockey.
TB had the best record in the league last year and we were 1-2-1 against them. In 4 games they had a total of 3 more goals than the Sabres. No steamrolling.
The previous season Boston finished with 112 points and Buffalo had 62 points. The Sabres were 3-1 against them.
In hockey, if you're expecting a blowout against a bad team every game, you will be disappointed.
- adambuffalo

That's because the NHL is a long season. Half the games are decided by who played the night before, who's goalie was hotter, which team is on a hot streak, who is healthier, etc.

But this early in the season, where the Sabres are hot and NY is a mess, and both teams are healthy, I want to see a big difference between them.

I mean, I wasn't thrilled with the alternation earlier, but there is a back to back against two of the worst teams...I don't really care which guy gets which game. Makes sense to give hutton one extra rest day.
- matty12345

Sabres.com is making it sound like Hutton is getting the start. They gave his stats vs. the Rangers

Sabres.com is making it sound like Hutton is getting the start. They gave his stats vs. the Rangers
- jcragcrumple

sabres canucks final in a year or 2?

Some will say Sobotka is playing well but 1 point in ten games is not second line material.

- lulags

I still don't understand why people want to change up the lines. At 8-1-1, what reason is there to change the lines at this point? What does the record have to be for people to start having faith in Krueger's decision making?

Even strength goals and combined +/-:

Eichel, Reinhart, Olofsson 7g, -3
Skinner, Johansson, Sobotka 9g, +13
Mitts, Vesey, Sheary 4g, +13
Larsson, Girgs, Okposo 3g, -2

Should we change the lines in fear that they may regress, or would it be crazy to expect the lines to possibly improve spending more than 10 games together?

I agree with this. The current ranger team is terrible. They need to Dallas stars them and KO them.

The ranger team has 0 puck possession and the Sabres are a puck possession team.

It all points to a win.
- Sabretooth9

It's not as easy as you make it sound. Anybody can beat anybody in thr NHL (Ottawa beat TB), the Rags are desperate and they have beaten us 6 out of the last 7 (granted different teams).

I still don't understand why people want to change up the lines. At 8-1-1, what reason is there to change the lines at this point? What does the record have to be for people to start having faith in Krueger's decision making?

Even strength goals and combined +/-:

Eichel, Reinhart, Olofsson 7g, -3
Skinner, Johansson, Sobotka 9g, +13
Mitts, Vesey, Sheary 4g, +13
Larsson, Girgs, Okposo 3g, -2

Should we change the lines in fear that they may regress, or would it be crazy to expect the lines to possibly improve spending more than 10 games together?
- adambuffalo

8-1-1 don't change a thing

8-1-1 don't change a thing
- turbo044

would you play a goalie b2b after a shutout? (runs and hides)

That's because the NHL is a long season. Half the games are decided by who played the night before, who's goalie was hotter, which team is on a hot streak, who is healthier, etc.

But this early in the season, where the Sabres are hot and NY is a mess, and both teams are healthy, I want to see a big difference between them.
- matty12345

Yeah, but...
The Rangers also have played 3 less games than us and are currently on a 5 game losing streak. Should be a desperate team coming in, and I would expect a pretty fast paced game.
Hopefully our depth provides to much for the Rangers to keep up with.

would you play a goalie b2b after a shutout? (runs and hides)
- hubie

thats a good team over there

Sabres.com is making it sound like Hutton is getting the start. They gave his stats vs. the Rangers
- jcragcrumple

Hutton has a better record against NY and Ullmark has a better record against Detroit.

Yeah, but...
The Rangers also have played 3 less games than us and are currently on a 5 game losing streak. Should be a desperate team coming in, and I would expect a pretty fast paced game.
Hopefully our depth provides to much for the Rangers to keep up with.
- adambuffalo

They also have Lundqvist who can steal a game on any given night against any opponent.

They also have Lundqvist who can steal a game on any given night against any opponent.
- HonkFortheGoose

In 2016.

He's a below average goalie now. Sabres should light him up.

Spector's page has Scandella on the block. One Pens fan suggested a one for one swap with Rust coming back. He's been on LTIR since (ironically I believe it was Scandella) a shot broke his hand in preseason. Has two years left at $3.5m.

