Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

NHL Trade Deadline 2015

March 6th, 2015     Deals were made all over the NHL this year, a rare event after several slow deadline days in years past. For Edmonton, they had no intentions of making another move after acquiring goalie Brian Elliott and D Carlo Colaiacovo from St. Louis just a few weeks ago but were willing to listen to offers. Many offers came across the desk of GM Block M but only one caught his interest. The Boston Bruins called up Edmonton and offered C Rich Peverly, RW Jordan Caron, LW Chris Bourque and their 2015 1st round selection in exchange for RW Ales Hemksy, D Paul Postma, and LW Ben Eager. While the deal was contemplated for a good part of the morning, the Oilers front office ultimately decided against the deal. Deals were made though, and here is a recap of those trades.     Trade Team Players/Compensation Team Players/Compensation 2015 4th round pick and 2015 5th round pick G Anton Khubodin     Trade Team Players/Compensation Team Players/Compensation RW Eric Fehr and D Matt Donovan C Andrew Desjardins, 2015 1st round pick and 2015 3rd round pick     Trade Team Players/Compensation Team Players/Compensation LW Eric Wellwood 2015 4th round pick and 2016 4th round pick     Trade Team Players/Compensation Team Players/Compensation 2015 2nd round pick C Mathieu Aubin and 2015 2nd round pick     Trade Team Players/Compensation Team Players/Compensation D Kyle Hope and LW Trevor Peterson G Curtis McElhinney, 2015 4th round pick and 2015 4th round pick     Trade Team Players/Compensation Team Players/Compensation LW Justin Soryal and 2016 3rd round pick 2015 2nd round pick     Trade Team Players/Compensation Team Players/Compensation LW Raffi Torres, D Mark Stone and LW Scott Parse RW Matthew Halischuk, C Steven Pinizzotto and 2015 1st round pick

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

2014-2015 Block 8 Update: 40-38-2, 10th in WC

Blaker Wheeler's hat-trick against San Jose was big but Edmonton is stumbling towards the finsih line. Bumpy Ride To The Finish Line Edmonton, Alberta, Canada April 9th, 2015     All year long Edmonton has showed signs of brilliance with young talent every which way you look. The inexperienced bunch just often followed up any good with a lot of bad as the team was stuck around .500 the entire year. Needing as many point as they could manage in their final 12 games of the year you saw some good, such as a Blake Wheeler hat-trick against San Jose, but more bad. Edmonton stumbled in the key games going 4-5-1 over their last ten games setting up a rather tough scenario to get into the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. After managing just the nine points Edmonton sits in 10th place, two points behind a three way tie for 7th place between Colorado, St. Louis and Dallas. Colorado and Edmonton both have two games left, Dallas just one, and St. Louis three. At the moment all four teams hold 34 regulation or overtime wins, the tie-breaker sure to come into play. After an up and down season for Edmonton the task at hand may seem like an unlikely one but for a team that has missed the playoffs the past seven years the true identity of this team should finally be revealed in the next two games. Oilers Team Leaders Points J. Eberle (67) Goals J. Eberle (30) Assists S. Gagner (43) Wins B. Elliott (10) Oilers Injuries D Ryan Whitney Jaw Expected to miss a week. Oilers Roster Moves D Brian Strait - Called up from Oklahoma City on April 8th NHL Standings April 9th, 2015 Team Pts Team Pts 1 116 109 2 95 104 3 93 92 4 96 97 5 93 94 6 88 92 7 84 92 8 84 89 9 84 88 10 82 83 11 80 82 12 77 82 13 69 79 14 67 79 15 67 65 NHL Stat Leaders April 9th, 2015 G   Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay 56 A   Mikko Koivu, Minnesota 69 P   Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay 105 GAA   Pekka Rinne, Nashville 1.95 S%   Pekka Rinne, Nashville .931 W   Pekka Rinne, Nashville 44

 

March 18th, 2015 at Jobing.com Arena (36-34-1) OILERS L 3-4 (33-38-1) COYOTES Goal Scorers Blake Wheeler (10) Gagner, Peckham Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (11) Schultz Ryan Whitney (7) Schultz, Paajarvi Loss Brian Elliott (6-5)	March 20th, 2015 at HP Pavilion (37-34-1) OILERS W 7-3 (38-26-7) SHARKS Goal Scorers Blake Wheeler (11) Schultz, Nugent-Hopkins Nick Schultz (9) Paajarvi, Nugent-Hopkins Jordan Eberle (30) Gagner, Hall Sam Gagner (20) Eberle, Schultz Ladislav Smid (4) Peckham, Wheeler Blake Wheeler (12) Paajarvi, Peckham Blake Wheeler (13) Nugent-Hopkins Win Brian Elliott (7-5)
March 25th, 2015 at Rexall Place (36-35-3) AVALANCHE W 0-3 (38-34-1) OILERS Goal Scorers Taylor Hall (27) Gagner, Schultz Colten Teubert (1) Engelland, Wheeler Ryan Whitney (8) Hall Win Brian Elliott (8-5)	March 27th, 2015 at Bridgestone Arena (38-35-1) OILERS L 0-3 (54-21-2) PREDATORS Goal Scorers N/A Loss Brian Elliott (8-6)
March 29th, 2015 at Staples Center (38-36-1) OILERS L 1-4 (40-29-7) KINGS Goal Scorers Theo Peckham (8) Nugent-Hopkins Loss Brian Elliott (8-7)	March 31st, 2015 at Scottrade Center (38-37-1) OILERS L 1-4 (36-33-6) BLUES Goal Scorers Magnus Paajarvi (21) Wheeler, Nugent-Hopkins Loss Brian Elliott (8-8)
April 1st, 2015 at Pepsi Center (38-38-1) OILERS L 0-5 (38-36-4) AVALANCHE Goal Scorers N/A Loss Brian Elliott (8-9)	April 3rd, 2015 at Xcel Energy Center (38-38-2) OILERS SOL 3-4 (33-34-9) WILD Goal Scorers Ales Hemsky (10) Teubert, Smid Taylor Hall (28) Eberle, Gagner Theo Peckham (9) Jones, Tarnasky Brian Elliott (8-9)
April 6th, 2015 at Rexall Place (40-29-12) JETS W 4-6 (39-38-2) OILERS Goal Scorers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (12) Wheeler, Whitney Blake Wheeler (14) Engelland, Paajarvi Sam Gagner (22) Whitney, Hall Magnus Paajarvi (22) Nugent-Hopkins, Whitney Colten Teubert (2) Wheeler, Paajarvi Theo Peckham (10) Gagner Win Brian Elliott (9-9)	April 8th, 2015 at Rexall Place (43-32-6) CANUCKS W 1-6 (40-38-2) OILERS Goal Scorers Theo Peckham (11) Smid, Paajarvi Taylor Hall (29) Eberle, Schultz Mike Willis (6) Jones, Tarnasky Taylor Hall (30) Eberle, Schultz Sam Gagner (23) Hall Ryan Jones (7) Willis Win Brian Elliott (10-9)

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

Jumping For Joy In Edmonton As Oilers Stay Alive

April 10th, 2015 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada     It was a must-win for the Edmonton Oilers to keep pace with the 8th spot in the Western Conference currently held by St. Louis. The Blues had a game in hand entering this night but lost it with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Islanders. This told the Oilers their destiny is in their control sitting two points behind St. Louis. With the same amount of regulation or overtime wins if Edmonton beat Montreal no matter what happened in the Blues' 81st game of the season they would remain within two points of the Blues heading into their season ending matchup. Against Montreal the Oilers took control with a 2-1 lead in the middle of the game but would eventually lose it after defender Nick Schultz was charged with a game misconduct. This gave Montreal a five minute powerplay and Tomas Plekanec would score on the first shot of the man advantage. Edmonton would kill off the rest of the penalty and get to the third period tied 2-2. In the third period Montreal would put the pressure on Edmonton with a goal to go ahead 3-2 but an unlikely hero emerged with Edmonton down their top two defensemen. Nick Schultz was out due to his penalty earlier and Ryan Whitney was a game time decision with a jaw issue. His replacement was D Brian Strait from Oklahoma City and in his first game of the season he scored his first goal of the season to tie the game at 3-3. The game would eventually head to overtime where Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would score lucky number 13 to give Edmonton the full two points and keep their playoff hopes alive. April 10th, 2015 at Rexall Place (38-34-7) CANADIENS OTW 3-4 (41-38-2) OILERS Goal Scorers Magnus Paajarvi (23) Wheeler, Peckham Blake Wheeler (15) Engelland Brian Strait (1) Nugent-Hopkins Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (13) Hall, Elliott Win Brian Elliott (11-9)

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

The Scenario Entering The Final Game As Oilers Try To End 8-Year Playoff Absence

April 13th, 2015 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada     Some may say that the playoffs do not start until the 16th. They would be wrong. 15 of the 16 designated playoff spots are safe and secure. All eight in the Eastern Conference but just seven in the Western Conference. At the moment the standings read like this... 8th - St. Louis 86 pts, 36 ROW, 1 GR 9th - Dallas 86 pts, 35 ROW, 0 GR 10th - Edmonton 84pts, 36 ROW, 1 GR So the playoffs have begun a few days early as the last spot in the playoffs will all depend on how the Oilers/Blues clash plays out at Rexall Place tomorrow night. Dallas is ahead of Edmonton in the standings but is eliminated after St. Louis secured a 5-4 win over Philadelphia to draw even in points with the Stars. By winning more games in regulation or overtime they have eliminated the Stars. Dallas has been eliminated on the final days of the regular season in back-to-back years now. All 10th place Edmonton has to do on the other hand is win in regulation to send the Blues home and punch their ticket to Nashville for the first round of the playoffs. If the game goes to extra time the point would send St. Louis to the playoffs regardless of the result of the game. This scenario is a little reminiscent for Oilers GM Block M. In his first year as a GM in the NHL his Buffalo Sabres needed just one win in the last game of the season to enter the playoffs after several variables all fell their way as the season neared it's end. This time Block M's team has a little more control over their own situation in his first year as Oilers GM. "It's a nerve racking time but this is why those men play the game, for moments such as this," said Block M. "We haven't been to the playoffs in eight years and one win and we are win. You dream up scenarios like this playing hockey in the back yard as a kid." The storylines continue as starting goaltender Brian Elliott will be facing his former team in the season finale and can personally send the Blues packing with a stellar performance. "It'd be great to be responsible for the end of their season," stated Elliott at practice earlier today. "I spent a lot of years there and love a lot of guys in that locker room but I was never given a real shot to start. So I can prove them wrong tomorrow night." The fate of two teams will be determined with the puck dropping at 8PM Pacific tomorrow night at Rexall Place.

[bthomp05]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

Good luck buddy.

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

8 Years Of Misery Ended! Oilers Playoff Bound!

April 14th, 2015 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada     It all came down to this and boy did the Edmonton Oilers know it. Edmonton came out with a fire that had little chance to be matched scoring on their first two shots of the game. Taylor Hall would score the first one and Sam Gagner would soon follow as the Oilers heaped all the pressure on St. Louis. Sam Gagner would score again to put Edmonton ahead 3-0 on the Oilers' seventh shot of the period. The dagger for Jaroslav Halak and the Blues came when Edmonton winger Magnus Paajarvi broke free on a breakaway. He deked right, then went left and put the puck past a sprawled out Halak for a 4-0 first period lead. Halak would be pulled at the first intermission in favor of Jake Allen who would stop the goal scoring frenzy for a period. St. Louis would get on the board in the middle frame cutting the Edmonton lead to 4-1 but two Edmonton goals in the third period would make it official. Wheeler scored his 16th of the season scoring five-hole on Allen and defensemen Theo Peckham would tack on the sixth goal of the game. A very late St. Louis goal would make the final score 6-2 as an up and down season on the plains came to an end in triumph. Edmonton must quickly turn around and prepare for the playoffs as they will begin on the 16th at Nashville. April 14th, 2015 at Rexall Place (40-36-6) BLUES W 2-6 (42-38-2) OILERS Goal Scorers Taylor Hall (31) Eberle, Gagner Sam Gagner (24) Hall Sam Gagner (25) Smid Magnus Paajarvi (24) Wheeler Blaker Wheeler (16) Paajarvi Theo Peckham (12) Smid, Gagner Win Brian Elliott (12-9)

