He looks basically scared of the offensive zone. If he's with the Larrys, no problem.

I just see scoring issues coming soon. Larsson and girgs playing 15 minutes, sobotka playing 16? I could see things drying up quick here
- jcragcrumple

biggest issue I saw from last night, aside from 3rd line being invisible

our D was brutal in our end, every singe one of them

totally out worked in our end all game long

my biggest beef, the coach leaned on the 4th line last year

almost as if it was really the 3rd line
- homiedclown

They are absolutely the third line right now.

And that’s fine. They generate chances and control play.

Need Mitts line to chip in more

He looks basically scared of the offensive zone. If he's with the Larrys, no problem.

I just see scoring issues coming soon. Larsson and girgs playing 15 minutes, sobotka playing 16? I could see things drying up quick here
- jcragcrumple

I think you're so zoned in on hating him that you're finding the tiniest things to complain about just so you can complain. I've barely noticed him for the most part minus a few nice plays he's made. Could we maybe want more from him? Sure. But I think for the most part he's doing what we need him to in that spot. If there's an upgrade available should they explore it? Sure. But I don't really think he's actually hurting anything right now.

I think you're so zoned in on hating him that you're finding the tiniest things to complain about just so you can complain. I've barely noticed him for the most part minus a few nice plays he's made. Could we maybe want more from him? Sure. But I think for the most part he's doing what we need him to in that spot. If there's an upgrade available should they explore it? Sure. But I don't really think he's actually hurting anything right now.
- HonkFortheGoose

Disagree. He's allergic to the offensive zone.

Pretty sure we're going to see a line shakeup here anyway

biggest issue I saw from last night, aside from 3rd line being invisible

our D was brutal in our end, every singe one of them

totally out worked in our end all game long
- homiedclown

Yeah, credit to Torts for having them ready to play. They're not going to roll over this year. I'd like to see some tinkering on all fronts, and maybe even get Gilmour in here for a game

Review tape with the team, kick their asses for getting out played, move on. Get ready for next game

Disagree. He's allergic to the offensive zone.

Pretty sure we're going to see a line shakeup here anyway
- jcragcrumple

DPR is the perfect fit for that line if he had a little bit more offensive talent. He goes and retrieves the puck for the other two. Again, I don't want Skinner in the corners fighting for the puck every shift. Lets get another DPR with slightly better offense and that line will flourish.

I think the issue wasn't that he wasn't focused there, it's that he was trying to do too much. He's used to being the guy that would win the game. He has to learn that sometimes he has to just make the smart play and let someone else be the hero.
- HonkFortheGoose

Hmmm, shall we say HeroPuck?

Nice write up Mike

come get your prize


- homiedclown

I'm hoping for some Mac 'n' Cheese for 3rd!

During the 1st the only line that was even remotely effective was Girgs/Larsson/Okposo. But, honestly, last year Girgs/Larsson weren't really the "problem" either though so many around here like to rag on them. For a 4th line, they went out and did what they were supposed to most nights. Would just be nice if they could pot a goal here and there more than they seem to.
- HonkFortheGoose

Hence the raging. Tertiary scorning, need some

Hence the raging. Tertiary scorning, need some
- IonSabres

Okposo got a goal in the NJ game. A goal 1 game out of 3 is as about as good as you could hope for from that line.

Columbus got their poop pushed in by Pittsburgh on Saturday. They were a team that needed that win. In a perfect world, the Sabres would still be just as desperate, but that's not what usually happens. Hopefully, a shot differential like last night is the exception, not the rule.

I will say that last night was probably the first time in years that I slapped my coffee table in disgust at a loss, which is encouraging. This team, at least in the early stages, appears to be worth getting emotionally invested in.

Hence the raging. Tertiary scorning, need some
- IonSabres

Well here's the thing. The roster is unevenly built, so all four Larrys are going to play way too much. They're going to keep playing a lot until Mittelstadt looks better or until they make a trade. Or maybe all year.

Scoring will probably become an issue because of that unless their power play is just insanely good. I dont think Sobotka belongs on that line though

beating a dead horse but sobotka really needs to get out of the lineup

vesey hasnt really shown anything at all either

scandella had a lousy game but he was good in the first two so i don't need him yanked yet

Columbus got their poop pushed in by Pittsburgh on Saturday. They were a team that needed that win. In a perfect world, the Sabres would still be just as desperate, but that's not what usually happens. Hopefully, a shot differential like last night is the exception, not the rule.

I will say that last night was probably the first time in years that I slapped my coffee table in disgust at a loss, which is encouraging. This team, at least in the early stages, appears to be worth getting emotionally invested in.
- buffalofan19

Agree. I fully expected a fired up Columbus team and we got one. Dahlin gets the shot he wanted in OT and we’re not having this conversation but talking Stanley Cup instead.

The Swedes are invading the leaderboard:

http://www.nhl.com/stats/leaders

Agreed that Eichs and others were gassed which led to errors, but not letting them totally off the hook. To play a fast paced aggressive system, you need elite fitness AND discipline to take shorter shifts. It will come with time.

Howard Simon did his "pick the Bills" segment this morning, and ended up having them at 13-3. While I don't think that will happen, ending up 13-3 and still only with a Wild Card spot would be such a Buffalo thing to happen.

Agreed that Eichs and others were gassed which led to errors, but not letting them totally off the hook. To play a fast paced aggressive system, you need elite fitness AND discipline to take shorter shifts. It will come with time.
- Chris16

Though Kruger did say he probably should have held him out a little bit longer.

I learned nothing.

Though Kruger did say he probably should have held him out a little bit longer.
- buffalofan19

Yeah, OT was bad. Eichs was at the end of a long shift where he carried the puck out of the O zone just to get a change. Then he was back on the ice less than a minute later. That said, if you are not ready to go 100%, you need to speak up when your # is called. Especially during 3 on 3.

Yeah, OT was bad. Eichs was at the end of a long shift where he carried the puck out of the O zone just to get a change. Then he was back on the ice less than a minute later. That said, if you are not ready to go 100%, you need to speak up when your # is called. Especially during 3 on 3.
- Chris16

Devil's advocate, if Jack didn't go back out and Columbus scores, what's the reaction?

Why didn't you send Jack out there, is my guess.

Devil's advocate, if Jack didn't go back out and Columbus scores, what's the reaction?

Why didn't you send Jack out there, is my guess.
- thatsapickle

That's a pickle

I’ve said it before, I think 3 on 3 OT is crap. It’s toaly unnatural hockey. The rare time that 3 on 3 happens in game is fun because you have guys at random intervals getting out of the box and it’s not a sudden death situation.