Question for those of you that watched the Bruins game yesterday.

[JMNY83]

I have a question for those of you that watched the Bruins game yesterday. Why can't we play 60 minutes of hockey like we played for the last minute in the 3rd and how we did in OT? Obviously the Sabres have it in them to play like the Sabres of old, so whats the problem? Are we just lazy or did someone step up as a leader and kick the team into gear?

[jlpubarch]

They played at least 45 mins. of hockey. They looked better than most games this year.

[bduff54]

if they played 60 minutes like that they would win every game 12-0.

[atomheart]

That was exactly the case last year too. The answer is... There are two teams out there... They are all professional athletes. You can't expect your team to dominate for an entire game.

[Thumper]

Its impossible to play every single game like they played in the last minute last night against the Bruins. They'd never be able to finish a 3rd period. Last season, when they were rolling 4 lines, our guys had the legs by the end of the night. The opposition couldn't keep up with them late in the 3rd. It was kind of like a rope-a-dope style of hockey some nights.....They'd just roll 4 lines, keep shifts short, none of them would play like chickens with their heads cut off. A lot of the time, the opposition was trying to keep up with the speed, and trying to get on top early. They did that a lot, but the '06-'07 Sabres team would always storm back late in the game. Fatigue of the oppostion had a ton to do with that. But I'm with you, JMNY. This season, they need to be giving more of an more honest effort every night....They're unable to roll 4 lines this year, and without Briere and Drury, the pure goalscoring talent isn't on every line anymore.

[foster]

The team had to make a choice of whether to fix the "team" defense or offense first. It looks as though they went to fix the defense first.

Montreal - Boston 3GA in 2 games. with a Big focus on forwards coming back and play in their own zone.

Now that they have the D under control they can start to add offense back into their game. Having the Leafs up next should help.

[CBennett]

The team had to make a choice of whether to fix the "team" defense or offense first. It looks as though they went to fix the defense first.

IMO they actually have NOT "fixed" anything. They could have in the off season but chose NOT to. This is the same D that they had last year and the same O...well MINUS their 2 best players who they did not bother to replace points(yeah Stafford is looking REAL sharp) wise or leadership wise.

[TheAnswer74]

I know its hard to understand, but sometimes the other team plays well also.

[charbs]

Yea I think that Boston played a great game up until the end of the third.

[Fallsnative]

There is no "on-ice" leadership right now for the offense. No one player is hitting, and driving into the corners, and working his ass off. Not one player is doing that. The team lost leadership when we lost Drury, he was the defacto leader. The players dont see THAT guy giving it all he has each and every play and the Sabres are in desperate need of someone to step up and be "that" guy.

[CrazzyLegs10]

the end of the third was a PP, so of course we're going to look good but you know what, WE CAN'T SCORE LATE IN THE THIRD TO WIN THE GAME ON A PP!, it happened vs OTT in game 5, PP to end the game, NO DICE! and of course we look good in OT, we have a very quick team

[pi2000]

It's Ruff's fault. Everybody here is so afraid to criticize him, but the fact is, it's his responsibility to get his players to put out a 60m effort, not 10, not 20, not 59, but 60 full minutes. He's not getting it done.

[Sabres Cutie]

Well I posted a sign on the Verizon ribbon advertising inbetween 200 and 300 that said 60 min EFFORT.

At least we got some effort :)

[JLB]

Its impossible to play every single game like they played in the last minute last night against the Bruins. They'd never be able to finish a 3rd period. Last season, when they were rolling 4 lines, our guys had the legs by the end of the night. The opposition couldn't keep up with them late in the 3rd. It was kind of like a rope-a-dope style of hockey some nights.....They'd just roll 4 lines, keep shifts short, none of them would play like chickens with their heads cut off. A lot of the time, the opposition was trying to keep up with the speed, and trying to get on top early. They did that a lot, but the '06-'07 Sabres team would always storm back late in the game. Fatigue of the oppostion had a ton to do with that. But I'm with you, JMNY. This season, they need to be giving more of an more honest effort every night....They're unable to roll 4 lines this year, and without Briere and Drury, the pure goalscoring talent isn't on every line anymore.

Said perfectly!

[unklechucky]

What you saw last night from Goose is what he does on a nightly basis until this season. That said, he was the Sabre with the most heart this season. He cranked it up a notch and resulted in a win...coincidence, could be. Bottom line is thats whats expected from him and he knows his role. This is why the talks of him and the Captaincy keep coming up. Remember, your most skilled or most popular doesnt always work in the leadership roles. Sometimes its the guy with a solid heart and effort who earns his paycheck doing the little things thats a better fit for captain. Im not saying give it to him now, but hes definately consideration worthy.

[unklechucky]

The players need to see Gooses effort last night and take note.