Patrick Kaleta's Importance Evident In Losing Streak
by Rafal Ladysz on Feb 8, 2010 5:23 PM EST
8 comments
Cameras don't have to show viewers that Patrick Kaleta is dressing for the Buffalo Sabres. A radio will do just fine because he sends an echo every time he throws himself at an opponent who is against the glass. Lately, the boards have been lonely as Kaleta has missed all but 58 seconds in the past four games. The 23-year-old played slightly under a minute between two shifts in Pittsburgh before blocking a shot which bruised his foot last Monday.
Although x-rays were negative, Kaleta was wearing a black medical boot on his left foot recently indicating that there might be more to this injury. Any significant time missed by him will only hurt the Sabres. Here's what Kaleta said about his current condition.
"To help me walk," he said in reference to the boot. "I can’t really put a whole lot of pressure on it right now. I’m just waiting for the swelling to go down, and then I’m going to have to see the doctors again."
"We’ve still got to go through a couple things before we know exactly what it is," Kaleta said. "We’re working on it. We just have to have the swelling go down.
"I’m going to try to get back as fast as possible, but it’s not really up to me, and as of right now it’s not really up to par. I’m going to ice it every day, and that’s basically all I can do right now."
As Buffalo's major physical threat, the Sabres have been bullied around without him during their four-game losing streak that has seen them get outscored 17-9 and 12-5 in the three most recent contests. A spark was missing especially when Chris Phillips decided to run over Ryan Miller Wednesday night. Credit to Tyler Myers for stepping into Phillips' face but how much work are they going to have this kid do? Veterans have to get involved in those types of situations. For a refreshment of Kaleta's momentum-shifting abilities, look at the video below. Push the mute button to enjoy it without the awful commentary.
That came with a 4-0 deficit to end the first period but Buffalo awoke quickly in the second with three fast goals. While they went on to lose, it was a game they thoroughly dominated Anaheim in and deserved to win. If someone else doesn't want to get their hands dirty, Kaleta will gladly give the Sabres a shot of adrenaline.
Give-aways, average goaltending, lack of scoring and untimely defensive breakdowns have all gotten them into this hole. I'm a firm believer that Kaleta's presence could have turned the outcome in Buffalo's favor for one or two of the matches. Don't forget, the energetic forward has shown soft hands when lighting the lamp and became a dependable penalty-killer.
When asked what he thought about the fans considering him a hitter mostly in a recent interview, he responded with the following:
"I think there's a lot more to my game that maybe I haven't shown or people don't realize just because my hitting stands out. I had the same thing in Peterborough my first couple of years. I'd hit people, run around a little bit and then my game started developing and developing."
"Once you feel comfortable and once you earn the ice time to do more things then people start realizing that I am more than a hitter and I can contribute in a lot of different ways to the team."
People have begun to realize the extent of his talent and that Patrick Kaleta is a backbone for this Buffalo Sabres squad. However, that doesn't change how he will always be seen as a hitter first and a point producer second. Ironically, the team could use a little bit of both at the moment.
8 comments | 0 recs |
Daily Links for Monday, Feb. 8
by Andy Boron on Feb 8, 2010 6:00 AM EST
in Daily Links
2 comments
WHO DAT say dey gonna beat them Sabres? I vote we use this as our new slogan/chant for the rest of the season since it worked so well for the Saints yesterday. We can have fans at the games wear beads, rename the downtown area "The Polish Quarter," have polka bands parade through the streets, and celebrate Dingus Day like New Orleans celebrates Mardis Gras. Seriously though, congrats to the Saints and the city of N'awlins, but as Ryan over at The Goose's Roost said - it always gets a bit more lonely when one of those "never one a Super Bowl" teams crosses themselves off the list.
Some Thoughts on Kovalchuk and the Sabres vs. the Devils - Top Shelf
With the recent skid, do you find yourself wondering whether Darcy should have tried to get Ilya Kovalchuk? Heather reminds us why trading for Kovalchuk was not in the Sabres best interests, even if they could have pulled it off.
Getting To Know: Pat Lafontaine - The Hockey News
The Captain talks to THN about his life during and after the game.
SabreCast 2.20 – Don’t Panic
The Unofficial Buffalo Sabres Fan Podcast reminds us of the slogan on The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
2 comments | 0 recs
Saints-Colts: Super Bowl XLIV Open Thread - SB Nation
If you are going to watch the game tonight head to SB Nation.com to chat with other fans about the game.
1 day ago
David Oleksy
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Daily Links for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7
by Andy Boron on Feb 7, 2010 6:00 AM EST
in Daily Links
13 comments
The Sabres lost last night to another terrible team, but none of that matters because today is a day for caring only about football. Or, if you're not into football, commercials. So forget about the worst week of the season today and enjoy some chicken wing dip and beer while you watch football/advertising.
Shutout caps woeful week for Sabres - The Buffalo News
On back-to-back nights, the Buffalo Sabres have lost to the 15th-place team in the Eastern Conference and the 14th-place team in the West.
Sabres notebook: Lalime victimized by freaky bounce off glass - The Buffalo News
Lalime had some nice saves sprinkled in his 21 stops. There wasn't anything he could do on two, maybe three of the Columbus Blue Jackets' goals. But as for the first one? Killer.
Wants and Needs: Edmonton Oilers - The Goose's Roost
With every loss, my desire for this team to make a big trade increases. Another entry in the trade series by The Goose's Roost, this one takes a look at the struggling Oilers roster.
Ken Campbell's blog: Miller will be USA’s No. 1, play every game - The Hockey News
In case there was any doubt, it has been confirmed.
