Bruins 2 Sabres 1: Sabres Offense Struggles in Game Three Loss
by David Oleksy on Apr 19, 2010 10:17 PM EDT
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Game three followed the same blue print as game one but this time it was the Boston Bruins stealing a victory away from the Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins are now in the driver seat with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with their second consecutive victory. If the Sabres thought this was going to be an easy series, the Bruins certainly have their attention now.
This was the third consecutive game the Sabres struck first on a wrister off the stick of Mike Grier. Raffi Torres showed he is more than just a grinder with a pretty pass onto the stick of Grier and Grier beat Tuukka Rask on a shot that he might have misplayed.
The Bruins struck back before the end of the period on a goal that looked eerily similar to the goal Rivet scored to beat the Bruins in game one. Andrej Sekera made a bad decision in the Bruins zone that set up an odd man rush and Vladamir Sobotka fed a pass to Dennis Wideman who was trailing the play. Wideman teed up a slap shot that beat Miller cleanly.
The Sabres had a chance to take the lead early in the second when Milan Lucic went to the box for high-sticking but the ferocious penalty kill of the Bruins continued to slow the Sabres less than potent power play. The penalty kill started the momentum for the Bruins and Johnny Boychuk gave them all the momentum with a crushing check on Matt Ellis at the Sabres blue line.
The Sabres escaped the second period with the score still tied and the teams traded chances throughout the third period. It was the Bruins that were able to get the goal in the third period on a great play by Mark Recchi. Recchi won a race to the puck and wisely took Tim Kennedy out of the play before retrieving the puck and feeding it to Patrice Bergeron who was parked just inside the right faceoff circle. Bergeron let the shot rip and beat Miller to give the Bruins a lead they would not surrender.
The Sabres showed some spunk in the closing minutes but Rask continued to frustrate the Sabres forwards to hold on for a key win in game three.
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Final Thoughts
- I am surprised with the overreaction to this loss. The Bruins are a great defensive team and they proved tonight why they are difficult to beat. This game was more about how good the Bruins were instead of how bad the Sabres were.
- While the entire team can't be faulted for this loss, Tim Connolly needs to find a way to create space for himself with the puck. The Bruins have effectively shut him down and he is the x-factor for the Sabres heading into game four.
- It was nice to see Andrej Sekera show some spunk but his poor decision led directly to the Bruins first goal. Will Lindy Ruff make a change and go to Chris Butler in game four? It at least deserves some discussion.
- Johnny Boychuk found himself the center of attention once again with a huge hit on Matt Ellis at the blue line. It was a good clean check by Boychuk and completely put the Bruins in control.
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I think as a team, every player lost ‘something’ when Vanek went down, outside Miller. They lost that ‘it’ factor they were playing with before that injury. Im not ready to jump off the ledge yet. But players need to step up for this team. It doesnt have to be a captain, an assistant, no one specific… but a group of 2 or 3 that can. Similar to why USA was so successful in the Olymipcs. ex: Parise, Langenbrunner and Kane. Maybe thats Roy, Myers and Pominville? Maybe its Kaleta, Butler or Torres… I really dont know. And I really dont care. But some guys gotta step up.
Lets get em wednesday!!
"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST
Dave,
Definitely agree with your final thoughts. Ridiculously amount of overreaction on Twitter and other places amongst the fans. We certainly could use Vanek back, and I’m expecting Ruff to have the ready for game 4, would be shocked if they didn’t come out with a lot more energy. Let’s hope
smell the coffee
anemic powerplay (0 for 11) no retalliation on Vanek or Ellis hit biggest bunch of pansies since Phil Housley. Maybe Ruff should issue them Sabretooth heads and purses and they could really pretend to be in the Ice capades. Same old crap season after season with the Sabres.
NA NA NA NA HEY HEY GOOD BYE SABRES.
Maybe there’s hope with the Bills LMAO
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Heck of a game!
<3 Boychuk <3
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 19, 2010 10:32 PM EDT reply actions
agree completely with what was said above…we arent out of the series yet but this team needs to find a way to put more pressure on Boston. It seems to me that Boston has completely dictated play the previous two games and henceforth they have won…I am not sure if it coming from them being more physical, although we are dishing the body as well or just our complete lack of offensive potency. I know that we are a team that relies on all of our lines producing but it is never a good sign when the Gaustad-Torres-Grier line are the most potent offensive line that we have
Where else would you rather be than right here right now - Marv Levy
Officiating sucked, as usual.
Rather than whine about it, I’ll just hope the Sabres show up for Game 4 and get back on the right track.
