Flames at Sabres Gamethread
by Kent Wilson on Nov 13, 2009 4:09 PM PST
243 comments
Calgary Flames at Buffalo Sabres, Nov 13, 2009 4:30 PM PST
Buffalo has a similar record to Calgary, but they've gotten there by the opposite path: whereas the Flames rode a high shooting percentage through the first month or so, the Sabres have Ryan Miller stopping everything he sees. Only 5 of their skaters have a on-ice SV% below .920 right now (at ES), while a majority of the club sits were all above .940. That's crazy good. On the other end of the spectrum, only two Sabres skaters have an on-ice SH% above 10 - and they're both defensemen. So guys like Roy and Vanek are technically struggling to score right now, but I doubt that'll last forever.
Stuff to look for tonight:
- Patrik Kelata is the leagues best pest. Expect to hate him by the end of the night.
- Monstrous Calgarian Tyler Myers is turning heads in Buffalo. He was Keith Aulie's defense partner last year during the WJC.
- Steve Montador is fitting in well in Buffalo by all accounts. I'll never, ever forget his efforts in the 2003-2004 run - especially the OT goal versus San Jose.
- If you missed it, check out my Q&A with Die By the Blade here. I've been watching a lot of Zero Punctuation lately, so I was feeling a little saucy when I responded to David's questions.
- Jarome Iginla has continued to look more like himself recently. Does he take another step tonight?
- I noted below that Sarich has struggled a bit next to Jay Bouwmeester. If that continues, he's even more likely to become trade bait in the near future.
Let's go for five in a row.
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Posting from HSBC Arena
FYI I will be posting from behind the Flames bench at HSBC Arena tonight and the ACC tomorrow night (albeit much worse seats). Go Flames Go
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 4:13 PM PST via mobile reply actions
NICE !!! we’ll watch for you. i presume you’ll be wearing red ? ;)
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 4:20 PM PST up reply actions
No kidding. Pies getting ill again is sad, actually. Quality guy all around.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions
the pisani thing is (and always has been) a bit upsetting…. where IS shayne corson these days ?
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 4:28 PM PST up reply actions
He opened a restaurant in 2007 with partner Armando Russo in the Distillery District of Toronto, called Tappo Wine Bar & Restaurant.
Good ol Wikipedia.
He’s filling Bert’s spot in the line-up. You figure he’s an upgrade?
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 4:41 PM PST up reply actions
Tonight I'm in the Flames road white...
…But tomorrow I’ll be wearing the Lanny for 80s night.
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 4:42 PM PST via mobile reply actions
does it bother anyone else the way loubardias says “ahginla” ?
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 4:49 PM PST up reply actions
So Jokinen bobbles the pass, then drifts into the offensive zone without the puck…then slowly circles back, causing the off-side.
Sigh.
is THAT the jokinen drinking game ? ;)
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Prust had a clear shot to the head against the glass.
Opted not to hit him though. Good move.
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 4:51 PM PST via mobile reply actions
You Flamers will notice by the end of the night that this Buffalo team has a truly exceptional ability to miss wide-open nets. And they’ve all got the bug that started with Vanek.
It’s like SARS. Or the swine flu.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 13, 2009 4:53 PM PST reply actions
Anybody watching the Buffalo feed? The color guy’s got a very familiar voice.
They’re playing the score hard, the Flames are. Extremely disappointing to watch less than ten minutes in.
The Sabres are crowding Kipper, it’s kind of annoying that we’re getting penalized for clearing them out after the whistle.
It’s Harry Neale. He was Bob Cole’s partner on HNIC for almost 20 years.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 13, 2009 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
Butter is furious!!
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 5:03 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Not getting any calls tonight. Sucks.
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 5:10 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Sabres finally get rewarded for outplaying Calgary the entire period.
We’ll see what happens after intermission. Second period is our worst in general.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 13, 2009 5:11 PM PST reply actions
Scoreboard’s all the matters. One dumb mistake by Buffalo and a few great saves by Kipper, and it’s 3-0 or 4-0.