13 comments | 0 recs
Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets [Game Thread]
by David Oleksy on Feb 6, 2010 6:00 PM EST
in Game Threads
113 comments
| Buffalo Sabres (32-17-7, 71pts) |
Game #57 | Columbus Blue Jackets (23-27-9, 55pts) |
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 |
@ |  |
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| Date: |
February 6, 2010 |
Location: | Columbus, OH |
| Time: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
Arena: | Nationwide Arena |
| TV: | MSG-B | SB Nation Affiliate | The Cannon |
| Radio: |
WGR (550AM) |
Season Series | BUF 0-0-0,CLB 0-0-0 |
| Buffalo Sabres | Category | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| 155 (2.8) | Goals For | 150 (2.5) |
| 135 (2.4) | Goals Against | 186 (3.2) |
| 1755 (31.3) | Shots For | 1729 (29.3) |
| 1775 (31.7) | Shots Against | 1753 (29.7) |
| 41/226 - 18.1% (16) | Power Play | 43/215 - 20.0% (3) |
| 24/191 - 87.4% (1) | Penalty Kill | 42/232 - 81.9% (13) |
113 comments | 0 recs
Daily Links for Saturday, Feb. 6
by Andy Boron on Feb 6, 2010 12:36 PM EST
in Daily Links
1 comment
I wasn't able to watch the game last night (thank goodness) but I'm starting to get worried as well. The Olympic break can't come soon enough for this team. After the break, some very sad news from our friends in Toronto.
Staal Extends Scoring Streak And Leads Carolina To Victory: Hurricanes 4, Sabres 3 - Canes Country
Eric Staal extended his career best point streak to 11 consecutive games and the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to defeat the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, 4-3.
Good news, bad news for Sekera - The Buffalo News
After sitting out 15 times in a 16-game stretch, Andrej Sekera has returned to the Buffalo Sabres' lineup and has goals in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Still, the defenseman has been burned for key goals by the opposition in both contests, including the tying goal last night.
Mike Robitaille Absence - Buffalo Sabres
If you're wondering where Roby was last night, he was in a minor car accident (he's OK) and will be back after the Olympics.
Wants and Needs: Minnesota Wild - The Goose's Roost
With the Sabres recent struggles, we turn again to Chris at The Goose's Roost to see who the Sabres could pilfer off the Minnesota Wild.
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Hurricanes 4 Sabres 3: Sabres Struggles Continue in Loss to Last Place Canes
by David Oleksy on Feb 5, 2010 11:53 PM EST
in Game Recaps
5 comments
"We've hit a tough stretch and now it's time to see how we react to it" - Lindy Ruff following an embarrassing loss to the last place Carolina Hurricanes on home ice.
What we have seen out of the Buffalo Sabres recently could be termed "a tough stretch" but prefer to call it complete failure. It's tough to pinpoint what is going wrong because the losses have been team losses. Earlier in the season there was always someone to step up and that someone was usually Ryan Miller. While Miller hasn't been the reason for the recent losses he deserves some of the blame for the teams recent failures.
There was a time when we were hailing Ryan Miller as a potential Hart Trophy candidate but he has struggled along with his teammates the past couple of weeks. Miller was not awful by any stretch but he let in the winning goal tonight on a shot he stops 99 out of 100 times. Miller needs to better if the Sabres are going to break this recent slump.
This game had a bad feeling right from the opening faceoff. You would think that a team that has lost two straight would have some intensity against the last place team at home but the Sabres came out flat. They managed only five shots in the first 20 minutes but somehow they came away tied at one after the first period.
They finally picked up their game in the second period but in typical Sabres fashion they couldn't finish and the game remained tied at one heading into the third period. The biggest worry I have is the way they played in the third period. Although Carolina scored first the Sabres managed to take the lead on two goals by Stafford. Playing with a lead in the third period has been automatic for the Sabres this season but tonight they allowed a last place team to come back and win in regulation.
Nobody can deny that this isn't the same team the Sabres had a month ago when they seemed like they could not lose. They are not playing with the same confidence and swagger they had earlier in the season. They are playing scared and trying not to make a mistake when the game is on the line instead of going for the jugular.
I have my finger on the panic button but I'm not ready to push it just yet. They have four more games before the Olympic break to turn things around and if they don't there should be some changes before the deadline.
5 comments | 0 recs |
Buffalo Sabres vs. Carolina Hurricanes [Game Thread]
by David Oleksy on Feb 5, 2010 6:30 PM EST
in Game Threads
251 comments
| Buffalo Sabres (32-16-7, 71pts) |
Game #56 | Carolina Hurricanes (19-30-7, 45pts) |
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| |
vs. |  |
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| Date: |
February 5, 2010 |
Location: | Buffalo, NY |
| Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
Arena: | HSBC Arena |
| TV: | MSG-B | SB Nation Affiliate | Canes Country |
| Radio: |
WGR (550AM) |
Season Series | BUF 1-0-0,CAR 0-1-0 |
| Buffalo Sabres | Category | Carolina Hurricanes |
| 152 (2.8) | Goals For | 145 (2.6) |
| 131 (2.4) | Goals Against | 180 (3.2) |
| 1724 (31.3) | Shots For | 1628 (29.1) |
| 1748 (31.8) | Shots Against | 1756 (31.4) |
| 41/221 - 18.6% (13) | Power Play | 41/230 - 17.8% (18) |
| 24/185 - 87.0% (1) | Penalty Kill | 47/235 - 80.0% (T-22) |
251 comments | 0 recs
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