Devils 2 Sabres 1: Sabres Finish Third, Meet Bruins in Playoffs

by David Oleksy on Apr 11, 2010 9:04 PM EDT in Game Recaps

What a crazy finish to an otherwise boring hockey game. When was the last time you saw a hockey game decided with an empty net power play goal? I'm guessing it has never happened in the history of the NHL.

I have a very short recap of a boring game as we get prepared for the playoffs against the Boston Bruins.

The Sabres were forced to pull the goalie in a 1-1 tie despite being shorthanded because the only way they could jump over New Jersey in the standings was to win in regulation. That set up the strangest goal in the history of the NHL when Jamie Langenbrunner scored into a wide open net while Patrick Lalime was trying to make his way to the bench.

Anytime you meet the New Jersey Devils it is expected to be a boring defensive game and this one did not disappoint. As expected it was a low chance game that both teams had trouble generating chances. The Sabres were the first to take advantage when Thomas Vanek scored his fifth goal in the last two games to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead. Travis Zajac answered back for the Devils and Langenbrunner completed the scoring with his empty net goal.

Corsi Ratings | Event Summary | Sabres vs Devils coverage | In Lou We Trust

Final Thoughts

Bring on the Bruins!
I expect the full schedule to be released tonight and I will post it.

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Comments

Bring it on, Buffalo. This will be a fun series.

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by bestbostonsports on Apr 11, 2010 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

I’m excited – playoff hockey is finally back and I’m very pleased with our draw (as you all probably know by now).

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on Apr 11, 2010 9:47 PM EDT reply actions

forgot how much Ive missed playoff hockey. Also huge we have 4 days off. Gives everyone a little breather before heading into the 2nd season.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Apr 11, 2010 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Now let’s hope everyone can use that time to get back to 100%.

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on Apr 11, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet Vanek’s going to hit the Rumpleminze in celebration of finding his scoring touch again.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 11, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I was there

I was at this horribly boring game. I was so angry when i noticed we had no goalie. But i calmed down when i realized we needed to win in regulation, although i wouldve loved to see them win.

by Dyrda3k on Apr 11, 2010 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I would rather lose in regulation (while trying to win) than play another period and risk injury. It may sound stupid but it just seems like a risk (however small) not worth taking.

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on Apr 11, 2010 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

When was the last time you seen a hockey game decided with an empty net power play goal?

When was the last time you saw a hockey game decided with an empty net power play goal?

sorry… I’m a douche.

BEANTOWN WILL BURN!!! SABRES!

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 11, 2010 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks

absolutely right

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

by David Oleksy on Apr 12, 2010 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions

So, these were the lines..... right???

Vanek-Roy-Torres
Kennedy-Ennis-Pomminville
Gerbe-Gaustad-Grier
Ellis-Mair-Kaleta

I think that’s what I saw.

Was I the only one that liked Torres up on the top line with Vanek and Roy? He’s a frickin wrecking ball. I like havoc.

And the Ellis/Mair/Kaleta line caused some nice ruckus. I enjoyed that.

I think Hecht gets put into the Gerbe’s slot and Connolly goes into Ennis’, but I really can’t figure where to put Ennis. He cannot be sent back down. Swap Ennis and Vanek, play him on top line left wing and put Torres in Ellis’ slot? That makes a mean fourth line and a scorchingly skilled top line.

I love playoffs.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 11, 2010 11:48 PM EDT reply actions

I have no idea what the lines will be, and they’re almost guaranteed to change, but if it were up to me they’d look like this:

Kennedy – Roy – Vanek
Hecht – Connolly – Pominville
Torres – Ennis – Grier
Kaleta – Gaustad – Ellis

Kennedy has looked best playing with Roy (not surprisingly) – Roy and Vanek have looked great together in the past two games. Hecht and Pominville have tons of chemistry and Connolly has played well with them this season – this could be our most consistent line. Torres and Grier are tough veterans who could both help the rookie along and benefit from his playmaking ability. And then you have the best forth line in hockey.

I wish it was Thursday already…

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on Apr 12, 2010 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I like the second line status quo. They have been lights out all season.

