Al Kotalik suffered a hamstring injury and will likely miss the Pittsburgh game Saturday night. No sign of Al in the Buffalo room after the game. Lindy Ruff intimated that the injury is more than just a tweak....""doesn't look too promising right now."
Kotalik and his linemates, Roy and Vanek, were brutal vs. Columbus. The line was a combined -9 for the game.
Whats a coach to do?
Drew Stafford will likely replace Kotalik on the Roy-Vanek line.
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Ryan Miller will get the call Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
If the forwards don't come back and help out, it will be a similar result to the Ottawa, Tampa, and Columbus losses.
When the Sabres win, they compete every shift fpr 60 minutes. When they lose, the forwards and D are picking their spots and they are getting caught in their lazy, old habits.
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Derick Brassard was the best Blue Jacket skater on the ice Friday night. This kid is becoming a force for opposing teams to have to deal with.
I'm really impressed with his poise and polish for being a 20 year old rookie.
He sniped Lalime for CBUS's third goal. He had three hits. He made smart plays. And, he wanted a piece of Derek Roy at the end of the game. I asked him why he tossed his mitts and challenged Roy.
"The guy's a good player. He got me with a clean, hard body check on the wall. Then, I get a cross check to the side of the head. I did not expect that from a guy who's a good player like him (Roy). I was ready to go".
Too bad Roy and the Sabres were not ready to go.
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Maybe Lindy should skewer his team for the 6-1 loss to CBUS. It seemed to worked wonders for Ken Hitchcock's squad. After their 5-2 loss vs, Phoenix on Wednesday night, Hitch ripped Rick Nash and let it be known that the effort had better improve-- or else.
Rick Nash was thrown under the buss by his head coach following the Jax 5-2 loss to Phoenix Wednesday night. Nash was silent for segments of the Buffalo game, however, he found the back of the net and played an inspired game on special teams. His effort helped his team beat Buffalo in their building.
I'd like to see Lindy Ruff do the same to Derek Roy. The Sabre centreamn has looked lost at time son the ice this season, never more has it been evident than it was on the Buffao Powerplyas last night. Several times Friday night, I caught Roy gliding through the CBUS zone, and setting up at Lecleaire's left. His feet would stop, he'd become stationary and his playmaking ability went kaput. Roy is at hi sbest when he's driving oppopsing Dmen crazy with his speed and shiftiness. Why the sudden reduction in horse power? Is he injured? If so, sit him down.
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More later.
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