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BACK CHECK, FORE CHECK, PAY CHECK |
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Now, that's the right way to kickoff a five game home stand. Control and protect the puck, skate like your hair's on fire, and bury your chances. Props to the Buffalo d fo joining the rush and supporting in the offensive end. Ryan Miller was we, Ryan Miller. Nice win against a fubar Canadiens team. Gotta say, I miss the days when Carbo, Kovalev, Koivu, Kostopolus, Komisarek, Begin, Smolinski, Souray and Latendresse would terrorize Buffalo. What the Hell has Bob Gainey done to his team? The sweaters arre the same. However, there's no passion and heartbeat underneath the sweater.
Was there a wart on this Montreal win? Yes there were. The D and forwards were caught in the Montreal end on a regular basis and Miller was forced to hold the fort. The Gomez goal was a result of an aggressive D pinch theat allowed for Lapierre and Gomez to school Montador two on one. Other than that, great complete effort by the home team. I give it a seven on a ten scale. I don't like how they were content to sit on a four goal lead. 4-0 is the worst lead to have in hockey. I coach my teams to keep attacking and to tear the opponent's heart out. Don't give up greasy, unecessary goals when you have a big lead.
Next up: Drury, Avery, Lundqvist and the Rangers.
***
Chris Butler suffered an ankle sprain in the first period and did not return to the game. Better an ankle than a knee sprain. He'll likely miss teh Rangers game. Great move by Lindy to dress seven D men for the Montreal game. Reggie slid into Butler's spot and scored himself a nice goal.
****
How smart does Lindy ruff look now? Mired in a winless streak, Lindy made a big, bold move by moving the talents of Thomas Vanek to the Kennedy-Grier line. During the losing skid, Vanek was a minus player, struggling to score and contibute offensively. Ruff studied the situation and elected to move HDTV with Kennedy and Grier. One of the reasons was the instant infusion of youthful exuberance and the speed factor of TK. The thought process was simple: Vanek would see TK moving his feet and and then act in kind. He would also see Grier holding on to pucks in the offensive end, shielding it from defenders. Ruff could lecture Vanek in these nuances like he had in the past, or, he could allow Vanek's peers demonstrate. Bravo maestro!
The 26-13-25 line has been Buffalo's best line -- offensively and defensively-- since last saturday night's Carolina game. Vanek has a goal and four assists and is a +5. Grier has two goals and two assists and is a plus player. Teek has two goals and two assists and is a plus player. Combined, the line is +9.
Great job, Lindy!
*****
I've had a constant thought running through my head ever since Darcy Regier returned Mike Grier to the Buffalo room.
How great would it be if Mike Grier could somehow convince his best friend, Chris Drury, to come back to Buffalo?
Hey, you never know!
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