Buffalo Sabres @ Washington Capitals [Game Thread]
by David Oleksy on Apr 3, 2009 6:00 PM EDT
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PrintBuffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals, Apr 3, 2009 7:00 PM EDT
| Buffalo Sabres (37-30-9) |
Game # 77 |
Washington Capitals (47-23-7) |
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| Date: | April 3, 2009 |
Location: | Washington, DC |
| Time: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
Arena: | Verizon Center |
| TV: | MSG-B | SBN Affiliate/ Blogs | Japers Rink |
| Radio |
WGR (550AM) |
Season Series | BUF 2pts - WSH 4pts |
| SB Nation Event Page |
Sabres @ Capitals | ||
Reminder: Put in your SPG picks for an opportunity to win a Buffalo Sabres Jersey. If you are wondering how to get an opportunity to win a jersey...the contest rules are here. (I'll try to update the roster in time for the game).
Starting Goalies
Leading Scorers
Injuries
Game Notes
- Paul Gaustad will be in the lineup despite suffering a cut on his elbow on Wednesday night. It is unclear if there are any other lineup changes. {Buffalo News}
- Sabres are currently at 83 points and have six games remaining. That leaves Buffalo with the potential for 95 points. The NY Rangers currently have 89 points and 97 potential points and the Florida Panthers have 87 points and 97 potential points.
- Ryan Miller will make his fourth consecutive start since returning last Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Sabres have earned points in all three games with a record of 2-0-1.
- Including tonight, the Sabres finish the season with six games in nine nights.
- The Sabres only other trip to Washington was a 3-2 loss on December 26. Patrick Lalime was in goal for the Sabres in that game.
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Looks like changes
Sekera is back in for Teppo
Max and Ellis are in and MacArthur and Paille are out.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Nope
Max in for Paille but looks like C-Mac stays
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Connolly
had a wide open net…how did he miss that?
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
How could TC miss that?
Kind of a microcosm of our season, offensively
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
sure goal…let’s hope it doesn’t bite them in the but later.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
that’s not a penalty!
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Not Good
nice PK and they let them score at the end.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
That's the difference
we have a wide-open net and miss; they don’t.
Yep
Buffalo is really playing well but there is no excuse for Connolly to miss that open net.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Yup, we looked good
until this PP, which is pitiful
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Power Play
let’s answer back with a PP goal
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Looks like they credited Gaustad
from Spacek and Rivet
Hi all
Just turned it on in time to watch what was termed an “anemic” PP. I beg to differ.
First rush was a rolling puck. Next one they threw in and it bounced out. I only saw ONE bad pass – a really really bad one by a defenseman in desperation to pass to Vanek (I think) at the blue line…. but “anemic” should include truely bad breaks like how that puk is bouncing.
Whatever. It’s now 2-1!
Boy, did we need those two
Now let’s get more.
Wow.
Can’t really blame the D on not clearing it out, but damn. Goalie aside we might be playing the best team in the East right now. These guys are playing with confidence.
Finally
we get the call on the crappy rule
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
About time an opponent got called for that.
Lord knows we’ve done it enough times! Worst rule in professional hockey.
sh-t
Stafford two nice fees and he messed them up
question CC....
You obviously are not Sabathia. (Please, Tribe fan, not Yankee fan.)
The movie man?
Lifelong Yankee hater
Not my favorite team, but I’ve always liked Cleveland.
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I root for underdogs
“It’s the American Way” – ha ha -
Good luck to your Tribe this season!
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn.
Liked the passing on that one. Max is playing really well so far tonite.
A fun period, so far
Lots of action and scoring chances for both teams
Nice Save
Miller with a big one
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
I still think Ovechkin
is very good for the NHL and I wish him well (just not tonight)
I'll agree he'sgood for the league all told.
But only because he’s a “star” that the media ahem ESPN will notice.
But I’m glad he wasn’t a “native” Sabre when he did that planned ego-centric celebration of what is really a meaningless goal for the the Caps on another team’s ice.
He gets carried away sometimes with showmanship
He’s still young; he’ll learn
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm hoping ESPN
will start covering a few NHL games. I’ve heard that’s a distinct possibility. Then, we’ll start getting some fair coverage.
