Postgame: 10-24-10.

I don't understand how the Sabres can play so well on the road and then look horrible when they're playing at home. I didn't see the Ottawa game because I was at work but I was intermittently listening to it on the radio so I knew they lost. I have no idea how they played since I didn't read anything up on it either. They went 0-4-1 for the times they were at home and right now are looking like road warriors. I guess that's a good thing but at the same thing, it's a really bad thing. You need to be able to win at home too...Maybe they'll figure things out when November comes around.

Ilya Kovalchuk was scratched last night for reasons that continue to be unknown to the fans perspective. Also, the media doesn't seem to know what's going on because the Devils' GM is keeping his mouth shut. The fact that he is getting paid $100 million and was now scratched for a game should be a concern for the Devils. A HUGE concern. Who knows what is going on behind closed doors but it feels as if the organization is going to crack soon. That's what happens when you practically sign a guy for life...

The Sabres beating Hedberg last night was comforting since he's had our number in Atlanta for years. The Devils just did not look good either, even though for the beginning portion of the game they did look like the team with fresher legs. I think Niedermayer and Gerbe got their first points last night so good for them! It looks like this year the goals will be coming from all different guys again. At least it won't just be two or one guys...speaking of which, I won't be surprised if Thomas takes over the goal scoring lead on the team. At least pucks are starting to go in for him now. It's nice to see him be rewarded for his effort.

The Sabres don't play again until Tuesday in Philadelphia so they're getting a nice break. Hopefully they can take it to them. Go Sabres.

Postgame: 10-11-10.

No one wants to see a player get hurt, no matter what team it is. Unless you're Flyers fans but that's a whole 'nother story for a different time. As most of us know Jason Pominville got hit from behind by Niklas Hjarlmasson last night. Niklas isn't a dirty player by any means but the hit itself was quite dirty and left Jason motionless on the ice for a little bit. Lindy says he has a concussion and will be out for a least a week. Niklas received a two game suspension for it.

...Wait, only two games?!

I think it would be different if the James Wisniewski/Sean Avery incident didn't happen earlier yesterday too. If you haven't heard about that, Wiz made a very inappropriate gesture towards Avery and that caused a ruckus. Now, he was also suspended for two games. Are you telling me the league is putting inappropriate gestures in the SAME category as getting a concussion and thankfully not being hurt worse? You bet they are.

This league is a joke and frankly, I don't wonder why anymore they don't show it on national television. Colin Campbell doesn't understand how to hand out suspensions. Neither do I, but I'm sure there's a better person out there for the job. If anything, Niklas should stay out until Jason comes back as punishment. An eye for an eye so to speak. It would just make sense.

I know I put 'Postgame' in the heading, but I don't know what to say about last night other than I'm glad Jason is all right. I don't know what happened to the boys out there and so far, I've only listened to one interview about what went on. From reading others' Tweets, it sounds like they said the right things after the loss. Hopefully they can turn it around for tomorrow night's game when they face a familiar looking dude - Henrik Tallinder.

TEAOTAS is going to the game tomorrow too so look out for matching Rivet jerseys if you want to say hi. Go Sabres.

We Sabres fans thought that Vanek contract was bad.

Tamara is always awesome with informing me with hockey news, especially because of me working now often. I work through all the exciting stuff to happen. So she texted me and when I got out of work, I learned that Ilya Kovalchuk had signed with...

New Jersey.

For real? Okay, so I had a feeling that he might pull this sort of stunt to screw with our heads. Keep sitting on his hands until the RIGHT deal came up and it was with the same team he was on at the end of the season. I just never thought it would go through like that. So I thought to myself 'Okay Ilya, you're the ultimate douche and I hope the system kills your playing ability' etc. etc.

This was before I heard what the contract was. Seventeen years at nearly $150 million. I have no idea what the cap hit is per year, but to put it bluntly, holy shit. What happened to the salary cap? Could the NHL possibly go into a lockout mode sooner than they expected, again? This is ridiculous. I saw on Twitter the other day that maybe each team should have a maximum number of years they can sign a guy. I mean, who really thinks Ilya is going to play for seventeen more years? Anyone? He upped my shock face from when the Blackhawks signed Marian Hossa to that fifteen year contract last summer. I wasn't that surprised when Ovie was signed to a thirteen year deal though...

And Sabres fans were afraid of that Vanek contract. Some people still are. It makes me wonder if that was the contract that started everything. I hope not.

Day 1 of Free Agency: How Swede it is not, a not so great Finnish and...hey Jordan Leopold!

