Again Buffalo losses in OT

Buffalo lost their second straight game in overtime in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a rather slow game, which was odd, but the Sabres took an early 2-0 lead. While the Penguins tied it up, Buffalo took a 3-2 lead into the third.

However in the third period Buffalo took it first penalty of the game and immediatly gave up a goal. This ended their incredible streak of four on five play at 74 minutes and 48 seconds, and lost them the game. Buffalo did moderatly well on their own powerplay with a go ahead goal from MacArthur, but had many more chances then Pittsburgh.

In overtime the Sabres looked completely overwhelmed and at no time had control of the game. Crosby quickly scored to finish the game off. His stick may have been a bit high, but given how Buffalo was playing at that point, it was bound to happen anyhow.

Despite ending the game with eight shots, Vanek failed to score and ended the game minus three. Kotalik did much better, and besides his breakaway goal, also earned an assist. Malkin did not earn a goal in this game, but contributed with three assists. The best player in the game however was Alex Goligoski who had two goal and one assist for Pittsburgh.

The Buffalo Sabres are now done until Christmas. Their next game is on Boxing day against the Washington Capitals.

Official Three Stars

Alex Goligoski

Clarke MacArthur

Ales Koalik

My Three Stars

Alex Goligoski (two goals, one assist)

Ales Kotalik (one goal, one assist, plus two)

Sidney Crosby (game winner in overtime)

Gaustad and Stafford both score two

Following their five game loosing streak the Sabres have won two straight games against some of the toughest teams in the East. Players such as Afinogenov and Stafford who have struggled lately both played well in this game helping Buffalo reverse its fortunes. Max Afinogenov played his best game of the year, giving Stafford an easy tip in for the Buffalo's first goal of the game. He created a number of other opportunities and ended the game with three shots, no giveaways and one takeaway.

Stafford who also has been struggling lately had a great game, with two goals and an assist. These were goals numbers three and four on the year for Stafford, but the primary assist that he contributed was more impressive as he set up the Goose for a powerplay goal.

After starting the season injured Gaustad scored his first two goals of the season in this game, including the game winner late in the third. Gaustad spent most of the night on the top line with Hecht and Pominville, but was back with Mancari for his powerplay goal.

Buffalo did some things that they haven't done lately, mainly coming back in the third period to win the game. They never really gave up at any point in the game despite a bad turnover by Spacek that resulted in a goal by Crosby, and a goal by MacArthur midway through the third that didn't count.

Besides not counting MacArthur's goal, the refs were really bad throughout this game, with many boarding calls against Buffalo on what should have been legal hits, while some blatant trips by the Penguins were not called.

Still this managed not to hurt the Sabres too badly as Pittsburgh's powerplay turned out to be horrible. Crosby did get two goals off of assists by Malkin in this game, but both came at even strength. Buffalo was able to kill off all eight of their penalties including a lengthy five on three. This was lead by Toni Lydman who blocked an impressive seven shots in this game.

The Sabres finally sat out Peters for this game. Paetsch sat out this game for the defense, but may come back as it was very clear the Rivet was playing injured. The Sabres once again have to play a very good team on Saturday, when they travel to Montreal to play the Canadians. Too bad they don't plan on continuing to wear the classic jerseys.

Official Three Stars

Paul Gaustad

Drew Stafford

Sidney Crosby

My Three Stars

Drew Stafford (two goals, one assist, five shots)

Paul Gaustad (two goals)

Toni Lydman (seven blocked shots, six hits)

Beyond Lindstrom versus Crosby

The Stanley Cup Final is looking more and more to be a test of the Penguin's offense (lead by Crosby (and Malkin and Hossa)) against the Red Wings' defense (lead by Lindstrom). While their is also a difference in age in that comparison as well, the fact that this offensive and defensive match up will be happening again and again in this series makes it an entertaining dynamic.

However the just as much of the game will be played on the other end of the ice, and it's just as important how things go there. Will Crosby and Malkin be able to play solid two way hockey? Can they keep Lindstrom from not only playing good defense, but from playing good offense as well? And what about Pittsburgh's blueline? Are they capable of shutting down Detroit's forwards? Is Detroit even any good up front?

This secondary match up of Detroit's offense versus the Pen's defense is just as critical to the outcome of this series, and why I have picked the Penguins to win this year. The Red Wings no longer have Shanahan and while they greatly outshot the Stars, they will actually be forced to spend some time in their own end of the rink in this series giving them less opportunities. Furthermore, while Marc-Andre Fleury is not as good as Turco, he is solid enough to worry Detroit, and even steal a game for his team. Unlike Turco he will not have to do so alone, so he will have a real chance at getting his needed four wins. The Pen's blog has indicated that Pittsburgh is better defensively then anyone else thinks. If that is indeed the case, then the Cup is Pittsburgh's to lose.

