Ugh, Ward completely owned us tonight. What makes it worse is how much the Rangers dominated tonight. It's hard to see them score with such ease, and us not be able to put a single damn puck through.
Despite the shot count, we really didn't get much extended offensive pressure after the first period. Ward played really well, but honestly he didn't have that many difficult saves.
Ugly game all-around, except for Miller. That was a snooze-fest to watch. I don't know why we can't get up for important games like this one.
Carolina sat back and laughed as Buffalo passed their way into the most embarrassing, boring, frustrating loss of the season. Not one good. Zero. Horrid. Passing was a joke. Shot selection was sad. That last 30 seconds was disgraceful. Carolina shut them down. Completely shut them down from the second period on. And instead of dumping and chasing, forechecking hard. They try to pass their way through the neutral zone.
Vanek looked terrible
I wanted to duff Monty
Myers tried to do too much
Boyes had his worst game as a Sabre
I didn't even notice Gerbe
No physicality
No passion
They got frustrated because they couldn't get their way and gave up.
Ennis/Mancari/Pommers/Connolly were our best forwards tonight, but they all disappeared in the third.
Tonight's game was a good indication of what this team really needs to add in the off-season. They lack a go to offensive threat and they lack a shut down defensive pair. You've got a handful of guys that are average to above average on offense, but nobody you can send out there to make something happen on a consistent basis. On defense you have another handful of average players with one great player (Myers) and one awful player (Morrisonn). They need a top 3 (not top 6, they have enough of those) offensive threat and a stay at home rock to play with Myers and force Morrisonn out.
Neidermeyer's sense of desperation on the only goal of the game, was beyond disinterest. It was like he had the theme song of Family Ties in his head and didn't want it to end. So he does not provide much to the fore-check, doesn't win face-offs or even play center anymore, and he looks kind of bored out there.
Is there nobody else?
Hats off too Miller who played great.
I thought the team played pretty well, but the Canes definitely wanted it more and Ward was really tough.
Big lose, but guess who is still in 8th place? We are.
Neidermeyer's sense of desperation on the only goal of the game, was beyond disinterest. It was like he had the theme song of Family Ties in his head and didn't want it to end. So he does not provide much to the fore-check, doesn't win face-offs or even play center anymore, and he looks kind of bored out there.
Is there nobody else?
Hats off too Miller who played great.
I thought the team played pretty well, but the Canes definitely wanted it more and Ward was really tough.
Big lose, but guess who is still in 8th place? We are.
Mark Messier just called me and told me WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. Now he didnt say the word WE, but he said Buffalo, so we have nothing to worry about.
This loss hurts yea, but I could see us winning the next few. It will be ok.
Despite being upset, this game wasn't so bad. Minus one gaffe from Miller and it's Ward holding them in the game.
The sabres didn't get many quality chances at all. A lot of the shots were low percentage wristers into his chest. Even the "best" save of the game was just a pad save on a rolling puck along the ice. Any NHL goaltender stops that.