Yeah, I'm redecorating my erod shrine and turning it into a Mojo shrine. The candle wax made the erod pictures stick to the walls, so the process is taking longer than I'd like
- jcragcrumple

New home = new player

I like it 🙂

Sabres.com is making it sound like Hutton is getting the start. They gave his stats vs. the Rangers
- jcragcrumple

I give up trying to figure this out lol.

Spector's page has Scandella on the block. One Pens fan suggested a one for one swap with Rust coming back. He's been on LTIR since (ironically I believe it was Scandella) a shot broke his hand in preseason. Has two years left at $3.5m.
- adambuffalo

No thanks. Scandella is off the books finally next year. Las thing I need is to extend the problem another year.

No thanks. Scandella is off the books finally next year. Las thing I need is to extend the problem another year.
- matty12345

I agree. I don't foresee Botts making a trade where we end up essentially taking salary back in some way. We can't afford anything this year as we're right against the cap and I have a feeling Botts has ideas of where the money being freed up after this year is going to go. I just can't imagine him making a trade like that at this point.

Sabres.com is making it sound like Hutton is getting the start. They gave his stats vs. the Rangers
- jcragcrumple

NHL.com has Ullmark showing in their projected lineup. So who knows....

Spector's page has Scandella on the block. One Pens fan suggested a one for one swap with Rust coming back. He's been on LTIR since (ironically I believe it was Scandella) a shot broke his hand in preseason. Has two years left at $3.5m.
- adambuffalo

This actually isn't terrible. As long as the intention is to use him in Sobotka's spot.

This is the NHL not the NFL though. The steamrolling of bad teams isn't the same in hockey.
TB had the best record in the league last year and we were 1-2-1 against them. In 4 games they had a total of 3 more goals than the Sabres. No steamrolling.
The previous season Boston finished with 112 points and Buffalo had 62 points. The Sabres were 3-1 against them.
In hockey, if you're expecting a blowout against a bad team every game, you will be disappointed.
- adambuffalo

i'm not even talking about the final score, hence win or lose

No thanks. Scandella is off the books finally next year. Las thing I need is to extend the problem another year.
- matty12345

Is he a problem though? Not sure who he played with most of the time last season, but he was 7th in points and 3rd for EV goals playing 15 minutes a night. He didn't play PP, but averaged 2 minutes a game killing penalties adding 2 shorthanded goals. Also 5th on the team in hits and is only 27.

I agree. I don't foresee Botts making a trade where we end up essentially taking salary back in some way. We can't afford anything this year as we're right against the cap and I have a feeling Botts has ideas of where the money being freed up after this year is going to go. I just can't imagine him making a trade like that at this point.
- HonkFortheGoose

Someone has to be moved though.

When Montour comes back that will be 9 NHL d-men.
Plus you have Pilut in the wings waiting.
Gilmour also waiting to play.

Scandella is the easy candidate. With him playing well you may get a decent pick or prospect out of the deal.

Montreal
Winnipeg
Colorado
Anaheim

Are all places he could be moved to that have a need.

Does Vesey score tonight against his old team???

Someone has to be moved though.

When Montour comes back that will be 9 NHL d-men.
Plus you have Pilut in the wings waiting.
Gilmour also waiting to play.

Scandella is the easy candidate. With him playing well you may get a decent pick or prospect out of the deal.

Montreal
Winnipeg
Colorado
Anaheim

Are all places he could be moved to that have a need.
- ImThatGuy

I'm not saying that nobody should be moved. I just don't think you'll see a move like Scandella for Rust where we essentially are "taking salary back" so to speak.

Moving him for a decent pick or prospect makes perfect senses. Moving him for Rust does not, IMO anyway.

I'm not saying that nobody should be moved. I just don't think you'll see a move like Scandella for Rust where we essentially are "taking salary back" so to speak.

Moving him for a decent pick or prospect makes perfect senses. Moving him for Rust does not, IMO anyway.
- HonkFortheGoose

+1
like i dont want to take Perrault (4.1 for another year) back from loseapeg which would probably have to be the deal