Sabres 2 Rangers 1 OT: Kaleta Does More Than Hit People
by David Oleksy on Mar 7, 2010 11:20 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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PrintPatrick Kaleta and Adam Mair were the unlikely heroes for the Buffalo Sabres in a game where offense was tough to come by. Mair scored the first goal of the game with under seven minutes left in the game and Patrick Kaleta was the overtime hero, scoring the winning goal by jamming it by the right goal post.
The game played out exactly the way you would expect when Ryan Miller is playing at one end and Henrik Lundqvist is in the other net. Miller made 35 saves and Lundqvist made 30. The Sabres offensive players couldn't solve Lundqvist but the fourth liners found away to put the puck in the net.
The Sabres play in the last two games was less than spectacular but the end result is four points and I couldn't be happier. While the team has not played well, they are gaining confidence with every win. The skeptics will point out the mistakes the team made but when Ryan Miller is goal and the fourth line role players are contributing the Sabres can build some momentum and regain confidence as the playoffs draw closer.
Corsi Ratings | Event Summary | Sabres vs Rangers coverage | Blueshirt Banter
Final Thoughts
- Many people are looking for Raffi Torres to make an immediate impact but don't worry. He is not the type of player that will come in and be the best player on the ice but he does some of the little things the Sabres were lacking. Don't judge his play on statistics because he will contribute at some point.
- Ryan Miller proved once again why he is one of the best goalies in the world. He was fantastic again and every time he is between the pipes, the Sabres have a chance to win.
- The Sabres are now two points ahead of the Ottawa Senators and they have two games in hand. A couple more wins by the Sabres and the Sens will be left to fight for the fourth or fifth seed.
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I’ve actually been sort of happy with these last two games. I like the way our defense has been playing and I think there has been good (if inconsistent) energy in the offensive zone.
1 thing (or maybe its 2): Why put Mancari on the line he did? I would’ve swapped him and Torres. The guy is now the highest scorer on our team, but he’s on a checking line? I’ve been saying since preseason is that with our “skill” guys there is no one on their lines who will do the “dirty” work. He will, so give him a chance to.
by bluecollarbuffalo on Mar 8, 2010 5:20 AM EST reply actions
As a relative new guy to watching hockey everytime its on, i always seem to judge who the better team is by the way they move the puck out of thier own zone. For the first 2 games back after the olympics, i didn’t see the movement i had been seeing during our winning days. The puck was carried for a stride or two, and thrown up to a winger who deflects the puck into the zone to begin the forecheck.
The past 2 games I’ve been seeing less of those types of plays. Now we have people jumping up in the rush, doing a quick, usally short pass to a streaking player, and the rush begins with 2 or more men.
I’ve been seeing it more and more from the Sabres. And they need to keep it up.
I never really watched Torres when he played for the Jackets, but Im glad the Sabres went with him. He really seems to be quick on his feet with alot of energy. I guess i just didn’t expect him to play the way he does. A pleasant surprise.
I wasn’t sure how i felt about dealing Mac at first. but, i can honestly say, I’ve missed him about as much as the crabs i got in highschool. Not at all. Same thing with Butler. I’ve really thought alot of Butler in the past, but with the horrible +/- hes got, and everyone telling me I’m an idoit for thinking so much of him, so i dunno….
and god i love miller.
Get Some
I really wish I could of watched this game. I still haven’t seen Torres play in a Sabres uniform. The 13 minutes of Ice time isn’t too impressive though.
"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault
13 minutes was his normal allotment of ice time while in CLB. He’ll likely get more ice if he warrants it. He’s sticking out like a sore thumb right now b/c he has not fully grokked the system and he’s playing with two consummate ‘system’ guys in Hecht and Griere. I think putting him there with those two is a great move by Ruff, if he’s going to fit in he should do so with the two most predictable and disciplined guys on the team. The 2 days of practice before the next game will help as well.
That said, he nearly scored crashing the net in the third which would have won it for us in regulation. He laid the body a few times, made a good diving play to clear the zone late in the 3rd, but gave the puck away a few times and tried passes that people were clearly not expecting (ie. not system-style passes), hell I didn’t expect him to make those passes, which should tell you just how consistent the Sabres are at ‘playing within their system.’
So far with him in the lineup we’re 2-0 and we’ve only given up 3 goals. Maybe that’s because Butler is sitting, maybe it’s something else. Whatever it is, it’s working, barely. The games are tightening up and this is the time of the year that we’ll find out who is and who is not a real contender. Hint: NJ isn’t… losing 2-0 on the road in EDM is pathetic. They’ve been worse than us on the road for longer.
Ta,
He definatly brings something we didn’t have before, and he’ll probably get a few more minutes as he gets more comfortable with the sabres style of play.
Right now he seems to be in “just try not to screw up” mode.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Free Tyler Ennis!
I haven't seen that.
Just try not to screw up mode means hesitation. Outside of one early play last night where he probably should have tried to shoot instead of making the pass (though if the pass doesn’t get deflected it’s probably blasted in for an easy goal) he hasn’t been hesitating or playing it safe. He’s laying the lumber. He’s crashing the net.
by twoeightnine on Mar 8, 2010 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
His neutral zone play is what I’ve noticed is really off. And, until he gets settled it’s going to be an adventure out there. Again, trying to put him with the scoring lines to start was a mistake, Ruff quickly recognized this and put him with two old pros to get him up to speed quickly. But, for the most part, he looks the part.
Ta,
Good to know he’s working hard. Again I haven’t watched the last 3 games due to having to meet my girlfriends parents and work. I only looked at the stat sheet from the past two games and nothing stands out. But it sounds like he brings a lot more to the team than just numbers.
"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault
by FloridaBuffalo on Mar 8, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
For anyone who missed it
Here’s the interview with Zack Kassian. Last time I bring it up lol.
http://www.diebytheblade.com/2010/3/4/1329377/one-on-one-with-2009-first-round
by Rafal Ladysz on Mar 8, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Well it wasnt pretty, but Ill take it. I’d love to see our “offensive” guys score the goals… But no complaining after a win. Especially a roady.
"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST
Since we’d dropped our last 8 on the road, complaining about a win against a desperate, trapping Rangers team is the wrong approach. Build on the positives. Wins and points are all that matters right now. Home for a couple against the west this week.
Ta,
Totally agree
"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST
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