Michael Pachla: A 5-game point streak is now a 3-game winless streak after loss in Ottawa

We stink again

Why do very few people in Buffalo talk about Risto and his major issues and Housley’s blind eye to it? Risto is a dumpster fire on break outs and passing. Yeah he looks solid in his own zone at times, but he’s only stuck there after he flips it high and off the boards, back to the opposing team and they come right back. Basically, he’s a possession nightmare as almost every analytics person knows. It kills me watching him and why Housley uses him so much especially in 3 on 3 OT. Yeah , Dahlin isn’t a master defensively, but he controls possession so he doesn’t need to be a lot of the time. Rant over.

Why do very few people in Buffalo talk about Risto and his major issues and Housley’s blind eye to it? Risto is a dumpster fire on break outs and passing. Yeah he looks solid in his own zone at times, but he’s only stuck there after he flips it high and off the boards, back to the opposing team and they come right back. Basically, he’s a possession nightmare as almost every analytics person knows. It kills me watching him and why Housley uses him so much especially in 3 on 3 OT. Yeah , Dahlin isn’t a master defensively, but he controls possession so he doesn’t need to be a lot of the time. Rant over.
- PS600REVX

buffalo lost the special teams battle last night...the forwards also had trouble receiving passes, which is something that has gone unmentioned for the most part...risto has issues, no doubt, but I don't think Housley will significantly cut his minutes

50 shades of stink

F@CKING PLAY DAHLIN 22-25 MINUTES A NIGHT

buffalo lost the special teams battle last night...the forwards also had trouble receiving passes, which is something that has gone unmentioned for the most part...risto has issues, no doubt, but I don't think Housley will significantly cut his minutes
- Michael Pachla

but special teams don't matter

50 shades of stink

F@CKING PLAY DAHLIN 22-25 MINUTES A NIGHT




- homiedclown

he doesn't play the pk...sabres were in the penalty box a lot last night

but special teams don't matter



- homiedclown

they did last night....

didn't like elie on the pk...28/22 and 10/17 were lights out the previous four games...17/81 were on the ice for both ott pp goals

buffalo lost the special teams battle last night...the forwards also had trouble receiving passes, which is something that has gone unmentioned for the most part...risto has issues, no doubt, but I don't think Housley will significantly cut his minutes
- Michael Pachla

What do you think mattered more? Special teams or Ottawa getting a lucky bounce on their 2nd goal and us hitting a few posts?

Not trying to start a debate but I’d say the bounces went their way

What do you think mattered more? Special teams or Ottawa getting a lucky bounce on their 2nd goal and us hitting a few posts?

Not trying to start a debate but I’d say the bounces went their way
- sbroads24

that second goal was weird no doubt, but posts happen all the time...

sure, that contributed, as did special teams, but what it comes down to is that everything matters when a team like the sabres don't come out of the gate ready to play

Even with the loss I saw resiliency that just wasn't there last year. I've been impressed with that over the last stretch of 6 games or so.

Ottawa is outperforming their projected start. Even though a loss isn't what you want, we get them again on Saturday.

that second goal was weird no doubt, but posts happen all the time...

sure, that contributed, as did special teams, but what it comes down to is that everything matters when a team like the sabres don't come out of the gate ready to play
- Michael Pachla

Good take.

Ultimately, we played hockey for 20 minutes. Can't play a third of a game and expect positive results.

Dahlin>>>>>>>>>Risto already. That is all.




Suck it r2so73!

Even with the loss I saw resiliency that just wasn't there last year. I've been impressed with that over the last stretch of 6 games or so.

Ottawa is outperforming their projected start. Even though a loss isn't what you want, we get them again on Saturday.
- Sabre_Tooth

Also a good point.

Last year, at 3-0, we would have caved. Now, we are at least getting angry or putting forth effort to attempt a comeback.

Young team. We knew they would be inconsistent, but I haven't seen a team we couldn't compete, at least partially, with this year.

