"We faced a team that was ready," said head coach Jacques Lemaire. "You can tell why they're on top and have such a great record. They have four good lines and they all play the same way. They're a puck-control team; they can make great plays; they skate; and they're on the puck. There's no doubt we faced a better team tonight."
Ironsides:
Ready? Against Jacques Lemaire, one of the most effective coaches in the NHL? But ... I thought Lindy Ruff was a terrible coach? Funny that these types of comments have trickled out after nearly every single Sabres win this season from the opposition. Hugely successful coaches like Babcock, Lemaire et al clearly respect their peer Ruff, which they obviously should.
BuffaloSportsFanInFlorida:
I might have to "rethink" my whole attitude towards Ruff still being the coach after 12 years. He's certainly got them motivated so far this year...time will tell, though. The real litmus test will be where the Sabs are come April.
Not Paying $60:
That is what I was referring to in a round about way. Having four lines that play the whole game. The results have been better without having some players switch lines and take up the slack during the game, because one certain player only was playing a few shifts a game.
Resident Tough Guy:
Wrong. The key to success is Mike Grier and how well the checking line has played, not the loss of Peters. Also, not having Mair play has helped...dumb penalties are a killer.
Thumper:
Grier is a huge part of all of this. One of the biggest for sure. But there's so many other factors.
Myers. Miller. 4 centermen. Ruff's new puck possession philosophy that he picked up from Babs. Youthful energy in Kennedy and Myers. The blossoming of Butler. Accountability from Grier and Montador; and like step and Slider pointed out, players like Hecht and Gaustad are playing with in their talents and are being asked to do what they're good at. Why this year and not last? The makeup of the team has changed. They don't have to be asked to play over and beyond what they're capable of. Regier's fixed his roster.
There's more chemistry developing on this team right now than there's been since '05-'06.
MauvaisSang:
Great posts in this thread. For them to be a contender, I still think they need to strengthen the wing on the scoring lines, and Derek Roy needs to wake the fuck up and play like a first line center.
buffalofan19:
Honestly, though, this is the third or 4th coach that has said after a game something along the lines of "they were just better than we were". This team is incredibly focused and down to business. The question is, can they maintain it throughout 82 games?
geokit:
He is tied for the lead in points with 7 and is a plus 3.
I think he has finally woken up and is taking care of his own end first. He has bought into the system and now everyone wants his head on a platter.
I don't care if they are secondary assists or not, they all count and it just means that he is getting the puck to the right person before it goes to the goal scorer.
The goals will come. He is on the top line, getting the most attention from other teams, which is allowing the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines to generate the scoring opportunities against weaker lines.
Thumper:
He's piled up the assists, which is nice. But he's still got a bit of a Max-syndrome going on in the offensive zone. I'd like to see him stop trying to skate through multiple defenders, and I'd like to see him get the puck deep more often.
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