Going on the record with some predictions, so take note:
-AROD is a Red Sock next year
-Sabres either repeat as Stanley Cup champs or win their first next season
-Bills make the playoffs next season by a slim margin because the AFC will be uncharacteristically weak. They'll make it with a record of 8-8.
-Danny Briere will play for Philly next year at around $7 million/year
-Sabres will sign Drury for near $6 million/year, be able to retain Vanek from RFA, and sign Zubrus.
-Stafford will be a 30 goal scorer next year
-The Bulls will make it to the Eastern Conference finals, at least, next season.
-UB Basketball will not make the NCAA tournament next year (that's an easy one
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Game 1
Wow, pretty depressing game. The Sabres were outshot 34-20 and lost the game on mistakes. Each of the Sens' first 3 goals came on mistakes by Buffalo. You had the shorthanded goal, the mistake by Numminen in clearing the puck to a wide-open Senator, and some other mistake I can't put my finger on right now. Essentially, 5-on-5, the Sabres won this game, but unfortunately, that doesn't count for jack squat.
Danny Briere's apparent shortened ice time is deceiving. The main reason he had less ice time than normal was mainly due to the excessive amount of penalty kills the Sabres had to endure. Although, I wouldn't completely dismiss the possibility that Ruff did it on purpose.
I think Ruff's move that took Pomer off the first line was dumb. The fourth line with Connolly, Mair, and Kotalik was fine. There was no reason to break it up. Now, Pomer is even less of a factor as he could be (how do you improve production moving to a line with players you haven't played with all year?). Also, Briere's production has gone down since the move (note that Briere pretty much had a point per game before the move). If anyone wants to point fingers at either Pomer or Briere, point it at Ruff for breaking them up; Pomer had a 30+ goal season MAINLY due to being on the same line as Briere.
Game 2 should be interesting.
Danny Briere's apparent shortened ice time is deceiving. The main reason he had less ice time than normal was mainly due to the excessive amount of penalty kills the Sabres had to endure. Although, I wouldn't completely dismiss the possibility that Ruff did it on purpose.
I think Ruff's move that took Pomer off the first line was dumb. The fourth line with Connolly, Mair, and Kotalik was fine. There was no reason to break it up. Now, Pomer is even less of a factor as he could be (how do you improve production moving to a line with players you haven't played with all year?). Also, Briere's production has gone down since the move (note that Briere pretty much had a point per game before the move). If anyone wants to point fingers at either Pomer or Briere, point it at Ruff for breaking them up; Pomer had a 30+ goal season MAINLY due to being on the same line as Briere.
Game 2 should be interesting.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Links...
Awesome home video of Drury's tying goal on Friday
-Some interesting shots of the Rangers concurrent with the Sabres celebration. It looks like the cameraman catches Jagr at the tail end of a mope.
New Ottawa song, courtesy of WGR
-Not as good as the last one, but OK
Bills' late-round draft pick John Wendling straight-jumping a 66"-high bar
-Some interesting shots of the Rangers concurrent with the Sabres celebration. It looks like the cameraman catches Jagr at the tail end of a mope.
New Ottawa song, courtesy of WGR
-Not as good as the last one, but OK
Bills' late-round draft pick John Wendling straight-jumping a 66"-high bar
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Sabres Win in 6
As many Buffalonians anticipated after game 1, and likely doubted after game 4, the Sabres ousted the Rangers in game 6 tonight, sending Jagr and Shanny the Tranny to the links for the summer.
This game was a lot like game 1 in that......the Sabres scored 5 goals to win the game. Really though, they played their two-and-a-halfth complete game of the series and pulled off the win. I say that because out the roughly 400 minutes of hockey (roughly counting the overtimes), the Sabres really only "played" about half of those, which is a pretty sad statistic for the Rangers, and not something for the Sabres to be proud of; they could have had this series wrapped up in 4.
I have to admit, at the minute-to-go mark of game 5 I had my head in my hands thinking it was over. It was just an odd series.
So, as many expected and didn't wish for, the Sabres will face Ottawa in the Eastern Conference Finals. This will be the best series of the playoffs for the NHL by far. You have the best overall team in the league in the Sabres, and the best performing team in the playoffs thus far (maybe with the exception of the Ducks) in the Senators.
Heatly, Alfredsson and Spezza make up 3 of the top 5 point-leaders in the postseason thus far (#'s 1, 4 and 3 with 14, 11, and 12 points, respectively). All three of them play on the same line for Ottawa. This should be tough matchup for the Sabres, and hopefully Lindy finds the right matchup by 19:59 of game 1.
By the way, Numminen is +8 in the playoffs, which is good for #2 in the league.
________________________
So far, for predictions, we have:
Me: Sabres in 6
Brian: Sabres in 7
Barry Melrose: Sabres in 6
Random ESPN Sportscaster who I didn't know who was talking with Melrose: Ottawa in 5.....? Seriously?
Link(s):
http://www.wehateyourteam.com/
This game was a lot like game 1 in that......the Sabres scored 5 goals to win the game. Really though, they played their two-and-a-halfth complete game of the series and pulled off the win. I say that because out the roughly 400 minutes of hockey (roughly counting the overtimes), the Sabres really only "played" about half of those, which is a pretty sad statistic for the Rangers, and not something for the Sabres to be proud of; they could have had this series wrapped up in 4.
I have to admit, at the minute-to-go mark of game 5 I had my head in my hands thinking it was over. It was just an odd series.
So, as many expected and didn't wish for, the Sabres will face Ottawa in the Eastern Conference Finals. This will be the best series of the playoffs for the NHL by far. You have the best overall team in the league in the Sabres, and the best performing team in the playoffs thus far (maybe with the exception of the Ducks) in the Senators.
Heatly, Alfredsson and Spezza make up 3 of the top 5 point-leaders in the postseason thus far (#'s 1, 4 and 3 with 14, 11, and 12 points, respectively). All three of them play on the same line for Ottawa. This should be tough matchup for the Sabres, and hopefully Lindy finds the right matchup by 19:59 of game 1.
By the way, Numminen is +8 in the playoffs, which is good for #2 in the league.
________________________
So far, for predictions, we have:
Me: Sabres in 6
Brian: Sabres in 7
Barry Melrose: Sabres in 6
Random ESPN Sportscaster who I didn't know who was talking with Melrose: Ottawa in 5.....? Seriously?
Link(s):
http://www.wehateyourteam.com/
Stole the Idea from Rob
I liked the idea of writing in a blog to comment about sports. I wanted to contribute to Rob's so I thought I had to start my own account to do so.
Consequently, it appears I've broken down when it comes to personal internet content. First it was Facebook, now it's a blog.....next, MySpace?....Fat Chance.
Consequently, it appears I've broken down when it comes to personal internet content. First it was Facebook, now it's a blog.....next, MySpace?....Fat Chance.
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