Senators maintain control

It wasn't just game 35 of 82. Wednesday night meant more to the Sabres. That meant when they lost again to Ottawa, 5-3, it stung a little more.

"They ended up at the end of the night being a little bit better team," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.

The Sabres had their moments, especially in the second period as they took 10 of the first 11 shots. But they didn't play a complete period, and the Senators rolled to a 3-1 lead. A late Sabres rally couldn't change that.

Having a season-best six-game win streak end against their nemesis was tough for the Sabres because they really wanted to show the Eastern Conference's best team they were catching up to them. Now they're two points further behind.

The Senators, meanwhile, shrugged off the win. Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson were both asked about maintaining their dominance over a surging team. They refused to gloat, making it seem like they expected to win.

That attitude might make the Sabres feel worse.

---John Vogl

Comments

[Heather in Charleston, SC]

Jimmy...you wanna talk smack about Miller all the time...you ARE aware he was the only Sabre that showed up last night right? Same in Jersey!? Do you even watch the games or just look at the scores?

What is the problem, Jimmy? Nobody wants to spend time with you in REAL life so you spend all your time p!ss!ng people off that you don't even know. You come onto the Sabres blog to talk about how bad you think they are. Do you have a life? Of course, I don't know why I would ask that question...think about it--you have NOTHING better to do than to come on this board and entertain yourself. I take that back--I'm sure that's not the only thing you do with yourself...from the words that you constantly repeat on these boards, it seems you have no creativity...I feel so sorry for your "wife" (so you say)...she can't even say she's with you for good conversation.

Have a Happy New Year everyone!

[boonies]

and i thought the Hollywood writers were on strike....but on a serious note, Heather dear, look at my username ... i live in the Blue Ridge Mtns. north of you (Go ASU!) and based on your posts, i wish to make you an offer...i will stay home barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen...i will have your children... AND work fulltime to support us .i think i am in LUV!!!

[boonies]

and i thought the Hollywood writers were on strike....but on a serious note, Heather dear, look at my username ... i live in the Blue Ridge Mtns. north of you (Go ASU!) and based on your posts, i wish to make you an offer...i will stay home barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen...i will have your children... AND work fulltime to support us .i think i am in LUV!!!

[James Z's Psychiatrist]

Please ease up on the blogs which defame James Z. He only has enough Prozac to get him to New Year's Eve. If he runs out before that I am afraid he may climb the tower downtown and drop himself with the ball at midnight.

[Don H]

James Z is on a 35 game whinning streak.

[Heather from Charleston, SC]

Jimmy...you've never been beaten by a backhand?? I highly doubt that...you seem like you have a mouth that could get you in trouble. I would jump at the chance to beat you with a backhand!!!

Oh wait...sorry, my bad...you were talking about hockey. Well, why don't you just go try out for the team...you could be the goalie, the coach, and the general manager since you think you are better than the current staff of the Buffalo Sabres.

Even if you WERE a goalie...if you were so great and didn't let one backhand by you, why weren't you ever signed to an NHL contract, man?! Oh...because your full of it...ok.

[danp727]

Hey, Buff, good post with many good points.

As the season rolls on the strengths and weaknesses become more apparent. The schedule this season has been goofy allowing for some long breaks between games but even with that Miller has started too many games. He has started 31 of the 35 plus relieved Thibault in the LA game. Miller started 61 games last year and 48 the year before. With 47 games to play Thibault needs to see more ice time.

The only purpose Andrew Peters serves is keeping Michael Ryan out of the line-up. He really is an embarrassment to the team.

Paul Gaustad is leading the team in hits with 79. The 3rd Line center has more hits than any of the defensemen who see a ton more of ice time??? That speaks volumes about what’s wrong with the team.

Kalinin came back and is playing like he has already lost his starting position not like he’s fighting to hang on to it.

Lydman and Tallinder started the season as the top defensive pair but seem to be going backwards. I’m especially surprised with Tallinder as I really thought more highly of his talents.

The return of Numminen will definitely help settle down the defense but the defense needs to establish a physical presence on the ice.

The line of Gaustad/Afinogenov/Kotalik is an odd pairing. I like Max but I think his time has come and gone. Maybe Gaustad/Mair/Stafford with Kotalik moving up with Roy and Vanek???

Daniel Paille deserves more ice time.

I’m not sold on Connolly. If I had his injury history I wouldn’t be crashing the boards either but this is about doing what’s necessary in what is a physical game. All too often he seems content to dump the puck in and head for the bench.

I thought the Sabres turned a big emotional corner after the home and away series with Philly and moved out from under the long shadow of Daniel Briere. Maybe that explains why they seemed a little off but jeez we were playing division leading Ottawa!!! Some came to play and some came to watch but the emotional intensity was not there.

I think the Sabres will rebound this weekend and I am looking forward to the Ice Bowl.

January will probably sort out the standings for a lot of teams including the Sabres.

If we had as much talent on defense as we do on offense we’d be running away with the division..

[Rocky Farr]

I recall seeing James Z from Kaisertown playing goalie at a steel-tip darts tournament. Nice saves pudding head.

[Al Smith]

James, as a former goalie I would like to give you the same one fingered salute I gave out when Donnie Edwards took my spot in net. Half a peace sign to you, you pathetic couch potato.

