Roy, Vanek, Max Should be BENCHED

[sksteele]

That Islanders goal late in the 2nd was ridiculous! That entire Sabres line should not see the ice in the third. That was the laziest bunch of CRAP I have seen in a long time. With 10 seconds left you have two guys floating in the neutral zone waiting for the breakaway pass. Thats CRAP!!!

I'll be disappointed if Lindy puts any of those guys out in the third period. It needs to be statement time.

[Maz]

I agree, these guys are playing like pure CRAP these last two games. None of our foward on that line are playing like they are even awake!

[SHINEdown30]

Didn't Vanek score tonight?

[Proteus]

That play is on Lydman.

[Bay Side]

Your nuts....Vanek, Roy, Or Max score a few goals and your not starting this thread!!!!!

[Carl J. Ironsides]

I agree that the R-A-V line looked horrible there, but you can't bench them. They have too much scoring prowess and speed.

[JLB]

No way they sit lol.

[alphadog009]

wasn't itt numminen that threw the puck blindly up the boards

[bozman949]

Is it me or did I see Max draw not one, but TWO penalties on ONE play.

Sit your ass down and STFU.

[sksteele]

If you want to win the cup - that play CANT happen. Im not stupid I know that they scored a goal and drew a penalty, but that is not the point. No lazy team wins the cup.

[Maz]

all your points have been noted! I'm just getting excited!

[SJCI]

calm down and relax. Lydman didn't clear it, and max and vanek have been doing a good job of backchecking. They just got caught at the end. Hey we're still winning so chill, ok?

[number61]

i agree with him they should be benched...roy more than anyone though...then vanek...then max...max just has to finish...the win is nice but we shouldve had a 3-1 win

[Proteus]

You people must be high.

[Iggy72]

Well, the RAV line only got parts of 3 shifts in the 3rd. McGuire is saying that will be the big story for Game 4; will they become the 4th line.

That was Roy's worst game, and I like the guy. Max was good, but he and his line mates were at fault for Smyth's goal. I still think they play, but expect Timmy's line to get more minutes, since Mair had one of his best games, and Kotalik is still upset that he got demoted (and he's re-proving himself).

Pax.
Iggy72

[TommyV26]

Roy is playing horrible. I liked the move of Briere coming out for a little while with Tommy and Max. Roy is thisclosetobesenttothepressbox. You can't bench these guys though (excluding Roy). Tommy is playing a pretty good forecheck (and he scored) and Max is getting the puck in deep and starts swinging some momentum. Granted, that was a horrible shift at the end of the 2nd. I had this feeling once that puck didn't get out of the zone that puck was going inthe back of the net.

[MLLE2383]

Yeah, i agree, Kotalik had a MUCH better game tonight. Roy was noticebly off tonight. But people need to relax. This is only the 5th or 6th game back on the RAV line. To be honest, I say put Stafford back with Roy and Vanek and put Max with Drury and Zubrus, problem solved. The RAV line isn't effective right now so split em up. I saw quite a lot of line shuffling by Lindy anyway, so we'll see.........either way, WE ARE UP 2-1 now!!!

LETS GO BUFFALO!!!!!!!!!

[ArlieKoz13]

Pominville was out there for the Isles 2nd goal...

[JLB]

Is it me or did I see Max draw not one, but TWO penalties on ONE play.

Sit your ass down and STFU.

One was for 2 minutes and the other one was for 4 minutes awesome.

[smashingt2312]

Well i think we all know that the RAV line isnt the most defensively gifted line, but vanek had a huge goal, and max breaks through there defense quite well.

[Poz51]

On that goal, you can't blame Roy. He was deep in his zone trying to help out the defense. Heck, he threw his body in front of the puck in an attempt to block the pass from going across the crease. You also can't blame Tallinder, who was doing his job to the right of Miller. That goal, first and foremost, is on Lydman. I like Toni, but I'll admit he made an awful play with a lazy attempt to shovel the puck out of the zone. He's got to make a better play than that. As far as Max and Thomas go, you can blame them as well, but keep in mind that their momentum was probably headed up-ice as Lydman gained possession of the puck and tried to shovel it out of the zone. But somebody (either Max or TV) has got to pick up Smyth in front of the net - you can't leave a player like Smyth, let alone any player, that open when Miller is out of position.

[Iggy72]

On that goal, you can't blame Roy. He was deep in his zone trying to help out the defense. Heck, he threw his body in front of the puck in an attempt to block the pass from going across the crease. You also can't blame Tallinder, who was doing his job to the right of Miller. That goal, first and foremost, is on Lydman. I like Toni, but I'll admit he made an awful play with a lazy attempt to shovel the puck out of the zone. He's got to make a better play than that. As far as Max and Thomas go, you can blame them as well, but keep in mind that their momentum was probably headed up-ice as Lydman gained possession of the puck and tried to shovel it out of the zone. But somebody (either Max or TV) has got to pick up Smyth in front of the net - you can't leave a player like Smyth, let alone any player, that open when Miller is out of position.

I have to slightly disagree. Lydman should have backhanded it harder, but he also should have had at least one forward supporting them. All 3 forwards were at centre ice already hoping for a last minute breakout. You don't do that with less than 15 sec. in a period; it's a poor percentage play, and you leave your d and goalie out to dry. That game should have been sealed by the 3rd period, but that collective braincramp needlessly gave the Isles life.

Roy will get a demotion for Game 4; he'll get the message and improve for Game 5. Either that, or Timmy's line sees more ice time, or Briere or Zubrus (who's been great!) double shifts with Tommy and Max.

