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Buffalo Sabres :Weekend Review

Before the weekend began I think any Sabres fan would have been happy taking two points against tough opponents on back-to-back nights.  So now I ask if you are happy that the Sabres earned two points because of their shootout win on Friday night against the Rangers?

In my opinion there are positives and negatives to this past weekend.  I guess that's the case with just about any game but I felt that this weekend would be a good barometer as to where this team was going forward.  I came away not entirely displeased.  If nothing else it was a really good learning experience to find out where they need to get better.

There are probably more negatives than positives but I list my opinions below.

Weekend Positives

  • The positives begin with Ryan Miller.  He played in back-to-back games (something he doesn't do often) and was outstanding both nights.  He was the reason the Sabres were able to earn two points this weekend.  He stopped 88-of-92 shots on goal in the two games.  He stopped 43-of-44 on Friday and 45-of-48 in a 3-1 loss on Saturday.
  • Derek Roy scored both Sabres goals this weekend.  He has probably been the Sabres best player over the past month although he has been criticized in the blogs and by Head Coach Lindy Ruff at times.
  • Two of a possible four points against tough opponents.
  • Hanging in with the Wings in the second game of back-to-back with game two on the road.

 Weekend Negatives

  • Outshot 92-55 and mostly outplayed in both games.
  • Only two goals and only one goal scorer.  They need more people to contribute offensively to win hockey games.
  • Allowing more than 40 shots in consecutive games.
  • Four game winning streak snapped with the loss to Detroit Saturday.

Feel free to add your positives and negatives in the comments section.

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

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Comments

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I think the weekend

demonstrates, once again, it’s hard to figure out the Sabres and predict how they’ll finish this year. It should be an interesting battle for the final playoff spots. What’s your prediction?

by ccthemovieman on Jan 11, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree cc

This team is very unpredictable and could end up anywhere from 5th-10th and I would not be surprised. I am encouraged by the play of Miller this weekend. I guess we’ll see if he can keep it up.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by D.O. on Jan 11, 2009 5:15 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm still living in the 2005-06 season.

We weren’t great by any means. Miller was streaky. Fans were calling this young team (still is too) inconsistent.

I’m talking January 2006. By April? Whole different moment.

Miller played a good game Friday. And then he played a great game Saturday. Guess which one he won?

I’m mildly disturbed by how Detroit dominated at will. Again – it’s January.

More and more I’m liking the schedule!

by dfderie on Jan 11, 2009 7:42 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thanks for the play-by-play

I was reading along while I was broadcasting last night.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by D.O. on Jan 11, 2009 8:44 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Personally . . .

I think we’re looking very solid heading towards the All Star break. We’ll have to see what happens against Chi-town!

by uscBillsGamecock on Jan 11, 2009 9:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Next two games are big

The Chicago game is big for obvious reasons but the Stars game is big because of being the second game of back-to-back. Buffalo should beat the Stars but it will be tough playing back-to-back in a different time zone.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by D.O. on Jan 11, 2009 10:37 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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