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| Rob Niedermayer shoots and scores on goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) |
I thought the Bulldog had a very interesting post yesterday on his WGR 550 blog. He talked about the race to the playoff's and how there are only two types of fans in Buffalo now. There are "those who think the Sabres will fail in their quest to make the post-season and those who are in a huge hurry to tell you that they aren't good enough to win in the playoffs anyways so why bother." I myself have seen these people first hand and I just don't understand it. What happened to confidence in your own team? I think the Sabres have plenty of potential to make it far this post-season. Look at what happened in last year's NHL playoffs for example. In the East, the six, seven, and eight seeds all won in the first round with the seventh seed defeating the eighth in the conference finals. Just goes to show you that a team can turn it around in the second half of the season and make a strong post-season push. I personally think the Sabres are directly on that track. If you are one of what seems like only a few who agree with me, please comment on this post because you need to proudly show your face. If the Sabres can stay healthy, we are in for a ride here in Buffalo. But only time will tell.
After Tuesday's action, the Sabres' playoff odds are down 7.0 to 63.7%. We still hold the 8th seed trailing the New York Rangers by two points with two games in hand. The Sabres fell to 3-1-1 on their current road trip with two games remaining and lost on the road in regulation for the first time since the Feb. 4 game in Pittsburgh. The Sabres return to action tomorrow when they visit the Boston Bruins for a 7:00pm EST puck-drop. Forwards Mark Mancari, Luke Adam and Mark Parrish have been returned to the AHL-affiliate Portland Pirates. I'm interested to see the lineup for tomorrow and I'm already excited for the game.
I am one of the fans who believe that the Sabres have a playoff worthy hockey team by their play throughout the second half of the season. If you asked me this same question back in December I would be hesitant to respond favorably. Paul Gausted has been one of, if not the most, influential player during our second half rejuvenation. It seemed like for a while that he was going through the motions while not using his size and physical ability to his ability. He wasn't scoring goals and wasn't being a "force" out on the ice on a consistent basis. When it finally clicked for him it seemed like the rest of the team followed suit, even Stafford has been seen throwing some nice body checks around.
ReplyDeleteThe loss to Pittsburgh isn't anything to be concerned about. We looked a little out of sorts offensively, but with 4 starters out of the line up that seems reasonable. And it wasn't like we were beat 7-0...cough cough Philadelphia.
Clearly the kid above me does not know hockey very well. First off, Its Gaustad not Gausted! Second, Gaustad has never been known for scoring goals. He's a 4th line center and always will be. He's not very skilled and he doesn't use his size as much as a 4th line center needs to. And if we do make the playoffs, don't expect much from Goose, hes never scored a playoff goal in his career, and hes played in over 30 games.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the Sabres have a good chance to go deep into the playoffs as long as they stay hot. A loss here and there in the last 16 games, like last night, is understandable, like last night where 4 key starters (not even counting Roy) were missing. We seemed to be able to generate some pressure offensively but it seemed like some chemistry was missing. Not to mention that two, maybe all three of their goals were fairly lucky. If the Sabres got outplayed last night, it wasn't by much.
ReplyDeleteAs we have seen in the past few years, once the playoffs start, the seeding doesn't make that big of a difference. The team that is playing the best going into the post-season usually keeps it up.
With that said, I think we have a HUGE test coming up tomorrow against the Bruins, who have been solid all year but have been especially hot of late. In my opinion, the Bruins will be the team to beat in the East and we do have a lot to prove to Sabre skeptics.
P.S. The Thrashers are up on Carolina 2-0 right meow at the end of the first. Go Sabres! --UE
First poster, Kyle - I can't tell if you are being sarcastic in your post or not, but I honestly think that Paul Gaustad is one of the players who has been not playing to his potential. He has his good games but his off games definitely outweigh the good. Please read what the guy directly below you has posted.
ReplyDeleteSecond poster, Anonymous - You have stated nothing but the cold hard facts. I agree that we shouldn't be excited to see Gaustad in the playoffs and expectations shouldn't be high for him. I can't thank you enough for replying to the first poster. Who are you? Please tell.
Third Poster, UE - Thank you for finally getting on here! I knew you had it in you. Now you just need to subscribe.. that's the next step. I'm glad to see that you agree with my post. We need to spread the confidence around more. I agree with you that tomorrow is going to be a huge test. It could even be a potential playoff preview. Tampa Bay has fallen so much lately and Boston has taken over the 2 seed. If we can take 7th, then there ya go... we see Boston in the first round to rematch last years playoffs. So yes, tomorrow is huge. As for tonight's games, Carolina just tied it up in the game with Atlanta :( Hopefully this game ends in our favor.
paul gaustad one of our best players? was that a joke ?? lol...that is all for now.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous #1 describes my thoughts about Pual Gaustad perfectly lol. - Colp
ReplyDeletehmmm so enroth put up another big win in relief got to hand it to the kid. Hopefully it pushes miller a bit more so he can get back to his old form because as of late he has been one big headache with the weak goals
ReplyDeleteIts so good to see ennis and gerbe hitting there stride there goals tonight were pretty damn good. they certainly make the game fun to watch
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