Michael Pachla: Housley likes the way his skaters played in SoCal plus Bogosian and other n

Bump from last blog

The Sabres had 10 one goal regulation losses, 9 two goal losses and 10 three goal losses (only including the latter two groups of losses because we gave up 22 empty net goals last season. ) We also went 6-12 in overtime/shootouts. I think with this team (especially with better goalies) we should expect 40-45 wins.

I'd say 41-30-11. Much better than last season, but still a .500 team. Just missing the playoffs.

As a side note, last year teams pulled their goalie against the Sabres 20 times and scored on 9 of the tries (Sabres scored 10 times)

The bad contract aside, that we know now we’re stuck with, Bogosian is kind of like Girgensons, where he can be ok on a 3rd pair (or 4th line for Girgensons) and his play won’t be under a microscope. They don’t need to continue to try and make 20+ minutes a night work

Today @ 12:43 PM ET

The club IMO is kinda back to the Darcy days. They could be 6th 10th etc, they are far from being a complete team. But one thing for sure is the goal tending has improved, just hope the secondary scoring would improve.
Feel like this could have been written about any team in the last decade.
- hubie

I see a lot of people bringing up the secondary scoring. I too want to see more from the other lines, however are goals from defensemen not considered secondary scoring? We did not get a goal from our defense until the 28th game last season. This year in 9 games we have six d-men with goals. I think that should count for something.

The bad contract aside, that we know now we’re stuck with, Bogosian is kind of like Girgensons, where he can be ok on a 3rd pair (or 4th line for Girgensons) and his play won’t be under a microscope. They don’t need to continue to try and make 20+ minutes a night work
- sbroads24

agreed...they both add different elements to the team as role players

5on5 or PP?
PP I would say no

I honestly think the team is too slow.
- hubie

To be a transition team, yes. But when they standing the opposing team up at the offensive zone blue line, and play their possession/cycle game, they're good enough to hang with any team in the league. Their strategy also forces the opposing team into a lull and brings them to a more manageable pace for the sabres.

When they are on their game, they can beat any team in the league.

Viva las bogo

apparently niemi will be getting the start tomorrow against the sabres

Viva las bogo
- jcragcrumple

I like this

When Matt Ellis talks, you listen.

When Matt Ellis talks, you listen.
- Whatnot78

Matt Ellis once passed 6 kidney stones... Thanos then used them in the infinity gauntlet

Matt Ellis once passed 6 kidney stones... Thanos then used them in the infinity gauntlet
- hubie

sounds like the plot line for Avengers 4

sounds like the plot line for Avengers 4
- Whatnot78

When the Hulk gets mad he turns into Matt Ellis

apparently niemi will be getting the start tomorrow against the sabres
- Michael Pachla

hopefully we get the Dallas Niemi and not the San Jose/Chicago Niemi

I'd sign Chad Kelly today, just to get Peterman off the roster

I'd sign Kelly RIPA today, just to get Peterman off the roster
- homiedclown

Also true.

I'd sign Regis Philbin today, just to get Peterman off the roster
- homiedclown

Also a good one

Also a good one
- Sabre_Tooth

Well, except there is no "Chad" and no "Kelly" in "Regis Philbin."

Its a step too far.

I'd sign Chad Kelly today, just to get Peterman off the roster
- homiedclown

Yep...or cut Anderson...either one. Kelly would be a slight upgrade over all 3 QBs on the roster. Horrible person, sure, but who cares at this point. I'm all in for Chad effing Kelly. Hang on, I just threw up in my mouth a little.

When the Hulk gets mad he turns into Matt Ellis
- hubie

Matt Ellis doesnt do push ups, he does push downs

(like he moves the whole globe, you know?)

Well, except there is no "Chad" and no "Kelly" in "Regis Philbin."

Its a step too far.
- Der Kaiser

some people just don't get it

Matt Ellis doesnt do push ups, he does push downs

(like he moves the whole globe, you know?)
- Der Kaiser

I heard Matt Ellis is related to Chuck Norris

Matt Ellis doesnt do push ups, he does push downs

(like he moves the whole globe, you know?)
- Der Kaiser

Matt Ellis likes his meat so rare he only eats Unicorns

Phil takes alot of guff on this board, maybe rightly so.

However, first-time head coaches normally require time to find their style, and frankly learn how to manage a team...hell, I remember hearing/reading about Lindy Ruff meeting with his mentor Scotty Bowman during several of his early years as a HC to learn how to effectively push players buttons (was they way it was phrased back then). Point is, it took Lindy several years to develop his style of coaching, and to hold players accountable.

I think Phil deserves credit so far this season for re-implementing his system of a 5 man unit playing an up-tempo north/south game ... and calling players out during practice when it isn't good enough. He also wasn't afraid to act quickly when it wasn't going well. He is learning, just like the young players are learning.

They got a taste of how it can work well, now can players stay with it consistently?
I think maybe the players need to be held accountable as much as the finger gets pointed at Phil.