Live from Sabres at Boston -- bad loss

BOSTON -- Lindy Ruff said he doesn't want his team to get outhit tonight, and it could make for an interesting opening shift. The Sabres' starting lineup was just announced with forwards Daniel Paille-Paul Gaustad-Patrick Kaleta, three guys who can rattle the boards.

Ruff this morning said center Tim Connolly's injury is not related to his concussion or vertebrae history. But the coach will not be divulging the exact nature of the ailment, which has Connolly out on a week-to-week basis.

"It’s an injury that I don’t want to explain," Ruff said. "It’s a tough one and I don’t want to explain it. I give him a lot of credit for muscling his way through one game [Friday]. If it was a groin injury, I’d tell you a groin because nobody’s going to go after his groin. If it’s an injury where I really think somebody could target, you don’t say anything."

FIRST PERIOD

7:15 p.m.: Less than three minutes in, it's 1-1. Turnovers cause both goals. Jason Pominville scores after Craig Rivet intercepts a pass. Then Henrik Tallinder gives it back with a terrible, terrible turnover. He had all day, yet still slowly rolled it to Blake Wheeler. Chuck Kobasew takes advantage.

7:17 p.m.: Derek Roy gives Sabres back their lead, winning a draw and deflecting Toni Lydman's shot from the point out of the air.

7:20 p.m.: What took so long to put Buffalo's best wingers together? The line of Pominville, Thomas Vanek and Jochen Hecht gets its second of the night as Vanek goes top shelf to make it 3-1.

Doesn't stay that way for long. Teppo Numminen sticks out his leg to block a shot, and it ricochets through Ryan Miller's pads. Five goals in just 5:38.

7:36 p.m.: Sabres are hitting, and Bruins are hitting back.

7:41 p.m.: Vanek scores his second, on the power play, with an ooooh-inspiring tip after tapping his stick to get Derek Roy's attention. But, as the early trend has been, the Bruins answer just 31 seconds later to make it 4-3.

We're on pace for a game that'll be, oh, about 16-15. And someone will miss wide right on a shootout to end it.

7:56 p.m.: As one veteran announcer just said to me, we've come to the end of one of the worst periods of hockey ever. It's 4-3 Buffalo. The passing has been awful, the defense has been shoddy, the goaltending has been shaky. But if you like goals, this is your game.

Just was reminded of the benefits of having the owner of Delaware North as the owner of the hockey team here: an ungodly amount of food at intermission. There are about 12 different desserts laid out. Too bad the lobster earlier filled me up. Maybe in the second intermission we'll dig into the cheesecake.

SECOND PERIOD

8:19 p.m.: It took the Bruins just 2:37 to tie the game at 4-4 on Zdeno Chara's blast from the point. Bruins look better this period.

8:28 p.m.: Something must be wrong. It's been about eight minutes without a goal. Still 4-4 with 9:32 to go. Hitting hasn't stopped, though.

THIRD PERIOD

9:27 p.m.: OK, the game story and notebook for the actual paper (which will ALWAYS be my first priority) are done, so here's a quick recap, since it's 7-4 Boston with 5:28 to go:

The Sabres played a pitiful game. You can't give up five-plus goals in four of six games and be any good. They're not, as their 1-4-1 record shows (provided they actually do lose this game). Too many turnovers. Poor goaltending. Bad luck. Miller is gone after seven goals on 20 shots.

At least that Vanek-Hecht-Pominville line started well.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Paul Gaustad: "It's disappointing. We have nowhere to point the finger except ourselves. It's hard work. It's hard work to cut down on chances. You can talk about it as much as you want. We talk it about too much. We have to execute."

Thomas Vanek: "When you win games, it's easy to pick out who's doing well and who's going good. We'll see now who's desperate, who can come and work hard tomorrow and carry that over into Friday."

Lindy Ruff: "We did a lot of good things in the first period. We had some individuals make some bad mistakes. ... The work that went into the first period, we should have walked out of there with a 4-1 lead."

Henrik Tallinder, who played just 5:49 and had the night's worst giveaway: "I saw Vanek. He was open there for a split second, but when I passed it he wasn't. I was late."

