1) the 7 game losing streak...why didnt Darcy make the trades he did then?
2) bad bounces, such as the Boston game
3) blown leads, 2-0 vs Pitt, 5-2 vs TO and the really bad one vs Minnesota where we let them tie and win in the last 90 seconds...3-4 points thrown away.
4) 0-4 vs the Isles
I think that sums it up. And as SNC said in the "Punish Montreal" thread, it's not their fault we couldn't win vs the Isles or we took a dump in December. Stop blaming Montreal, Carolina, TB and everyone else the Isles beat lately.
Weak defensive play by the entire team early in the season. Except for Peters and Boulton (well, you know what I mean...), no team toughness. Weak, uninspired play during the first half of the season. Inconsistent goaltending from ALL goaltenders at various points of the season. No help coming in to spark the team when it could have made a diference.
An incomplete list, but I'm sure I left a few things out...
January may be the start of the calendar year, but it isn't the start of the NHL season. For some reason the Sabres have had difficulty with this concept for 3 years now.
Whaddaya gonna do.....bring on the draft and the impending lockout.
At least this season was more enjoyable than last year.
But still.....this guy rules LOL >>> :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: <<< Me in front of Regier's house....LOL
I'm not one for making excuses, especially since we dug ourselves a hole early, but playing without Zhitnik down the stretch didn't help any. He could have single-handedly prevented a blown lead or two IMO, whether from his own play or simply allowing Ruff the option to sit certain dmen in critical situations. On the bright side and thinking long-term, Z's absence allowed for Kalinin to emerge as a legit top-pairing dman and also threw Jillson to the wolves which I think will benefit him next season.
This sort of tempers my hope for the future. But hopefully those at the negotiating table will realize that an extended lockout will truly bury the sport.
Lots of reasons. I mean, right now this is one point. You can point to injuries, a TERRIBLE call in Carolina late in the season. But in the end, too many blown oppurtunities. Too many 3rd period leads blown. Too many games where there were more passengers than players. Buffalo pissed away too many points. They have no one to blame but themselves. It was a good run, but if you don't make the playoffs where over 50% of the league makes the playoffs, it doesn't matter.
This sort of tempers my hope for the future. But hopefully those at the negotiating table will realize that an extended lockout will truly bury the sport.
I could use a year away from hockey.....maybe get re-charged for the sport after a one year hiatus.
What it came down to was not being able to beat the Islanders this season. Buffalo put themselves in the position that they did and weren't lucky enough to benefit from a second half surge. It's okay.. we've got next season to think about it.. and we definately made strides. As upset as I am right now.. I'm happy with their play this season..
What it came down to was not being able to beat the Islanders this season. Buffalo put themselves in the position that they did and weren't lucky enough to benefit from a second half surge. It's okay.. we've got next season to think about it.. and we definately made strides. As upset as I am right now.. I'm happy with their play this season..
They definitely finished well (so far), so there is hope for the next season. I just hope they don't get off to another slow start. I think that with the changes made at the deadline, the character of the team may have been changed enough to break that cycle.
I'm impressed with this thread so far. Nobody has started pointing fingers and calling players out. Nicely done by everyone. Can't wait for next season, whenever that might be.
I'm impressed with this thread so far. Nobody has started pointing fingers and calling players out. Nicely done by everyone. Can't wait for next season, whenever that might be.
it's like the old saying says, "crap rolls downhill" and that stretch in december as well as they way some players played shows this. goaltending stunk half the season partially due to a terrible defensive core, due to forwards not backchecking hard enough, due to injuries, due to offensive slumps....the list goes on its hard to really pin point
The Buffalo Sabres did not make the playoffs because of the NHL's stupid playoff-divisional format. Imagine if you guys had 2 more games against the Rangers and Pens and the Islanders has 2 more games against the Leafs and the Senators. Would it have been a different outcome?
Most likely ya. You guys came into your own this season and I am expecting nothing less than 95 points from you next season
1. We simply couldn't beat the team we had to beat - the Isles. If we go 2-2 vs the Isles we make the playoffs, but in the end, they got 8 points and we got 0 in those key head to head. At worse we'll finish 7 points back, at best 3, that's where those points we lost.
2. Darcy waits too long to improve the team. I'm not saying his moves failed to improve us but he simply waits far too long.
Although there are plenty of reasons for why the team failed to play well prior to the all-star break, I do think Ruff has to ask himself: Why, for the second time in three years was I unable to motivate this team prior to the moment when it became do or die?
Next season move up and draft Cam Barker.Our defense simply is not good enough.Look at our D next year...(If we even re-sign Zhitnik)
(This is not the pairings that Ruff used but the rankings in terms of skill IMO)
1.Alexei Zhitnik-Zhitnik is a solid defenseman but is prone to taking many stupid penalties.Will probably be back,but will be 32 years old.
2.Dmitri Kalinin-Future #1 d-man and probably one of the cornerstones of the team in the future,it is imperative to lock this guy up for as long as possible.
3.Jay McKee-McKee's injury problems are very serious and you just cannot depend on Jay to last through another 82 game season.Was great when he played but was injured way too often.
4.Henrik Tallinder-I was not too impressed with his play this season.Going on 25 next year,I am not too sure he has much room for improvement.Better suited as a 3rd pairing guy.
5.Brad Brown-He was a nice physical d-man that replaced Warrener to some extent.He took some very stupid penalties due to his aggression.Is a nice #5 or 6 but should not play more then 13 or 14 minutes a game.
6.Jeff Jillson-Jillson was alright in the offensive zone but was bad in his defensive zone.Looked like another Jason Woolley.Would get rid of the puck too quickly without looking up ice.He is a potential #4,but until he improves his def. game he is a 5 or 6.
7.Brian Campbell/Rory Fitzpatrick-They are not steady NHL d-men.Are good for a short stint to play some games during injuries but should not play over any above them.
James Patrick-Most likely to retire....Too many defenseman.
We have a lot of lower tier d-men but not enough quality top 2 pairing guys.If Zhitnik is gone,our defense will be bad.It will probably take our 1st and probably Paille+ or a 2nd+ which I think is worth a future top 5 d-man.
The Buffalo Sabres did not make the playoffs because of the NHL's stupid playoff-divisional format. Imagine if you guys had 2 more games against the Rangers and Pens and the Islanders has 2 more games against the Leafs and the Senators. Would it have been a different outcome?
Islanders
vs. PIT - 3-0-2-1 - 9 pts
vs. NYR - 0-6-0-0 - 0 pts
vs. TOR - 2-2-0-0 - 4 pts vs. OTT - 2-1-1-0 - 5 pts
18 pts
Sabres
vs. PIT - 1-1-1-1 - 4 pts
vs. NYR - 3-1-0-0 - 6 pts
vs. TOR - 3-1-1-1 - 8 pts vs. OTT - 3-1-2-0 - 8 pts
22 pts