Playoff Beard?

The NHL has a tradition of growing a "playoff beard" throughout the post season, and it is something that is done by most of the players. Sidney Crosby is trying to grow a playoff beard of his own, but things are not going so well. The picture to the right is three weeks in. That is absolutely pathetic. Even baby faced Danny Briere did better last season. Most players have bigger beards after the three days of not shaving, let alone three weeks. (Visit Going Five Hole to track Crosby's (lack of) progress).

Also the stats for this season are starting to back up what a few Sabres fans have thought all along, which is that we should have kept Martin Biron. While he had always beat out Miller in terms of humour and consistency, Miller had come through big alot last season, and there was little reason to second guess the decision. Now though, Biron has put up phenomenal five on five numbers, while Miller has had a sub par season. Still I like Marty so it's good to see him doing so well.

Also, back in round one the Flyers and the Capitals played an afternoon game on NBC. Where were the ratings the highest? Right here in Buffalo. Even beating out Philadelphia, and Washington. This only confirms what I've said all along, that Buffalo is the most hockey friendly city in the US. Too bad the Sabres aren't still playing...

Game Seven

The two most exciting series in the first round this season are both going to a game seven, so that should make a good night of watching hockey. The Calgary San Jose series has been close all along and while the Flames are the underdogs, they do have Iginla which always gives them a chance. The Flyers Capitals series has also been very good, and while it looked as if Washington was going to run away with it after game one, Philly shut down Ovechkin and got some production from Briere to take a solid 3-1 lead in the series. Ovechkin got rolling again in game six with two third period goals to force a game seven.

Another game seven took place on monday night where the Montreal Canadians eliminated the Boston Bruins. Boston did much better than expected in this series, and as a result Montreal can't really be the favorite in the East anymore. At this point the Penguins look to be in the best position, and have the benefit of extra rest after sweeping the Senators.

On CNN Wolf Blitzer made an idiot of himself when he admitted to have no clue who Sidney Crosby was. Even if you don't follow hockey he's kindof a big name, if it was a player like Tyler Kennedy I maybe could understand, but not Crosby. At the least Blitzer could have at least pretended to know what was going on. Furthermore it's not as if Blitzer is from Alabama or some other hockey deprived part of the world. Instead he was born and raised in hockey mad Buffalo. As such there is really no excuse for such ignorance. No wonder the people of Buffalo prefer Tim Russert (who like me has decided to root for the Capitals).

The Ice Bowl

The Ice Bowl has finally come. In the end the Penguins got the win in a shootout. Pittsburgh's Colby Armstrong scored a goal within the first minute, while the Sabres came back to tie it up in a second period that they dominated.

Watching on TV the game didn't have too much of a different feel despite the specialness of the game. The actual impact on the game was minimal, although the puck visibly did not slide as well whenever the snow would pick up.

The weather seemed to favour the penguins, as they seemed better prepared and conditioned to the ice differences, especially in the first period when it was the most pronounced. The second period in which the weather had the least influence was also the Sabres best.

Conklin played great in goal again, allowing only one shot to get by and then stopping a great chance by Afinogenov to seal the win in the shootout.

Buffalo actually outshot the Penguins 37 to 25, including 7 to nothing in overtime. Miller played great all game long, but really should have had the two he let by in the shootout.

The Sabres have now been in three shootouts in the past two weeks, after having none for the entire season before that...

Official Three Stars

Sidney Crosby

Ty Conklin

Ryan Miller

My Three Stars

Ty Conklin (only gave up one goal in last two games)

Tyler Kennedy (played great all game long)

Sidney Crosby (one assist and a goal in the shootout)

Sabres fail to score against the Penguins

While the Sabres only scored on goal against Brodour last night, you would think they could do better against Ty Conklin. In fact they did worse. Conkiln, who was Ryan Miller's backup last season, got the shutout as the Penguins won the game 2-0.

The Sabres actually played well throughout the game and even outshot Pittsburgh, but failed to score any goals. They replay the Penguins next Tuesday in the Ice Bowl.

Official Three Stars

Ty Conklin

Colby Armstrong

Sidney Crosby

My Three Stars

Colby Armstrong (scored the only goal)

Ty Conklin (earned a shutout)

Sidney Crosby (two assists)