Senators at Sabres Tonight
Perhaps the sub-head should be; “Or how the mighty have fallen.”
Two years ago, the Sabres raced out to the best record in the league only to fall short in the playoffs. We all know how they fared last year.
Last year the Senators had all of Canada talking about if they could topple the Montreal Canadiens record for best winning percentage in a season when they started 13-1. They ended up sneaking into the playoffs and getting swept by the Penguins in four games. This year they have 32 points, are 11 points out of a playoff spot, and are 4-12-3 on the road. They have lost 14 of their last 15 road games.
What were once the most feared teams in the East are now talked about largely in the past tense. How the mighty have fallen, indeed.
Defense seems to be Ottawa’s biggest issue, followed by a lack of scoring from other than the big three of Alfredsson, Spezza, and Heatley. As Sabres fans it is of course fun to listen to Spezza, Bryan Murray, and Alfredsson take all kinds of heat from the media and fans; it would just be more fun if the Sabres could freaking beat them every now and then. Excluding this year’s 5-3 loss to Ottawa early in the year, the Sabres have a 6-9-1 record against Ottawa over the past two regular seasons, including a dismal 2-6-0 at home. Wonder why it feels like these guys always beat Buffalo? Because almost every time you shell out the bucks, they do beat them.
In Ottawa, things sound much like they did in Buffalo last year. All the talent in the world…we’ll turn it around…just need to play a complete stretch…it’s up to the guys in the room…etc…
Following a 3-2 win against Edmonton on December 30, the Senators pinned a lot of their hopes on an upcoming game against Toronto. They lost 3-1. Then lost to the Devils in overtime the next night. If that doesn’t take the fight out of them for tonight, I don’t know what will.
You would like to think the Sabres recognize all this and will lay the wood to Ottawa early tonight; take them out of the game by exposing their lack of heart. Make things uncomfortable, make them not want to compete. But we know this Sabres team all too well, and they lack mental toughness as much as any team out there.
Yesterday Dave pointed out some positive things going on in relation to the Sabres injury status. The return of Craig Rivet, coupled with the loss of Teppo Numminen (which leads to Chris Butler staying) gives the Sabres their best six defensemen out on the ice (I know, it’s close between Tallinder and Numminen).
It’s yet another night that finds the Sabres standing at a crossroads. Which team shows?
Alex Auld in net for Ottawa tonight, defenseman Anton Volchenkov out. 7:07 start from the HSBC Arena.
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No Volchenkov?
That means 10 less blocked shots. No theres a guy I would love on the Buffalo Blueline.
Like McKee, it’s a big part of why he is injured so often.
His physical nature also doesn’t help.
We never win against Twattawa, no matter how bad they are.
They never need their (lack of) secondary scoring against us because The Murderer is guaranteed at least 2.
I curious sub-plot:
With Brian Burke looking to add Gaustad to the Olympic line up, I am hoping that Ruff uses his home-ice line change advantage and plays Goose’s line against OTT’s “Pizza Line.”
If Gaustad can shut down Alf, Heatly and Spezza, he’s ready to be fit for his medal ribbon.
“A” curious sub-plot, that is…
Ugh. Auld may as well be Brodeur for the way we usually play against him. Everything is indeed spelling out loss tonight.
Hey, nothing like a Sabres game to snap the opposition’s struggling scorers or rookies into shape!
This Chris Butler thing is very interesting. We’ll know Darcy’s content to mail in the season – i.e. letting Max, Kotex, and TC walk without having to make hard decisions – if he sends Butler down with a healthy D.
No matter what, you should always put your best team on the ice. Maybe Teppo has worked a little ‘flu deal’ with Darcy.
So both the Finns have the Flu.
http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/541432.html
Lydman is probably out, Teppo is a maybe and they might go with 7 D-Men.
Yes Andrew Peters, Lindy rather dress a 40 year old man with the flu then you.
Geez, where’s the love???
Sabs are off back-to-back road wins — Rivet is returning and Ottawa is about as relevant to victories as the Broadway Market is to daily grocery shopping. So what gives?
And Flyers fans get a bad rap ….
I’ll be fully back on board if they win tonight with a good effort.
@ PA Pete
See Kevin’s post two posts down for why we’re not giving the love.
I’ll believe it when they don’t necessarily win, but actually look like they give a shit for a dozen games in a row.
Including, but not limited to, waiving Max and/or Peters, and making a trade for a potent center. Remember, Timmy ain’t back till the weekend – plenty of time for a little windburn or folliculitis to set in between now and then.
trevor -
Or even a case of the vapors…
You just know that the Sens will have some jump in their skates tonight. I remember long ago when the Sabres could not buy a win agains what was then a bad Pittsburgh team. We’d tie or lose, season after season. That was waay back in the late 70s/early80s (yep, I’m old). It feels the same with Ottawa. They just seem to love playing Buffalo. Maybe it is our lack of physical play in our own end and failure to clear the zone that makes the Senator’s pulse quicken….
there is a certain amount of irony w/ these two, Ottawa has tried to let the GM – Coach thing go a different way than Bflo to the same avail as Bflo – I believe Kevin’s “all the talent in the world” line sums things up, there’s loads on both benches but you gotta have heart as well. I always wonder how Montreal can pull it together most years, even when the talent is marginal???