Pun totally intended on that whole title. Except for the 'hey Jordan Leopold' because I couldn't think of anything witty to do with that. Give me a break, it's late when I'm writing this post.

I was home for most of the fireworks from earlier today but was at work when our Swede and our Finn departed this team. Tamara had to come into Tim Horton's to inform me of the horrible news. I'm not saying I was completely shocked because most of us know how Darcy rolls by now. Apparently he did everything he could to keep the two of them but I don't know if I believe that a hundred percent...

So Toni is off to California while Hank is only going to New Jersey (which is ironic in itself, considering that goal he scored against Marty...). I know that they'll both be in good hands but they were on this team when I started to get back into hockey so I'm extremely sad. I just wish them the absolute best with their careers now.

Now Jordan Leopold was influenced to come here by the one and only Thomas Vanek. Not totally, but I guess when the Sabres showed interest, he talked to Thomas and their wives conversed as well. I think that's pretty awesome how players that are friends can talk to one another and ask if it might be a good decision to go to so and so place. I think the real thing that sealed the deal was Thomas mentioning how the wings were good here. Oh, you sly man you. Leopold was signed to a three year contract so he'll be here for a bit. I just hope that he's good.

Postgame: 12-7-09

Uninspired hockey. Boring. No pride whatsoever. Say what you want, but we could all agree that the game last night was a hundred percent pure awful hockey from the Sabres. My poor brother went last night for his birthday game or what he calls 'guaranteed loss night'. Tamara and Connor went together to watch a clunker for value game prices. They were cheap seats, but it still sucks to be there to witness that. It was like what we got for the Florida game...but at least they scored in the Florida game.

I listened to Lindy on the radio this morning and he said he was particularly upset with the lack of leadership coming from Connolly, Roy, and Pominville. Lindy has a point saying that he needs his best players to step up and do something. For the record, Vanek was mentioned but Lindy made note that he was one of the better players last night in the third period. Speaking of Vanek, he had a quote that Kevin Sylvester mentioned on his blog from earlier today. Apparently he was quoted as saying that the fans come to games and pay good money to see them win. That they deserve a lot better than what they're seeing. I like that, coming from him. I know I know, my bias side is soooo coming through and I will defend him until the day I die, but it's good to hear that someone is saying it. I'm sure that other guys are too, but this was just placed into print.

The Caps are tomorrow. Here's to hoping it won't be unless scoreless game...from the Sabres that is.

"I smile because I love the children."

I think we all knew by the Tampa game (if not before then) that Tyler Myers was probably going to remain a Sabre for a duration of the season, but there was a small sense that he would be sent back to juniors for contract reasons. He is now a restricted free agent one year earlier. He could be an unrestricted free agent a year earlier if he plays at least forty games this season. I have a feeling that the team is going to keep him in the lineup for most of it, unless they need to scratch him for injured defensemen coming back. For now, he's here to stay with the big club. Congratulations Tyler! I hope you decide to shave that Dirty Sanchez you have starting sooner or later...

So, how crazy was the save Ryan Miller made in the second period? At least, I think it was during the second period. He jumped because of an incoming puck, and then he slid back into the net to make a very nice save. The Devils feed didn't show the whole thing and we were disappointed. That was worth a second look.

I never want to watch a Sabres game on another feed again. I should have said that last year during their road trip. Ugggh, I am not looking forward to the west coast trip in January.

Congratulations Mr. Brodeur.

You've become the winningest goalie in the National Hockey League. I'm proud of you. (: I know you would break the record.

Or did you?

Before the Sabres game began last night, I mentioned to my parents how Marty Brodeur was going to win last night and break the record for all time wins in the history of the NHL. My mom asked who he was passing, and I told her it was Patrick Roy. Then she brought up a good point: Did Brodeur play longer than Roy did?

Let's check the stats.

Patrick Roy played from 1984-2003.
Marty Brodeur played from 1991-2009.

Marty Broduer played one less year than Patrick Roy did his entire career. It looks like his record should hold. I was just curious to see if this tilted the tables a little bit, but it actually doesn't at all. So congrats again Marty!

The Sabres had a late practice today, and Lindy Ruff was asked about how all those penalties affected certain players' ice times. The three names mentioned were Stafford, Afinogenov and...you guessed it, Vanek.

Hey Lindy, let me put it like this...

