Sabres Offense Explodes in Pre-Season Finale

by David Oleksy on Sep 27, 2009 10:46 PM EDT

The Buffalo Sabres managed a 4-1-1 record in the pre-season with the wins coming in many different ways. Not many of them were like the win tonight against the Leafs. The teams traded goals throughout and the lead changes came as often as the Tampa Bay Lightning change owners. When all was said and done the Sabres left Toronto with a 7-6 victory.

As you can imagine, the Sabres did plenty of good things in this game. All the news wasn't good however, there were planty of defensive breakdowns that led to the Leafs six goals. In addition, the Leafs hit three or four goal posts that could have easily made this game a Toronto rout.

The biggest reason that anyone had any interest in this game was the play of Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Tyler Myers and Mike Weber. Weber and Myers had huge mistakes that led to Toronto goals and Gerbe and Kennedy looked good. Both players had a goal and an assist in the victory but Gerbe finished a minus-1 and Kennedy was a plus-2.

The Good

Thomas Vanek...Vanek scored two power play goals for the Sabres but more importantly he was a beast. Vanek was battling along the wall and won just about every battle along the boards. If Vanek plays with this much intensity in the regular season, he is primed to have the best season of his career.
Derek Roy had three assists. This means that he is still passing a lot but it also means he is setting up goals.
The Sabres twice came from behind in the game. They trailed 2-0 and 4-3 before winning the game 7-6.
The pre-season is done and the regular season starts on Saturday.

The Bad

The Sabres defense was bad tonight. They were consistently out of position and there were more giveaways than I can count.
Tyler Myers was beaten badly behind the net which allowed the Leafs ~~second~~ fourth goal in the first period.
Mike Weber was once again doing his best Toni Lydman impersonation when he gave the puck away in the Sabres zone allowing the Leafs to take a 4-3 lead in the second period.
After battling from behind the Sabres allowed the Leafs to regain the lead.

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Roy Vanek Stafford
Connolly Macarthur Pominville
Gaustad Hecht Grier
Kennedy Paille Kaleta
Ellis

Rivet Butler
Lydman Tallinder
Sekera Montador
Paetsch Myers

Miller
Lalime

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Sep 28, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

Opening Night Lineup

Roy Vanek Stafford (1st Line)
Connolly Macarthur Pominville (2nd Line)
Gaustad Hecht Grier (3rd Line)
Gerbe Paille Kaleta (4th Line)

McCormick (Healthy Scratch/Lineup if Gerbe is sent down)
Mair (Injured/4th Line when Healthy)
Ellis (Sent to Portland, just more talented options than him)
Kennedy (First one called up due to injury, might make it over Gerbe)

Rivet Butler
Lydman Sekera
Myers Montador
Tallinder (Healthy Scratch/Possibly Cut or Traded/Top 6 if Myers gets sent to Jr’s)
Paetch (Permanent 7th DMan/Healthy Scratch/Emergency Forward)

Miller
Lalime

by CLoSkills69 on Sep 28, 2009 1:10 AM EDT reply actions

Well We agree quite a bit it seems.

Once Mair is healthy, I really want to see Mair-Ellis-Kaleta as an energy line. I realize that leaves Paille the odd man out, but I don’t think he is adequately served on the fourth line either.

As for Gerbe and Kennedy, I think it’s a waste of their talents unless they can crack one of the scoring lines. There just isn’t room for these guys and neither has outplayed the top 9 forwards.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Sep 28, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

Kennedy and Gerbe should start the season in Portland. They will get called up when the time is right.

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

by David Oleksy on Sep 28, 2009 1:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Given Paille has had his shot and not really progressed, isn’t it time to dangle him on the trade market? Heck, I’d rather see Cody McCormick as the extra forward. That isn’t to say I don’t like Paille, he’s not bad, he just doesn’t fit.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Sep 28, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions