Sabres do hometown fans a solid
March 12, 2017, 12:34 PM ET [64 Comments]
Michael Pachla
Buffalo Sabres Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
Individually there's a lot of pride in Buffalo Sabres players. Some are simply hockey players motivated 100% of the time, others fall into the trappings of riding emotional waves while still others need someone or something to shake themselves out of the cocoon that they've built around them. During the course of a game it all can contribute to a full performance when they're aligned positively or they it can amount to an absolutely dismal performance 180 degrees to the negative.
Inconsistency represents all the points in between.
For the Sabres inconsistency was the key word in defining this team up until the Chicago game just before their bye week. Beginning with the 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks late last month and coming off of Friday night's 4-3 loss in Columbus, the needle ended up fluctuating on the negative side from meh to disastrous, hence Buffalo's 1-6-2 record prior to their game last night vs. the Blue Jackets.
And as we've seen all season, said inconsistencies are not only game-to-game, but quite often are found period to period and even shift to shift with this edition of the Buffalo Sabres. Countless times throughout the season, players and coaches lamented after a loss that the team needs to play a 60-minute game, not 40 or 20 or whatever number they decide constitutes a game for them.
Last night it looked as if that needle was going as far to the negative side as possible for the second time in three games. On Tuesday, with their playoff hopes vanquished for all intents and purposes, the Sabres laid their biggest egg of the season in front of their fans as they dropped a 6-3 game vs. the Philadelphia Flyers. There have been bad performances by this club all season but to allow six even-strength goals to a Philly team that's worse than them at scoring 5v5 was a bottom the Sabres had yet to hit all year.
When Columbus upped their lead to 3-0 late in the first period last night, it looked as if the Sabres were going to reach a new low. Yet they somehow managed a comeback the likes of which we haven't seen since December, 2009 when Buffalo overcame a three-goal deficit to win in regulation vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins who, ironically enough, were coached by present Sabres bench boss Dan Bylsma at the time.
Drew Stafford (2 goals, the first on a penalty shot) Paul Gaustad and Jason Pominville (on the powerplay) scored for Buffalo that night and Patrick Lalime (wearing #40) relieved Ryan Miller 1:28 into the second period and stopped all 27 shots he faced on the way to a 4-3 Buffalo victory in front of the home crowd who left the arena ecstatic.
Last night it was another #40 coming into the game in relief as starter Robin Lehner took over for Anders Nilsson to begin the second period. Lehner stopped all 24 shots he faced, including some fine stops to keep it 3-2 and one incredible stop on Cam Atkinson with just over 30 seconds left in the third and Buffalo up 4-3.
For the second night in a row special teams was the difference. On Friday in Columbus the Jackets went 2/3 on the power play in their win. Last night they went 0/3. For their part the Sabres went 0/1 at Columbus in the loss then went 2/5 in last night's win.
The positives kept coming in the second period as much maligned (deservedly so) Nicolas Deslauriers provided the spark that the Sabres needed as he set up defenseman Jake McCabe for the Sabres first goal just 18 seconds into the second period. "D-lo," who's the lowest forward on the totem pole, snagged a point for the second straight night which happen to be his first two points of the season. He was placed on the top line by Bylsma to give the team a spark but when no willing pugilist was to be found on the ice, he got on the forecheck and fed a pass right into a pinching McCabe's wheelhouse.
McCabe's goal was his third of the season and the third by a Buffalo defenseman in the last two games and he almost had another as he rifled one off the post less than three minutes later. Also on the positive side, there was a Matt Moulson sighting. He lit the lamp for the first time in 11 games as he scored his team-leading 10th powerplay goal. Sam "The Quiet One" Reinhart bookended McCabe's early second period goal with one of his own and only :03 seconds left on the clock in the second period.
From there it was some solid goaltending at both ends of the ice until Jack Eichel, with Buffalo on the powerplay, took advantage of a broken Columbus stick and sent a cross-ice rocket to Evander Kane who promptly buried the feed into a gaping net for the lead. Eichel would add the empty-netter with a few seconds left, after a nifty pass to himself in his own zone, for the 5-3 final score.
This edition of the Sabres has seen it's fair share of difficulties this season and they could've easily packed it in last night. Methinks the Blue Jackets, who had such an easy time through the first 20 minutes, were expecting that as well, but in a league where parity is the norm and almost any team can come back against a complacent opposition, the best teams step on the throat of a downed opposition and Columbus just couldn't do that last night.
