As I've documented a couple of times now, while the Sabres have struggled so far this season, they certainly haven't when I've been in the building. I've now attended 3 games and here are the numbers.
Goals for: 14
Goals against: 3
Even more impressive, however, has been Buffalo's ability to get on the board early. In each of the 3 games I've attended, the Sabres have come out of the first period with a 3-0 lead. I'll be there tonight... so don't be late.
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I'll be posting live updates from the game in this thread. I don't see any reason to keep up on the game action (goals, etc.) since there are better places to find that, but other observations from the press box will be posted here.
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The numbers might not yet be in line with his contract (note: there's plenty of time to make up for that) but Thomas Vanek's game is rounding into shape. In the last 2 games, he's picked up 4 assists, is a +3, and has been far and away the best player on the ice. He was robbed of first star honors against Montreal because of MacArthur's 2 goal night and wound up 3rd. He was rightfully named first star against Ottawa and I look for his play to be the driving force behind Buffalo's offensive push again tonight.
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The lineup looks a whole lot better with Tim Connolly back in action.
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Just as I was begrudgingly starting to accept Cristobal Huet as a "difference maker" in games, Carey Price is expected to start in goal for the Habs. I've not yet seen him play in person but Ive heard nothing but good things from my "Montreal insider." (Note: "insider" lives in West Seneca and just watches the Habs way too much.) Price is the "future" and we'll get a look at him tonight.
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I hated the way that fans last season decided that booing is fun and ran the previous in-game host out of a job. That said, the new guy (contest winner, don't know his name) is doing a very nice, unobtrusive job. He's understated, not really trying to be a hero out there, and thankfully, fans seem to be leaving him alone.
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Another observation on the fans, this one from the last Montreal game. I'll give high marks for creativity. As time was expiring with the Sabres in the lead, the standard "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" song was replaced with "Go Home" to the tune of the catchy yet irritating "Ole Ole Ole" pseudo-soccer song that seems to come across the Peace Bridge whenever a team from Canada rolls into town. Funny, timely, appropriate... I was impressed.
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"You always hate to see someone get hurt" BUT if someone has to, it may as well be MON's best d-man. Markov went down like he was shot when Mair hit him, stayed down forever, and was back on the ice at about the 3 minute mark. I never know if that means I should be impressed by a guy's toughness or mad that he wasted our time lying on the ice.
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Is there a player in the league who seems to enjoy shooting from bad angles more than Jochen Hecht?
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There's only one penalty that gets called consistently in the NHL this year. Hey Vanek, stop slashing people.
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Combined 1st period in 4 games I've attended is now 10-1 BUF.
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Oh look, Kovalev IS in the lineup. First time I noticed him all night... 2 for slashing. He's the most talented player that I hope to never see in a Sabres' uniform.
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Officially, BUF's PP is 1 for 2 but Connolly's goal was absolutely was a product of the aftereffects of the man advantage. I want "residual PP goals" to be a stat.
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This is the least energetic BUF/MON game played in BUF since lockout. These teams usually play wide open, end to end hockey but not much so far tonight.Nice rush by Habs, glove save by Miller as I wrote that.
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BUF PP essentially 3 for 3. Nice to have special teams as a positive against this MON team.
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They just announced a sellout. I don't wanna say "I disagree" but what's with the blocks of empty seats in the top corner of the 300 level where the Sabres shoot once? Those are the ones that tend to be empty on non-sellout nights.
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I don't want Max on the ice with an empty net ever again. Greed kept him on the ice for almost 2 minutes at the end of the game. My stars go Miller, Vanek, Plekanec.
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4-0 when I attend and 6, 4, 4, and 4 goals scored. Who is driving to Montreal for tomorrow night?
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