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Canandaigua, NY • United States • 29 Years Old • Male

Moment for Reflection

Posted 8:46 AM ET | Comments 9
As everyone knows by now, Buffalo finally won a game on the road on Tuesday, squeaking out of New Jersey with a 2-1 shoot out victory.

This game may have just cost Buffalo getting back into the playoff race this season.

This win, as nice as it was to see Buffalo have more points than their opponent when it’s all said and done, gave management the excuse not to do a thing. One win may just convince people that nothing needs to be done with this team, and the status quo will remain the same.

Buffalo still needs a shake up to occur, on the bench and with management. Take a look at Buffalo’s last game. There’s one reason why they won. Ryan Miller. That’s it. Buffalo was out shot 28 to 14. 14 shots in a hockey game is pathetic. Miller kept them in it, and it’s luck that Buffalo got to the shoot out where there was at least they had a shot at coming out on top. Luckily Pominville and Gerbe rewarded Miller for his stellar goaltending.

Entering the All-Star break, Buffalo is tied in dead last with Carolina, due to having won more games than the Hurricanes. Buffalo has 33 games to play 10 points out of 8th place which is currently occupied by Jersey.

So what now?

With a good hot streak (and some luck) Buffalo can get back into the playoffs. However, even though they won against Jersey, Buffalo is going to need a lot better effort than that coming out of the break. Buffalo needs to take this time to refocus and be grateful that they aren’t in the Blue Jacket’s position, sitting 23 points out of 8th place.

However, I’m still afraid that the problem lies with coaching and general management. Injuries still shouldn’t be an excuse for losing games. I go back to George “Punch” Imlach’s approach to managing this team. He stated that if he could make a trade that improved the Sabres by 5%, he does it. If he makes 4 trades that improve the team 5%, all of a sudden, Buffalo is better by 20%. Darcy makes no trades, and the team gets worse. Plus, Buffalo is still playing with that weak uninspired style of play, and I still don’t think they believe that they can win. Lindy Ruff doesn't seem to be able to get his team motivated. However, even after winning on Tuesday night, Buffalo didn’t seem too excited, it was more along the lines of not believing that they had finally won a game.

This is still the time for a shake up on the team. Unfortunately, I don’t think a single thing will happen. Buffalo is going to keep the status quo right now, and see how it plays out. My only hope is that Buffalo can figure out what’s wrong this week they have off, and come off the break with a new found passion, and find a way to string together some wins, and get back in this race.

Keep in mind, it doesn’t necessarily matter where you are in the playoffs, as long as you make them. Right now, that’s the goal.
January 26, 2012 12:32 PM ET | Delete
Darcy and Co. won't do anything. I have been waiting for weeks for a trade and everyday I am let down.
January 26, 2012 12:55 PM ET | Delete
I only take issue with one part of this: "after winning on Tuesday night, Buffalo didn’t seem too excited"If they were excited after that game, it would tell me that they are completely out of touch with reality.
January 26, 2012 1:24 PM ET | Delete
has nothing to do with the coaching its the gm.......was he the only one who didnt know the ville leino signing was awful? brutal GM in my opinion......you guys pushed connolly right out the door who has been better than any member of your team aside from vanek.....buffalo players are too soft....what trade commodities do you have that is going to warrant you a top line player unless youre willing to include tyler myers in a deal? thats right nobody. enough said
January 27, 2012 8:17 AM ET | Delete
And connely isn't soft? I'd rather have leino then TC and I really disagree with the point that we have no decent trading pieces, we may be having a bad year but our players aren't garbage by any means. Clearly you need to watch more hockey. Btw would u have signed Tim to a 4 million dollar deal? At least leino had some upside and could stay healthy
January 27, 2012 1:01 PM ET | Delete
January 27, 2012 5:22 PM ET | Delete
call your players what you want but they are tied for last in the east so id callt hat garbage
January 27, 2012 5:26 PM ET | Delete
2 players are a plus on that team also btw....and none of them are your "top" players.....
January 27, 2012 5:26 PM ET | Delete
ville leino upside and healthier???? are you fucking high or ust plain stupid??? he has one more game played than TC and far behind him in points and they make the same amount. get your fucking facts straight before you run your mouth next time. maybe YOU SHOULD WATCH MORE HOCKEY! your forwards have always sucked and prone to injury. only reason you have ever been decent in the past 3 years is because of miller....hows he doing this year btw? o yeah over 3gaa and an 899s%....PATHETIC
January 27, 2012 5:30 PM ET | Delete
ville leino 38gp 3 goals 8 assists -9...84pts 187gp 28 yrs old TIm connolly 7 goals 37gp 7 goals 17 assists 1....419pts 664gp 30 years old......so whers this upside??? oh and both make the same amount per year....get your facts straight next time before oyu run your mouth
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