Laletdown Game

by Ryan



Ah, the comfort of the expected. Heading into the game you knew all the factors against the Sabres; the short rest, injury troubles, the likelihood of starting the backup goalie. Throw in the Sabres' record on Saturday nights and you were looking at a good bet for our first loss of the year.

It didn't really feel that way though, did it? Sure, the Sabres "lost" in the skills challenge, but what we saw was a team overcome its flat start and mount a comeback, as well as a pretty strong performance by a backup goaltender. When you consider how badly the Thrashers were outplaying Buffalo in the first period, it actually becomes a pretty impressive game, and a point that may turn out to be big in a few months.

Sure, you could say the Sabres should have won a game against a bad opponent. That's an argument I can't refute, but with all of the above mentioned, a point is a point. I always hate when pundits say the games "matter most" in February and March because they are closer to the season's end. Points always matter, and when it's April and the Sabres are off the pace a few points I always look back to games much earlier in the season as missed chances.

Tonight could have been one of those chances. Instead, it's a point. Sure, we are an Atlas shot wide and a Lalime five hole away from two points, but how much more can you ask for from those two guys? Lalime was shelled in the first and Buffalo was constantly shorthanded but he stood strong. Kovalchuk and Little are the major scorers for Atlanta, and those guys ended up on the score sheet. After 19 shots in the first, the Sabres were lucky they were the only two on it.

And what else can you say about Atlas Vanek? Was there even a doubt in your mind that he was going to make some noise tonight? I mean, I keep saying over and over that he can't keep this up, but, he can't keep this up, can he? Shootouts and breakaways are his most notable weakness, but I'd take another 77 games worth of this Thomas Vanek any season. Is he worth $8 million this year? Hell and yes.

I think after a week like the Sabres had you have to take the positives out of this game and just hope they come back strong on Tuesday. We learned that Patrick Lalime is a reliable backup goaltender, and I don't have to swallow my tongue when he gets the nod in net. We also learned that there isn't much quit in this team, even down two on the road on short rest. Those are good signs, and I'll take nine points five games into the season and run with it.

Oh, and Slava Kozlov blows.

On to ATL

by Ryan

This would be the definition of a letdown game.

Tonight the Sabres take on the Thrashers in the ATL, and after a game like last night's a bit of a slump isn't too hard to imagine. I mean, the Sabres can't keep this up, right?



Yeah, I think they can.

Think about who is scoring for this team right now. Kotalik. MacArthur. Of course Pominville is getting involved, and Atlas Vanek is doing that thing he does, but where is everyone else? Roy has been quiet, Afinogenov is still getting there, and Stafford may not have touched the puck yet this year.

Add in an injured Hecht, an osteoporosis-riddled Tim Connolly, and true fourth line and the Sabres have a suddenly top-heavy offense. That offense is firing on all cylinders right now, but they will slow down. What will be important is who steps in when those guys slow down, and in theory the people are in place to fill that role.

There is far too much talent on this roster to be kept down for long, and if Roy rounds into shape and the defense maintains their play, who knows how long they can play like this. 4-0 is nice, but we've seen teams that start strong fall way, way short of the real goal. It's not "consistency" we are looking for but rather longevity. Atlas can only hold up the team for so long, and he's going to need a Hercules or two to help him out along the way.

But that's not the concern right now, is it? Let's talk a bit about the Thrashers.

- Currently in 12th in the Conference, the Thrashers are 1-2-1 and struggling early.

- Their leading scorer is second year player Brian Little, who doesn't exactly terrify me. Kovalchuck is still their main threat, and Slava Kozlov blows.

- When you watch tonight, remember that Ron Hainsey is making 4.5 million this year. Then look at our captain and smile.

- Did anyone else notice that Andrew Peters had an actual fight last night? That was nice. He is... valuable when he does that, and as much crap as we give him, it would be nice for him to keep that up.

- One player to watch is Zach Bogosian, who is supposed to make a big impact as a rookie.

- For some irrational reason I really hate the Thrashers. Maybe it's because their third jersey looks like a college football uniform, or maybe it's because Slava Kozlov blows. Either way, it would be nice to finish the week out with a win.

I'll be around tonight, but there's another game on I'll be paying more attention to. Needless to say, I'll be watching this game twice.