Ryan Miller on Chuck Kobasew's goal from behind the net: "It hit the side of the net, it hit Hank in the skate, bounced up and hit me in the ribs. It's just like, Can everything go wrong? ... We're not playing terrible. It's just all going wrong right now."

---John Vogl

Comments

[Buffalo Excuses]

Ray of hope:

Have to say Miller has some good comments today about the importance of these games at the end of the year. Those who want to fall back on the "it's early" argument should take heed. BTW, is Miller the captain? Just a thought...

Also Ruff's comments today about it ending this weekend are refreshing. We'll see if the team responds.

Players, your coach just called you out. If you brick this weekend, he is in trouble...

Sorry Lindy, a boring leader with no one following him is just a lonely guy out for a walk.

[PGR88]

Watch the tapes on Boston and other recent games. See where most goals are scored from

- lots of odd-man rushes
- forwards not getting back
- Buffalo defensemen dropping back TOO far with the on-coming wingers, leaving the high slot wide-open every time

[Chad]

Laura, it's obvious that you have an axe to grind with Miller. Earlier, on another thread, you called it a "mistake" to trade a goaltender who has been WORSE, ACROSS THE BOARD, than Miller (Biron). Biron has been so bad that the number of starts he hasn't been booed in is fewer than the number of starts he's been booed in. Biron's trash, get over it. He's gone.

Go take your clamoring for Biron to the Philly boards. See how that goes.

[laura]

Miller is not just going through a bad stretch He is always out of position on his knees or stomach. He just sucks Start with getting a decent goaltender.

[jan]

I WISH THE PLAYERS WOULD STOP SAYING THEY NEED TO FIX THINGS AND JUST DO IT !!!!! Very frustrating for all. Playing well for short bursts of time will not win hockey games these days. They still haven't fixed what's wrong (and they have almost played 25% of their games) It's time for a wake-up call. Is it time to trade somebody? Is it time to bench somebody and bring up someone from Portland? Is it time to shake up coaches?

[Dave]

So Miller has a bit of a problem with confidence, but it's cause is the lack of team defense and discipline. Was there any moment after the halfway point of the 1st that Buffalo defensively stepped into passing lanes? No. Did they chase down loose pucks and rebounds? No. Did they clear their zone? No. Was there a moment when the Sabres weren't taking bad penalties? No. This team is in shambles. 60 minutes of good play is so far out of their realm of possibility it's not even funny. Their best game recently was against Pittsburgh, and they proved what happens if you give up trying for the final ten minutes. Last night ten minutes is all they gave. Where's Gerbe? Bring him up! What about Weber? is it time to inject some young blood?

[Chris]

Quinn's ego won't allow for trades, or 'giving up' on his guys. Fans just have to wait a few more years for the players to mature. Oh, wait a minute, Dumont, McKee, Drury, Grier, Briere were mature leaders. Note to current roster: Once potential leaders arrive, they get tossed. Say goodbye in a few years to Gaustad.

So, would you rather have kept Dumont, McKee, Grier, etc? YES!! That would have made for better hockey. Just keep buying tickets and watch the pattern repeat year after year after year.

Thanks again for nothing Quinn & co.

[Jill]

Yeah Miller let in a few he shouldn't have... BUT where was the 'D'? Anybody...? Why so many odd man rushes? Anybody? Oh wait... I know bad give aways... let's not place this all on Miller's shoulders. It's a team effort or shall I say non-effort. How can Miller play when nobody is playing on front of him? And how many times does he have to get hit, poked, and run over before someone does something about it? Seriously... he has resorted to spearing and poking the opposing himself. He shouldn't have to defend his blue paint and worry about the 'D' and worry about the net... what happened to Cap'n Craig? He has been lost as of late... anybody?

[Rick]

Lindy Ruff is NOT the problem. He is a great coach. Great. Miller is the biggest problem. He let two in from the blue line that were lob shots and the one from behind the net. Are you kidding me. True the defense has had its lapses especially like Tallinders giveaway. But Miller is killing us. He isnt playing like he should. Time to give one of the kids in Portland some ice time. When is Aginagenov going to learn how to put a shot on goal? the guy skates circles around teams and then misses the net every time it seems. And Derrick Roy is a fine player. He will come around. Right now its a combination of Miller not playing up to par and bad luck also. We need to take care of Philly and the Islanders and get back on course.

