Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

McVP

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Jamie McBain is top-15 in the NHL in scoring. As a defenseman. He's also a +21, more than twice as many goals as the next D-man (Cam Fowler), and on pace to become the first D to score 35+ goals since Paul Coffey (48) in 1985-86.

Most importantly, he's been the one constant on a Buffalo Sabres team that's been wracked by injuries and inconsistent play.

McBain is tied for first on the team in points, along with first-line center Tyler Ennis. He's also one goal behind team leader Evander Kane, who has 28. He's made his teammates better: Mike Weber, who last year had 15 points (1 goal), now has 27 (4 goals) in far fewer games.

Coast to coast, set-up at the point, McBain has arguable been the anchor of an offense that's lost nearly every player to injury for some time.

Speaking of losing a player for some time, 1st-line D-man Christian Ehrhoff was lost to a concussion for 3 months. He led the team last year with 40 points (2 goals). This year, he had 10. McBain and Weber stepped up and are now the #1 defensive pair for the Sabres.

McBain also leads the team in blocked shots; he's second in game-winning goals, second in powerplay goals....

The Norris Trophy should be a lock. But is the Hart?

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Sabres Win Roscosuper-AJ113 Battle 2-1
Jamie McBain had a power-play goal and an assist as the Sabres beat the relling Islanders 2-1. Marcus Foglino scored the game-winner on a sweet backhander on a breakaway. Ray Emery made 23 saves, while Rick DiPietro made 33.

Simmed three games: 2W, 1 OTL. Reason: DUUUUUKE!!

Emery Makes 30 Saves in 2-1 Win Over Blackhawks
Ray Emery made 30 saves, only allowing a Dylan Olsen goal, and Mark Pysyk had two assists as the Sabres won the 62nd game of the season. Corey Crawford made 25 saves. Luke Adam (with 0.3 left in the first) and Marcus Foglino (game-winning SHG) scored for Buffalo.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

1-2 more games before the deadline. Going to do it in a different style this year; also hoping for a LOT more action, as those of you consistently following know that last year's deadline was DULL and BORING.

Sabres Deadline Prep:

Players on the Bubble:
RW Corey Tropp: He's only put up 4 points in around 20 games, and has been a healthy scratch for most of the season. Likely destination: Columbus, for a 5th rounder.

D Alexander Sulzer: While Sulzer's played every game this year, he's been merely OK. The Sabres have a nice cadre of young D-men, so they should jump at a good offer. Likely destination: Pittsburgh, for a 4th and 6th round pick.

G Connor Knapp OR G Nathan Lieuwen: Andrei Makarov, Eddie Pasquale, and Sebastien Auger are the clear future in goal for Buffalo. These two are young and have some trade value. (However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ray Emery make an exit: his trade value has SHOT UP and he's an FA next year; but the Sabres would have to get a REALLY good deal.)

What to Look For:
Last year saw more action months before the deadline than at the deadline itself. A couple of big names were moved early: Marty St. Louis went to Ottawa, etc. At the deadline, a number of first round picks were moved around.

With some aging teams, or some highly-regarded teams finding themselves at the bottom of the standings, look for some big contract dumping. The Canucks, last year's champs, are going nowhere this year and have big contracts to get rid of. The Penguins also have giant contracts and a bad record.

Most Interesting Trade That Should But Won't Happen:
Canucks trade G Roberto Luongo to the New York Islanders for a 1st Rounder in 2014 and a 3rd Rounder in 2016.

'Nucks dump a major contract for some good picks to enliven their minors' depth; Isles get a legitimate No. 1 goalie for a playoff run.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

SInce my team IRL just swept the #1 seed in the semifinals, I've got the hockey itch back, so I'll resume this Saturday night.'

Less than 20 games left! Playoff stretch time.

Trade Deadline spoiler #1:

Spoiler

Backstrom says goodbye to Minny at the deadline.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Another crappy trade deadline goes by during Akilles Yurevich's time as Sabres GM.
4 Trades!! Two by me!!! 1 of note!!!

Lighting and someone (Stars, Sens?) flip two low level minors players.
Trade 1: Corey Tropp says goodbye for a Senators' 3rd
Trade 2: low level minors guy for low level minors goalie.

And:
MIN trade Niklas Backstrom
DET trades 2015 1st round pick.



I'll get to the two games before the deadline next.

Good news! For our next game, against league-leading EDMONTON, Moulson and Kucherov are back!!



EDIT: Post 200. Thanks y'all for following!
Speaking of which, is anyone following?

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Emery Shuts Out Coyotes in 2-0 Win
Ray Emery made 26 saves and Evander Kane scored as the Sabres beat Phoenix.

Carter's Two Points Help Kings In Rare 3-1 Win
Jeff Carter had a goal and an assist in a rare win for the NHL-worst Kings. Martin Jones made 26 saves on 27 shots. Johan Larsson scored for the Sabres.

Eberle Scores Twice, One in OT For 3-2 Win
The NHL-leading Edmonton Oilers beat the Sabres 3-2 behind Jordan Eberle's two goals, one of which was a game-winner in OT. Ray Emery made 23 saves in the loss. Matt Moulson scored in his fist game back, while Colton Sceviour also scored for Buffalo.

Pasquale Leads Buffalo Past Ottawa 3-1
Eddie Pasquale was money in Buffalo's 3-1 win over division-leading Ottawa, recording 38 saves and allowing only a PP goal to Erik Karlsson. Craig Anderson made 21 saves. Tyler Myers (PP goal), Evander Kane (game-winner), and Matt Moulson (EN goal) scored for the Sabres.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Sabres Launch New Campaign Against Smoking

GM Akilles Yurevich has gone one step further in the crusade against smoking.

All spectators will be passed through a device that, similar to a metal detector, detects cigarettes and/or lighters. The owners will be forced to part with their smoking devices and given nicotine gum instead.

Yurevich:

I think that the Sabres, as much as any person, should do their part against smoking. That's why we've installed this new measure; hopefully our fans will realize the benefits and stop smoking.

The Sabres will now sell nicotine gum, though smokers will be given a free pack upon entrance.

Comissioner Gary Bettman:

It's a step forward to abolish smoking. Maybe smokers will be locked out! Ha, just kidding.

The plan will go into effect on March 19th.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Ennis' Three-Point Night Leads To 4-3 Win
Tyler Ennis had two goals and an assist as the Sabres held off the pesky Maple Leafs for a big divisional win. Evander Kane and Drew Stafford also scored for Buffalo, while James van Riemsdyk had a goal and an assist. Ray Emery made 29 saves in the win.

Emery Helps Sabres To 3-1 Win Over Reeling Bruins
Ray Emery allowed a goal on Boston's first shot, a David Krejci wrap-around, but proceeded to make the next 24 saves in the win. Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Ennis, and Marcus Foglino each scored for Buffalo.

14 Games to Play:

1. Ottawa Senators—86 Pts
2. Buffalo Sabres—84 Pts
3. Montreal Canadiens—83 Pts
4. Toronto Maple Leafs—77 Pts
5. Florida Panthers—77 Pts
6. Detroit Red Wings_73 Pts
7. Boston Bruins—68 Pts

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

So I finished the regular season.

Buffalo Sabres Stats - 2014-15
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
Luke Adam	77	15	10	25	+11	1	57	106	14.15
Christian Ehrhoff	50	5	7	12	+5	0	33	40	12.50
Tyler Ennis	79	26	42	68	+24	7	42	242	10.74
Marcus Foglino	82	15	14	29	+10	4	150	189	7.94
Cody Hodgson	47	6	18	24	-9	0	51	105	5.71
Evander Kane	82	39	28	67	+21	5	159	334	11.68
Leo Komarov	79	6	11	17	+5	3	53	65	9.23
Nikita Kucherov	55	12	24	36	+14	2	12	125	9.60
Johan Larsson	44	4	2	6	-7	1	8	53	7.55
Jamie McBain	82	30	34	64	+15	3	48	236	12.71
Matt Moulson	72	25	31	56	+23	4	36	230	10.87
Tyler Myers	75	4	18	22	+2	0	187	67	5.97
Dennis Persson	35	0	4	4	+8	0	27	10	0.00
Kevin Porter	82	7	10	17	-2	5	23	77	9.09
Mark Pysyk	77	5	19	24	+18	0	39	37	13.51
Colton Sceviour	81	7	8	15	Even	0	22	81	8.64
Drew Stafford	82	20	27	47	+3	2	171	233	8.58
Alexander Sulzer	82	2	12	14	+25	0	26	42	4.76
Mike Weber	80	5	31	36	+9	1	110	63	7.94
Mats Zuccarello	72	8	20	28	+22	3	16	113	7.08
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
Ray Emery	66	32	26	5	2.70	3930	1773	90.92	5
Eddie Pasquale	18	10	6	1	2.55	1036	459	91.25	1

Most Goals: Kane with 39 (same as Moulson last year)
Most Assists: Ennis with 42 (2 more than Ehrhoff last year)
Best +/-: Ennis at +24
Best SPCT: Luke Adam at 14.15%

Biggest Breakout: Tie—Jamie McBain and Tyler Ennis
Biggest Bust: Tie: Ehrhoff and Hodgson.

