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.

What if?

This post is not one for the negative nancies or those who want the entire roster changed up. When I say the entire roster I MEAN the entire roster, and I'm so glad we don't have fans as the GM.

This is a post about the positives I took away from this season. We ended up short obviously and I expected the Sabres to at least make it past the first round - we were even thought to be Cup contenders because of Ryan Miller as the goaltender. We just didn't have the pieces up front to do the job.

One positive is how great Ryan played during the whole season. Thanks to him extending his contract last summer, we now have him for at least five more years back in the net. I know that as a fan, I'm pretty comfortable with that.

Secondly, the play of Tyler Myers. I wasn't impressed with him when he was still in the 'is he staying or going' stage and a little bit after he stayed either. As the season progressed, I started to see what all the fuss was about. What an amazing player. It was as if he didn't miss a beat in the playoffs. I'm excited to see what he's going to bring in his sophomore year next season.

Finally, the baby Sabres. I cannot say good enough things about Tyler Ennis. Watching him with the puck, he did magical things. He continued to battle for the puck even when he was on his knees. I have a feeling he's going to make the roster right from the get go. Nathan Gerbe also had better stints up here than he did last season and that was great to see. I feel like he'll be up here at the start of next season as well; along with Ennis.

The offseason is the time for fans to complain about what went wrong and who needs to go, I know this. I'm going to wait until it's officially the offseason for that though. Still a ways to go before July 1st people. Enjoy the rest of the playoffs.

Postgame: 12-9-09

Ryan Miller got a shutout. Thomas Vanek was a presence on the ice, even though he didn't get any points. Nathan Gerbe scored his first NHL goal. Overall, a pretty damn good night for the Sabres! I was certain Alex Ovechkin would score in this game only because he always seems to score on the Sabres in every single game he's played against them. Out of all the games he's played in against the Sabres, he hasn't scored in four of them. Simply insane. It seemed every line that was put out against him played well though. I was equally excited when they showed Thomas give him a little bump to knock the puck away. Glad to see he didn't get on the scoresheet.

I had been beginning to miss the wonderful pan shots of Thomas and him spewing the f bomb everywhere. I got my wish tonight. They just always seem to put him on the screen when he's yelling at himself or just in general. Love it.

If the Sabres played like that every game, they would have a good chance to win night in and night out. It was a good response to two pretty bad games on Saturday and Monday. I hope they can do the same against 20 Cent and the Hawks on Friday, since Tamara and I are going to that game. I'm really glad that I've been getting to see a lot more western conference teams than I ever have in person this season. It's a nice change.

'...and den the Aussie go to Portland, NOT ME!'

Our favorite little guy is back as Darcy Regier recalled Nathan Gerbe from the Pirates this morning. Since there has been a lack of scoring the past two games, hopefully Nate would be able to bring some spark to the Sabres tonight against the Capitals, and however long he may be up here. I hope it's awhile and I really hope this stint is better than the one he had last year, where he had one assist in ten games. He's a feisty young one too, so it'll be interesting to see him play against the Caps. I can't remember if he had the chance to play against them last season.

Oh, and apparently Simeon (Semyon) Varlamov has a lower body injury, so he isn't playing tonight. Jose Theodore is. Since Varlamov had a shutout against the Sabres last time, I'm hoping this outcome will be different...

Make sure to watch out for this blog later! Tamara and I have a surprise for everyone. (: Hopefully one you'll like.

Fisticuffs a plenty, we'll see you next Saturday.

Forget that the Sabres blew a two goal lead going into the second period and lost the game by one goal; it's only the preseason. Even though it is pretty irritating they let that happen...Thomas even took one for the team and bled! The power play has been fail this preseason. We are missing Ales and Jaro on the backend, ugh.

Anyways, the main thing about this game tonight was the various scrums and scuffles going on during the game. I can't remember who Patty K hit exactly, but all I know is that he got in a huge fight with Ryan O'Byrne, and then ended up getting a game misconduct. That was the first fight. Then later, Goose went after someone else and got a 10 minute misconduct. Then there were a lot of other scuffles going on. This makes for a nice little rematch next Saturday at the home opener, which I now cannot wait for. I hope that there are plenty of fights, but with my luck, that won't be the case.

Even Ryan got into a little fight of his own which Gerbs had to sit in the penalty box to take his penalty. No one beats up on the little guy. The goaltender won't even tolerate that.

Tomorrow the Sabres face the Leafs for the last preseason game. Finally, regular hockey is going to be around the corner. I am so pumped for next Saturday!

Bye Gerbs, I'll miss you!

I like the Sabres new index page to the site. If you scroll over the various tabs, it switches the page to show you things such as the mini pucks, ticket sales, events, etc. I quite like it. When I first got on it yesterday though, I had no idea how to get to the main portion of the site. They fooled me by putting the link at the bottom!

Nathan Gerbe was sent back to Portland today. I had no idea that he even had a point in any of the games that he's been with the big club. Oh Nate, you trickster you. Completely had me for a fool with your one assist. I think that this is a good move and with Gaustad coming back, we'll add size and grit in exchange for Gerbe's small guy, big heart attitude. He has been showing energy while playing but other than that, he hasn't contributed very much. Understandable since this is his first year as a pro so I don't blame him. He'll definitely need a lot more games in Portland under his belt before he can stay up here for good.

I am currently watching Goose's interview from this morning, and clearly the man can just take off his helmet and go. His hair is all over the place and it looks great. Thomas, take note.

Only I would miss my bus by three minutes.

I stayed home today because I missed the bus. My bus driver told me yesterday before I got off that there would be a sub and I would have to go out earlier than usual. I have a long driveway, so I can't just wait inside for my bus to come, it sucks. Anyways, I get out there and time is passing by slowly. After listening to two songs on my iPod, I thought 'Maybe I missed it by a minute...'. I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to go out earlier, but then I decided to stay a little longer outside. At around 7:45, I trudged back up to my house to give my mom a call and tell her that I was just going to stay home. I looked back out the window three minutes later, and guess what I see? The bus.

Sorry school, but I can only stand outside for so long freezing my fingers off. Stupid bus.

There's an article on my man in the paper today, so if you haven't checked it out yet, please do so now: Here.

I heard Gerbs got hurt, and he's going back to Portland because Patty K is set and ready to go. ): Is this true that he was hurt in the game on Saturday? Since I didn't have a chance to watch it, I have no idea...and I haven't read any news reports about his injury than besides what I saw from 3rd Man In. Any information would be appreciated.

The best news I've heard all week. (Or could be worst?)

Look who might be making his first appearance in an NHL game tonight.

I got the email about an hour ago in my inbox thanks to Sabres.com, and I couldn't be more excited. It's too bad Marky had to be sent down so that Gerbs could come up, but maybe this can shake some things up a bit. I just hope Nate doesn't look too lost out there...or he doesn't get the Staffy syndrome. We all know what bringing players immediately up from the AHL can do to some players. Drew never fully bloomed down there since he was up here most of the time in '07. I really, REALLY hope the same doesn't happen to Gerbs because he has a lot of potential.

With him coming up, how are the lines going to look tonight? Here are my thoughts:
Vanek-Roy-Stafford/Gerbe? (Considering this line has had nine points in the past four games, I wouldn't touch them, but...)
Hecht-Gaustad/Gerbe?-Pominville (Jochen is no centerman. And I know it might be early to shift Gerbe up to the second line, but who else would he play with? I can't see him playing with Max, or Goose, or someone like that. Maybe ump down Stafford and make Gerbe a winger.)
Afinogenov-Mair-Kotalik (God, I hate this line.)
Paille-Gerbe-Stafford? (Wow, I can't count players, I don't think. That line was just smushed together.)

However it ends up, I hope it works.