Sabres caught Flyers in the trap

The Sabres have taken great pride in playing a puck-possession style in which they tried pushing the pace for much of the season, but they switched almost exclusively to a neutral-zone trap en route to beating the Flyers. Coach Lindy Ruff, who for years expressed disdain for the trap, figured he had no choice.

Installing the trap was the biggest adjustment Ruff made last week after the Sabres lost to the Flyers and Bruins on successive nights. It prompted Ruff to review how the Sabres performed in the second half of back-to-back games, and it wasn't pretty. They were 0-3 this season and had been outscored, 13-4, in the second game before beating the Flyers.

The Sabres rolled out a 1-3-1 against the Flyers, who became increasingly frustrated while trying to get the puck through the neutral zone. It helped Buffalo win more races to the puck despite having tired legs from playing a tough game against Calgary the previous night at home.

"We played [Friday] night, and they didn't," Ruff said. "I said I had to take a hard look at back-to-back games and how we approached them, maybe taking a little off of the aggressive side and be ready to look for turnovers and going the other way.

"We were at a little bit of a competitive disadvantage. We faced teams that have done the same in our building. With our record in the back-to-back, it was time to take a look at maybe toning down our game a little bit."

Don't be surprised if you see more of the same this weekend. The Sabres play the Bruins on Friday before traveling to Ottawa on Saturday.

--- Bucky Gleason

Comments

[GmR]

I think Babcock really made an impression on Lindy. He finally realizes he needs to switch things up against certain opponents

[Roetzer]

Hope we can trade for Biron before Jan so we dontt have to play Lalime. If we dont and Lalime starts a bunch of games then we can kiss the playoffs goodbye

[Kent]

We don't need to worry about over playing Miller unitl January. He can play these 3 games in 4 nights because he's got 3 days off after. Once they start playing 4 games a week then Lalime will have to start 1 a week.

[jan]

if playing the trap will help out this team during a three games in four nights series, why not continue to do it. maybe Lalime should start against the Panthers and give Miller some rest.

[lounotinafghanistananymore]

agree CS2. seems to be playing miller heavy as he tends to. i just fear miller getting another 72 with the olympics added on. i'm still not a lalime hater. most games he lost last year weren't him playing awful; but the guys in front of him playing awful. if it's an attitude thing where they don't like playing in front of him, then that's something you need to address with a roster change.

[CalgarySabre2]

They may want to start Lalime in one of the next three games, because you have Florida (below 500) and then Boston and Ottawa who are just above 500. Lalime used to be an Ottawa Senator, maybe he'd have some added motivation to win that one. That would give Miller a rest before we play Washington and Philly again, and then you throw Lalime in there against the cream puffs from Carolina. If he cannot beat Carolina, he is done.

[realNFLfan]

I am not a fan of the trap, but I give Ruff credit for finding ways to change the style of play for his club. It definitely helped. I am looking forward to the next game. I am just glad they are getting points in games. Hopefully they can keep this pace.

[Brett in Rochester]

I still believe Ruff is the top coach in the league and wouldn't want anyone else. I am amazed at how the team is playing this year compared to last. Ryan even seems sharper.

I would like you Bucky to address that short handed goal. That begain with Connelly 3 times coughing it up at the Philly blue line instead of getting it deep. This has been preached about since last year. GET IT DEEP!!! Especially against a team as talented in the PK as Philly.

[Brent]

Have to give credit where it's due, Lindy was smart to throw something new at the Flyers. On the second of a back-to-back and third in four nights, you have to conserve energy and wait for opponent mistakes. Good decision. Also, never been a fan of Regier, but if Lindy's post game comments are true that it was Regier's idea to call up Ennis, then thumbs up to him, too. I think we all know Lindy would have probably been content to just bump Hecht to the top line and insert Paetsch.

[twoeightnine]

Making adjustments in the "2nd Half" of the weekend? Someone get him down to the Ralph.