They have to shake up all 4 lines

Put Girgs-erod-Pommer back together

Skinner-Mitts-Reinhart

Berglund-Eichel-Okposo - I don't really like the line, but Eichel is Eichel

Sheary-Larsson-Sobotka

50 shades of stink

F@CKING PLAY DAHLIN 22-25 MINUTES A NIGHT




- homiedclown

I see you've found a copy of the Toronto Maple Leafs' development program for young defencemen from the 1980s.

It didn't work particularly well for the Leafs, but hey, maybe it will work for you.

I mean, what's the harm in throwing out an 18 year old kid who is still getting adjusted to 85 foot wide rinks, and heaping pressure on his shoulders?

I see you've found a copy of the Toronto Maple Leafs' development program for young defencemen from the 1980s.

It didn't work particularly well for the Leafs, but hey, maybe it will work for you.

I mean, what's the harm in throwing out an 18 year old kid who is still getting adjusted to 85 foot wide rinks, and heaping pressure on his shoulders?
- Atomic Wedgie

his composure is light years ahead of hedman


it's really not close


he has the presence I have not seen from a young d man since Pronger


And I am not trying to be a homer on this one

What do you think mattered more? Special teams or Ottawa getting a lucky bounce on their 2nd goal and us hitting a few posts?

Not trying to start a debate
- sbroads24

I see you've found a copy of the Toronto Maple Leafs' development program for young defencemen from the 1980s.

It didn't work particularly well for the Leafs, but hey, maybe it will work for you.

I mean, what's the harm in throwing out an 18 year old kid who is still getting adjusted to 85 foot wide rinks, and heaping pressure on his shoulders?
- Atomic Wedgie

Fwiw, I think you're right it's not usually the right track, but Dahlin is different from the rest. He truly is our best player not named Jack already.

buffalo lost the special teams battle last night...the forwards also had trouble receiving passes, which is something that has gone unmentioned for the most part...risto has issues, no doubt, but I don't think Housley will significantly cut his minutes
- Michael Pachla

Agreed, but he should and I’ll say with 100% certainty that a team with Risto as a #1 D isn’t winning anything. The only 2 that can make a break out pass with any consistency is Bogo and Dahlin. I’m not even mentioning Scandella and his awful, pass it to a teammate who has an opponent on his ass on the blue line, break out play.

Agreed, but he should and I’ll say with 100% certainty that a team with Risto as a #1 D isn’t winning anything. The only 2 that can make a break out pass with any consistency is Bogo and Dahlin. I’m not even mentioning Scandella and his awful, pass it to a teammate who has an opponent on his ass on the blue line, break out play.
- PS600REVX

The biggest surprise other than Dahlin actually being ready at 18..... is how HORRIBLE Scandella is. Never would i have thought that Bowl-U is a better option.

from joe Yerdon, lines at practice today:

Skinner-Eichel-Pominville
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Berglund-Larsson-Girgensons
Rodrigues-Sobotka-Okposo

McCabe-Ristolainen
Scandella-Dahlin
Beaulieu-Nelson

e-rod in for elie...Thompson still out...the big question, why is Thompson still in buffalo when he could have playing time in Rochester?

They have to shake up all 4 lines

Put Girgs-erod-Pommer back together

Skinner-Mitts-Reinhart

Berglund-Eichel-Okposo - I don't really like the line, but Eichel is Eichel

Sheary-Larsson-Sobotka
- jcragcrumple

Can't see him breaking up the first or fourth lines. It's just not his style.

Can't see him breaking up the first or fourth lines. It's just not his style.
- Lunaion

good point...and it looks like he won't

from joe Yerdon, lines at practice today:

Skinner-Eichel-Pominville
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Berglund-Larsson-Girgensons
Rodrigues-Sobotka-Okposo

McCabe-Ristolainen
Scandella-Dahlin
Beaulieu-Nelson

e-rod in for elie...Thompson still out...the big question, why is Thompson still in buffalo when he could have playing time in Rochester?
- Michael Pachla

Waiting for Wilson or Hunwick to come back maybe. Just guessing he doesn't want to call someone up to sit.