Most pressing story: Injuries. Only 6 guys—out of around 28 played all 82 games.

I'm excited to see how Kane, Ennis, McBain, Weber, Kucherov and Pysyk improve.

But that will have to wait—

MADE THE PLAYOFFS!! (First round: vs #1 New Jersey)

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Sabres' Playoff Future Looking Black and Red
Devils Take First 3 Games

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The Buffalo Sabres dropped the first three games of their first round series against #1 seed New Jersey. Cory Schneider has been magnificent in net... and Buffalo's goalies have not.

Game 1: 3-1 loss
Game 2: 4-1 loss
Game 3: 5-4 loss (OT)

In each game, the Sabres have amassed major PIMs and a game misconduct in all. Funnily enough, the recipient of the Misconduct has scored the next game. Luke Adam scored after a Game Misconduct, Cody Hodgson did likewise.

The Sabres have also been hitting machines; they notched a playoff-record 56 hits in game 2. Every game they have landed 35+ hits, a clear testament to frustration. Travis Zajac has scored more points than the Sabres have scored goals, as Zajac has 7... on a line with ex-Sabre Ville Leino.

New Jersey's Lotikonov struck a dagger through Buffalo's heart in game 3, when he beat Eddie Pasquale in OT.

It's looking as if Buffalo's first playoff appearance under Akilles Yurevich will be a short one.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Not (1-3)... Dead (2-3)... Yet!!! (3-3)


Sabres not done as they even series at 3

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The Sabres, after three more extremely hard-fought games, have a chance to become the lowest seed to ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. But the Devils have also won 3 straight this series — it just gets tougher.

Game 4: 4-1 win
Game 5: 7-4 win
Game 6: 3-2 win

WHAT A SERIES. Tyler Ennis leads all playoff players with 13 points (10 points). Every single line is chipping in. Johan Larsson (4th line LW, played 24 NHL games) has as many key goals as Evander Kane (1st line LW, played all 82 games w/39 goals) does. The defense is punishing, the offense is clicking... can they do it???

[AntiBandwagoner]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

Unreal comeback!

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

GAME 7—DO OR DIE

Live updates by period...

1st Period

This is it. Too bad EA doesn't care about presentation. Pre-game storyline: Series Up For Grabs. And it is.

NJ wins the faceoff, lose it in the neutral zone, Buffalo's Stafford takes an early shot. That seems to be the Sabres' gameplan, shoot a TON on Cory Schneider and be very physical with New Jersey's forwards.
A penalty on Buffalo: Ehrhoff off for 2 minutes, cross-checking. As the penalty expires, with no damage done, Weber dumps it in. Kane wins the puck, cycles around the net, passes in front, GOAL!!!!!! The streaking Luke Adam, third line center who's been superb this series, one-times it before he gets crushed by Volchenkov. Score at the end of the period: 1-0, Buffalo

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

2nd Period

40 minutes left. Not much action, both teams playing extremely cautiously, not wanting to give up an odd man rush. Most of the shots come from the point, some blocked, some saved easily. A couple penalties, nothing doing on the PP as both teams are killer defenders from sheer desperation. On a Buffalo PP, the puck is cleared off the faceoff, hits Mark Pysyk in the skate and deflects away. He gets it, passes it up to Mats Zuccarello who gets an edge on the defense, tries to power it in, is stuffed... but Foglino puts in the rebound! GOAL!!! The Devils finally overcome the stifling D and Ville Leio hammers home a rebound—GOAL!!! Score at the end of two periods: Sabres 2, Devils 1

20 minutes left for one team's season.

[AdamJones113]

Re: Menin Aeide Thea—A Buffalo Sabres Dynasty

3rd Period—DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

YES!!

Evander Kane added the lone 3rd period goal as Buffalo pulled off only the 4th 3-0 comeback, first by a lowest seed.

What series by these boys, never got down and fought so hard. They deserved it. On to New York!!

—GM Akilles Yurevich

It's incredible. You're down 3-0 to a better team on paper. Then, to come back and win... that 1st goal felt unbelievable.

—C Luke Adam, who scored Buffalo's first goal

We just let it slip away. Cory stood on his head the entire series, it's obviously very disappointing, thought the team could do so much more, congratulations to Buffalo.

—G Martin Brodeur, who did not play a game

Congratulations to the Sabres. They will play the New York Rangers in the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

—Commissioner Gary Bettman

Other 1st-round winners (don't remember all now): Chicago, Minnesota, Ottawa, Toronto, New York