[Howie Meeker]

James Z was a former goalie? Where, in bubble hockey. You state you were never beaten by a backhand. I maintain that you were beaten like a red headed stepchild by hockey players, other kids in the detention center you were in, etc..

[Gary Desjardins]

Me three!

[Daren Puppa]

Me too!

[Gary Bromley]

James, you're a former goalie? So am I!!

[James Z Kaisertown]

Seriously, waht did you expect but a Senators victory.

The weak, pathetic Sabres can beat lowly mediocre teams, but they can't play with the big dogs.

You're little winning straek is over. It'll always end when the Sabres play a quality team.

Back to the Flyers again. It seems like the Sabres have been playing the same teams over and over again. What a boring schedule.

Andrew Peters. What a lame moose. Even his fights are BORING. The stupid boxing stance. The clutching and the poorly thrown one arm haymakers that never connect.

Ottawa scrambled Staffords brains. I'm surprised it wasn't bald man Connelly. He goes out with a concussion when people breathe on him.

I see nothing from this team. NOTHING and going nowhere. If Toronto wins, the Sabres will be back in last place in the East. Big deal.

Miller gets beat far out by a backhander. As a former goalie, I never was beaten by a backhand shot. Sure, some say they are tricky, I think they are lame, especially the goal against Miller from way out.

[cak]

IA, good post Buff.

Connolly is a good hockey player, but I never thought of him as the saviour of the Sabres when he came back at the second to the last game last season. I don't think he was ready for the playoffs. Some of the younger players should have had the chance since they played like H E L L so get us to that point.

I also agree, what is Peters still doing here? Maybe I don't understand his role, but what was it in last night's game?

As for leadership, yes this young team does need leadership. I'm hoping that Teppo can make it back soon to make a difference.

[Don]

Good post, Buff. Relatively minor point, but I too am getting tired of Peters. No skills to speak of, and when it's Go Time he grabs the jersey, sits back, and hopes to land one due to his long reach. Snooze time.

[Tricky Dick]

Heather's going to the Ice Bowl?

I am so there!

Where are you sitting, babe?

[Sully My Pants]

Buff, we've already found out: as Dave Grohl and Jackson Browne say, "The Pretender."

[Buff]

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE???

Very entertaining game last night as the Sabres never folded their tent when it looked bleak at times.

The Sens are one team that you don't want to give a lead to where you have to press to score goals: they are too dangerous. And the Sabres sloppy play at times fed a team that is always looking to score.

Tim Connolly is an exciting open ice player with great offensive skills. But, his brand of hockey doesn't blend well against a team like the Sens.

The teams that have had success against the Sens have played a methodical, defensive-minded brand of hockey where controlling the puck in their zone was at a premium. It is difficult for the Sabres to control the puck and force the Sens to play defense when we have a player who is not willing to put a body on somebody and is not willing to take a hit to get the puck along the boards.

The paper trumpeted his stats of two assists, seventy percent in faceoffs but I was at the game and tend to analyze his performance a little differently. He was on the ice for all four Sen goals (except the empty netter) and was a minus 2 with no blocked shots, no hits, etc... And I'll remind you that this was our second winning streak of the year with Connolly on the sidelines. Food for thought?

Paille on the other hand was a plus 1 with three blocked shots. That looks like a player that is willing to pay the price required to beat the Sens. Ryan and MacArther are right behind Paille and just as hungry.

Why in the world was Peters getting so many minutes? Wasn't this an important game against the most dangerous offensive team in the league (speed, play-making and scoring)? Peters was a liability at times and he needs to stop asking other players to fight. Did Neil ask Drury if he could unload on him last year? Good manners translates into a sub-par enforcer for the Sabres.

January will be the defining month for the Sabres this season (9 road games and only 4 home games). We will know better where we stand in four weeks.

Do the young Sabres have what it takes to compete on a consistent basis? Who are the leaders going to be? Are they willing to pay the price against the best teams in the NHL? Is Lindy willing to make the tough personnel decisions? Playoff contender or pretender?

We will soon find out....

[Sully My Pants]

Can we swap goalies with Philadelphia or Detroit?

[Heather from Charleston, SC]

Were we playing in Buffalo last night? From the calls by the refs, I could have sworn we were playing game in Montreal! The Sens may be good, but three penalties all game...what a load.

So, on Friday we start another win streak (including the Winter Classic...counting down the days!) I can't wait to be freezing in the stands, watching the Sabres beat some Penguin a$$!!!

GO SABRES!!!

[George]

Did you see that Sens PP: 1 pass 2 pass 3 pass GOAL!Sabres ought to review that tape more than once.

[Davey]

Or, you know, they may win all five of those games. Yeah, they lost to Ottawa, who is a better team, but it was hardly a blowout and really could have gone either way if not for a few mistakes on Buffalo's part. Bunch of negative nancies posting replies around here....

[Dave]

Be prepared for a likely
5-game losing steak:

Senz
Devils
Penguins
Penguins (that's right, Sabes lose the ICE BOWL)
Senz

Now that the softer teams are out of the way---watch out!

The Penguins are much better than their current record indicates---unlike the Sabes, who are *Max*ing out in the standings already.