The Realist Thread....

[OpIv37]

The team is 12-4-1, but they started hot last year too before collapsing.

We have no backup goaltending, and Miller has to get through the Olympics, which will hurt.

And last year, all it took was one or two injuries (Vanek and Miller) down the stretch to knock us out of the playoffs.

Be careful, because this script looks an awful lot like a rerun.

[Philagape]

Re: The Realist Thread....

I'll type what I typed two years ago:

It means nothing until the playoffs.

Until they get back to where they were before Black Sunday, it's just fun and games.

[DMBcrew36]

Re: The Realist Thread....

I'd say I'm a realist. I'm excited to see the added grit this year and greater accountability, but I also know it's a long season, especially with the Olympics. The Sabres will likely go through some tough stretches, just like any team, but again, it's a long year. If the Sabres could get Biron or another reliable backup, I would feel much better about this team.

[OpIv37]

Re: The Realist Thread....

I see some key differences this year, notably more grit and some depth on the front line. But I see some of the same issues as well, notably goalie depth and inconsistent top scorers (Vanek, Poms, Roy).

We're only through 20% of the season. Early returns are good, but I'm not getting too excited until they prove they can maintain this pace.

[Tiburon1724]

Re: The Realist Thread....

I worry about the backup goalie situation too...it'll cost us.

[Ground Chuck]

Re: The Realist Thread....

Our defense is miles ahead of where it has been for the last few years.

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: The Realist Thread....

Back-up goalie concerns me, but Lalime plays better when he plays more often. And if it were longterm, Enroth would be up.

But one big, indisputable difference is that the team is much tougher.

[DrGraves]

Re: The Realist Thread....

well im usually with you oP iv.. (what is an op iv?) but this time your'e wrong.... miller is the greatest goalie on the planet. he is going to stand on his head and lead the us to a gold medal and the sabres to a cup..... CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

[chernobylwraiths]

Re: The Realist Thread....

Back-up goalie concerns me, but Lalime plays better when he plays more often. And if it were longterm, Enroth would be up.

But one big, indisputable difference is that the team is much tougher.

If Ruff continues to play Lalime once every ten games, we will get **** out of the position yet again. It's a catch 22, Lalime won't play better unless he gets more games to be comfortable and Ruff won't play him unless he is better. Maybe, instead of playing Lalime on the second night of back to back games, he should play him after the team has had a few days to rest. That way the defense can be fully rested to help him out. It isn't our backup goaltending that has always been crap, it has been Ruff's use of them. Dwayne Roloson and Ty Conklin left here as crap goaltenders and have gone on to play well when given the opportunity elsewhere.

[RockStar36]

Re: The Realist Thread....

It's not quite the same team, but I see your points.

You mentioned the grit and toughness and those points are huge. There were points last year and even the year before where a two goal lead in the 3rd wasn't safe because they would fall apart. This year, they are holding on to those leads and finishing off the other team.

Like in NJ, they held a 2-0 and 2-1 lead for almost the entire game. When the minutes were winding down, instead of letting up that goal to the Devils, they finished them off. Or against Phoenix when they were down 1-0 in the third, they came back and won it instead of folding. Or against Nashville. Or even the other night in Philly, they give up the shorthanded goal and only hold a 3-2 lead. In years past they would've ended up losing that game, but they didn't now.

Those things really stand out to me.

[OpIv37]

Re: The Realist Thread....

well im usually with you oP iv.. (what is an op iv?) but this time your'e wrong.... miller is the greatest goalie on the planet. he is going to stand on his head and lead the us to a gold medal and the sabres to a cup..... CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

I've beeb using the name since high school. The first part is taken from the punk band Operation Ivy. The number is a reference to the movie Clerks.

[BlackMetalNinja]

Re: The Realist Thread....

It's not quite the same team, but I see your points.

You mentioned the grit and toughness and those points are huge. There were points last year and even the year before where a two goal lead in the 3rd wasn't safe because they would fall apart. This year, they are holding on to those leads and finishing off the other team.

Like in NJ, they held a 2-0 and 2-1 lead for almost the entire game. When the minutes were winding down, instead of letting up that goal to the Devils, they finished them off. Or against Phoenix when they were down 1-0 in the third, they came back and won it instead of folding. Or against Nashville. Or even the other night in Philly, they give up the shorthanded goal and only hold a 3-2 lead. In years past they would've ended up losing that game, but they didn't now.

Those things really stand out to me.

That's probably what makes me the happiest about this season so far. That and the fact that we are getting scoring across the board instead of heavily relying on 1-2 guys. By far my biggest concern is Miller of course. He's playing incredibly well, but we're heading right down the same path we've dealt with the past couple of years... and it's going to be magnified with the Olympics this year too.

[RockStar36]

Re: The Realist Thread....

The goaltending situation is an absolute issue.

I don't like when Miller is playing in back-to-backs and while I'm happy Miller is playing for Team USA, it worries me in terms of the Sabres.

They need to fix it quickly. Either Lalime is the guy or get someone better suited for the job. They can't be running Miller out there for 3 games in 4 nights.

[rbochan]

Re: The Realist Thread....

My biggest concerns are a competent backup goalie and Miroslav Vanek.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: The Realist Thread....

We need a backup goalie for sure.

Lalime blows and Enroth has dissapointed. He is not ready yet for the NHL.