The lights are dimming...

[Nighthawk]

...on this season. This team just cannot step up when it needs to. Another loss to a team they HAD to beat. Very frustrating.

[chubluv]

I agree. Its just so fustrating to watch. Especially after what we did the past few years.

I just dont understand how the front office can do what they did. I know the contracts that Drury, Briere & Campbell (is about to get) were pretty big, but we had many opportunities to sign them.

We the fans sold the HSBC out every game. we were #1 in merchandise sales. fans stood outside sometimes in bad weather to watch this team on a giant TV outside the arena. What more could we do to prove to the FO that we are going to give our $ to them if they put a decent product on the ice. So now who knows whats going to happen next year.

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

8 Philadelphia Flyers 69 35 26 8 78
9 Buffalo Sabres 70 32 27 11 75

[Mitchy moo]

8 Philadelphia Flyers 69 35 26 8 78
9 Buffalo Sabres 71 32 27 11 11 76


Here is the most current:

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=14>Eastern Conference</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD> </TD><TD align=left width="18%"> </TD><TD width="5%">GP (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=games&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">W (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=wins&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">L (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=losses&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">OTL (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=OTLosses&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">PTS (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=points&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">GF (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=pointsFor&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">GA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=pointsAgainst&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">PP% (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=powerPlayPct&order=false)</TD><TD width="5%">PK% (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=penaltyKillPct&order=false)</TD><TD width="10%">HOME (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=homeWinPercent&order=false)</TD><TD width="10%">AWAY (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/standings?season=2008&group=conference&column=roadWinPercent&order=false)</TD><TD width="10%">L10</TD></TR><!-- jw sortColumns: playoffSeed --><!-- jw sortOrder: false --><!-- sortCol: [Ljava.lang.String;@372214 sortOrder[Z@19e5f92 --><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>1 </TD><TD align=left>New Jersey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=njd)</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>6</TD><TD class=sortcell>86</TD><TD>180</TD><TD>159</TD><TD>16.5</TD><TD>82.8</TD><TD>22-12-1</TD><TD>18-11-5</TD><TD>7-2-1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>2 </TD><TD align=left>Montreal (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=mon)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>9</TD><TD class=sortcell>85</TD><TD>223</TD><TD>197</TD><TD>24.8</TD><TD>80.7</TD><TD>16-12-5</TD><TD>22-11-4</TD><TD>6-4-0</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>3 </TD><TD align=left>Carolina (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=car)</TD><TD>71</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>5</TD><TD class=sortcell>79</TD><TD>216</TD><TD>221</TD><TD>17.5</TD><TD>77.3</TD><TD>21-12-3</TD><TD>16-17-2</TD><TD>7-2-1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>4 </TD><TD align=left>Pittsburgh (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pit)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>7</TD><TD class=sortcell>85</TD><TD>206</TD><TD>192</TD><TD>20.4</TD><TD>80.3</TD><TD>19-10-5</TD><TD>20-14-2</TD><TD>5-3-2</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>5 </TD><TD align=left>Ottawa (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=ott)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>7</TD><TD class=sortcell>83</TD><TD>223</TD><TD>209</TD><TD>18.2</TD><TD>81.5</TD><TD>20-12-3</TD><TD>18-13-4</TD><TD>3-5-2</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>6 </TD><TD align=left>NY Rangers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyr)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>9</TD><TD class=sortcell>83</TD><TD>186</TD><TD>171</TD><TD>16.7</TD><TD>83.3</TD><TD>22-13-1</TD><TD>15-11-8</TD><TD>8-0-2</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>7 </TD><TD align=left>Boston (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=bos)</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>36</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>8</TD><TD class=sortcell>80</TD><TD>183</TD><TD>191</TD><TD>18.4</TD><TD>79.1</TD><TD>18-13-4</TD><TD>18-12-4</TD><TD>6-2-2</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>8 </TD><TD align=left>Philadelphia (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phi)</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>8</TD><TD class=sortcell>78</TD><TD>212</TD><TD>197</TD><TD>22.7</TD><TD>82.6</TD><TD>16-13-6</TD><TD>19-13-2</TD><TD>5-2-3</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=14><CENTER>http://espn.go.com/i/blackdot.gif</CENTER></TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left> </TD><TD align=left>Buffalo (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=buf)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>11</TD><TD class=sortcell>75</TD><TD>211</TD><TD>204</TD><TD>18.5</TD><TD>84.0</TD><TD>17-13-5</TD><TD>15-14-6</TD><TD>3-4-3</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left> </TD><TD align=left>Washington (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=was)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>8</TD><TD class=sortcell>72</TD><TD>203</TD><TD>209</TD><TD>19.2</TD><TD>80.8</TD><TD>17-15-3</TD><TD>15-15-5</TD><TD>4-4-2</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left> </TD><TD align=left>Florida (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=fla)</TD><TD>71</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>8</TD><TD class=sortcell>72</TD><TD>190</TD><TD>200</TD><TD>19.7</TD><TD>81.2</TD><TD>14-13-7</TD><TD>18-18-1</TD><TD>5-3-2</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left> </TD><TD align=left>NY Islanders (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyi)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>7</TD><TD class=sortcell>71</TD><TD>170</TD><TD>204</TD><TD>15.1</TD><TD>82.8</TD><TD>17-16-3</TD><TD>15-15-4</TD><TD>4-6-0</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left> </TD><TD align=left>Toronto (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=tor)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>10</TD><TD class=sortcell>70</TD><TD>196</TD><TD>216</TD><TD>16.8</TD><TD>78.6</TD><TD>16-14-5</TD><TD>14-16-5</TD><TD>6-3-1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left> </TD><TD align=left>Atlanta (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=atl)</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>8</TD><TD class=sortcell>68</TD><TD>186</TD><TD>230</TD><TD>17.7</TD><TD>79.3</TD><TD>17-15-3</TD><TD>13-17-5</TD><TD>1-5-4</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left> </TD><TD align=left>Tampa Bay (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=tam)</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>8</TD><TD class=sortcell>60</TD><TD>189</TD><TD>225</TD><TD>18.3</TD><TD>81.3</TD><TD>16-17-2</TD><TD>10-18-6</TD><TD>1-7-2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[chubluv]

11 OTL :ill:

[SabreEleven]

This team is fighting for it's playoff lives and they skated around the 3rd period like there were playing for the tie. They had maybe one scoring chance in the 3rd. This team doesn't WANT to make the playoffs.

