I agree they aren't one to make a serious push but I think they are good enough to get you to the dance.

Being last in scoring is the issue here.

Team shooting percentage is like 6.67% dead last

Hell last year it was 8.23% not even the worst, the worst was the Leafs at 7.63%

Until the shooting percentage improves nothing will change
- Stripes77

The D is a major part of the scoring problem. We don't have the guns on the blueline. Offense starts from the D zone and our D speed is very subpar

Especially when Bylsma said they wanted to cut his ice time a bit
- Stripes77

This one is on the gm. Even when the D was healthy the idea of giving risto less ice time literally lasted 2 periods. Bogosian and Kulikov were burned alive and its been the risto show since.

30 mins a night before a back to back against McJesus. Im sure this will end well

I still wouldn't have moved 8th overall for Fowler...
- Stripes77

Good chance Fowler would be injured like the rest of the D.

The D is a major part of the scoring problem. We don't have the guns on the blueline. Offense starts from the D zone and our D speed is very subpar
- jcragcrumple

Shooting percentage is down 1.6% and that's the D's fault?

Buffalo ranks 13th in the league with shots on goal...

last year 17th

So again they are getting shots through, it is not the D's fault.

It's the team's shooting percentage either they shoot from god awful places or they are extremely snake bitten.

It's a combination of both. They are getting their chances, they just can't finish.

This one is on the gm. Even when the D was healthy the idea of giving risto less ice time literally lasted 2 periods. Bogosian and Kulikov were burned alive and its been the risto show since.

30 mins a night before a back to back against McJesus. Im sure this will end well
- Sabresfan-365

For as much crap as we all give Gorges around here, he did a very good job keeping McDavid quiet last time. Would have liked to see if he could do it again.

For as much crap as we all give Gorges around here, he did a very good job keeping McDavid quiet last time. Would have liked to see if he could do it again.
- HonkFortheGoose

That was some Halley's comet poop. No way hed be able to repeat that

Shooting percentage is down 1.6% and that's the D problem?

Buffalo ranks 13th in the league with shots on goal...

last year 17th

So again they are getting shots through, it is not the D's fault.

It's the team's shooting percentage either they shoot from god awful places or they are extremely snake bitten.

It's a combination of both. They are getting their chances, they just can't finish.
- Stripes77

mccabe 25 gp: 5 points.

Gorges:23 gp: 1 pt.

Franson 7 pts

kuli/bogo combined 25 gp 0 pts.

that's a huge problem when you're not scoring. the D aren't setting the forwards up. we need a #2 and #3 D who can help.

mccabe 25 gp: 5 points.

Gorges:23 gp: 1 pt.

Franson 7 pts

kuli/bogo combined 25 gp 0 pts.

that's a huge problem when you're not scoring. the D aren't setting the forwards up. we need a #2 and #3 D who can help.
- jcragcrumple

How many more points would they have if the forwards could score?

You want to blame the lack of offense on the D when in fact I am showing you the Sabres are in the top half of the league with shots on goal but dead last in shooting percentage...

I can't spell it out any better.

Even if the Sabres blue line had 8 goals instead of 1, the Sabres would 27th in the league in goals per game.

This is on the lack of putting the puck in the damn net. They are getting their shots, just not finishing.

The Sabres would need 15 more goals this season to be in the middle of the league in goals per game.

This is on the forwards way more than its on the defensemen.

By the way if the Sabres shooting percentage was the same as last year they would have 11-12 more goals this season given their amount of shots per game. Good for 20th in the league at 2.47 goals per game and their goals against is 2.48 per game. The Sabres would have a much better record.

Even if they got 3 more shots per game (good for 3rd in the league) they would only have 5 more goals based on their crappy shooting percentage.

Especially when Bylsma said they wanted to cut his ice time a bit
- Stripes77

Ristolainen's ice time is a big reason why they've looked better than they actually are. The question is: can it last, or will he wear down like he did last year?

I'd like to never see Larsson again.

Ristolainen's ice time is a big reason why they've looked better than they actually are. The question is: can it last, or will he wear down like he did last year?
- buffalofan19

Even if he can that is no way to run your defence.

What is with the Sabres' inability to get a player on Canada's WJC roster?

What is with the Sabres' inability to get a player on Canada's WJC roster?
- buffalofan19

I am pretty surprised Guhle wasn't an invite.

They also haven't drafted a Canadian player high besides Reinhart (who played) in forever.

What is with the Sabres' inability to get a player on Canada's WJC roster?
- buffalofan19

it's hard to make the point without sounding biased but leaving guhle off was a blunder

How many more points would they have if the forwards could score?

You want to blame the lack of offense on the D when in fact I am showing you the Sabres are in the top half of the league with shots on goal but dead last in shooting percentage...

I can't spell it out any better.

Even if the Sabres blue line had 8 goals instead of 1, the Sabres would 27th in the league in goals per game.

This is on the lack of putting the puck in the damn net. They are getting their shots, just not finishing.

The Sabres would need 15 more goals this season to be in the middle of the league in goals per game.

This is on the forwards way more than its on the defensemen.

