Senators 4 Sabres 2: It's Official, the Sabres Will Never Beat Ottawa Again
by David Oleksy on Feb 3, 2010 10:26 PM EST
in Game Recaps
28 comments
"One minute left, you can't let that guy stand in the backdoor" - Henrik Tallinder in Post Game.
It is painful losing to Ottawa every time they are on the schedule, it is more painful to see Daniel Alfredsson left all alone in the crease to score the winning goal with under a minute left in regulation. There are so many questions to ask after losing on a play like that.
What is Andrej Sekera doing out near the blue line in a tie game with the score tied and under a minute to go? Why didn't any of the forwards pick up Alfredsson who skated free through the zone? Why is 13-20-41-34-44 doing on the ice with a minute left in a tie game against the Ottawa Senators.
I don't have the answers but Sekera has been out of the lineup for quite some time and he played well for 59 minutes. The fourth line has not really been put in that situation and they didn't react properly to the situation. I have no answer for Lindy Ruff putting the fourth line and the third defensive pairing on the ice in a tight game but I'm interested to hear what he has to say about it.
The overall game was a roller coaster of emotions. The Sabres dominated the first 20 minutes but came away with nothing to show for it. Their best chance came on a play that was reviewed and eventually ruled that it was not a goal. The Sabres pressured and Sens goalie Brian Elliot allowed plenty of rebounds but the Ottawa defense did a good job of not allowing second and third chances.
It took awhile but the Sens slowly took over the game in the second period and, one of the two Sabres killers on the Sens roster, Jason Spezza beat Miller with a shot that went over the shoulder of Miller and into the top of the net. That trend continued in the early part of the third and Spezza beat Miller a second time after Miller took himself out of the play by sprawling out of crease.
The roller coaster went back up after Sekera finally beat Elliot with a perfect wrist shot. Connolly scored only 27 seconds later and the Sabres tied it and everyone was back in the game. The crowd was in the game and momentum had swung until the awful play in the final minute.
Corsi Ratings | Event Summary | Silver Seven
Final Thoughts
- I'm not sure if nobody asked or if Lindy Ruff dodged the question but why didn't he answer why he put the fourth line on the ice with a minute left? He talked about how the fourth line hurt the team tonight but no mention of why they were on the ice.
- I'm starting to become concerned with the play of Ryan Miller. I know he can't make every stop but the first two were on him and not the defense. I think we have to give Jason Spezza some credit because he is a great player and has been really hot recently.
- I don't want the Sabres to struggle at all but now is the perfect time for it to happen. They will take a two week break in a couple of weeks will give them a chance to rest up and decide what to do with the roster. I think a trade or two is necessary to give them a real shot in the playoffs.
- The good news is the Sabres are still three points ahead of the Senators despite their 10 game winning streak. The other good news is the Sabres still have two games in hand. The bad news is the Sens are now within three points of the division lead and a couple of weeks ago it was double digits. There is a huge difference between finishing 3rd as opposed to 4th or 5th this season.
- This weekend will be an opportunity for the Sabres to win a couple of winnable games. The Canes are playing better but the Blue Jackets are in disarray.
Roll Call: bflo, Jsz, Ubiquitous, David Oleksy, Rafal Ladysz, The Burl 8, JSCoope, Andy Boron, FloridaBuffalo, TEMSON, Americanario, kramertoneman, Afino, Bob Sheppard, kitaman27, danabob
Total Users: 16
Total Posts: 273
Total Threads: 1
| Name | # of Posts |
|---|---|
| David Oleksy | 42 |
| TEMSON | 40 |
| Andy Boron | 40 |
| Rafal Ladysz | 38 |
| bflo | 29 |
| FloridaBuffalo | 19 |
| Ubiquitous | 13 |
| JSCoope | 13 |
| The Burl 8 | 10 |
| Americanario | 9 |
| kitaman27 | 6 |
| Bob Sheppard | 6 |
| Jsz | 3 |
| Afino | 2 |
| kramertoneman | 2 |
| danabob | 1 |
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the finish made me sick
as promised, tomorrow I place myself into the doghouse. I cannot believe that it ended like that. Alfredsson sure is an annoying prick.
