now that the series is tied up

[M76]

do we have a chance? Missing our top 3 defensmen and i wont mention connolly cause he is equal to cole, can this alleged great coach (ruff) stear the ship back on course?

[emo]

sadly, no

and it has nothing to do with ruff, calling ruff out is pretty stupid

[HURLS]

sadly, no

and it has nothing to do with ruff, calling ruff out is pretty stupid

Agreed on both points. I hate that damn excuse, but losing them hurt. And Ruff has as much to blame as the Zamboni driver.

[Bufsabresnu]

If we can get one of them back for game 5...all will not be lost. It is a pretty lame excuse(using injuries), but facts are facts. Teams, even our only have soo much depth. How would the Canes play without 3 of their top 5 Dmen out?

[foster]

It's still win..able. Gerber stole the show early tonight. Sabres can do the same in Carolina.

One of these teams have to win 2 out of the next 3. Sunday night's the key.

[Bufsabresnu]

This is true, but at the same time we REALLY NEED one of our Dmen back...

[Ralonzo]

can this alleged great coach (ruff) stear the ship back on course?

If not, he should be allowed one free running kick to Regier's nutsack since we were exactly one servicable deadline rent-a-defenseman away from winning the Whole Damn Thing.

[HURLS]

If not, he should be allowed one free running kick to Regier's nutsack since we were exactly one servicable deadline rent-a-defenseman away from winning the Whole Damn Thing.

Niles Crane: "Um, we thought we were pretty deep at defense at this point, And we always have powerhouse Doug Janik just dying for playing time down in Rachacha."

No Darcy, he was plain dying. Not dying to play.

[TRIPLE P]

How many teams have a reliable 9th Defensemen?

[richguy49]

Sadly, it's over. Nice run by the boys though.

[TRIPLE P]

Sadly, it's over. Nice run by the boys though.


Are you kidding?

1 bad game and a tied series?

Remind me never to pick you for my team.

[RayBee]

Yes, the injuries are a big factor, but we didn't score tonight. You can't blame that on the defense.

[bduff54]

guys, its not over at all. It will be tough but they can do it.

[foster]

The series is tied 2-2 with neither team able to win 2 in a row.

This series isn't over, it's just beginning.

[biggbrd27]

Agreed on both points. I hate that damn excuse, but losing them hurt. And Ruff has as much to blame as the Zamboni driver.

The Zamboni driver didn't put Jillson and Janik back together as a D Pair in a critical juncture in the game. You find out what people are made of in the moments of greatest adversity. We'll se what he's got from here on in. Hopefully, he doesn't think so arrogantly that no matter who he puts out there, "We'll find a way". Not at this point you don't...

[emo]

there seems to be some confusion, I am saying the sabres can't win with fitzpatrick, janick, and jillson as half of your defensive corps. they proved that tonight. But that doesn't mean that I don't want them to win, that's obvious. This happens, and you go with it. I think if any team can bounce back from this it is buffalo, and if this were philadelphia hten yes I'd still have no problem saying the sabres with those 3 can win 2 of three, but this is a much better team than either ottawa or filthy.

[emo]

just to add to that, think of what carolina would look like if hedican, commodore, and wallin were out. A much different team indeed

[HURLS]

Remind me never to pick you for my team.

You have a "team"? LOL, what are you, a dog sledder?

[M76]

i think the sabres not scoring is in direct corolation with the offensive players having 0 faith in the defensmen behind them.. they thought oh boy we have rory janik and -4 jillson on the ice we better play back and the sabres still got burned.. i just wonder if hecht pyatt or griere will ever score again.. ever. but vanek deserved to be benched

[HURLS]

i think the sabres not scoring is in direct corolation with the offensive players having 0 faith in the defensmen behind them.. they thought oh boy we have rory janik and -4 jillson on the ice we better play back and the sabres still got burned.. i just wonder if hecht pyatt or griere will ever score again.. ever. but vanek deserved to be benched

I agree, it's called tentativeness. When every mistake may lead to a goal with those 2 paired together, I'd be lax as well. But they failed early on chances they did have, so not all is on JP, I mean the D. :D

[Iggy72]

Good point, Hurls. From what I saw and heard, the whole team was tentative outside of the first 7 minutes. The two goals go in, and it's sudden deflation.
They should remind themselves that nobody expected them to go this far. They should also note that people are writing them off as we speak while "Edmonton over Carolina in 6" predictions are starting to creep up.

Be agressive, be loose, have fun, and then they'll probably prove the "experts" wrong. If not, at least make the other team bleed for every puck possession.

Pax.
Iggy72

[committed hero]

The Canes number nine guy played 36 games.

[SHINEdown30]

Sadly, it's over. Nice run by the boys though.


I am glad your off the wagon!! Any1 else wanna jump with him!!!
The series is tied 2-2.......if you guys thought buffalo would sweep Carolina then you are a complete idiots.

[SHINEdown30]

there seems to be some confusion, I am saying the sabres can't win with fitzpatrick, janick, and jillson as half of your defensive corps. they proved that tonight. But that doesn't mean that I don't want them to win, that's obvious. This happens, and you go with it. I think if any team can bounce back from this it is buffalo, and if this were philadelphia hten yes I'd still have no problem saying the sabres with those 3 can win 2 of three, but this is a much better team than either ottawa or filthy.


No what they proved was our offense couldn't score once. If they scored once or twice the game would be different!

[Rumsfeld]

I agree Stomper. They proved we could not score and that was frankly pathetic. For God sake, Gerber is not Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy. In Game 3 we hit them with a nuclear bomb in the 2nd period, went up 4 to 1 in our building and some how they found the balls to come back and almost send the game into overtime.

[DaleW]

The Zamboni driver didn't put Jillson and Janik back together as a D Pair in a critical juncture in the game.

Exactly. What the heck is with paring Janek and Jillson? Split 'em up with the vets.

[foster]

It was 31 years ago today that I sat in the Aud and watched the Flyers steal the cup from the Sabres with Parent in net. Maybe if Buffalo had won that one I wouldn't be as worked up over this series and past series.

It makes you realize how difficult it is to get to the Stanley Cup Finals let alone win one seeing in these past 31 years, the Sabres have made it to the finals once and come this far two other times only to have our collective hearts ripped out by an offsides play that our goalie gives up on, the bouncer, the throw over the glass.....

This team needs to realize how difficult a journey this is. As good as this team is, there is no guarantee they will get this far again. History proves that.

We have enough Vets on this team to drive that point home. I believe this team is talented enough (with the injuries) up front and in net to win 2 out of the next 3.

[SabreGirl]

omg! I am disgusted with the responses to this thread! I hope none of you people know any players. I wouldn't want them to think that with the score even, many of you are already waving the white flag. Honestly, I am totally disappointed that this is how our fans react. No wonder this city has a complex -- WE MAKE IT SO!

1. Miller looked very average and he looked like he thought he'd just have to show up and we'd win. Two goals were deflections. The score could have been much higher if the puck would have stopped bouncing for 5 seconds. Miller needs to be a brick wall and last night he wasn't.

2. Blaming the D? Last time I checked, you have to freakin' score to win a game. How do we win with a big fat zero on the board????

3. I heard that the team is suffering from the flu. Can't confirm that, but that would certainly make sense. I was at the game (6 rows from the ice) and Briere looked green during the practice.

4. Gerber has a bone to pick to prove that he is capable of keeping his job. I realize that he had a virus at the end of the regular season, lost 8 pounds, etc., but he wants to make sure he stays where he is.

5. Carolina was facing a severe deficit if they lost game 4. Going down 3-1 with three games left is the kiss of death.

6. WE HAVE LOST EVERY GAME 4 IN EVERY SERIES.

7. We came back from a 2-2 tie with Philly to win the series. Granted, the Flyers are not the Canes, but it can be something to rally around.

8. We have a TERRIFIC road record. In the playoffs we have won 5 out of 8 ROAD PLAYOFF GAMES. I like those odds.

9. The defense is only a problem if we can't score. Gerber is good, but he's not inpenatrable. If we score more goals then they do, it doesn't matter if we let 5 goals in -- as long as we score 6.

10. Home ice is not totally home ice in Carolina. There are plenty of Buffalo fans there. The team will have the support they need.

I am totally driving this bandwagon and I would have thought that there would have been more support for this team. Do you really think that this team is going to give up just because we have injuries?

The Sabres played HORRIBLY and lost by 4 goals of which TWO of them went in on deflection. No boys, no matter how gloomy you want to make it, this team can win if they play the way they are capable. If they play like they did last night, they have a very slim chance to win. However, the team that played last night is NOT the Sabres I know and I would be surprised to see this type of play again with all that is on the line.

Get on board or get off the bandwagon! GO SABRES!

[emo]

It was 31 years ago today that I sat in the Aud and watched the Flyers steal the cup from the Sabres with Parent in net. Maybe if Buffalo had won that one I wouldn't be as worked up over this series and past series.

It makes you realize how difficult it is to get to the Stanley Cup Finals let alone win one seeing in these past 31 years, the Sabres have made it to the finals once and come this far two other times only to have our collective hearts ripped out by an offsides play that our goalie gives up on, the bouncer, the throw over the glass.....

