12 Questions For Christmas - #8

by Calvin on Dec 18, 2011 1:05 PM EST

The less said about last night's Sabres debacle at the Penguins the better. Some nights it's the Sabres defense leaving opponents open and they score, and some times it's the Sabres goalies letting in softies. Last night was the unfortunate confluence of both those occurrences, resulting in eight goals, but it could actually have been much worse.

So, for today's portion of '12 Questions For Christmas', we are going to take a look at the men between the pipes for the Sabres - Ryan Miller & Jhonas Enroth.

#8 - What is wrong with the Sabres goaltending?

The stats paint a pretty grim picture - 31.5 SA/G (24th) leading to 2.91 GA/G (20th). Miller has not resembled anything like his Vezina-year form, his reflexes and 'quickest legs' (per Harry Neale) haven't been getting to tipped shots and he often gets beaten up high on point shots too. After returning from a concussion-related layoff, he was just starting to get back in the groove and then looked very ordinary last night. Enroth was brilliant initially in spot-duty, but since the time he filled in full-time for Miller he has not looked sharp at all either. Gone are the halcyon days of a month ago when both were in form and fans were ready to trade either!

Since that fateful night in Boston, the Sabres have been giving up an astounding 3.47 GA/G, while only scoring 2.41 GF/G - that is not going to get this team very far in the League. The Chicago Blackhawks have the same overall GA/G ratio as the Sabres, but are scoring at 3.22 GF/G, leading to their lofty position in the standings. The Sabres have neither the depth nor the skill to play that kind of Western Conference run-and-gun game, so their only hope lies in shoring up the defense.

Here are the two goalie's Corsi Numbers for 5-on-5 play (numbers courtesy of Behind The Net, with the description key here). If anyone can explain why Miller's Off Ice numbers are so different from Enroth's On Ice numbers, feel free to drop us a line in the comments section.

On ice	GP	GFON/60	SFON/60	MFON/60	Total Shots/60
JHONAS ENROTH	18	2.53	26.8	9.9	36.7
RYAN MILLER	17	2.23	24.9	9.4	34.3

On ice	+-ON/60	GAON/60	SAON/60	MAON/60	Total Shots/60
JHONAS ENROTH	+0.47	2.05	28.6	13.8	42.4
RYAN MILLER	-0.34	2.57	28.3	11.2	39.5

Off Ice	GP	GFOFF/60	SFOFF/60	MFOFF/60	Total Shots/60
JHONAS ENROTH	18	1.83	26.8	9.7	36.5
RYAN MILLER	17	5.21	24.6	11.2	35.8

Off Ice	+-OFF/60	GAOFF/60	SAOFF/60	MAOFF/60	Total Shots/60
JHONAS ENROTH	-5.48	7.31	21.9	4.3	26.2
RYAN MILLER	0.74	4.46	20.1	13.4	33.5

So there's the bare numbers. Now let's hear it from you, what really is wrong with the Sabres goaltending? Or are the goalies and defense just fine and it's the forwards who aren't scoring?

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Comments

Inconsistency

When the goaltending is great, the defense is crap, or vice versa, or when both are good, the forwards can’t score. None of the three areas have been consistently good or consistently terrible. It is hard to point the blame at anyone in particular because everyone has been guilty and everyone has had good stretches of play. The problem seems to be orchestrating these three areas to play a complete game in which one or more of them does not suck.

by lassathrax on Dec 18, 2011 1:23 PM EST reply actions

That is what the Head Coach and his assistants are supposed to do! Just say’n.

by Geolover on Dec 18, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

True, but there is only so much your boss can do to make you perform consistently. Achieving consistency takes time and patience. The team is dealing with a lot of dire injuries and a lot of guys playing at less than 100% health. Every time a player returns from injury, another one goes down. You can imagine that it would be tough to solidify your lineup and build some consistency when your roster is constantly changing. I’d err on the side of patience until this stuff resolves itself. If the team still plays like this by the end of the season, then I’d be fine with taking a gamble on a new, less-experienced coach. But for now, we are 2nd in the division and steady at 7th in the conference. Even in the worst of times (as it has been for the last two months), we have not fallen out of playoff contention. That, to me, suggests that Ruff is doing OK. Not great, but nothing to fire him over, he has earned enough respect and trust to be given some more time to right this ship.

by lassathrax on Dec 18, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Nice take,

but nope. It’s December and the team is showing signs of weakness. Everybody must be fired. Bench Miller until he gets a divorce, Cut Enroth because he has no talent, trade Myers because he’s only getting worse, nuke Canada because it’s a third world country.

Am I doing this right?

by lgbfromoregon on Dec 18, 2011 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Sounds pretty accurate for the general Sabres fan! Rec’d!

by billsfan26 on Dec 18, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah. Way to take the extremes. Are you telling me you aren’t concerned with how Miller has played much of the last season and 1/2? B/c I’ve got news for everyone. If he’s not great, this team isn’t contending for anything. I know there are some commenters that get carried away with negativity, but it gets difficult to read this site when people who criticize the coach, goaltending or some players are immediately caricatured as wanting to bench everyone or cut everyone….sigh….

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Dec 18, 2011 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It depends on if you think that they were going to be contending for the Stanley Cup. I’m not sure people reasonably expected that, although obviously everyone wanted that. If that is going to happen, and actually if they want to stick to Pegula and Black’s three year plan, it would probably behoove them to turn it around soon.
Think of the Bruins. Two years ago, they were mired in a disappointing slump. They came back and played a dynamite second half of the season in order to finish second in the Northeast, before having a fantastic run in the playoffs and setting themselves up for the Cup run.

by Philaster on Dec 18, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but even three years from now, if Miller is still the goaltender, he can’t be playing like this and have the team contend. I’m starting to think what we’ve seen from Miller the last year and 1/2 might be the norm.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Dec 19, 2011 8:26 AM EST up reply actions

Actually

A lot of teams have won the Cup with mediocre goaltending. They just have more talent up front than the Sabres have including (SHOCKER) better Centers.

by Philaster on Dec 19, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

I’m aware, but do you see them being dominant up front in 2 seasons? I think it will take a new GM to overhaul the roster to that degree.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Dec 19, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

If Darcy doesn’t do this, I’d be in favor of making such a change.
A lot of the teams that are strong up front were terrible for years in order to be able to draft those players. That’s a big part of the problem.

by Philaster on Dec 19, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

I think what really gets people’s goats around here is not the negativity, it’s just broad-sweeping comments, like “this team sucks”. If you want Ruff fired, convince us as such. Don’t just say: “his players have tuned him out and he’s out-dated.” Show us some stats, show us some examples, and please show us some better alternative options at this point. Mid-season hires aren’t coming from the bench of another team, so don’t give me Randy Cunneyworth or another assistant. Our options are if we fire Ruff: a coach out of work, a junior or minor league coach, or one of our assistants.
I don’t mean this directly at you in particular bluecollar, but you stood up for the so-called negative ones who often get trounced on here, so I am responded to you as a response to all of those people. I love a good argument, which I have had on here many a time, and frankly one of the reasons I enjoy coming here. But the point of argument is to convince the other people of your opinion. Use facts, statistics, evidence of any kind to sway the crowd in your favor.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Dec 20, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I don’t think I could rec this any harder.

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 20, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I actually like the divorce idea.

Does that make me a bad person?

by chin8tao on Dec 18, 2011 10:23 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe. While I put no stock in it, and I hope Ryan Miller is happy, from what little I’ve seen of Noureen DeWulf, I’m not terribly impressed.

by Philaster on Dec 18, 2011 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

But compared to the scraggly guy Miller is I’m surprised he got her. She must really love hockey

by billsfan26 on Dec 19, 2011 1:16 AM EST up reply actions

Or they have compatible personalities and enjoy each others company...

And it’s not like Miller is a horrible looking dude.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 19, 2011 2:55 AM EST up reply actions

Distraction for Miller; lack of talent for Enroth

I began to suspect it last season, and this season, I am convinced that Ryan Miller, who has gone from a World Class goalie to an average goalie during the last two seasons, is distracted by issues in his personal life. Quite frankly, he has lost his edge and just doesn’t have the competative attitude he had two seasons ago. To me, there are no other credible explanations for his inconsistency and occassional short-temperedness.

As for Enroth, in previous seasons when he was brought up from the minors, I was not impressed. I felt then, and I still believe, that he is not ready to play effectively in the NHL. He is an adequate backup, but cannot be used as a starter for more than two games at a time. He certainly could not carry the goaltending load for the rest of the season if Miller were incompacitated.

Right now, the Sabres are in crissis, their defense is sagging, their offense is inconsistent and those issues are compounded by inconsistent goaltending.

by Geolover on Dec 18, 2011 1:57 PM EST reply actions

I disagree, Enroth did very well when he was forced to start last season he just needs more experience.

by billsfan26 on Dec 18, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

That’s true.. Enroth did play very well towards the end of last season when Miller was hurt, the team as a whole played much better

Smile.. tomorrow will be worse.

by Calvin on Dec 18, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Overall though, Miller hasn’t been truly great for long periods of his career. He had that one year when he wasn’t picked for the Olympic team and then went on a pissed off tear and there was the year he was picked and was pretty darn good. Other than that, it’s been a lot of good play, flashes of greatness, and way to many moments where I am speechless watching the goal he just gave up.

Also…please don’t tell me you were one of the people who said that Romo was distracted by Jessica Simpson….has Romo played any better without her? No? Then I think Ryan Miller is OK as far as his love life goes (I’m assuming that’s what you are alluding to.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Dec 18, 2011 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Romo

Just because he hasn’t played any better following the cessation of his Simpson-related nonsense doesn’t mean that she didn’t play a role. The wrong woman can have an impact long after she’s gone. Career-enders that come to mind immediately are Robin Givens and Ellen Nordegren.

Speaking from personal experience, relationships can change one’s entire philosophy on life. I can only imagine how they might upset little things like the way you go about preparing for and playing a game.

by chin8tao on Dec 18, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

Athlete plays poorly while in relationship, fans say "She's destroying his career and he is mentally weak! He has no drive anymore!"

Athlete is no longer in said relationship but still struggles, fans say: “She was so bad that she makes him suck anyway! He’s damaged goods and is still mentally weak!”

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 18, 2011 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

When you say it that way, it sounds silly...

.. but nevertheless, it could be true.

by chin8tao on Dec 20, 2011 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

I said it that way to make the silliness of that line of thinking blatantly apparent.

It’s a silly argument. Those people presuppose their conclusion.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 20, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

Career-enders that come to mind immediately are Robin Givens and Ellen Nordegren.

Yep. Robin Givens asked psycho Mike Tyson to beat her, and Tigers’ wife stuck his penis in other women. Good point.

by jj24 on Dec 19, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I'm not saying these guys had hearts of gold.

I’m just saying that, for whatever reason, they were destroyed by their relationships.

Also, Robin’s accusations of abuse were never substantiated. If you look at the type of people they appear to be, it is virtually certain that she emotionally abused Mike. Even Givens herself has never said that Mike hit her. According to an interview on the Good Morning America website, “He shakes, he pushes, he swings.”

Not sure if you have ever been around manipulative and logically impaired women, but they WILL test your patience. Given has no marks, and zero trips to the hospital. She’s slum of the scum, as far as I am concerned.

by chin8tao on Dec 20, 2011 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Nordegren

People’s actions don’t take place in a vacuum. There are causes, but sometimes we (and the press) only see the effects. Who knows why Tiger did what he did? I would not be surprised if Ellen only married him to make her bank and be out at the first opportunity. If she stopped being emotionally and physically available to Tiger, what was he supposed to do? Admittedly, its conjecture, but likewise it is unfair to judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes.

by chin8tao on Dec 20, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

So, when did you start hating women?

by Philaster on Dec 20, 2011 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

You do know that Tiger's ex was a very successful model prior to marrying him, right?

it is unfair to judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes.

But it’s totally fair to judge a woman based off of wild assumptions and hearsay?

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 20, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

That is the million dollar question?

Where has the goaltending gone. I’ve noticed Enroth is going down a lot more of late, Corsi’s influence? Miller concentration as been lacking, maybe he is thinking of his wife, who knows? The goaltending has been awful!

by Coach Bob on Dec 18, 2011 8:17 PM EST reply actions

The thing I’ve noticed about Miller lately is he loses the puck a lot more than he used to. After he makes a save more often than he used to he just stays motionless in the butterfly and then when the other team gets the puck back he’s way out of position.

by billsfan26 on Dec 19, 2011 1:18 AM EST up reply actions

All this talk...

of Miller’s wife as a distraction is stupid. If people keep it up and god forbid the media starts bringing it up it’d be the fastest way to chase him out of town. Can’t a guy be married and be happy off the ice or do we expect Ryan Miller to sleep in his goalie pads and have game footage of the league’s elite scorers projected down from the ceiling on his sleeping face? As for Enroth he’d probably be better off with more regular play, as would any goaltender, however I’m glad that the fans’ sky high (although semi-unsubstantiated) praise for him has been brought back down to earth a bit. Our goaltending tandem is fine. Let’s start to point the finger where it belongs which is at our under-sized and under-performing forwards who can only make entry into the offensive zone with dump and chase, not to mention our poor puck control in the d-end; namely behind our own net.

Do you believe in miracles? YES!

by Up State NY on Dec 18, 2011 8:40 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Guys can be married and also be happy off the ice....

In fact, I would submit that being happy off the ice makes players perform better. That begs the question: Is Ryan Miller happy in his marriage? Guessing would be rude and irresponsible.

On the other hand, most of us agree that Miller’s performance is below his par. What is the most obvious change that has occurred? I’m not saying his marriage is definitely the culprit. I’m just saying that a logical person would wonder. Sadly for Miller, that sort of speculation goes with the territory of having been annointed The Best Goaltender in the World.

by chin8tao on Dec 18, 2011 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

.

I’m just saying that a logical person would wonder.

No, not really. Correlation ≠ causation. Occam’s razor (the thing logical people would use) says that we shouldn’t multiply entities beyond necessity. Which makes the least assumptions? A) Miller’s inconstant play is caused by poor positioning/technique, or B) Miller’s marriage is causing is poor positioning/technique which is causing inconsistent play?

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 18, 2011 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

I am going with C)

C) Miller’s inconsistent play led to his marriage which is causing poor positioning/technique which is causing inconsistent play.

Infallible circular logic ftw!

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Dec 19, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

It's Not that He is Married; It's Who He Married to

Everyone knows the Holywood Set is dominated by Liberatards; they are weak misguied people who have no inner strength or integrity. They are a bad influence on the youth of this nation and the majority of them make poor marriage partners. How is Miller going to keep that fierce competative edge he had a few years when he goes home and is confronted with the “peace and love” philosophy of the Holywood gerne.

In my oppinion, Miller would have been far better off if he fallen in love and married a woman like Coleen Howe. Now, that’s the kind of wife a hockey player needs.

by Geolover on Dec 19, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

Fail troll.

by Philaster on Dec 19, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs

.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 19, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

whats a Liberatard? and where is Holywood?

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 19, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

From the Die By the Blade Community Guidelines:

Political Talk
Politics are an important part of our everyday life but they have no place at Die by the Blade. We encourage people to be passionate and politics are a passionate subject but please stick to hockey and the Buffalo Sabres. I too have my own strong political views but it’s better left unsaid. Any and all political talk will be immediately removed from the site and the user will receive a warning.

Let’s leave the ridiculous and un-substantiated political claims out of our discussions, please. I hate to be a boob here, but this kind of talk has no place here:

Everyone knows the Holywood Set is dominated by Liberatards; they are weak misguied people who have no inner strength or integrity. They are a bad influence on the youth of this nation and the majority of them make poor marriage partners.

I’ll not even get into how I feel about your opinions that Miller’s wife is making him a worse hockey player, or by extent her alleged and unsubstantiated political views (how do we even know that she is a liberal, or that Miller wasn’t already a liberal when he met her?), but statements like the above have absolutely no place in this discussion, as is clearly outlined in our guidelines.
Say that you think Miller’s wife makes him soft. Hell, tell us you think her political views are changing his view on the world, and therefore affecting his game. But please don’t come on here and demean liberal-minded people and broadly pidgeon-hole them into some sort of lower-class citizens who cannot play hockey.
And just for the record, I am a registered Republican. I probably don’t disagree with your political views altogether. I just feel this has no place in this discussion, and cannot stand the broad generalizations you make against liberals or actually, alleged liberals as I have yet to see anything substantiating that Miller’s wife is one.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Dec 20, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 4 recs