Pax,
Iggy72

[pi2000]

I have to slightly disagree. Lydman should have backhanded it harder, but he also should have had at least one forward supporting them. All 3 forwards were at centre ice already hoping for a last minute breakout. You don't do that with less than 15 sec. in a period; it's a poor percentage play, and you leave your d and goalie out to dry. That game should have been sealed by the 3rd period, but that collective braincramp needlessly gave the Isles life.

Roy will get a demotion for Game 4; he'll get the message and improve for Game 5. Either that, or Timmy's line sees more ice time, or Briere or Zubrus (who's been great!) double shifts with Tommy and Max.

Pax,
Iggy72

Granted Roy didn't make a very good play by flopping around on the ice, but Miller should have had his stick in position in the passing lane. Tallinder had his man tied up and Smyth was the only threat on the play. I was suprised that pass actually made it to Smyth. It was a great pass, give the Islanders credit.

[dasaybz]

I don't remember them being on the ice the last 10 minutes. I need to check a game log.

[Iggy72]

Granted Roy didn't make a very good play by flopping around on the ice, but Miller should have had his stick in position in the passing lane. Tallinder had his man tied up and Smyth was the only threat on the play. I was suprised that pass actually made it to Smyth. It was a great pass, give the Islanders credit.

Agreed, but if you look at the replay, Smyth was Vanek's responsability, and the puck was in by the time Tommy coasted into the play. I like Vanek, but there's no excuse for him to do that on that play.

Pax.
Iggy72

[ksl66]

Are you kidding me? Sit Roy, Vanek and Afinagenov. You must be smoking crack, this line has carried play for the past three games, they've created a ton of chances. You have to deal with a defensive lapse or a bad turnover every now and then, the reason you deal with it is because more pucks wind up in the other team's net than yours. Could they be more responsible in their own end? Hell yes, but its something you deal with. Not to mention Lydman has to get that puck out, I think he had a good game tonight but all of the D were just blindly throwing the puck up the wall too much. They have to try to make a play. Thats what their system is based on.

[bozman949]

You people must be high.

Who you callin YOU PEOPLE??? ;)

[Gooseistheman24]

Benching them is the most idiotic thing Ive heard all year. Lydmans fault anyway

[ninecarpileup]

Hopefully, they all learn from that play....It's playoff time, every decision you make is magnified by the importance of the game. They have made that same dumb play 100 times in the regular season, just gets noticed now because of the importance of the game.

[pigpen65]

Pominville was out there for the Isles 2nd goal...



The OP is correct. The goal with 8 seconds left, Lydman didn't clear, the Isle player got control, slowly brought it all the way down past the goal line, and flipped a pass to a wide open Smyth standing next to the net. If you pay attention, Max had plenty of time to come back and tie smyth up or try to get in the way of the pass. he just didn't.

[thisisfunah]

That play is on Lydman.

no it wasnt... Lydman was being pressured and had to get rid of the puck... he had no support on the wing

... still doesnt mean they should be "benched"

[thisisfunah]

wow, everyone regurgitates what they hear from each other sometimes...

the play was not ALL on Lydman! Look at what happened, he had a forchecker coming full-speed at him and he had to get rid of the puck, he was probably hoping there would be a winger in position, but max and vanek were way deep in the neutral zone... it was just bad positioning by all soon after a line change (or transition).

[ricogarion]

Does every game need a villian and a hero? Doesn't that theory make the game then one of individuals? This is a team game and there is a need to have short term memories,see mistakes happen.In hockey all members contribute to success and that team concept overcomes any individual errors.The team concept is the only way to survive the intense competition played out on the ice,its one teammate picking up another.The Sabres way!

[Thumper]

Roy was the only forward playing defense there. Lydman limp wristed the puck to the blue line.

There were a few mental mistakes there. You don't bench an entire line for 8 seconds in which they didn't back check. They've created more offensive pressure than any other line for the bulk of 3 games. Get a clue.

[hftornadoes1]

So, the RAV line cost us that goal, it happens. Lindy didn't play them as much down the stretch, case closed. You dont bench the line that is creating some of the best oppurtunities for your team.

[Larmo]

I believe it was Pommer that sat there in the crease watching and not checking... reminded me of Mr. Holzinger many moons ago against a certain Dallas player who will remain unnamed!!!

Let's not get our panties in a bunch. Good teams find ways to win when they are not on their best game. The boys will figure it all out I am sure!!!

[Iggy72]

Well, it's all about accountablility, and Ruff made the RAV line accountable by seriously reducing their minutes in the 3rd. At most, I see Roy playing on the 4th line, switching with Timmy, but no, I don't see them benched.

Pax.
Iggy72

[TRIPLE P]

Vanek has been a beast the entire series. One of the best Sabres on the ice.

Roy has turned the puck over a couple times, but thats a fluke...you don't get a top 5 +/- because you trun the puck over alot.

Max has 2 helper in 3 games... and he creates open space for guys...his shot isn't quite back yet because his wrist seems a bit weak still.

The RAV line is all on the right side of the +/- and has a 1 goal and 4 assists.

They'll be fine. The idea of benching your leading goal scorer and the rest of his line is the reason you're not an NHL coach.

[STD]

That Islanders goal late in the 2nd was ridiculous! That entire Sabres line should not see the ice in the third. That was the laziest bunch of CRAP I have seen in a long time. With 10 seconds left you have two guys floating in the neutral zone waiting for the breakaway pass. Thats CRAP!!!

I'll be disappointed if Lindy puts any of those guys out in the third period. It needs to be statement time.

Vanek finish #1 in the NHL (+47) and Roy finished 5th (+37) in +/- this season.

[voicekiller]

i dont think they should be benched but i think ruff should shake up that line a little bit...put stafford on that line with vanek and max...vanek is playing good hockey, and max, well max is max...he is damn fast and will score soon...put stafford on that line

[GG8407]

Vanek had two goals last night, Roy assisted on one.
But yeah, they should be benched.