This team needs to realize how difficult a journey this is. As good as this team is, there is no guarantee they will get this far again. History proves that.

We have enough Vets on this team to drive that point home. I believe this team is talented enough (with the injuries) up front and in net to win 2 out of the next 3.

you are out of your mind to say that these teams have the same level of talent with the injuries

[JLB]

omg! I am disgusted with the responses to this thread! I hope none of you people know any players. I wouldn't want them to think that with the score even, many of you are already waving the white flag. Honestly, I am totally disappointed that this is how our fans react. No wonder this city has a complex -- WE MAKE IT SO!

1. Miller looked very average and he looked like he thought he'd just have to show up and we'd win. Two goals were deflections. The score could have been much higher if the puck would have stopped bouncing for 5 seconds. Miller needs to be a brick wall and last night he wasn't.

2. Blaming the D? Last time I checked, you have to freakin' score to win a game. How do we win with a big fat zero on the board????

3. I heard that the team is suffering from the flu. Can't confirm that, but that would certainly make sense. I was at the game (6 rows from the ice) and Briere looked green during the practice.

4. Gerber has a bone to pick to prove that he is capable of keeping his job. I realize that he had a virus at the end of the regular season, lost 8 pounds, etc., but he wants to make sure he stays where he is.

5. Carolina was facing a severe deficit if they lost game 4. Going down 3-1 with three games left is the kiss of death.

6. WE HAVE LOST EVERY GAME 4 IN EVERY SERIES.

7. We came back from a 2-2 tie with Philly to win the series. Granted, the Flyers are not the Canes, but it can be something to rally around.

8. We have a TERRIFIC road record. In the playoffs we have won 5 out of 8 ROAD PLAYOFF GAMES. I like those odds.

9. The defense is only a problem if we can't score. Gerber is good, but he's not inpenatrable. If we score more goals then they do, it doesn't matter if we let 5 goals in -- as long as we score 6.

10. Home ice is not totally home ice in Carolina. There are plenty of Buffalo fans there. The team will have the support they need.

I am totally driving this bandwagon and I would have thought that there would have been more support for this team. Do you really think that this team is going to give up just because we have injuries?

The Sabres played HORRIBLY and lost by 4 goals of which TWO of them went in on deflection. No boys, no matter how gloomy you want to make it, this team can win if they play the way they are capable. If they play like they did last night, they have a very slim chance to win. However, the team that played last night is NOT the Sabres I know and I would be surprised to see this type of play again with all that is on the line.

Get on board or get off the bandwagon! GO SABRES!Great Post always on the wagon no matter what.:duel:

[foster]

you are out of your mind to say that these teams have the same level of talent with the injuries

With injuries we are still stronger up front 3 1/2-2 lines, they are stronger on the blueline 6-3 Dmen-- I think it's pretty even, or even enough to give me hope that they can win two out of the next 3.

[dpasquarella]

Bottom line is you cannot go into a playoff with six NHL Defenseman. Great , we have 32 interchangeable forwards, but defense wins championships.

Connelly also needs to strap on a Kelso helmet and get in the game

[The REAL Sabres]

The Canes number nine guy played 36 games.Who's their #9 defenceman??

1. Kaberle
2. Hedican
3. Commodore
4. Ward
5. Wallin
6. Wesley
7. Tverdovsky
8. Hutchinson
9. Babchuk

Anton Babchuk played 17 games.

[GrapeDRINK]

7. Tverdovsky

I'd take him right about now.

[WhiteRabbit]

Sad to see so many people giving up on the series!!

[SabreGirl]

Great Post always on the wagon no matter what.:duel:
Hey...thanks...glad to have the company! :D

GO SABRES!

[committed hero]

Anton Babchuk played 17 games.
For Chicago; plus 22 for Carolina (but none in the playoffs).

[squishfish]

I'll be driving the bandwagon from Cleveland. No reason to panic yet. Go Sabres.

[anEinherjer]

This ****ing thread is a shining example of all that is pathetic about the Buffalo sports fan. I'm disgusted but for a few (you know who you are).

My prediction: We chase Gerber tonight, and I'll be looking down from 319, proud of my team. But I won't be proud of the chicken little attitude of my sad little hometown.

Buffalo: GROW A ****ING PAIR!

[sukie]

anEin... you're going tonight?

[anEinherjer]

Yeah, we're leaving in a couple hours to drive down. It's kind of a surreal morning - going to be 87 in DC today, must be hotter down there... and there's a HUGE Sabres game there? And I'm going? Surreal.

[sukie]

Curious if the Nascar race will keep some CANES fans away tonight.