By the way if the Sabres shooting percentage was the same as last year they would have 11-12 more goals this season given their amount of shots per game.
- Stripes77

how many more goals would the forwards have if the defensemen set them up in good scoring areas? No one respects the point shot and they know the cycle is coming. That allows the opposing team to collapse the net and the forwards have to take low percentage shots. The D are causing this problem. If you look at the D stats and think that's not a problem, this conversation is going nowhere.

The D need to lead the charge out of the D zone and they need to make the opposition respect their playmaking ability. Gorges just dumps the puck into the corner. We don't even have one offensive D man.

How many more points would they have if the forwards could score?

You want to blame the lack of offense on the D when in fact I am showing you the Sabres are in the top half of the league with shots on goal but dead last in shooting percentage...

I can't spell it out any better.

Even if the Sabres blue line had 8 goals instead of 1, the Sabres would 27th in the league in goals per game.

This is on the lack of putting the puck in the damn net. They are getting their shots, just not finishing.

The Sabres would need 15 more goals this season to be in the middle of the league in goals per game.

This is on the forwards way more than its on the defensemen.

By the way if the Sabres shooting percentage was the same as last year they would have 11-12 more goals this season given their amount of shots per game. Good for 20th in the league at 2.47 goals per game and their goals against is 2.48 per game. The Sabres would have a much better record.

Even if they got 3 more shots per game (good for 3rd in the league) they would only have 5 more goals based on their crappy shooting percentage.
- Stripes77

Start 0:04

how many more goals would the forwards have if the defensemen set them up in good scoring areas? No one respects the point shot and they know the cycle is coming. That allows the opposing team to collapse the net and the forwards have to take low percentage shots. The D are causing this problem. If you look at the D stats and think that's not a problem, this conversation is going nowhere.

The D need to lead the charge out of the D zone and they need to make the opposition respect their playmaking ability. Gorges just dumps the puck into the corner. We don't even have one offensive D man.
- jcragcrumple

If you look at how the game is played you would have your answer. The NHL is a cycling game. Other teams forwards have been able to beat it but its the defense's fault?

This is insane. Duncan Keith has a zero shooting percentage but has a great group of forwards. He has 17 assists 4 more than Risto...

Is it just me or was that some of THE WORST passing from an NHL team last night from Buffalo? In between the barrages on Holtby in the 2nd, the attempts to clear the zone, navigate the neutral zone, and get enter the Caps zone were absolutely terrible. Gionta, Kane, Foligno, Okposo, SKUNK, it was bad. They can't be THAT bad at passing--why were they? It was ugly for a while there.
- FruitPeddler

Bylsma should pull a Mighty Ducks and get the eggs out for passing drills.

how many more goals would the forwards have if the defensemen set them up in good scoring areas? No one respects the point shot and they know the cycle is coming. That allows the opposing team to collapse the net and the forwards have to take low percentage shots. The D are causing this problem. If you look at the D stats and think that's not a problem, this conversation is going nowhere.

The D need to lead the charge out of the D zone and they need to make the opposition respect their playmaking ability. Gorges just dumps the puck into the corner. We don't even have one offensive D man.
- jcragcrumple

Risto has 13 points in 25 games. That's more points than Yandle and Justin Schultz who are both considered "offensive" defensmen.

If you look at how the game is played you would have your answer. The NHL is a cycling game. Other teams forwards have been able to beat it but its the defense's fault?

This is insane. Duncan Keith has a zero shooting percentage but has a great group of forwards. He has 17 assists 4 more than Risto...
- Stripes77

yeah because they respect his shot and his playmaking. I should be more clear about what I mean by cycling. yes, Keith cycles by passing the puck to other players. our D throw the puck in the corner and say "go get it" to the forward.

The D are leaving the forwards on an island to create offense. That's not how the league works

[quote=BeadyEyedDouche]
Hey Tim

Bylsma should pull a Mighty Ducks and get the eggs out for passing drills.
- Wetbandit1

Do that and teach Lehner the knuckler?

Risto has 13 points in 25 games. That's more points than Yandle and Justin Schultz who are both considered "offensive" defensmen.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yeah, I meant that more to mean he's an all around D, we need a couple more guys who can bring offense, even if they aren't as solid defensively

yeah because they respect his shot and his playmaking. I should be more clear about what I mean by cycling. yes, Keith cycles by passing the puck to other players. our D throw the puck in the corner and say "go get it" to the forward.

The D are leaving the forwards on an island to create offense. That's not how the league works
- jcragcrumple

Funny story both Keith and Risto have the same exact amount of shots on goal...60

Next?

yeah because they respect his shot and his playmaking. I should be more clear about what I mean by cycling. yes, Keith cycles by passing the puck to other players. our D throw the puck in the corner and say "go get it" to the forward.

The D are leaving the forwards on an island to create offense. That's not how the league works
- jcragcrumple

That's why for as inept Franson is in most areas, he's quite good at transitioning from the D zone. He puts the puck on a guys stick skating out of the zone. Not just dumping it out or hitting glass.

Our team has the least odd man rushes I've ever seen. Two reasons.

No speed
Bad passing out of the D zone