I think most grasp the concept just fine.
But, lord help them if they say they think hitting contributes to winning. Their statement will be taken to the extreme by someone trying to tell them how wrong the thing which they never really actually said is.
- Ratsreign

It’s not extreme at all to say that hits don’t equal wins
Sometimes a hit matters
Sometimes it doesn’t

The Pens objectively pounded Carolina with hits tonight, yet still lost

That’s not an exception
It’s typical that the team who hits more loses

That doesn’t mean hits are useless
Just means there’s a lot more to winning a game than just hitting more-
so continuing to harp on it is nonsensical

To be a good, winning team….
The Sabres need to do more that just hit more
Much more actually

It’s not extreme at all to say that hits don’t equal wins
Sometimes a hit matters
Sometimes it doesn’t

The Pens objectively pounded Carolina with hits tonight, yet still lost

That’s not an exception
It’s typical that the team who hits more loses

That doesn’t mean hits are useless
Just means there’s a lot more to winning a game than just hitting more-
so continuing to harp on it is nonsensical

To be a good, winning team….
The Sabres need to do more that just hit more
Much more actually
- jdfitz77

This is some really salty word soup that tastes like poop

This is some really salty word soup that tastes like poop
- TheHank

Yawn, as usual

Yawn, as usual
- jdfitz77

Says everyone who actually reads your posts

It’s not extreme at all to say that hits don’t equal wins
Sometimes a hit matters
Sometimes it doesn’t

The Pens objectively pounded Carolina with hits tonight, yet still lost

That’s not an exception
It’s typical that the team who hits more loses

That doesn’t mean hits are useless
Just means there’s a lot more to winning a game than just hitting more
- jdfitz77

Yes, and I think every body here understands that.
I don’t think any one has said to win the hit count means you’ll win the game, not one.
But several, for some reason, take every such statement as if they mean exactly that, and start quoting number of hits stats to refute a point that was never even claimed.
The only point trying to be made is that Physical play at the right moments is still an important part of winning hockey games.



Hell, just using the term “physical play” will probably have someone replying about knuckledraggers and goons being outdated, and so on...

Says everyone who actually reads your posts
- TheHank

Skip them, idc….
You’ve hated them for years
Your fault for continuing to read them

Yes, and I think every body here understands that.
I don’t think any one has said to win the hit count means you’ll win the game, not one.
But several, for some reason, take every such statement as if they mean exactly that, and start quoting number of hits stats to refute a point that was never even claimed.
The only point trying to be made is that Physical play at the right moments is still an important part of winning hockey games.



Hell, just using the term “physical play” will have probably have someone replying about knuckledraggers and goons being outdated, and so on...
- Ratsreign

Bc ppl just whine about us needing to hit more without any sort of context

Hitting more doesn’t even (necessarily) make us a harder team to play against
Now if u wanna talk about being a better skating team who forechecks harder, creating turnovers….
That’s a convo that would make a lot more sense

But instead, we get the equivalent of, “waaaaaa, CGY hits more & they win, so we should too”

Bc ppl just whine about us needing to hit more without any sort of context

Hitting more doesn’t even (necessarily) make us a harder team to play against
Now if u wanna talk about being a better skating team who forechecks harder, creating turnovers….
That’s a convo that would make a lot more sense

But instead, we get the equivalent of, “waaaaaa, CGY hits more & they win, so we should too”
- jdfitz77

*some* just love to female dog about others female doging.

Bc ppl just whine about us needing to hit more without any sort of context

Hitting more doesn’t even (necessarily) make us a harder team to play against
Now if u wanna talk about being a better skating team who forechecks harder, creating turnovers….
That’s a convo that would make a lot more sense

But instead, we get the equivalent of, “waaaaaa, CGY hits more & they win, so we should too”
- jdfitz77

No offense intended man, but that seems like more of a you problem. Most of them realize it’s all much more intertwined than simply hitting more to win more, even if they don’t spell it out in each and every rant. They’re just focusing on one aspect that really pisses them off.
You always tell others that frequently give you poop to simply skip your posts if they don’t like it. Perhaps you should try your own advice when it comes to those posters.
People aren’t going to stop venting

No offense intended man, but that seems like more of a you problem. Most of them realize it’s all much more intertwined than simply hitting more to win more, even if they don’t spell it out in each and every rant. They’re just focusing on one aspect that really pisses them off.
You always tell others that frequently give you poop to simply skip your posts if they don’t like it. Perhaps you should try your own advice when it comes to those posters.
People aren’t going to stop venting
- Ratsreign

Sometimes…. that’s “sometimes” (under rare circumstances now-a-days) there’s good, constructive hockey talk here

Used to be A LOT more of it
But now this site has devolved into all this whiny “ranting” bullsh!t instead of good hockey talk

I’d simply like to drown out the ranting & bring back the good hockey discussions we’d frequently have here

The crybaby bs just doesn’t do it for me-
it’s been ruining this site for a while now imo
And you’re right, i could ignore it
*i quite OFTEN do
But it’s so prevalent that i also do call it out quite frequently

Again, all in an effort just to get some good hockey talk back here instead of senseless rants about not hitting enough with zero context

The answers are super easy when you start with the result (a win) and then work backwards (the goaltending must have been good if they won).

Again, last night's game was a tossup. A bounce or two changes and this isn't even a conversation. Don't play pond hockey and things will go smoother.
- Slump Buster

Can you stop with the pond hockey garbage. That is the style they want to play and to play it you need smart defense in front of exceptional goaltending to really contend. Their defense is weak overall and does not play smart oftentimes which does not help out goaltending that does not even rank as mediocre overall. The fact that Adams and his owners have not addressed goaltending in the hope that the two fine goaltenders they have in the NCAA might not just decide to walk away from the tire fire they have created is an insult to the fan base. But the fact that they did NOTHING in free agency to strengthen their defense while hanging their hats on not wanting to get in the way of a bunch of AHL players from moving up is both a travasty and a joke. Which pretty much defines this franchise in the eyes of many fans around the league outside of Buffalo that I have spoken with or read. I don't care what the number one problem is. I care that they have had long term significant problems with both goaltending and on defense but those in charge seem tu be both unable and unwilling to correct them, particularly if it cuts into yacht time. But at least by their actions I can still pick up tickets for half price or less at most home games. Good job building a contender.

I listed all 12 losses.

4 were " 1 goal scored" games.

Still could get a point in 1 goal regulation scored games.
You can win 1-0 correct?
- Boss34

Of course. Anyone who thinks that just because your team is unable to score that it does not mean you have bad goaltending is truly unitelligent. People seem to be getting hung up on whether you can blame the losses on the goalies. It's a team sport. More often than not its a combination of factors. Regardless. This team has mediocre to outright weak goaltending even if they show spirts of competency. It only looks that much worse when their defense is so unimpressive as an overall unit in front of them. Both are true, in my opinion. They make each other worse. That is poor management that has put the team in this position.

But the fact that they did NOTHING in free agency to strengthen their defense
- sabrebuzz

Since u emphasized the word nothing,
just wanted to point out that we signed Lyubushkin in free agency

Idk who u wanted us to get,
but we didn’t do “nothing”

Of course. Anyone who thinks that just because your team is unable to score that it does not mean you have bad goaltending is truly unitelligent. People seem to be getting hung up on whether you can blame the losses on the goalies. It's a team sport. More often than not its a combination of factors. Regardless. This team has mediocre to outright weak goaltending even if they show spirts of competency. It only looks that much worse when their defense is so unimpressive as an overall unit in front of them. Both are true, in my opinion. They make each other worse. That is poor management that has put the team in this position.
- sabrebuzz

I agree on goaltending
But u can’t make guys wanna come here

Who would your solution have been??

No offense intended man, but that seems like more of a you problem. Most of them realize it’s all much more intertwined than simply hitting more to win more, even if they don’t spell it out in each and every rant. They’re just focusing on one aspect that really pisses them off.
You always tell others that frequently give you poop to simply skip your posts if they don’t like it. Perhaps you should try your own advice when it comes to those posters.
People aren’t going to stop venting
- Ratsreign

Looks to have been a pretty good signing, eh?

https://www.capfriendly.c.../players/andre-burakovsky

Tonight’s scores:

CAR 3 beats PIT 2
Hits: CAR 23, PIT 49

I don’t get it….
How did Carolina win when PIT out hit them more than 2 to 1 ???

Go ahead 89 & 36, explain that one, I’ll wait….
- jdfitz77

Has Buffalo thrown 23 hits in a game yet this season? They normally throw 1/3rd of that in a game. So, in point of fact, you've show - yet again - that NHL teams and the Buffalo Sabres play completely different brands of hockey.

Why don't the Sabres join the NHL and play the same game?

Go ahead and explain that one.

I agree on goaltending
But u can’t make guys wanna come here

Who would your solution have been??
- jdfitz77

True. They seem to run from the Sabres. I have to admit that they did try to trade for Matt Murray if I remember correctly. My problem is that when that fell through because the guy didn't want to come to Buffalo, boo hoo, they had no backup plan other than Eric Comrie (and of course Ben Bishop).

A bigger problem I have is can someone please explain to me why they still think that UPL is the man? How do they not foresee the play that they are getting from him coming? Maybe because they are hoping they can get some great CHEAP goaltending out of their college boys and they are hoping UPL will fill the void. That would be great but for the fact that the NCAA goalies don't need to jump into this tire fire and seem ready to avoid it. This is worsened by the fact that UPL just doesn't seem to be the guy. What a fine mess they have created for themselves.

Sory no easy answer but I got more if you are interested. I am not someone in the know so I don't know whose available and whose interested in who or who is interesting. However, I do believe I know this much. The Sabres must get some value out of these star NCAA goalies.

Since I think Erik Portillo can walk after this season and I do not believe that the NCAA season ends before the trade deadline, I would seek to trade his contract as part of a deal at the trade deadline, especially if it is for an established goalie from another non-playoff team. Even if the Sabres are not a playoff team they can make a "hockey" trade for the long term benefit of the team at the trade deadline, assuming they can find a partner. Holding out Portillo's contract on a stick might be an enticing long term add-on to some teams. The Sabres would have to add a piece or two to make it happen but maybe the other team would be stupid enought to take Mitts as part of the deal.

As for Devon Levi, I would try to sign him the millisecond he becomes eligible at the end of this season. If he doesn't sign I look to trade him for that goaltender you may have not tracked down yet. However, without Portillo in the way any more and UPL probably proving he is not the man going forward by that point, it might be enticed for him to give a try at a starting NHL position right out of college, especially if they use some of that cap money to tighten up their defense. Hopefully they do not lose Ryan Johnson, another NCAA, 1st-Rd draft pick, prospect, if he decides to follow in the footsteps of Portillo and go back into the draft. Johnson would fill a hole that the Sabres need to fill if he does sign. He probably knows he has a good chance of a job waiting for him in a starting role coming out of college as well if he comes to the Sabres so that might get him to stay.

That's a lot of if's there but they need to be proactive. They need to be real about their situation and stop living off of hope. They are selling it so hard to their fans that I think they are starting to believe that it isn't just all made up marketing.

That will mean that if they don't get Levi to sign that they must go all in to get an immediate replacement that has the potential be a starter. I am looking at next years free agency list and I am not impressed. One name seems interesting that I might go after is Filip Gustavsson with Minnesota. Technically he is their back up this year so I doubt they will trade him at the deadline since they are right in the playoff hunt. However, if they can't come to terms, he is a RFA so maybe it might be a possibility to make a trade before the draft. The Sabres always can make a qualifying offer!! Well, depending on what they pay him they actually can't this year.

I think I covered all the scenarios. At least I tried.

I think I covered all the scenarios. At least I tried.
- sabrebuzz

Also, let's never forget this is in no way a new problem. This is year 3 of bottom-of-the-barrel goaltending in a row. At any point in the last two plus years money could have been spent on an NHL starter rather than the cheapest shlt possible.

Looks to have been a pretty good signing, eh?

https://www.capfriendly.c.../players/andre-burakovsky
- kingcong39

Grrrrr!!!

Of course. Anyone who thinks that just because your team is unable to score that it does not mean you have bad goaltending is truly unitelligent. People seem to be getting hung up on whether you can blame the losses on the goalies. It's a team sport. More often than not its a combination of factors. Regardless. This team has mediocre to outright weak goaltending even if they show spirts of competency. It only looks that much worse when their defense is so unimpressive as an overall unit in front of them. Both are true, in my opinion. They make each other worse. That is poor management that has put the team in this position.
- sabrebuzz

Good Post!!

Hits directly lead to wins, that's why we were so successful when Risto and Deslauriers were here.

Hits directly lead to wins, that's why we were so successful when Risto and Deslauriers were here.
- TheSabresTaco

Exactly

Interesting CBS wouldn't give up the rights to the 1:00pm game between the Bills vs Jets. That's why the Miami vs Chargers game was flexed to Sunday Night that weekend, and not the Bills Jets game.

Looks to have been a pretty good signing, eh?

https://www.capfriendly.c.../players/andre-burakovsky
- kingcong39

Seattle beat LA 9-8 in OT last night and now have a 14-5-3 record on the year. A second year expansion team is going to make the playoffs before the Sabres do.