[krueg]

I love how everyone is saying make a trade...Regier will never move these guys and on top of that, who wants our garbage? Can't wait to come home (first time in over a year)and watch the Sabres get pounded by the Bruins again next Wednesday! What a waste of $500. This team makes me literally sick to my stomach.

[Mike]

First off, I've enjoyed reading all of your comments and just like the rest of you was subject to watching another dissapoinment last night- not to mention it was a salt on the wound after mon. night's game.

We haven't won a game since last wed., it is time for action and it is time to pull the trigger and I'm not talking just trading Maxim.

First, Connelly is injured, period !! (IR)

Max has got to go, he doesn't pass and let's get a scoring defensemen.

We need more muscle on offense, we simply got our butts kicked last night. Roy was getting thrown around like a rag doll, and it took three or four Bruins to punch Peters.

Play Lalime, Miller can not play 70 plus games like last year. IF we make the playoffs, he'll be worn out. As it looks now, we look like the Detriot Lions on skates.

I'll second the comment made that our sports teams play like thery don't care, with no heart.

My solution, send these clowns that call themselves Sabres to Portland and bring the young guys in and give them a shot at NHL hockey, then you'll see real heart. Give an 18 or 19 year old a chance to play at the pro level ? I'll bet they give you a 110 percent.'

Too many mistakes last night, and we fall apart after we're winning, FIVE unanswered goals ??!!
We were up 4-2, final score, you know already.

And how about they can just stop getting to center ice and dumping it in, escpecially during a power play.

Well fellow Buffalo fans, just like elections where citizens vote, fans vote for their teams by going out to the games or sports bars that show them and buy merchandise- spending money on our team is how you show your support- when they're wining. But when they lose, fans' vote go elsewhere. I was going to buy the "third jersey", now Forget it !!
I'll spend my overtime money on something else. And I hope somebody at HSBC heard that because I'm a die hard that that's just plain disgusted with the way MY team is playing.

You can make all the trades you want, bring in rookies etc. but at the end of the day, if the players have no heart anyone will beat them.

The positives: Paille is playing well, Vanek is earning his money.

[Tim]

They really aren't playing horrible. Even against Columbus, they were the better team all night in every way except at keeping the puck out of their own net. And the Boston game was no different. They scored 4 goals in the first period. Nine times out of 10, that's enough with Miller in net. As proof, how many times did a Boston goal come as a direct result of a bad Buffalo tip of a pass or a shot? The only bad goal they gave up was the first one that Tallinder deserves to be in Portland for. Even the one from behind the net, which bounced off three things before going in, was a result of bad luck, not bad play.

To me, the real problems for this team started when Lindy took Thomas Vanek off of the penalty kill. His presence had been a bit uplifting for the team, and for the entire season, he's been the lifeblood of the team on the ice. Removing him from the penalty kill (and on the same note, removing him from his pairing with Danny Paille) seems to have led to not only the collapse of the team's penalty kill, but also the loss of Buffalo's defense altogether.

Yes, they've had stretches of poor play, but every team does. I think it's time to get the team back to where it was, including that added threat while killing penalties. Vanek has it in him, which makes me think something else is happening behind the scenes.

[Don H]

Ruff has to stop worrying about tough guys and getting outhit, and start worrying about the deluge of goals his team has surrendered in 8 of the last 10 games.

[Dave]

Why, oh why, is Peters still on the team? Wouldn't cutting him send a message to the rest of them that no matter how good of a guy someone is, if he's not contributing in a positive way then he gets cut?

[CNYfan]

I wish we could send EVERY ONE of these guys (yes, even Lindy) to Portland until they decide to put in the effort needed to win. The only thing worth tuning into a game for lately is Rick Jeanneret (thank GOD for him, i pray he NEVER retires!!!)

[Chad]

Too many offensive liabilities on this team right now. The other team knows going in that other than Vanek, Pommers, MacArthur, and Roy, nobody can hurt them offensively. Hecht is a good two-way player, but we need more offense from him. Tough to complain about that line, though. Roy had a nice deflection, hopefully that turns him around. Stafford needs to step up with Kotalik out; predictably, he hasn't. Max is Max. And what has happened to Gaustad?! Not scoring goals or throwing his weight around. We need the 2006 Goose.

How long can Darcy stare at a 12-1-1 farm team with 3 of the top 10 AHL players (according to TSN rankings) and just make no moves to shake this thing up. Send a message Darcy and Lindy!!! Send Kaleta and Sekera down, call up Mancari and Weber.

[ryan]

RATTLE THE CAGES:
if the front office of buffalo does not make a trade or waiver someone to shake up this lockeroom we may be on a one way trip to post-season hell.

Neither professional buffalo team looks like they care at all about if they win or lose, just as long as they collect there money.

Miller will never be a 6 million dollar goalie just like Trent will never be an elite QB.

is it sad to be looking forward to the Bandits?

[qabflo]

Unless there are more injuries, I don’t see any chance of Mancari, Gerbe. Kennedy or Weber being called up. With Sekera, MacArthur and Kaleta the only waiver-proof Sabres, none of which being the worst on the team in their respective roles, I can’t see Darcy subjecting some of his “precious” players, who have lead us nowhere, to waivers such as Peters, Mair, Stafford, Max and pick a defenseman. I see total inaction by Darcy until at least the trade deadline, where he might try to salvage a low round draft pick or need a throw in to complete a deal. Too bad, because by then it will be way too late to salvage this year. What was early on viewed as a luxury with having extra “NHL-caliber” bodies, is down a hinderence.

[Brad]

Mike Weber would be a nice fit right now with his added toughness and no nonsense approach to D. Miller needs to play with more energy and emotion, stop trying to be so perfect technically and stop the puck! They'll get it right. The coaches can only do so much, if the players don't want to play properly then they won't. Unfortunately Ruff can't bench 5 or 6 guys during a game.
when did these guys lose all confidence in their abilities to play defense? ruff will right the ship and of course they will make the playoffs. They are a talented group, young, but talented. It's a long season, yes we need to start winning games ASAP, but don't blow things out of proportion. Yes, it's frustrating and maddening!!!!, but it's an 82 game season.....lots of hockey left.

[SabresFan in DC]

These guys were bad.....Scary Bad. Miller needs to get his head in the game. Too bad they can't send Lindy down and bring up Dineen for a while.

[hannah]

This team is a joke right down the line. The defense is awful yes but winning teams have goaltenders who can come up big when they need to.Miller is not that goalie. He isn't an elite goaltender in this league. The only time he plays wel is when the team plays well. No playoffs again.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Passion...less.

We have lost all heart in front of the net. No "caygoones" as we used to say.

Sekera: Send the "Housely Wannabe" down. We need toughness, not finesse right now. Chad, not only is he the king of the missed pinch, he exemplifies the play in front of the net. He is ABSOLUTELY LOST in front of the net. He is literally hop skotching in front of the net on one of the goals (I am trying to forget them).

Paille: Send him down too. Lost all heart. This guy is like that "Great Tryout Kid". Gives it his all in the tryout and opens some eyes. Then he makes the team and then puts his feet up on the desk and waits for the fans to pay homage to him. Dude, your clock is ticking.

Rivet: Is he tired of being captain already?

Ruff: Find a way. This is on you. Your team is underperforming. Time for some tough love. Quit telling us that we played good in the first period. Sad to say, but I long for the days when we took the first period off and then played with passion for 2 periods. Win or lose, it was more exciting. Keep up the "What, me worry attitude". Makes you look like the calm cool executive, but it aint working on the ice. We need some panic related passion right now. I REALLY HATE TO SAY THIS, but your clock is ticking too.

6th place and falling....

[Brian]

1.) Time for a new coach. It's been long enough. Is Ruff some kind of security blanket for the higher ups?

2.) Same team, same results. How absolutely true.

3.) Booing works. Try it.

[buffalobeliever]

miller has become a joke.

he does this "where was the puck" and "i was totally screened" routine after every simple blast from the point, not to mention his being out of position on the other goals.

indeed, i cannot think of a goalie making that much money who actually looked lazy, yes,
lazy in goal.

where is the desperation???

6 million a year.....