It seemed more like postseason calls than it just sucking. Though I only really looked up when RJ was screaming…
But yeah you can get away with murder in the postseason, unless you’re Rob Blake appearently. He’s the new Pronger because Pronger doesn’t really do things that could get him suspended anymore.
by Steven Hida on Apr 19, 2010 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Some penalties can be subjective (i.e. roughing, interference vs. incidental contact, hooking/clutching/grabbing vs. playing the body, goaltender interference vs. getting shoved into the goalie, etc.). Some penalties are completely blatant and cut-and-dry (i.e. high-sticking to the face, tripping, slashing, fighting, puck over glass). If the referees want to be more lenient on the subjective penalties in the playoffs, fine by me as long as they are consistent and unbiased. If the referees want to stop punishing things like high-sticking, I am inclined to get really pissed off about it. That is all.
yes, the two high sticking non-calls (one on Myers, other on Kennedy) on the same shift was poor officiating….but refs are not to blame, the Sabres offense needs to show up
"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!" -Harry (Jeff Daniels)
Agreed, the refs last night had nothing to do with the loss. The way this team is playing, they clearly need a Holmstrom-type player in the crease because that is the only way they are going to score. Vanek fits that bill and that is why he is so crucial.
The population of Pominville keeps rising!
by Blackcapricorn on Apr 20, 2010 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Being as our PP is terrible, its not like we actually want the penalties anyway unless they involve putting chara in the penalty box.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
That particular play would have resulted in a 5 v 3 if it were called correctly. You sure you don’t want that?
"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV
No, the other penalty had already expired. With the first high stick, they’d have gotten about 9 seconds of 5 on 3.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
yes, the two high sticking non-calls (one on Myers, other on Kennedy) on the same shift was poor officiating
If they had both been called it would have been a 5 v 3.
"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV
Unfortunatly, in the playoffs, once one penalty is called, you can commit as many penalties as you want without repercussion, including, spearing, butt-ending, tackling, high-sticking, major penalties for slashing… etc.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Give pronger time, he will.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 20, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Just weird officiating.
Went from calling nothing to calling everything to who knows what.
Oh well. It’s only 2-1. I’m not worried. Bummed but that’s it.
by twoeightnine on Apr 19, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Miller must be pissed…this team always lets him down.
The Bruins are the only team with a worse offense then Buffalo and we’re still down 2-1.
well at this point with vanek and hect out and no one else even coming close to producing i would say that our offense is far worse at this point than Boston’s…as i said yesterday during the thread you know its bad when the only line on your team that is even getting chances is the Grier-Torres-Gaustad line
Where else would you rather be than right here right now - Marv Levy
Grier-Torres-Gaustad line
yup – I kept saying that last night – the only line that consistently got any pressure was the Grier line – when that’s happening you know somethings not good.
We got the tools, We got the talent
by J2 on Apr 20, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
as good as Miller has been, Rask has been better. Let’s try not to make more out of this than it is. Both teams are very good defensively and the Bruins have been better, end of story.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 20, 2010 8:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t know if I agree with that. I can’t really think of a goal where Miller really had a chance to make a save, maybe the Wideman goal but that was a nice shot from about 15 feet out.
Rask let in the soft goal on Ellis. If anything I’d say the netminders are even and it’s been the Sabres defense that has been mostly at fault (example: Sekera’s atrocious pinch, the lack of backchecking on Ennis’ errant pass).
"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV
Being as the oddsmakers only have the sabres at a 66% on average to win any game of the series, 1/3 isn’t that unlikely.
The sabres are a much better road team than the bruins, (i assume because we can get our top 2 lines away from chara at home)
I miss you, Angry Thomas Vanek.. we can probably win this series, but you better be back for the next one if we do…
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Lydman!!!
The Sabres have been without Connolly, Vanek, Hecht and Stafford for parts or all of this series. The first two are game changers and their contributions were sorely missed. Hecht was surpisingly strong at the end of the year and both he and Stafford can make plays. Right now there is now offensive consistency. Give Boston credit, they are playing well, but at the same time, the Sabres just can’t take or keep the offensive zone.
Best offensive player last night, hands down, was Ennis. He was all over and was even crashing the net. Honorable mention goes to Grier. The goal was nice, but his contributions have been grit and moving the puck up the ice.
Worst player was, hands down, Lydman. I’m not one to try to lay the blame on one guy, but watch Game #2 and his turn-overs lead directly to Boston’s go-ahead and then empty net goal. Last night he was worse. He was horrendous in the offensive zone. If the puck came back to him on the point, he immediately did something to give up possession, either by an errant pass, or by letting the puck get past him, or taking a horrible shot. I was astounded that Lindy kept running him out there. I’m not sure if Butler is available, but there has to be someone to take this guy’s place.
Hit by boychuk was clean.
Or should he get a suspension for this, too?
♥ Boychuk.
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by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 11:29 AM EDT reply actions
No, the boychuk hit was awesome.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
His hit was great.
Wish I got to see it live. I missed the beginning.