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm opening up a can of worms
I don’t think Versus does a bad job but my theory is the more hockey the better so I’m all for ESPN picking up some games.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
That's the way I look at it
Hockey is ignored on the ESPN talk shows because they don’t cover any games. The rumor is they will begin doing some perhaps in a year or two. That is in addition to the Versus games. Let’s hope!
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with both of you
Getting hockey back on ESPN is a good thing. Period. Never meant my words to suggest otherwise.
Look, I hate that Penn State was playing a meaningful backetball game on Tuesday and while they were the ESPN announcers were totally ignoring the action on the court because they were interviewing Joe Paterno. Hate it.
Was it good for Penn State? Sure was. And if it means anything, when they won the NIT Thursday I didn’t see a single question asked during the game of Joe Pa. Sure, camera shots – and dammit, I hope he recalls what it’s like to actually win something!
I’ll stick it to Versus every single time they annoint Crosby to be the next NHL superstar of the generation. Don’t mean I don’t understand it.
I'm a lifelong Pittsburgh hater
And I’ve been saying that all season about Crosby too. They’ll mature. And hopefully not like TO and Avery.
Refs
they are letting a lot go tonight.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Kaleta?
what did Kaleta do?
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Terrible
how did Ovechkin not get called for mugging Brown?
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Yes it was.
Love to see this team play a few more weeks in games where the opponents are playing like this.
Yes,
I’m already sad that the season is probably over very soon for our team. I’ll miss the games.
by ccthemovieman on Apr 3, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
First Goal Changed
They corrected the first goal and Stafford gets it…that makes 20 goals and at least a half million after the season.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
You know, I didn't think I'd be watching this game.
They have no chance. An sure, I’m still a fan of hockey and of the Sabres. Still.
Based on that first period I’m not turning it off simply because it’s been a fun game.
Terrible
that was such a dive!!!
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Are you serous?
Two penalties? Too bad they can’t play 4-on-2. LOL!
Spacek
It was still a bad play by Spacek but …seriously that was a dive
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
And another thing
we should have been on the power play when all that happened after Ovechkin mugged Moore
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
He lifted the stick
why in the hell can’t you lift the stick?
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
they were given that goal…we need to kill this off.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Really?
how can you not clear that?
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Dammit Miller.
You couldn’t stop either of those? I mean we’re only talking being shorthanded since the start of the period.
And I’m guessing two men down for something like 3 of those 4 minutes too.
Connolly “draws a crowd” but doesn’t draw a penalty?
Ah. Nevermind.
Matching penalties. Fair officiating – yeah, right.
PP
we need to take advantage of our PP opportunities to win this game.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Vanek
just missed that…sweet passing play.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Good hustle by Hecht.
That felt like the effort would lead to something. Still might.
Plenty of time
they are playing well minus the penalties
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Bench
I thought if it went in the bench it wasn’t a penalty?
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Nice Kill
get some momentum now
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Counting Kaleta's penalty we're talking 7 penalties in 14 minutes.
Either the Sabres are:
A. Playing dirty.
B. Only having just as many penalties as the Caps called in a physical game.
C. Getting bad breaks.
D. None of the above.
Your call.
I take it back....
They had 7 penalties called in under 12 minutes of playing time.
Combination
dirty play, bad officiating and bad breaks.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
So I needed to put
E. All of the above?
Oh wait, that would’ve meant physical game. LOL!
That is when I get angry
why wasn’t that a hook?
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Finally they get a call
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
One good "hook" deserves another.
Except if Buffalo did it – then it’d be two penalties.
Nice Pass and Deflection
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
YES!!!!!!!
Wow. They played like they’ve been a man up all game.
Seriously – good cycling and good goal.
Come on
they get it right back
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
I'll call that one on Miller.
Not the best position. He knows this team loves to let up something quick. Want to see a replay on that.
So will a 4-3 lead hold up for the Caps?
Feels a bit more like it could than us holding a 2-1 lead after one period.
But it really feels like the Sabres are coming out with everything they have.
I agree with your entire statement
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Hey DO
Just wanted to thank you for doing this blog.
It’s grown a ton or two this season… and I know you aren’t the only contributor anymore. It’s been fun to watch this community grow. Hope it continues for years to come.
My favorite things are the game threads (obviously) and the daily links. Coolman’s analysis posts are growing on me though.
Keep it up!
no thank you
it’s people coming around and commenting that make the blog tick. Coolman has been a huge addition and does a great job.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Here we go
20 minutes to get the lead or prolong the game.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Even superstars can trip over their own skates....
I mean that as a compliment to Ovechkin.
you can be in the crease
as long as you don’t interfere and he didn’t
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Hard to not interfere when you have two skates in the crease and are pretty much looking for the pass.
Granted, not intentional and not obvious – but tonite you know they’ll call that off.
I'm sorry
that is a goal…it’s absolutely ridiculous that they didn’t allow that goal.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Terrible
that should be a goal
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Max was "guided" for sure...
But no, he was erect and standing after that.
No goal.
Crease
they don’t have a crease rule anymore…you just can’t interfere with the goalie
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
It the tables were turned and it was Miller there....
We’d all be screaming about how nobody cares about our goalie.
I admit, it was cheap. Can’t believe they didn’t go to Toronto for replay. But I’m just saying that for Max to have not interefered with a goalie while standing 18 inches from the goal line in the crease requires rules that speak to holding a stick on a plane flat to the ice or about clearing a puck and accidentally having it go over the glass… I just can’t go there.
Technicalities should not matter. No intent, no direct interference. But Max was standing there after he was pushed in. That’s interference.
Just wish we’d get calls like that.
The thing is
it’s not a technicality…there is no rule that says you can’t be in the crease. It doesn’t matter if he is standing there or not as long as he doesn’t interfere with the goalie. It’s my impression that means contact with the goalie and he was not touching the goalie.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Time is running short
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Now that was what I call goalie interference!
Speak of the devil.
Good. Faceoff.
Brings our supposed second PP lineup out. Sorry, tonite they’ve played better than #1.
SCORE!!!!!
MAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
DO, a question about the effort.
Tonite is way above last week. Desperation? LOL. They are PLAYING.
I missed most of Wednesday and what I saw seemed like they were… flat? Played a team that plays their game? With 0-0-4 against them I saw no difference in the last 15 minutes than the other games against the Thrashers.
How did you rate the effort?
I don't completely agree
I thought the effort against Philadelphia and NY Rangers was great and the goalie was bad. The Florida game seemed like they were scared until the end, Montreal was another hard fought game. The game on Wednesday was; as I termed it “a good regular season road game” that just isn’t good enough right now. Finally, tonight they are playing desperate again.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Miller
it’s up to Miller to be “the man” for the next six minutes. He has to play at his very best right now.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Nice sequence.
I think it was Lydman who pinched and centered it. Thought it was a good play even if it meant a near break by Ovechkin. Then you had the backplay – and another broken stick.
That's a bad call
What a dive…still why is the stick there? Stupid Roy
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Not Harry Neale
but still a good quote. Bad call on that icing.
Need another point
one is okay but it’s not good enough
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Maybe they'll relax now
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
YES!!!!!!!!!!
Deserved with how they played that OT.
What a win
they played through so much adversity tonight and managed to get the two points. GUT CHECK!!!!
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
The dream lives for another day.
Rumor has it the Devils haven’t won in a while and that they will be playing their third game in four days too. Could be fun tomorrow. Hope it’s half as fun as tonite was.
What a great win!
The happiest I’ve seen the Sabresi in a long time! Wonderful to see. Hope Atlanta holds on.
Me too
five minutes left and Atlanta leads 2-1.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Atlanta owes us
after all the grief they gave us this season!
Atlanta Wins
they score into an open net…3-1
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Still in it
Another big game tomorrow night.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 3, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It's fun
the playoffs would be more fun…I wish the roles were reversed right now and we weren’t the team chasing.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 3, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I watched the game on gamecenter, and the Washington announcers were the most biased I’ve ever heard in any sporting event in my recent memory. Literally every Sabres penalty was a “great call” and every Washington penalty was “questionable” or " a tough call for the ref to blow his whistle".
Also, if I was just listening on the radio, I wouldn’t have been able to tell when the Sabres scored due to their lack of anything resembling excitement when a Sabres’ puck found the back of the net.
That, the fact that I’m not fond of A.O.’s antics, and that they Sabres desperately needed this game, makes this one very sweet.
A Blue Light would be great right now. (I’m stuck in Indiana at school)
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