[BlackMetalNinja]

Yup, the writing is plain to see, and the added injuries in the D just seal the deal sadly.

[Philagape]

11 OTL :ill:

Sounds like they've missed a couple clutch players.

[chubluv]

Sounds like they've missed a couple clutch players.

You got it.

[OpIv37]

This team is fighting for it's playoff lives and they skated around the 3rd period like there were playing for the tie. They had maybe one scoring chance in the 3rd. This team doesn't WANT to make the playoffs.

they played the whole ****ing game like that. At one point in the first they went 12 minutes without a shot on goal.

No urgency, no breakout passes- I think Drury tipped the Rangers off to the Sabres' plays because they had to dump and chase the entire game. It didn't work worth a damn.

Oh, and a FULL 2 min 5-on-3 with no goal. WTF???

[Michael82]

I agree. Its just so fustrating to watch. Especially after what we did the past few years.

I just dont understand how the front office can do what they did. I know the contracts that Drury, Briere & Campbell (is about to get) were pretty big, but we had many opportunities to sign them.

We the fans sold the HSBC out every game. we were #1 in merchandise sales. fans stood outside sometimes in bad weather to watch this team on a giant TV outside the arena. What more could we do to prove to the FO that we are going to give our $ to them if they put a decent product on the ice. So now who knows whats going to happen next year.
what's going to happen next year? well...after suckering in a lot of people to reup their season tickets, in order to buy playoff tickets at a cheap rate, the amount of season ticket holders at the HSBC Arena will drop by 5,000. The team will struggle to sell out any games in the fall, until the Bills season is over with and then in February, the excitement of the Sabres will be what it was 3 or 4 years ago. :sigh:

[Michael82]

Way to go, Tom Golisano! :bf1:

Part of me is really wondering if they are trying to set this team up to sell it. :ill:

[Dude]

Part of me doesn't want this team to make the playoffs. They certainly don't deserve it, and Tom G. shouldn't pocket the extra revenue after ****ing over all the fans this year.

Once the playoffs start, every team is 0-0, and that gives me hope. This year's team doesn't have what it takes to reward that hope, and I don't want to get all emotionally invested only to have them let me down again. I know that makes me sound like a bandwagon fan, but NHL playoffs are serious business in the Dude household (well, for me, anyway), and I just don't have the heart to watch them go through the motions in a best of seven. They may as well save us and themselves the trouble and hit the golf course early.

[don137]

Miller has been disappointing in shootouts this year. He seems to be letting in two goals every three shots however I think the reason for the demise for the Sabres is the young guys have not stepped up. Last year when called upon the guys played with heart and passion trying to prove they belong in the lineup. This year when they know they will be in the lineup they are just going through the motions and lack that heart they played with last year. Roy, Pominville and Vanek (in spurts) have played as well expected but the big difference is the young guys are not coming close to filling the shoes of their predecessors (yes I realize Quinn and Company are to blame for Briere and Drury not being here).
Stafford is probably the biggest disappointment. The guy gets pushed around in the cornes, is a defensive liability and has not produced liked hoped/expected. Paille and Paestch are inconsistent and have not had the same energy they played with last year. MaCarther has not showed much when given the chance.
Last year the Sabres had four good lines that could score. Now it really is only two lines and when Stafford is playing on the Vanek line it they are now down to one line.

[hydro]

One glaring thing that was pissing everyone off at the game last night was that everyone was skating around in a daze it seemed. I remember many times seeing our defenseman taking the puck from our net and no forwards moving anywhere in neutral ice. They looked tired and unmotivated.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

The remaining schedule has Boston twice, that is the team I think they have to try to catch.

[mchurchfie]

When we miss getting the 8th spot in the POs to the Flyers by one point remember that game winning shootout goal by Briere. The irony.

[JD]

One things for certain, if we DO make the playoffs.... THANK GOD THEY DONT HAVE TO PLAY ****ING SHOOTOUTS

[Michael82]

The remaining schedule has Boston twice, that is the team I think they have to try to catch.
:rofl: Must be nice to have hope. My hope went away when they traded a damn good defenseman and then didn't even bother getting another one.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

:rofl: Must be nice to have hope. My hope went away when theu traded a damn good defenseman and then didn't even bother getting another one.

If there is a chance, there is hope Mikey. You are a better fan than that, get your chin up soldier.

[PcA125]

Was it over when the Germans bombed pearl harbor? haha jk It does seem to be pretty much over unless they catch fire here and string together a long winning streak.

I hear some saying that even if they do make the playoffs then they wont get past the first round. I dont believe this simply because we would have to be on fire just to make the playoffs and with that added momentum anything can happen.

[Michael82]

If there is a chance, there is hope Mikey. You are a better fan than that, get your chin up soldier.
Nope, sorry. But it's over. :sigh:

Luckily, I didn't mail in that playoff ticket request. So my card won't be charged, even if they don't make it. :ill:

[PcA125]

well the flyers are winning right now, so that means our shot just got even smaller

[PcA125]

looks like I spoke too soon