by Rafal Ladysz on Feb 3, 2010 10:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That was a tough loss to take. Played well throughout most of the game. And just seeing Alf score that goal made me want to hit him. We got out-muscled tonight IMO. They had 2 very questionable hits. The one on Miller, I wish we had a player that would have just went crazy and after Ottawa, Myers stepped in, and that was nice… but I wanted to see someone go after someone for real. And the hit on Vanek into the boards from behind. Again it was nice to see Vanek throw a punch at Rutuu but damn… someone step in and throw down. Captain Rivet…? Hello Craig… your team is getting thrown around, your all world goalie just got hit and YOU ARE SUPOSSED TO STAND UP FOR THEM!!!!
Not only do they need to add scoring at the deadline… But it would be nice if Darcy went out and traded for a player with some balls. Miller getting hit behind the net ended last years hopes if the playoffs and Connolly was the only one who stepped in on that one. Now this year, were playing like crap lately, Ottawa is as hot as hell and we cant beat them. Then they come into our place, knock Miller down (who looked fired up after he took that hit, I thought he was going to go fight himself) and only Myers steps in for a half-hearted attempt at best. Im glad he did, but thats not his role. Gaustad, Mair, Rivet, hell even Grier?
That pissed me off. Sorry about that rant… but my god someone needs to step up and be an actual captain nof this team. Rivet isnt doing it for me. Never really did for me last year either… but this was the icing on the cake. Hes a step behind on every play, and hes not standing up for this team. IDK whats happening but this isnt the same team we watched oct – most of jan. They need a shake up and I think maybe a trade that involves a “big” name almost has to be made… This team got to comfortable with themselves and I just hope Lindy knows how to get this team back on track. Last night was a shitty way to lose… especially to them.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 8:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
to be fair, when miller was hit, 19-55-29-10-57 were on the ice.
I don’t care who gets hit, i don’t want Tim Connolly doing any rough stuff.
Vanek punching Ruutu was awesome, though.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
to be fair, when miller was hit, 19-55-29-10-57 were on the ice.
I don’t care who gets hit, i don’t want Tim Connolly doing any rough stuff.
I understand that, and I dont want Timmy in the rough stuff either… But next shift or a shift after. Rivet, Gaustad, Mair, Grier, Ellis… no one did anything about it… Thats what pissed me off. We are soft and Ottawa knows it. They knew they were going to get away with it. And they did. Both with Miller and Vanek.
I bet you if we hit Elliot or we send Spezza head first into the boards… guarantee Neil or Rutuu go after us the second they touch the ice again. Buffalo? Nothing.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, both of them had opportunities for revenge that i noticed, and both of them changed their minds at the last minute. The game was so tight, they didn’t want to take a stupid revenge penalty.
I still would have rathered Mair elbowed Ruutu in the head for Kaleta in their last game, i wouldn’t have cared if it made us lose.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Them being the Ottawa players.
I think it helped that Phillips didn’t play another shift in the period because he was in the box for most of it.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I still would have rathered Mair elbowed Ruutu in the head for Kaleta in their last game, i wouldn’t have cared if it made us lose.
That I wouldnt have minded. Hell bring some boozed up guys down from the 300 section to go at it with him, Im sure they would have loved too haha.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
someone step in and throw down. Captain Rivet…? Hello Craig… your team is getting thrown around, your all world goalie just got hit and YOU ARE SUPOSSED TO STAND UP FOR THEM!!!!