For today, we'll refrain from the obvious short-comings of the Sabres and allow for a little sunshine as the Sabres are set to embark on a three-game West Coast swing beginning Tuesday against the San Jose' Sharks. They'll travel to Los Angeles to take on the Kings Thursday before heading down I-5 to meet the Anaheim Ducks for yet another back-to-back on Friday.
Yesterday at 3:32 pm by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil sponsors the signing of an agreement to develop the Tuba oil field project with
Yesterday at 3:26 pm by Rocky
» In numbers... Basra Oil explains the importance of the Tuba field after signing a contract to develo
Yesterday at 3:25 pm by Rocky
» Electricity: The government provides energy at subsidized prices for (4) categories
Yesterday at 3:24 pm by Rocky
» The electricity produced in Iraq covers 65% of demand... and 15 thousand megawatts is a “deficit”
Yesterday at 3:22 pm by Rocky
» Parliamentary services: Government interest in Baghdad will make it one of the most beautiful capita
Yesterday at 3:21 pm by Rocky
» Basra Council emphasizes work to qualify young people and place them in the labor market
Yesterday at 3:19 pm by Rocky
» Politician: Al-Kadhimi was recommending that Plasschaert write “negative” reports about Iraq
Yesterday at 3:17 pm by Rocky
» Trade launches operations to lift the ban on the ration card next to Rusafa
Yesterday at 3:16 pm by Rocky
» utube 5/12/24 Iraqi Dinar | Citi Bank Announced New Rate Of The Iraqi Dinar | Dinar News Today 202
Yesterday at 7:00 am by Rocky
» utube 5/9/24 MM&C 0:02 / 46:46 PM - Al-Sudani - Golden Opportunity - Private Sector - Contra
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 5/11/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - International - IraqTiming - 2024 Budget Schedule - Sp
Yesterday at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Bahr Al-Ulum calls for legislating the renewable energy law and localizing the solar panel industry
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» In numbers: the rise in internal debt in Iraq
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Jordan demands that Iraq continue to export oil for another three months
Yesterday at 6:46 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the largest producer.. OPEC+ is pumping higher than scheduled and in anticipation of the Jun
Yesterday at 6:44 am by Rocky
» Close to the coordination framework: There is no intention to change the internal regulations of Par
Yesterday at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Central Bank sales exceed $274 million today
Yesterday at 6:41 am by Rocky
» But the representative of the exchange companies is pessimistic... Why did the dollar fall?... The C
Yesterday at 6:38 am by Rocky
» Jordan addresses Iraq to extend a memorandum of understanding to purchase oil
Yesterday at 6:36 am by Rocky
» Bribes increased from 3,000 to 50,000 dollars.. What is the condition of alcohol in Iraq after the p
Yesterday at 6:34 am by Rocky
» Presence movement: Sunnis and Kurds while the Americans remain in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» A deputy reveals the contents of the first water strategy in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Soon...the second reading of the proposed red card law
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» The discovery of 10 new oil and gas fields in the Anbar desert
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» A bloc announces to “Al-Ma’louma” the date of the parliamentary speaker’s election session
Yesterday at 5:26 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance explains the mechanism for amending the retirement law
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» Sovereignty accuses Al-Halbousi of obstructing the election of a Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Agriculture accuses Kurdistan of harming the farmers of the center and south
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani confirms Iraq's readiness to host the Arab Network conference
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani calls on the Iraqi government to allocate a budget to confront climate change
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» “Iraq is in danger.” Political warnings against ending the work of the UN mission
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Interior Minister announces the signing of a security cooperation memorandum with Syria
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil told “Al-Iqtisad News”: The 5th and 6th rounds will add 3 Mqmq of gas to Iraq’s
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Economist: Tax revenues from the private sector should be 4 trillion dinars annually
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» The Real Estate Bank calls on the Iraqi Central Bank to determine a plan to allocate a new initiativ
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» More than one billion and 400 million dollars...CBI sales within a week
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Oil: Iraq achieved self-sufficiency in liquid gas and began exporting the surplus
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Iraq begins exporting liquid gas
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» The Cabinet Secretariat sets to Al-Iqtisad News the completion date for the Chinese agreement school
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Securities: The most recent law of the Authority in the Arab and regional countries
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» A European desire to strengthen security and economic cooperation with Baghdad
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» The close selection of a person for the position of Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary law excludes the exchange of penalties for cash amounts
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» An agreement with Italy to finance industrial projects
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» The Najaf Chamber of Commerce signs a “memorandum of understanding” with its Thai counterpart
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Baghdad, Arab Forum
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Specialists: Economic integration and job opportunities await development
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic, Nechirvan and Barzani stress the necessity of coordinating efforts be
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» The Judicial Institute announces the names of those accepted for the 48th and 49th sessions
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Today's newspapers are interested in launching the fifth licensing supplement rounds and the sixth l