But it’s not. It’s 1-1, and it’s anybody’s game. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Calgary leading heading to P3.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 13, 2009 5:17 PM PST up reply actions
Montador has almost as many shots as the whole Flames team.
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 5:21 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Flames -10. Guess which two prominent Flames are in the black?
EV shots 16-5 BUF.
That was a hiding. Lucky thing that Kipper’s in a good place right now.
Feel free to post some good news, eh?
by Resolute on Nov 13, 2009 5:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Heh. Rather glad I can’t watch this.
by Resolute on Nov 13, 2009 5:41 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Penalty parade should at least even the SOG out
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 13, 2009 5:47 PM PST reply actions
also ? please put boyd on the first line. just for a shift or two….
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 5:56 PM PST up reply actions
Robert, yes that is me drinking the Coke with the backwards hat. Good looking out… I should of DVRed this game if I knew I was going to show up.
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 5:56 PM PST via mobile reply actions
No next to the guy with the goatee in a Flames road jersey.
Spreading that Calgary Flames, Montreal Expos, The U, and Orlando Magic love.
by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 6:01 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
shize. i only saw it for a split second. i could pick your buddy out of a lineup, though. ;)
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 6:06 PM PST up reply actions
huge momentum boost for Calgary here.
Powerplays had some positive effect at least
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 13, 2009 5:56 PM PST reply actions
You certainly called the second period turnaround, HNG.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 5:58 PM PST up reply actions
Better ones, at any rate. Better than on their own PP, for that matter.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 6:00 PM PST up reply actions
the fan on that one-timer would’ve been an AWESOME fake if the flames ended up getting a slapper from the blueline
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 6:08 PM PST up reply actions
Flames -5, so +5 in the secondl. Iggy and Joker are a mile in the black.
EV shots 19-11 BUF, CGY 6-3 in the second.
I have the feeling they’re getting started a lot in the OFF end. Does anyone else have this impression?
Joker’s taken 4 OZ faceoffs, 1 DZ. Sounds about right.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 6:21 PM PST up reply actions
I think they did a lot on special teams. You don’t get a plus for PK breakaways ;-)
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 6:18 PM PST up reply actions
this does not bode well for the defacto #1 pairing.
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 6:34 PM PST up reply actions
First PP stands around, does nothing. Second group moves their feet, and some action happens. That’s a hint, don’t you think?
Are they hoping for OT or what!?
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 6:44 PM PST via mobile reply actions
looks like it. also looks like they’re one bad giveaway from a loss….
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 6:46 PM PST up reply actions
McGrattan just made his way up and down the bench all game.
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 6:47 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Bourque and Boyd look like the only ones trying to get anything done. Dawes has been solid as well, but missing opportunities.
-Colin
In unrelated news, Carolina has lost 14 straight now. NHL.com keeps resetting their streak counter though.
-Colin
i know the girl who travels with them as their flight attendant…. it can’t be a fun job for her anymore….
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
They won a cup 4 years ago, and went to the last four last year. I’m not quite ready to get the violins out for them, sorry.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
Damn Joker!!
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 7:07 PM PST via mobile reply actions
i effing hate him. seriously. worse than bertuzzi. officialy. cause he’s expensive and we gave up so much.
hate.
like…. HATE.
like… could we trade jokinen for bertuzzi ?
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 7:08 PM PST up reply actions
gio taking the top corner as the 36th shooter ?
http://hitthepost.blogspot.com/2009/11/stlou-day-1-toasted.html
i love roy. olympic team for sure, IMO.
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 7:16 PM PST up reply actions
iggy NEVER scores. i don’t know why they bother.
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 7:18 PM PST up reply actions
and derek roy is one of my favorite players in the league. he’s like regehr: awesome and totally underestimated.
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 7:21 PM PST up reply actions
We might have to start a “Simmerisms” collection.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
In Iggy We Trust
Pretty crazy place to watch a shootout actually.
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by KingJafi on Nov 13, 2009 7:24 PM PST via mobile reply actions
i BET !!! when you’re in the rink, there is really nothing more exciting i gotta say….
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
Hope you see a better result in T.O. tomorrow. Enjoy the game.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 7:28 PM PST up reply actions
That game could have been over after the first, so the point’s OK.