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

Nashville Takes Presidents' Trophy; Detroit Makes It 24 Straight Years

While one Central Division team was knocked out on the last day of the season, three others are heading to the playoffs. Nashville was the best team in the NHL all season long and easily secured the Presidents' Trophy with 118 points. Next closest was top seed Buffalo in the Eastern Conference with 111 points. Chicago and Detroit will also be joining Nashville. After spending much of the year outside looking in Detroit has made it 24 straight years of playoff hockey. It will be a year of rematches in the Eastern Conference as Buffalo/Toronto and New Jersey/Pittsburgh will go at it again in the first round of the playoffs. Buffalo and New Jersey advanced last season. The dynasty that is Winnipeg was outside the playoff picture with just a few weeks left but climbed the standings and clinched another title by winning the Southeast Division taking the crown away from Florida who held the top spot for much of the year. The Jets will begin their back-to-back Stanley Cup Championship defense with Boston, who won back-to-back Stanley Cups the two years before Winnipeg did. 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Stanley Cup Finals                                 NHL Standings April 15th, 2015 Team Pts Team Pts 1 118 111 2 101 108 3 97 94 4 98 98 5 96 96 6 90 94 7 88 92 8 86 91 9 86 88 10 86 87 11 84 83 12 83 83 13 72 80 14 71 79 15 69 67

[johnnyrocks]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

It will be a tough time facing against I think the Nashville Predators.

Nashville, Pekka Rinne is like a brick wall in the game so good luck!

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

It will be a tough time facing against I think the Nashville Predators.

Nashville, Pekka Rinne is like a brick wall in the game so good luck!

Sure will, the only thing I have going for me is the fact that the 8 seed in the West has beat the 1 seed every year of this dynasty so far. We'll see.

[johnnyrocks]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

Sure will, the only thing I have going for me is the fact that the 8 seed in the West has beat the 1 seed every year of this dynasty so far. We'll see.

It proves that anything can happen in the playoffs, I'm rooting for you, don't fall down like you did against Buffalo, who cares about Buffalo right now, just win!

[seb170455]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

Pffff...close. Now you'll have to go for antoher upset. Good luck.

[bthomp05]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

What a way to finish... Good luck my friend in round one..

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

Thanks guys, it was definitely thrilling and we got the help we needed from the New York Islanders of all teams to put control back in our hands and we handled business. Now the sure to be Vezina winner Pekka Rinne and the best blue line pairing (Suter, Weber) in the league. Oh boy...

[Block M]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

WCQ: (1) Nashville vs (8) Edmonton Preview

Regular Season Series Date Result Location Nov. 14th Nashville 2, Edmonton 0 Edmonton Nov. 16th Edmonton 3, Nashville 1 Edmonton Dec. 15th Edmonton 4, Nashville 1 Nashville Mar. 27th Nashville 3, Edmonton 0 Nashville   Team Stats Final Record 58-22-2 42-38-2 Goals For 270 (1st) 231 (5th) Goals Against 182 (1st) 234 (12th) PP % 21.1% (2nd) 15.6% (13th) PK % 86.2% (2nd) 76.2% (15th) Home Record 30-10-1 25-16-0 Road Record 28-12-1 17-22-2   Player Stats Goals Andrei Kostitsyn (38) Taylor Hall (31) Assists Shea Weber (45) Sam Gagner (45) Points Andrei Kostitsyn (70) Sam Gagner (70) Goalie Pekka Rinne Brian Elliott Wins 45 12 GAA 1.92 2.77 Save % .933 .890

[bthomp05]

Re: Block M's Buffalo Sabres (NHL 12)

Good luck against the Preds, a formible foe..