Remember how you had Thomas out during the PK for the beginning of the season? Remember how confident that made him, that you trusted him enough to block shots and get the puck out during crucial moments of games? Remember when he scored two short handed goals two games in a row? WELL, IT DIDN'T EXACTLY HELP HIM WHEN YOU TOOK HIM OFF OF IT FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

Seriously, from what I remember, Vanek did great on the PK. He looked confident out there. Then all of the sudden, Lindy took him off of it. Every few games he gets a taste of it again but only for four or so seconds. That's the only beef I have against Lindy. I don't care if he's 'dangling a carrot' in front of Thomas. I don't think he was fairly taken off of the PK. He will never learn if he doesn't put trust into him.

Shows the relationship they have with one another, doesn't it?

AhhhhhHHHHhhhhHHHHhhhh, shutouts are scary (good).

Sabres won 2-0 against the Devils. Pominville scored late in the first period on the power play, and then Kaleta made it 2-0 when he scored on a deflection in the third period. I can't think of a scarier game I've watched all my life besides this one. I thought for sure when the Devils had around six power play chances in a row, the Sabres would have karma bite them but it never happened. I'd just rather not witness another game like this especially against a team like the Devils, ugh. It didn't help Versus was broadcasting this so I almost fell asleep in my chair.
- Ryan got his second consecutive shutout; the first time that's happened in his career! Great job, Millsy. (': He's mainly the reason why we won in the first place, if it wasn't for that stellar performance in the last half of the game. He was solid.
- I think the only reasons why I enjoy watching games on Versus are:
- Hockey in beautiful HD.
- I love seeing what Versus screws up on next.
- Shots of Thomas Vanek before the game starts with that cool spin-y thing that some players do? *melts* I think I about died when they showed clips from his little interview last season. It looks sooooo much better in HD. I was mesmerized by that cut on his forehead, thank you Versus.
- Speaking of Vanner, I love the fact that whenever he gets a penalty, he seems to be shouting along the lines of 'Fucking *add something* fuck *something* ahhh!' It's even better when they get it on camera for all of the nation to see. Such a potty mouth, but I love that potty mouth.
- When's the Sabres next game? Friday against Atlanta or something? Man, that's too long. I'mma go hide under a rock until they play next.
- CAPTAIN CRAIG IS BACK, WOOT WOOT!

Marty has a boo-boo; out for tomorrow's game.

Looks like Kevin Weekes is in net tomorrow for the Devils. I don't know whether this game will turn out to be really amazing for the Sabres, or whether it'll end up being really bad. I don't think Kevin Weekes has played any games against the Sabres...*checks* All right, nevermind. Out of 19 games that he's played against the Sabres, he's won a total of 5 of them. I guess I don't have to be too worried as long as the Sabres play their defensive game and keep getting pucks to the net. We know how the Devil's trap can get during games such as this one and how boring they can easily get, too.

In Sabre team news, Thomas Vanek updated his blog/diary again today:

Wait, before I get to that, they have a contest on the site.

The time for a new competition has finally come. Our goodies may well be the best presents for fans of Thomas Vanek. Thomas supplied us with some great gifts – from jerseys to hockey-sticks and baseball caps. Of course all goodies are signed by Thomas and are solely meant for you.

Solely meant for me? From the man himself? I would love to have another signed jersey from him, but it's always better to get it signed when I'm in front of the guy, not when I get it sent.

To enter, answer this question: Against which opponent did Thomas score his first shorthanded goal in the NHL?

That's it, you got me. *enters*

Okay, now that that's done.

The win over Washington was very important for our team. After losing two games at home we were forced to give it our best. And this time everything clicked. No doubt it’s easier to play when you can score an early goal. But it was a complete team-effort against Washington. The forwards were backchecking, the blueliners were putting pressure on the Capitals and Ryan Miller was simply outstanding in goal.

He's right. Everything went according to the system yesterday, as Jason Pominville always likes to talk about. I love when they play the system and it, you know, works.

Personally, I’m happy that I’m still on a hot streak. Leading all goal-scorers in the NHL feels good, but it’s really only a snapshot, nothing more, nothing less. We’ve still got 71 games to go in the regular season. I have to keep working on my game, just like the whole team has to keep working hard.

Good lord, he's a poet now. I love it.

That’s something we had to learn this week, especially against Tampa. The practice session the next day was… well, let’s put it this way: Usually the drills are not that brutal. But the game against Washington proved the coaches right. Hopefully we can keep up the good work and spirit in our next games.

Yeah Thomas, I usually don't hear about you putting other guy's head against the glass. But whatever works for you works for me too. And whatever works for the team works for all for all of us Sabre fans.