It was Kennedy up with Roy and Vanek!
I get confused because Kennedy is 13 and Torres is 17 and I can’t count.

LIke that you sat Mair.

Good 3rd line.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 12, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if that empty net power play goal cost us having the best regular season PK. It would be funny if it did

by kitaman27 on Apr 12, 2010 2:53 AM EDT reply actions

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. In second by .2%

Die By The Blade - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by Zachary Zielonka on Apr 12, 2010 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

son of a

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Apr 12, 2010 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

At he beginning of the season-ending three-game road trip, I predicted that the Sabres would be lucky to win one game and that is just what happened. Why did I predict they would only win one game? There are several reasons:

1. The fourth line is useless. Grier and Mair are too old and too slow to be playing in the NHL.

2. Connelley and Hecht are injured. Hecht is the hardest-working player on the ice and Connelley is the most talented player on the team. You can’t take these two guys out action and expect those of lesser ability and motivation to step up as effective substitutes.

3. The players sent up from Portland aren’t exactly overwhelming the opposition. In fact, they are disappointing. Perhaps, they have been hyped in the press too much. At any rate, I am not impressed with their performance. They are not hurting us, but, more importantly, they are not helping us. Frankly, I think Gerbe is too small to be effective and Ennis is overrated.

4. Torres is a huge disappointment.

On the positive side, the goal-tending tandem of Miller/Lalime is playing at the elite level. The defense is also playing well, but Myres is begining to show his greenness. He is still best rookie in the league, but he coughs up the puck too often and has recently been stymied offensively.

by Geolover on Apr 12, 2010 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

I was writing a reply to this, but I figured...

why waste the time?

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 12, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s just make it short and sweet..

He’s an Idiot.

Ennis overrated.. I didn’t realize point per game players in the NHL are considered overrated.

Grier is too old to play in the NHL? Didn’t realize the best Penalty killer on the #2 unit in the NHL was too old and slow to play in the NHL

You can’t even spell Connolly correctly.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Apr 12, 2010 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

You can’t even spell Connolly correctly.

lol – jokes are funny – you’re funny

We got the tools, We got the talent

by J2 on Apr 12, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry Buffalo. I feel a good series here for the Bruins.

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by bestbostonsports on Apr 12, 2010 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

good luck, but right back at you, vice versa.

Buffalo in 5 with the best game one of any series, Double OT.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 12, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

If any game goes to OT it’s yours. I hate the Bruins in OT, I just get uncomftorable. If a guy like Micheal Ryder or David Krejci get hot, look out. Any scoring at all, this series goes to Boston.

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by bestbostonsports on Apr 12, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

we’ll see, Vanek and Roy are pretty warm at the moment…

It’ll be a great series.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 12, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

It will be a lot of fun too watch. Two very interesting teams. Stafford’s injury for you guys hurts.

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by bestbostonsports on Apr 12, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, I don't think it hurts too much...

He’s one of the most inconsistent players we have… So talented, but doesn’t know how to use his body. If Lucic had Stafford’s hands and shot, that combo would make one of the best power forwards in the game today. Alas…

He might have a hard time cracking the line up anywhere above the fourth line… Too many guys are coming back from injury and some have really stepped up.

Lucic is super… That kid will be a beast. Boston’s future is bright with players like him and Rask.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 12, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

For sure, Lucic is a good player. I always thought Stafford was a good player, though.
Are you a Buffalo Bandits fan?

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by bestbostonsports on Apr 12, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I was when I was younger, but only have the time and obsession for my Bills and Sabres…

They are ridiculous though. Great team.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 12, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, they are having a good year. Mark Steehius is sick.
What baseball team do you follow in Buffalo? Tigers? Yankees? Jays?

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by bestbostonsports on Apr 12, 2010 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope to pro baseball...

Yes to playing…

Hell no to supporting the MLB.

I liked the Indians as a little kid. Indians are the defacto Buffalo baseball team due the fact that the Bisons, our AAA team, was the feeder for the Indians.

Cleveland has the only NBA team I guess I like, but again like the MLB, I don’t really support the NBA. Love playing basketball and baseball but just won’t go out of my way to watch or care about either.

Fatang Fatang.

by NeverendingOptimism on Apr 12, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions