Michael Pachla: Cats smoke Sabres, extend their winning streak and Buffalo's losing streak

Michael Pachla: Cats smoke Sabres, extend their winning streak and Buffalo's losing streak
- Michael Pachla

They used Buffalo as their litter box.

I did a quick goals scored projection for the remainder of the season earlier this morning, using how many games the players will likely play the remainder of the season, their career shooting % versus this seasons, whether that is higher or lower (adjusted for the aging veterans), and the amount of shots per game each has had so far this season.

The results are below, including the projected goals they will score the remainder of the season and what their total goals scored would be.

O'Reilly 11, 27
Ristolainen 6, 13
Eichel 11, 24
McGinn 7, 15
Reinhart 7, 16
Franson 4, 7
Kane 10, 18
Gionta 6, 10
Moulson 6, 10
Ennis 7, 10
Legwand 3, 5
Girgensons 6, 9
Foligno 3, 5
Deslauriers 2, 5
McCabe 2, 5
Gorges 1, 2
Bogosian 2, 3
Larsson 3, 4
Weber 1, 1
Pysyk 1, 1

That would be roughly 188-190 total goals, which is around 2.3 to 2.5 goals per game, and that total will only happy if a few who have lower than normal shooting percentages pick up the pace.

We stink.

...

"points of execution"

5 game losing streak. turn that around and add 10pts to our current standings.

10 points mean a lot.

That would be roughly 188-190 total goals, which is around 2.3 to 2.5 goals per game, and that total will only happy if a few who have lower than normal shooting percentages pick up the pace.
- kingcong39

While goals for is obviously disturbing again this season, it's not like they're so horrible.

NJ has 1 more goal scored than Buffalo yet 11 more points in the standings (15 less allowed)

Pittsburgh has 1 goal more and is 9 points better in the standings (14 less allowed)

Philly has 9 less and has 5 more points than Buffalo

Columbus has 13 more goals scored yet is the worst team in the NHL (more goals than 14 other teams)

I did a quick goals scored projection for the remainder of the season earlier this morning, using how many games the players will likely play the remainder of the season, their career shooting % versus this seasons, whether that is higher or lower (adjusted for the aging veterans), and the amount of shots per game each has had so far this season.

The results are below, including the projected goals they will score the remainder of the season and what their total goals scored would be.

O'Reilly 11, 27
Ristolainen 6, 13
Eichel 11, 24
McGinn 7, 15
Reinhart 7, 16
Franson 4, 7
Kane 10, 18
Gionta 6, 10
Moulson 6, 10
Ennis 7, 10
Legwand 3, 5
Girgensons 6, 9
Foligno 3, 5
Deslauriers 2, 5
McCabe 2, 5
Gorges 1, 2
Bogosian 2, 3
Larsson 3, 4
Weber 1, 1
Pysyk 1, 1

That would be roughly 188-190 total goals, which is around 2.3 to 2.5 goals per game, and that total will only happy if a few who have lower than normal shooting percentages pick up the pace.
- kingcong39

Last year we scored 168. So if that was true we'd have 20 more goals than last year. Arizona, New Jersey, and Carolina had 188 or less.

Last year we were also 29th in Goals Against with 274 (Edmonton had 283). At this point we have 110. If we double that we're at 220. That'd be 54 less goals and 20 more goals so a net of 74 goals better than while we were tanking. Obviously these predictions mean little to nothing but looking at them is interesting.

They used Buffalo as their litter box.
- Pluviophile

Hi there. Don't have a particular issue with you posting under this alias. Just keep it civil please - transgressions under this name apply to them all.

Ugly loss last night. Don't know where to begin but here it goes.

1. They need to score more goals. As you pointed out. 7 players only contributing is a recipe for failure. Not sure what they're honestly thinking out there half the time. They need to setup a better presence in the opposing zone and really get in the opposing goalie's face. I think it's that simple, but they need to work harder at doing just that. 3rd and 4th line need to step up. Hits and a physical presence is nice, but so is winning hockey games.

2. Goaltending is work in progress. It's been below average. I kinda put that on Murray. He should have got a better insurance policy than Johnson. Lehner was not surefire even though he believes him to be, and what was below him was questionable as we are seeing.

The only good I see, is that we could use another top 10 Pick. There is a lot of dead weight on this team right now.

While goals for is obviously disturbing again this season, it's not like they're so horrible.

NJ has 1 more goal scored than Buffalo yet 11 more points in the standings (15 less allowed)

Pittsburgh has 1 goal more and is 9 points better in the standings (14 less allowed)

Philly has 9 less and has 5 more points than Buffalo

Columbus has 13 more goals scored yet is the worst team in the NHL (more goals than 14 other teams)
- stashu

Ullmark might disagree...two goals-for in his last four games

While goals for is obviously disturbing again this season, it's not like they're so horrible.

