Official Sabres-Wild game thread

[ckg68]

Just a couple of notes...

*Even though Mark Parrish was lost in last night's game due to a leg injury,the Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes that he says he'll be in the lineup for tonight's game.

*The St.Paul Pioneer Press reports that Wild head coach Jacques Lemaire isn't saying who'll be in the net for Minnesota;Niklas Backstrom was in goal last night for the Wild's 2-1 win over Boston. Manny Fernandez hasn't been between the pipes in nearly a month and a half.

*Wes Walz was a surprise scratch from last night's game due to the infamous "upper body injury".

[noocllez]

bummer about the Connolly situation...

did not enjoy reading that article first thing this morning at work...

hope the boys can get out there and rebound tonight... i hope they've been practicing, because the chemistry was just NOT there last game. I know the Avs were playing for their lives... but we could have easily won that game with just a bit more effort.

on a lighter note, i hope we RIP THE WILD LIMB FROM LIMB!!!


GO SABS!

[ckg68]

Minny's playing more for positioning in the playoffs than anything else. Put it this way: a team in the West who wants in has to make one hell of a run and hope that either the Wild or Calgary tanks spectacularly. Jacques Lemaire told his team to basically,worry about their own business and stop scoreboard watching.

[Bay Side]

Looks like:
Fernandez vs, Conklin

http://www.hockeyinformer.com/web/fantasy/goalies/index.shtml

[JLB]

Looks like:
Fernandez vs, Conklin

http://www.hockeyinformer.com/web/fantasy/goalies/index.shtml

I hope that's true.

Go Sabres!

[ckg68]

Conklin was to be expected;Fernandez less so.

[M76]

yea graham on buffalonews thinks its gonna be conklin tonight too

[gibbons]

Sportsline says miller in net. Is it?

[Drury23]

Miller in net

[beTough54]

Already 2-0 Wild, Miller is playing like shit again. He's getting severely outplayed by some no name rookie.

[Matt]

Josh Harding vs. Ryan Miller.

In my opinion there's absolutely no reason for Miller to be in net tonight. You don't want to wear him out. Exactly how important are these two points?

[Matt]

Already 2-0 Wild, Miller is playing like shit again. He's getting severely outplayed by some no name rookie.

There's a good chance Miller is just tired. He's got to be getting tired. I'm not concerned with the type of goals Miller has been giving up lately -- because frankly they're softies, and I don't expect him to give up softies in the playoffs. But Miller gives up A LOT of rebounds, because part of his style of play is to try and direct the puck off of shots in corners, and wearing him out now is only going to make his reaction time on those rebounds slower come late April.

[beTough54]

I've never seen him have two bad games in a row regardless of how "tired" he might be. There is no excuse for this crap from him.

I agree that Conklin starting tomorrow is kind of a surprise, but I trust Lindy to know what he is doing. The Sabres are certainly getting the chances offensively, we'll have to see how the 2nd and 3rd periods play out.

[beTough54]

Miller has calmed down a bit in the 2nd fortunately. It looks like it is one of those nights where the other goalie is just lucky/ridiculous though :(

[beTough54]

As noted by JL, Ryan finally is off the Drury/Zubrus line and has been replaced by MacArthur. That line has been the Sabres' best tonight.

[beTough54]

After an entire game of letting everything go, the Refs call the Wild for the most minor hook ever. Sigh. Be consistent out there, zebras.

Sabres to the first PP of the game for either team with 7:46 left in the 2nd.

[beTough54]

Hecht hits the post.

[beTough54]

PP over lots of good chances.

Gaborik takes a dive and they call a penalty shot. What a piece of shit officiating crew.

[beTough54]

Miller with a GREAT stop on the penalty shot... time to tip this game the other direction Sabres.

[beTough54]

Briere is having a great game, even with all the hooks and holds he has had to fight through.

[beTough54]

MacArthur/Zubrus/Drury is working so well you wonder why Lindy didn't do it sooner or think of it earlier.

[beTough54]

JL questioning the fans for "piling on" Numminen.

[beTough54]

Sabres getting some boos at the end of 2.

[Matt]

The booing still bugs me.

[gibbons]

Hey you cheer when they are great, you boo when they ain't

[buffalofan19]

MacArthur/Zubrus/Drury is working so well you wonder why Lindy didn't do it sooner or think of it earlier.

I keep seeing Ryan with Stafford and Roy though. Is Vanek hurt?

[Matt]

He's been out there. Playing crappy though. Gave up the turnover that ultimately resulted in the penalty shot.

[beTough54]

I suspect Vanek is being punished for the giveaway that led to Gaborik's breakaway.

[beTough54]

Well, the Miller of 1st period is back. 3-0 Wild.

[beTough54]

Kaleta drops the gloves, loses.

[beTough54]

At this point it's probably time to start looking for the moral victory of spoiling the shutout.

[beTough54]

One stupid pass too many from Roy ends a good offensive chance. Looks like Vanek is back out there with Roy and Stafford.

[beTough54]

4-0 Wild on a goal from Keith Carney. Keith ****ing Carney.

Really, it is Lindy's first big tactical mistake in a while. Miller shouldn't have started this game.

Conklin comes into the net to a rousing cheer... weird.

[beTough54]

Haha, big cheers for every save by Conklin. It's kind of cute.

[beTough54]

Carney tackles Roy away from the puck, no call.

[paulsinator]

Miller just can't steal a game for his team. Biron had a better winning percentage than Miller. Cam Ward in the playoffs....Harding tonight....someone else soon

[beTough54]

Conklin with a few good saves.

[beTough54]

Less than 6 left to spoil the shutout.

[beTough54]

SOG

Buffalo 33
Minnesota 30

[beTough54]

Ryan!

What a great play by Ryan, he's off my shitlist for now.

SHUTOUT RUINED, BITCH.

[beTough54]

Gaborik to the box for hooking... interesting.

[beTough54]

The Wild take ANOTHER penalty... 5x3 coming up for almost a full two minutes. VERY interesting.

Boy, if you wanted ammo to say the NHL was fixed to make games close......

[beTough54]

What an embarrasing 5x3 to close the game. One single shot, and a SHG breakaway goal to end the game. I wish we had the players to bench people, because that is the sort of thing that should happen after a crapfest like this.

I want Miller to sit until Conklin loses. He is the centerpiece to this team, and he doesn't seem to care anymore.

[Iggy72]

Wow, sounded like one of those nights...

Pax.
Iggy72

[gibbons]

You wonder with Marty gone does Miller think he's got it made.