100,000 dollars per game, assuming he plays 60....

for that effort????

pathetic...

and i actually like the guy, but enough is enough....

what makes a goaltender worth that kind of money is the ability to give your team a chance to win...

he has a defense playing lousy, but he is the worst of the bunch right now.

[BARFalo]

buffalo sports is the laughing stock of the world...they're stealing your money and ripping out your hearts.

Thank you Bills, Thank you Sabres.

[rj]

there is consistency in this town: boatloads of top draft choices that are merely ordinary, and uninspired coaching. what is this gibberish about building through the draft with the sabres? just lalime, lydman, rivet, numinen, spacek, mair, hecht, and connolly. 4 of the top 6 d and two centers???? others have participated here and said the obvious: same team, same results. and more obviously clear is that the 'system' is not geared for or comfortable for these players.

[Sean]

I'm not sure that I have seen a more inconsistent team in the league. They look as though they will fall out of the race completely and then put a stretch of wins together in the second half to have everyone hoping again. The "good" teams find a way to be consistent night in and night out and they find ways to win when they shouldn't. This team lacks that intangible for whatever reason. It looks like another frustrating hockey season in Western New York.

[Calgary Sabre 2]

1) The early record was bolstered by wins in OT and shootouts, which probably made the team look better than it really is. 2) Early on in the season, the defence was a delight: sheer lockdown. Then Lindy came up with the bright idea of telling the defence to get more involved in the offense, and it has been a total disaster. Back to playing defence, boys, and let's work from there. 3) What's wrong with Miller: either zero goals or six goals per game, and nothing in between. 4) Put Afinogenov on waivers and hope someone claims him. 5) Shanahan is still available as far as I know. (And Rhett Warrener, but I'm not sure his shoulder will hold up. At least he gives an effort.) 6) I love Lindy, but every coach has a "shelf life" - is it time? Just asking.

[Sean]

Doesn't anyone else think that it might just be time for a coaching change?

[Elmer]

By the way Miller, the sky is falling for you. Giving you a rich deal is a joke. You are no Hasek. Bench him and let Lalime play in one of the back to back game so that there will be no reason of fatigue as the cause of loss. 12 goals allowed in two games. You must be kidding. 6 million a year for a goalie that allow 6 goals a game. STUPID DEAL.

[Elmer]

They are on a streak again. Maybe it will be longer this time. Around 20. They are becoming worst as the games go on. Let's boo them on their game on Friday to let them know that they SUCK BIG TIME.

[Heather B.]

Ryan, really, you guys are playing terribly, okay? No, you are. You are.

John, kudos for complaining about having to write the blog to the people who are here specifically to read the blog. That's nice. Bravo.

[bean]

It's tough to watch. Unfortunately, this team is nowhere near tough enough. The "tough guys" have no skill (Peters, Kaleta, Mair), no one fears the defense (Lydman, Tallinder) and you need that to open up the ice for the skill guys (Roy, Pominville, Vanek). Max is just taking up a roster spot. Can anyone explain what the deal is with Stafford? I'd bring up Gerbe and Mancari, and sit Max and Stafford. As for defense, I think it's time to sit Tallinder and play Weber. Tallinder hasn't been the same for well over a year now. If you look around our conference, the skill guys play with grit (Malkin, Ovechkin, Carter, Lucic) and the really good teams have a defense that at least is a little tougher, with some a lot tougher, than ours.
I don't have any answers, but I know that the time to make a move to just shake things up has arrived.

[Don F]

There was PLENTY wrong tonight. But one thing stood out for me:

Am I crazy, or does Sekera #44 just do a tremendous job of being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

[Chad]

Rick, I agree that Miller was terrible tonight but it seems like you want to overlook the defense, which was probably the worst I've seen it since the lockout (and that includes the game they gave up 10 to Ottawa). That pass by Tallinder on the 1st goal almost made me throw up my dinner. I think "Sekera" is Czech for "stupid pinch leading to odd-man rush the other way." Numminen has been very bad, too, but nobody is taking him to task. Vanek and Paille could have prevented the first and third goal with a little more "want to" on their backcheck. Those two were tap-in's because of shoddy defense.

Again, Miller was bad. But, in my opinion, the defense was even worse tonight. I was happy just to go the last 10 minutes with no goals scored. Little victories, I guess.

[PGR88]

The last 2 periods, Sabres would dump the puck into the Bruins zone - and send one guy in to get it vs. 3 Bruins.

They would never come up with it.

[Rick]

Pistol Pete, cmon. You just cant sit there and say the talent isnt there. It is. Its the goaltending tonight. Look at the three goals that Miller let in. Maybe he and Trent Edwards are hitting the strip clubs together at night? I wont stand for another team rolling over. Lindy better get this ship straight on Friday. They have the talent. Wake up Miller.

[pistol pete]

They are just god-awful. The expansion team of '71 had far less talent than this club yet they tried. This team has a whole bunch of "Tin men" and we need a ninfusion of fresh faces. And quickly.

[Andy]

Well at least there's one player that's earning his money this year and that would be Vanek who will probably lead the league in scoring on a team that fails to make the playoffs, how often does that happen??

[Rick]

Sugar coat this all you want you announcers and blame the poor defense. Miller let in three goals that were a joke. One from behind the net that there is no excuse for and then two from the blue line that were flip ins. This game falls on Miller. Worst game I ever saw him play. Sure the defense sucked, but not 7-4 bad. Three of those goals fall on Miller. Terrible goaltending. Vanek and Pommer played great.

[Andy]

I think its about time for a shake up trade, doesn't have to be big, maybe a Lydman or Tallinder out or Stafford for hopefully a decent, puck blocking defenseman who's just good defensively as they good awfully need that and that would open up a forward spot for one of our hot players down in Portland to hopefully add a kick start too.

[Sniper]

Regier should buy them each a new party dress for Thanksgiving! Every team we play gives thanks that this bunch of ladies has been kept so intact by Ms Regier.
WHAT A JOKE ON SKATES! LOL at each of these girls.
Roy, Maxim, Miss Pominville, Drew "Barrymore" Stafford, Wynan Miller, what a shameful bunch. Great job Regier, how about a round of applause for all those local writers who praised this guy for resigning these guys.
SAME TEAM, SAME RESULTS.

[Chad]

Tim, I also got the NESN broadcast. This one line summed it up perfectly: "the Buffalo defense is letting the Bruins forwards do whatever they want in the offensive zone." Yep.

We need some fresh blood or this could spin badly out of control in a hurry. For anyone who has been on here for any amount of time, you know I'm usually one of the last to jump off the bridge when things are going wrong. That said, things are bleek right now. The goaltending is poor, the defense is even worse and we're getting offensive production from two players (Pommers, Vanek). This team needs a spark. Be it Kennedy, Gerbe or Mancari, a move needs to be made.

I'd give Paetsch a go on Friday night, too. I don't care who they sit, either. Pick any of them (save Rivet or Spacek). The defense looks atrocious right now.

1) Connolly to IR; call up Gerbe.

2) Send Kaleta down, he's ineffective right now. The novelty is gone. Teams have figured him out. Call up Mancari for some size and skill in front of the net that is lacking after Vanek.

3) Trade Stafford.

[John in Wilmington, DE]

It's time for changes and in a hurry. Forget about trading Max. Just waive him and let him do his damage for another team.

[EM]

Time to look for other channels to watch. The Sabres sucks. I will now call them the Subs since they play like substitute players. If they lose the back to back games on Friday and Sunday, can we exchange the Subs with our farm team. I think they will do better in the NHL.

[Tim]

The Boston announcers nailed it -- "Boston can fix their mistakes in the dressing room" -- and they did. Why can't Buffalo do that? This ought to end about 9-4 Boston.

[mark]

Good to see the 6 million dollar man Miller is reverting to his form of last year. I can't wait to hear the excuses from Ryan about how the goals weren't his fault. He was screened, shot tipped, etc. Funny, those things never seemed to be a problem for Hasek. If Ryan is going to get paid like Hasek did he better start playing like that.

[waz]

Is it normal to wanna hate Chara so much...? I dont know what it is i just cant stand the guy.

[Chad]

Buffalo is going to lose this one and give up about 8 goals in the process if they keep this up. Just so undisciplined right now.

[mark]

Monday is still fresh in my mind, why do you have to take that jab, lol?