NJ has 1 more goal scored than Buffalo yet 11 more points in the standings (15 less allowed)

Pittsburgh has 1 goal more and is 9 points better in the standings (14 less allowed)

Philly has 9 less and has 5 more points than Buffalo

Columbus has 13 more goals scored yet is the worst team in the NHL (more goals than 14 other teams)
- stashu

Comes down to it doesn't matter how you play the game. it's the Win or Lose that matters.

While goals for is obviously disturbing again this season, it's not like they're so horrible.

NJ has 1 more goal scored than Buffalo yet 11 more points in the standings (15 less allowed)

Pittsburgh has 1 goal more and is 9 points better in the standings (14 less allowed)

Philly has 9 less and has 5 more points than Buffalo

Columbus has 13 more goals scored yet is the worst team in the NHL (more goals than 14 other teams)
- stashu

While it is a Sabres problem, I think it also represents a league wide issue that too many still claim is not a problem when watching the games. They who claim it is not a problem fail to realize they are biggest diehard fans and will watch no matter what.

I am a diehard Sabres fan, but I even have to admit the entertainment value in the NHL has been going downhill the past few years.

Ugly loss last night. Don't know where to begin but here it goes.

1. They need to score more goals. As you pointed out. 7 players only contributing is a recipe for failure. Not sure what they're honestly thinking out there half the time. They need to setup a better presence in the opposing zone and really get in the opposing goalie's face. I think it's that simple, but they need to work harder at doing just that. 3rd and 4th line need to step up. Hits and a physical presence is nice, but so is winning hockey games.

2. Goaltending is work in progress. It's been below average. I kinda put that on Murray. He should have got a better insurance policy than Johnson. Lehner was not surefire even though he believes him to be, and what was below him was questionable as we are seeing.

The only good I see, is that we could use another top 10 Pick. There is a lot of dead weight on this team right now.
- mattsox

ted Nolan agrees (as he tosses the x's and o's from his alphabet soup)

Ullmark might disagree as they've only scored two in his last four games
- Michael Pachla

No need to yell!! sheesh!!



They could have scored 4 last night and it didn't matter, btw.

But yes, he's getting poop for support (like Enroth used to)

No need to yell!! sheesh!!



They could have scored 4 last night and it didn't matter, btw.

But yes, he's getting poop for support (like Enroth used to)
- stashu

fixed

No need to yell!! sheesh!!



They could have scored 4 last night and it didn't matter, btw.

But yes, he's getting poop for support (like Enroth used to)
- stashu

Would a shooting coach help our forwards ? They need some help.

There's a surprising amount of disappointment in people's voices when I hear them talk about the Sabres this season. Are people really surprised by the results at the "halfway point"?

Our "number 1" goaltender was hurt before he could really show us what he's got. The team is full of washed up vets here for teaching purposes (ex: Gionta), young kids trying to learn what it is to play in this league (ex: Eichel), and also-rans/roleplayers who aren't really all that good (ex: Moulson). The good players (Kane and O'Reilly) are too few to make a real difference. It's a recipe for disaster and dinner is served.

I feel like we've got solid building blocks in the young kids to make something special over the next couple seasons, and it's up to Murray to surround them with proper vets/established players to season them (this season) and then play well with them (next season and the one after). None of this should be so unexpected that people are disappointed.

I feel like I'm stating the obvious. But if that's true, then why are so many people so let down? Did people really lose sight of the fact that this was never going to be a "winning" year?

I don't want to tell anyone how to experience a hockey season, but for me, it's enjoyable that they're more exciting to watch and playing like they actually give a damn, even if they're losing. As they grow and get better, and the proper roster moves are made, the wins will come.

Just enjoy the ride and hope beyond hope that this year we get the first overall pick.

Would a shooting coach help our forwards ? They need some help.
- cabin

Can't see a reason it would hurt.

There's a surprising amount of disappointment in people's voices when I hear them talk about the Sabres this season. Are people really surprised by the results at the "halfway point"?

Our "number 1" goaltender was hurt before he could really show us what he's got. The team is full of washed up vets here for teaching purposes (ex: Gionta), young kids trying to learn what it is to play in this league (ex: Eichel), and also-rans/roleplayers who aren't really all that good (ex: Moulson). The good players (Kane and O'Reilly) are too few to make a real difference. It's a recipe for disaster and dinner is served.

I feel like we've got solid building blocks in the young kids to make something special over the next couple seasons, and it's up to Murray to surround them with proper vets/established players to season them (this season) and then play well with them (next season and the one after). None of this should be so unexpected that people are disappointed.

I feel like I'm stating the obvious. But if that's true, then why are so many people so let down? Did people really lose sight of the fact that this was never going to be a "winning" year?

I don't want to tell anyone how to experience a hockey season, but for me, it's enjoyable that they're more exciting to watch and playing like they actually give a damn, even if they're losing. As they grow and get better, and the proper roster moves are made, the wins will come.

Just enjoy the ride and hope beyond hope that this year we get the first overall pick.
- OnPoint

i'm with ya, pointer...last night was a clunker, however, and that should be pointed out without offering up any excuses

There's a surprising amount of disappointment in people's voices when I hear them talk about the Sabres this season. Are people really surprised by the results at the "halfway point"?

Our "number 1" goaltender was hurt before he could really show us what he's got. The team is full of washed up vets here for teaching purposes (ex: Gionta), young kids trying to learn what it is to play in this league (ex: Eichel), and also-rans/roleplayers who aren't really all that good (ex: Moulson). The good players (Kane and O'Reilly) are too few to make a real difference. It's a recipe for disaster and dinner is served.

I feel like we've got solid building blocks in the young kids to make something special over the next couple seasons, and it's up to Murray to surround them with proper vets/established players to season them (this season) and then play well with them (next season and the one after). None of this should be so unexpected that people are disappointed.

I feel like I'm stating the obvious. But if that's true, then why are so many people so let down? Did people really lose sight of the fact that this was never going to be a "winning" year?

I don't want to tell anyone how to experience a hockey season, but for me, it's enjoyable that they're more exciting to watch and playing like they actually give a damn, even if they're losing. As they grow and get better, and the proper roster moves are made, the wins will come.

Just enjoy the ride and hope beyond hope that this year we get the first overall pick.
- OnPoint

Well put, a nice way of putting in words how I have viewed this season as well.

Our "number 1" goaltender was hurt before he could really show us what he's got.
- OnPoint

Murray's choice to be his "#1 goaltender" which may end up hopefully being his demise here in Buffalo.
I think I stand on pretty solid ground from what I have saw of Lehner before he injured himself, that he will not be thought of as a "#1 goaltender" by seasons end.

Ugly loss last night. Don't know where to begin but here it goes.

1. They need to score more goals. As you pointed out. 7 players only contributing is a recipe for failure. Not sure what they're honestly thinking out there half the time. They need to setup a better presence in the opposing zone and really get in the opposing goalie's face. I think it's that simple, but they need to work harder at doing just that. 3rd and 4th line need to step up. Hits and a physical presence is nice, but so is winning hockey games.

2. Goaltending is work in progress. It's been below average. I kinda put that on Murray. He should have got a better insurance policy than Johnson. Lehner was not surefire even though he believes him to be, and what was below him was questionable as we are seeing.

The only good I see, is that we could use another top 10 Pick. There is a lot of dead weight on this team right now.
- mattsox

Compared to other goalies appearing in at leat 15 games, Ullmark and Johnson have better sv % than:

Ryan Miller
Pekka Rinne
Kari Lehtonen
Ondrej Pavelec
Cam Ward

(and some others, but those are the ones that are notable)

Johnson has a better GAA than:

Andersen
Lundqvist
Jones'Bobrovsky
Rask
Ramo
Howard
Varlamov
Miller
Talbot
Anderson
Pavelec
Mason
Lehtonen

and other less notabale guys.

Ullmark slots in just under Ramo on that list above.

While the goaltending hasn't been stellar, it's definitely not the problem most nights either.

Murray's choice to be his "#1 goaltender" which may end up hopefully being his demise here in Buffalo.
I think I stand on pretty solid ground from what I have saw of Lehner before he injured himself, that he will not be thought of as a "#1 goaltender" by seasons end.
- Pluviophile

we'll see...Lehner has been a hot-button issue since the trade and the injury made it worse...he'll probably stumble out of the gate when he returns therefore riling the fan-base, but i'm taking the wait and see approach

The situation with this team is depressing. I am fine with losing to hot teams, I am fine with losing to better teams, equal teams and worse teams. As long as I see a team trying their best, I am fine with a loss.

But what we saw last night was players making 5M/year and more giving half hearted effort, giving up on plays and taking shifts off. We are in a five game losing streak and players are coasting.

Half way through the season and the coach is still changing lines every night. We have many established and proven point producers coming up empty. This coach is getting the same results, sorry a win better, than a team that was designed to tank last year.

We traded futures for players who are supposed to help now. We have huge upgrades over half the roster.

O'Reilly over Hodgson
Kane over Stafford
Eichel over Stewart
Reinhart over Torey Mitchell
McGinn over Brian Flynn, Zac Dalpe and MFE
Pysyk over Benoit
McCabe over Strachan
Franson over Meszaros
Risto2.0 over Risto1.0

Yet this has added up to a few points improvement over a team designed to tank. Management, Coaching and players all are to blame. No more excuses. This team has the talent to be much better than they are. How depressing. So much for a culture of excellence.