After 3, Corsi was CGY -3, so +2 CGY in the period. Then it was -4 in the OT, so -7 overall
EV shots were 25-17 BUF after 3, 6-6 in the third. In the OT, 5-2 BUF, so 30-19 overall.
Most of the minus was accumulated in the first after the 1-0 goal. I have to say, that is the most disappointing thing about this team right now. They play hard-as to the score, more-so than most teams imo.
If they’d won, I’d think McE for sure. Now? Honestly, I don’t have a clue. If I was pressed, I’d probably say Kipper, because they have two days off after the game, but that’s straight guessing.
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 7:39 PM PST up reply actions
hopefully not both, is all i gotta say
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 7:40 PM PST up reply actions
Why? Just accept that he is, and move along, wi. There’s no chance of understanding ;-)
by Robert Cleave on Nov 13, 2009 8:00 PM PST up reply actions
cancel that. in the end, macoun seems to understand that olli ain’t that good.
by walkinvisible on Nov 13, 2009 7:53 PM PST up reply actions
I love coming in after all the comments when I’ve tape delayed the game to see how the flow of conversation went, and I see that Joker took the brunt again.
However, I have to strenuously disagree this time. I don’t think anyone could have watched that game and not thought it was easily his best effort of the season – we’ve reached the point with him where every play is dissected and he’s slammed for plays that others wouldn’t be slammed for. I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve that because of prior efforts and his cost, but step back every now and then and realized he actually played pretty well tonight. Was driving to the net, took lots of shots, wasn’t panicking with the puck much at all, and did score a nice (not lucky, nice) shootout goal. I thought it was a big step up.
I guess the problem is the goal posts have moved for people watching Jokinen since he was acquired. Was he dreadful last night? No. But that’s just an improvement over his prior terribleness. He still wasn’t anywhere near the providing value. Besides short circuiting a number of power plays, he took a couple of penalties, including one in overtime. The shoot-out goal was nice though. Like Bert, Jokinen is actually good at that.
Your comment is probably a fair one. However, Jokinen is going to have to be better than “not terrible” to win me over. It would help if he was actually scoring during all his power play time I think.
by Kent Wilson on Nov 14, 2009 10:26 AM PST up reply actions
Agreed, my Joker dial definitely doesn’t go to 11…more like 5, and he was pretty close to maxing out last night! He just looked a little more comfortable with the puck last night, even on the PP (there was one distinct time where he didn’t make a panic pass along the boards to the D, but actually held the puck, and I was stunned!). Anyway, long way from good, but I’m hoping the markers are going in the right direction.
I watched the game late from my DVR so couldn’t be here to participate, but my thoughts on the game were as follows:
Sarich was TERRIBLE. Two or three egregious giveaways and looked slow afoot (like, moreso than normal) all night.
Kipper was excellent, again. You can call me Neo, because ’I’m starting to believe…’
Iggy is looking better and better. Still not the best player on the ice, but I’m seeing more of the ability to actually control the puck along the boards, drive to the net, etc.
Moss is invisible right now. He’s not nearly as effective as I was getting used to.
Jokinen was marginally better. I’ll agree with maimster to a degree. At least the guy is shooting the puck now. He still flubs the puck more than most $1M players, much less $5.5, but he seems to be simplifying his game, which can only be a good thing. I’d still rather have Lombardi than him, but so would we all, right?
Tell me again why McGratton even dresses? When Glencross comes back, that dude needs to be permanently stapled in the press box. Prust can hold his own in a fight, and contribute on a regular shift, dressing McGratton over him is pure folly.
Overall, I’d say the Flames were right there with Buffalo. They got dominated in the 1st, dominated the 2nd, and I would say were marginally better than Buffalo in the 3rd. The Sabres are clearly a really good team, so I’m pleased with a single point in their barn, on a night when we got outshot 18-5 in the 1st. Tonight in TO the Flames should come out with a win.
Yeah. That’s two games in a row where Sarich has looked way over his head.
by Kent Wilson on Nov 14, 2009 10:34 AM PST up reply actions
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