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by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I was in the friggin’ concessions line when he laid on the hit. I don’t know why I bother getting food at the Garden. You are certain to lose 5 or 6 minutes of the next period if you leave right at intermission.
yeah, buying food at the garden is never a good idea. If you have to go to one of those credit card kiosks – the lines are shorter.
Also, being out of your seat during gameplay is the most foolish thing.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 20, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, bad idea.
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by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
We still hate him for breaking angry thomas vanek though, if he goes back to emo thomas vanek, i’ll be really angry. We’ve been waiting for angry thomas vanek’s return since 2007!
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Continue hating Boychuk. I think he likes being the villan.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
there are no suspensions for clean hits but there should be for illegal slashes. The rule book clearly states that any slash resulting in injury is a five minute major and a game misconduct.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 20, 2010 11:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Actually, it says “if an injury occurs” It does not need to be directly caused by the slash, just result from it. I posted on the other debate the exact rules.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
NHL Rulebook is awesome!!!
61.3 Major Penalty – A major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee based on the severity of the contact, shall be imposed on a player or goalkeeper who slashes an opponent. When injury occurs, a major penalty must be assessed under this rule (see 61.5).
61.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – Whenever a major penalty is assessed for slashing, a game misconduct penalty must also be imposed.
He would only be suspended if the slash were ruled a deliberate attempt to injure, which i doubt.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
not necessarily true
Colin Campbell has stated that supplementary discipline is used when there wasn’t enough punishment in game. Since this should have been a five minute major and a game misconduct by rule, a one game suspension seems warranted.
Okay I am officially done talking about this
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 20, 2010 11:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The problem is his case can’t be reviewed for supplemental disipline. Much like how he really wanted to suspend cooke, but he couldn’t.
Granted, he could, but then the nhlpa would have to file a grievance and it would be a big hassle.
Darned lawyers.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Why couldn't it be reviewed?
The hit on Cooke was deemed a legal play and this clearly was not.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 20, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
that’s what I meant, thanks for the help. The bottom line is that Boychuk got away with knocking our best player out illegally.
I’m over it and ready to move on but Bruins fans continue to bring it up.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 20, 2010 11:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I love how you guys pull out the rule book, like the NHL cares about Buffalo. Don’t you guys remember Hull in ’99? This is minuscule in comparison.
Get rid of the ugly slug.
by North Java Sabra on Apr 20, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I still think it has to do with some earlier jokes about Savard before the series started, it seems a number of people read them, didn’t like it, and now continue to beat the dead horse.
What jokes about Savard?
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by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Cooke got away with knocking our best player out.
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by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
But not illegally… Even though it should be.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
It was illegal.
Colin Campbell is a dope.
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by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
You guys are gonna love this: http://www.nesn.com/2010/04/johnny-boychuk-gets-physical-not-dirty-with-huge-hit-on-sabres-matt-ellis.html
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by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 5:32 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks for proving my point.
This was a text book hit and I would be excited it the tables were turned and Buffalo player hit a Bruins player. The funny thing is that in his explanation of the hit, he admitted that he had time to make a choice when he hit Vanek.
“I knew I could hurt him. And if I wanted, I could’ve got my elbow up or hit the head, but I made sure I didn’t,” Boychuk told NESN.com. “You have time, maybe not a lot, but you have time to make the choice.”
Ironic isn’t it? You have time to make a choice but on Saturday “I didn’t even know I hit him in the leg, I thought I got his stick”
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 20, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt Boychuk tried to hurt him
OK, I dare Buffalo to try to hit Boychuk. Try. I doubt it would affect him.
Boychuk rules.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I never said he tried to hurt him and intent is irrelevant. The fact is that he did hurt him and by rule he should have been given a major penalty and a game misconduct. You can’t argue with rules and the rules state that is the case.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Apr 20, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Rules don’t matter in the NHL. Just ask Colin Campbell.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I can only begin to imagine the kind of whining we’d hear if someone took out Boychuk with an illegal hit.
"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV
Yes, I would not be happy.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 20, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
as is the case with every team in every sport if the rules work in your favor then you are all for them. But if it goes against you everyone screams bloody murder. Perfect examples are all the Boston fans screaming bloody murder for Myers hit in game 1 but saying absolutely nothing about the half dozen or so high sticks since that point.
And if you want to get extremely technical and read the rule book then what Recchi did to Kennedy was indeed interference according to the rules. But we all know that most NHL rules are completelysubjective so to continue to labor over what should have and wasnt called is completely irrelevant and lacks substance as an argument.
56.2 Minor Penalty – A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player or goalkeeper who interferes with or impedes the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
A minor penalty shall be imposed on an attacking player who deliberately checks a defensive player, including the goalkeeper, who is not in possession of the puck.
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