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives the Secretary-General of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Trade participates in the meetings of the Economic and Social Council at the level of senior officia
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Transport discusses with the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration wa
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq recorded an increase in its oil exports to the United States last week
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» It is governed by three dimensions.. Parliament talks about a strategic priority for Iraqi national
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» To what extent do Arab countries influence politically Iraq? It has become more independent
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: Iraq has paid its debts, and the security agreement includes thre
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rates decline slightly on the Baghdad Stock Exchange
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» China has 18% of the fields in the two new rounds, and 11 countries share the remainder
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» On the table...a proposal for the Kurdistan oil crisis and an effort to conclude a similar agreement
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: A government decision to provide sovereign guarantees and guarantees to encourage the inve
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» 6 Chinese companies are among the winners of developing Iraqi oil and gas fields
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Baghdad gives UNAMI the end of 2025 to leave the country after fiery briefings
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Dhi Qar clarifies: The quarry burying radioactive materials is regular and does not pose a danger
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: There are 64 lagging projects in Babylon
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» The housing crisis is expanding and planning confirms: Iraq needs 3 million housing units to solve i
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» 90 billion dinars were recovered from social protection violators
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Iraq seeks to increase its oil reserves to more than 160 billion barrels
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» After keeping the numbers secret... Did the rain increase Iraq's water reserves by 120%?
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» In the first quarter of 2024.. Iran will displace Iraq and become the second largest producer in OPE
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil exports to Jordan stopped 20 days ago
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Iraq and Syria sign a memorandum of security cooperation in several fields
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Parliament recommends stopping electronic schools in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary law rules out passing a law replacing penalties with sums of money
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» After a rare meeting... sources talk about Al-Sadr's future in political life in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic warns of climate change and its threat to food security and future gen
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador to Iraq talks about negotiations for the withdrawal of American forces and Tu
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq represents an important factor in the stability of the global oil market
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Transportation: The Iraqi-Turkish technical committees continue to fulfill the requirements for impl
Yesterday at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Economic: Raising the interest rate will reduce real estate prices
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:20 am by Rocky
» Did Barzani agree in Tehran to end the presence of Iranian groups in Kurdistan? - urgent
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We are establishing a new situation for the global energy market through the Development
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:14 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government program devoted a wide scope to the government’s vision for oil and gas in
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:11 am by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: Ending the work of the UNAMI mission is consistent with the government’s vision in this fi
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:10 am by Rocky
» MM&C Floating the dinar" returns to the forefront.. Will the Central Bank of Iraq resort to it and w
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:24 am by Rocky
» The Secretary of the Ministry of Defense meets with the Commander of the NATO mission
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:17 am by Rocky
» Expert: The stability of the economy is linked to the political situation
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:13 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary request to lift the injustice against 20,000 Iraqi employees
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:09 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance criticizes the government's failure to send the budget schedules
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:08 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: The 5th and 6th licensing rounds will take place within the framework of exploratio
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the global market in the field of energy
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Khanjar rejects Al-Halbousi’s request to head Parliament
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:05 am by Rocky
» Revealing the date of the arrival of the 2024 budget schedules
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Halbousi nominates Talal Al-Zubaie for presidency of the House of Representatives
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:03 am by Rocky
» "A coup in Iraqi universities"... Replacement of presidents and deans under the new education law
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the equation of energy and oil wealth in the region and the
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: We hope to announce an increase in Iraq’s oil reserves to 160 billion barrels
Sat 11 May 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» Iraq's mass graves...stories that did not end with the burial of their owners, and the "legacy of IS
Sat 11 May 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky