If there’s desperate hockey to be played, then tonight will be a fabulous time to start doing so. One thing I hope to see from Buffalo’s powerplay is a shift from quarterbacking the play from the half-wall to behind the net. I’d rather see it down low behind the net where Briere or Connelly can exploit their puck handling abilities forcing Ottawa to pressure there instead of the face-off circle which gives them a higher chance of clearing the zone. We know Buffalo’s point men have done a terrible job keeping the puck in the zone and sometimes just giving the puck away for breakaways. I think if we move the play down low and draw traffic towards Emery, we’ll open up the high slot area for higher percentage shots and at the same time reduce the chances for Ottawa to clear the zone.
Bory,
I like the Blog! You’re analysis is spot on; however, the also Sabres need to move their feet, get their heads out of their asses and not make the Sens forecheck look mythical. I think the first logical solution to their troubles would be to remove their heads from their asses. I’ve heard a hockey player ‘s skill level improves significantly when his/her head has been removed from their ass.
Oh yeah, a few other suggestions. How about skating and looking where you are passing. How about moving the puck out of your own zone without 2 or 3 giveaways. How about about actually sustaining pressure in the Sens zone before passing to the nearest Senator. How about playing hockey for more than 12 minutes each game. Okay, you can tell I’m a little upset so I’ll check myself.
John
Yeah I agree, if the Sabres played a full game things would be a lot different. I freaking cringe when they go on the powerplay – it kills any sort of 5 on 5 momentum they built. As for the Senators forecheck – stop it in the neutral zone. Buffalo’s defensemen at this point are having a hard enough time playing defense let alone offense. Keep em back and force your wingers to hussle and backcheck. It’s not like the forwards are crashing the boards anyways. I have a hard time saying this but Ottawa right now is better at our game than we are so lets make some adjustments. The Rangers did it to us and they climbed back and almost went up a game on us if it weren’t for that last second goal.