Here we sit once again. It is almost the middle of December, and our hockey club can’t string any wins together since the beginning of the season. After last years playoff push, it is interesting how our coaching staff can’t get the players mentally prepared on a nightly basis. Even more concerning ironically, are the victories that they have been able to capture against higher end opponents, and the clunkers that they give to us against average foes. Victories against Tampa, Colorado, Toronto, The Rangers, and Boston, have shown that we do have the ability to put teams on their heels and play a complete game. Some of our loses are downright disasters. Getting down early in games has been prevalent, and then the chasing the puck around without a focus ensues. Top six, bottom six, goaltending, defensive core, coaching, we have discussed it all. With a move out of nowhere, Kevyn Adams finally admitted that the lower half of the lineup was neglected and mistakes were made. Not sure about Eric Robinson and his future with the Sabres, but size, grit, and a compete level showed up against the Bruins. We have wasted too many games not being able to roll out time eaters, and guys who can take the pressure off by chipping in once in a while. We will see what happens, but we got this guy for free and he showed up in his first game. These assets can be found, and sometimes loyalty, and interchangeable parts, must be sacrificed to test the waters of what could be. We have two winnable games here to try to scratch to the surface, and gain confidence going into a tough three tilt road trip. The time is now. Losing against Montreal and Arizona at home is not acceptable.
Enough of this. I beg my team to start running through walls. Give us hope for January. When you play to your skill level you have tasted positive results. Put some wins together. Give your goalies some help, especially when you step on to the ice for the first period. It is the holiday season. Our football team is up against it and we do not need anymore of the going through the motions’ thing. Don’t let this clip describe you from now until the new year…
Game 28
Buffalo Sabres, 11-14-2, vs. Montreal Canadians, 11-12-3
Saturday, December 9th at 7:00 pm
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Lots of fans from the north embarking onto our arena tonight, and rooting for the opponent. Time to give an effort at home and start our sports weekend off right. Come out with puck pressure, hitting, smaller gaps, and sell out for your teammates. Stop passing into skates in crowded areas. Use your speed and keep your head up. We would all love to see you climb back into this. When something is set up for a feel-good moment like tonight, you better take charge. You are the Buffalo, use your horns.
Notes from playing cards with Sabretooth deep within the confines of “The Crossroads”
Kevyn, this team could have easily been improved during the summer, and it could be immediately done now. You played your hand, but amazingly you have not run out of chips. We are bouncing off the ropes and taking some big-time blows. I hope if Quinn comes back to full form, he can get out there and bring it, but the deck is not trending in your favor. Be bold and innovative while under attack, like the Kevin from home alone. Better “game experience” is not fan giveaways and theme nights. I don’t need to see my boys on the runway shaking hands and high fiving people wearing Vaclav Varada jerseys. A positive night at the arena is a winning the game. It is plain and simple. Get on board.
Devon Levi and UPL should be the only goalies on your roster at this time. Levi has showed that he is worthy. He is young and needs the consistent time in front of the cage on the stage. Things couldn’t get any worse. You might as well try and see if you can be proven right. Your club needs to play hard in front of the kid, and see if the kid can play. Get aggressive with your decisions. It is fight or flight time. Comrie seems like a great guy, but it is like pop music being forced upon you through the radio. Nothing soulful, or really innovative at all. Same old thing.
Mattias Samuelsson is a big presence but needs to stay healthy while implementing a forceful style. Some nights he is an all-star, and some evenings he is the second coming of Richard Smehlik. We have a lot of capital locked into this guy. Did Erik Johnson tell him about the Sauna? Stay void of injuries and improve on your game sasquatch, sell out like you did the other night in the absence of Dahlin, and be ready to go with the same enthusiasm the next time you are called upon. We are counting on you to be in our top four. We win when you are at your best.
Still not sure why our young Johnson isn't getting more playing time..
Liked seeing Howard Simon on the broadcast with Marty Biron the other night. Just wanted to give him a shout out. Wasn’t sure if he could translate from the radio, but he showed his professionalism and was not out of place. Prepared and concise with his commentary, Marty was comfortable with the exchanges. Duff is still the king though, and has a better face for television...
Thanks, and go Sabres.
Always will be my favorite team, but we have to get out of this drought. It has been too long.
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