This is the typical reaction from a Sabres fan but it is not the mentality of a winning hockey team. I watch a lot of hockey and most of the winning teams would have reacted the same way the Sabres did when they were losing the hockey game. If the game was not close the reaction would have been different but under the circumstances it was handled properly.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Feb 4, 2010 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
While I agree with you, and I like the fact that Buffalo came back and tied it… But at the same time someone has to stand up for this team. Its easy to look back at how the game ended up and my reaction is pissed off: A) because we lost, B) to Ottawa & C) with less than a minute left. But this team needs to add toughness to it. And toughness was needed last night IMO. Maybe an all out brawl wasnt needed, but SOME reaction would have been nice. I love the team we have right now, but its clear we need to add something, which means chances are someone going to leave too…
Ive been on the “This team is for real” train all year and still think they are… but last night definitely scared me.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I understand completely
If the Sabres had won the reaction might have been different. Also keep in mind that the referees will not tolerate retaliation on another shift and the players on the ice were not exactly the players to take care of the situation. As far as Myers he did what he had to do but the linesmen were in there so quick he didn’t have a chance to do anything.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Feb 4, 2010 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was pleasently suprised that Myers stepped in there. But I guess with who was on the ice at the time, any of them would have shocked me. Miller looked pissed though when it first happened, he took about 3 hard strides after he got up, but then realized that play was still going on. (smart on his end) But if the whistle was blown right away I wonder what Miller would have done? Probably will never know…
Also keep in mind that the referees will not tolerate retaliation on another shift and the players on the ice were not exactly the players to take care of the situation.
Thats true. Its just (start rant) I HATE Ottawa and I dont want to replay them knocking us out of the playoffs the Presidents Cup year. They are the Patriots to my Bills. Heatly gone. Still kickin our ass. Just losing to them makes it feel worse than a 4 point game I guess, uhh (rant over) haha
DO – How do you see the trade deadline going down in regards to Buffalo? What do you see as a REAL possability of happening?
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
History says Regeir will lose no more than one roster player and one pick and gain no more than 2 players, none of which will be big names.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats true. Its just (start rant) I HATE Ottawa and I dont want to replay them knocking us out of the playoffs the Presidents Cup year. They are the Patriots to my Bills. Heatly gone. Still kickin our ass. Just losing to them makes it feel worse than a 4 point game I guess, uhh (rant over) haha
I feel the same exact way about the Senators. They are my least favorite team in the NHL.
DO – How do you see the trade deadline going down in regards to Buffalo? What do you see as a REAL possability of happening?
I’m actually working on this right now. I expect to have a post up by early next week.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Feb 4, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m actually working on this right now. I expect to have a post up by early next week.
alright cool thanks
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
FYI, miller was showing roundhouse punch with the glove hand, like what he did to Stajan. That’d been funny.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
haha. Miller throwin hay-makers.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and the 2 players to keep an eye on and shut down on Ottawa… Alfredson and Spezza… COME ON BUFFALO!!!!
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 8:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Spezza’s shooting stance definatly threw miller off his angle. I swear he was leaning on the puck and still roofed it, even though that shouldn’t be possible.
Alfreddson was not sufficiently booed. What was up with that? Did the statute of limitations expire on that or something?
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
In fact he was leaning significantly sideways, look at the picture at the top of the post.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He beat Miller bad on that one. The other one Miller F’ed up in IMO.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He was way off his center of gravity on that one too and STILL roofed it, but that didn’t matter because it was an open net and a weak wrister would have worked fine.
Miller definatly misjudged Spezza’s ability to get around the sabres defense there, though.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The sad part is they still have to go at least 15-10 to pass us, and thats only if we play .500 the rest of the way.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
If we keep the same points percentage, they need to go 19-6.
To put that in perspective, if toronto goes 20-6, they’ll probably make the playoffs.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Theyre 10-0 in their last 10 though. 15-10 doesnt look out of the question at all.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Root for the caps to beat em in a week. The caps might manage to score more than 1 goal on them.
In other news, i think only one other team had more than one goal on elliot during this winning streak of theirs, which was odd, because he was giving rebounds on every shot.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
because he was giving rebounds on every shot.
Which was why that game was even more disappointing.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Feb 4, 2010 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They should play footage of the Calgary game before next game and say “DO THAT”
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
by Ubiquitous on Feb 4, 2010 9:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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