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Boston Trumps Sabres 3-1



Pat Malacaro Reporting
PatM@wgr550.com

Buffalo, NY (WGR 550)  -- Welcome once again into the Ted Darling Memorial Press Box. We are high atop ice level, as the Buffalo Sabres return home to welcome the Boston Bruins to First Niagara Center. The B's were supposed to host the Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday, but the Nor'easter that swept across the East Coast postponed that matchup.

Buffalo is coming off of a 3-2 win against the New York Islanders down state yesterday. Ryan Miller stole the show by making 41 saves and bailing his teammates out several times. Robyn Regher is back from injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, and will be in the lineup. That means T.J. Brennan will be a healthy scratch, along with Tyler Myers. It is the second straight game Myers is watching from the press box. The blue and gold needed to make a roster move to bring Regher back, and they placed Matt Ellis on waivers.

For more from today's optional morning skate, click here for Paul Hamilton's pregame report. Be sure to add your comments in the thread below and interact with the blog. I will add my two cents, in addition to the scoring plays. Also, be sure to follow Brian Koziol: @BrianWGR and myself: @PatWGR on Twitter for even more.

First Period

20:00 - Robyn Regher is indeed back in the lineup tonight, T.J. Brennan is a scratch along with Mikhail Grigorenko.

17:07 - The grinder line of John Scott-Cody McCormick-Patrick Kaleta gets its first shift of the game. After McCormick puts the puck on the net and right after al three crash the crease and try to disrupt backup Anton Khudobin.

15:33 - Marcus Foligno had the best chance of the game so far, but the puck slipped off of his stick and went into the corner. The forward tried to go backhand, top corner for the score.

14:28 - I am sitting next to Paul Hamilton for the period, and he noticed right off the bat that Lindy Ruff is trying to keep the Vanek line away from Zdeno Chara. Claude Julien is trying to get that matchup every time, but as Paul said, Ruff is making him earn it.
 
12:48 - The blue and gold get lucky as a puck ticketed for the back of the net gets stopped just at the top of the crease and Miller is able to sweep it off the to corner. Each team has had a couple of early chances, but neither can convert yet. Shots are 9-6, Boston.

11:01 - Well, I am guessing Gregory Campbell won't be going at Patrick Kaleta again anytime soon. Kaleta unloaded on Campbell after the Bruin came to the defense of a teammate from a *clean* hit. Campbell raced across the ice and will get the instigator minor to along with a fighting major.

8:58 - A lackluster PP for Buffalo as Chara actually had a golden chance right at the start, walking in untouched on Miller. Still 0-0 in the opening stanza.

6:29 - You wouldn't know by the current tally that the Sabres were being outshot for much of this period. The blue and gold now have a slight 13-12 edge in shots, and I would add the better of the scoring chances overall in the first.

4:12 - Another beautiful scoring chance goes by the wayside for Buffalo. Foligno evaded a sprawled defender to feed Nathan Gerbe, but the forward whiffed on the chance. Will this be another case of a bounce goes in and all of a sudden the Sabres are staring a 1-0 deficit in the face?
 

End of Period

BUF - 0, BOS - 0

Scoring Summary

BUF: none
BOS: none

Shots On Goal

BUF - 13, BOS - 16


Second Period

17:56 - Cody Hodgson's slashing minor at the end of the opening stanza does not come back to haunt the blue and gold. No worse for the wear, and only one shot given up on the kill. Now they are right back at it thanks to a Steve Ott unsportsmanlike conduct minor.

16:36 - Now it will be 5-on-3 thanks to an Alexander Sulzer cross checking penalty. Refree Dave Jackson makes the call. The B's take their one, and only, timeout here. 

15:43 - What a great play by Christian Ehrhoff to dive and distrupt Brad Marchand enough to take away his breakaway chance. Rare is it that the defenseman does not take the player down and make the play, but this was one of those occasions.

13:36 - If it wasn't for Ryan Miller, the Sabres would be laughed right out of the rink for a second straight night. In back-to-back games the netminder has made highlight reel stops to keep his team in the game. The latest was a stop of Nathan Horton at the side of the goal. Miller is playing at an elite level.

12:50 - BRUINS GOAL. Brad Marchand snaps a shot just above the faceoff dot, and with Andrej Sekera cutting across he beats Miller. We had a feeling that this might be coming. Boston was building momentum up to this for a while. 1-0 BOS.

9:25 - Yes, you are all right. I jinxed Miller and the Sabres. Let's forget that the team is being outshot 9-1 this period, and 25-14 overall. Me pointing out an observation jinxed the blue and gold. 

6:31 - Another lackluster PP for Buffalo. Marchand tried to give his goal back by taking a faceoff violation penalty by using his hand to sweep the puck out of the dot.

1:59 - SABRES GOAL. What a nifty set of hands by Tyler Ennis to deke around the goaltender and roof the puck into the opposite corner of the net. Credit the other two forwards as well. Steve Ott pressured the defenseman into letting the puck go by right to Drew Stafford, who made the pass to the front. 1-1 tie.

End of Period

BUF - 1, BOS - 1

Scoring Summary

BUF: 18:01 - Tyler Ennis (5). (Drew Stafford)
BOS: 7:10 - Brad Marchand (6). (Andrew Ference)

Shots On Goal

BUF - 5 (18), BOS - 10 (26)


Third Period

18:08 - The Sabres have struggled to get a shot on goal in many a third periods this season. Let's see how long it takes the blue and gold here tonight.

15:37 - The blue and gold already have two shots this frame. Shots are 5-2 for the B's at the moment.

12:08 - BRUINS GOAL. Patrice Bergeron beats any Sabre on the ice to a loose puck in the slot, and he scores on the power play to give Boston another lead. No chance for Miller to stop that one. The goal comes as Mike Weber was in the box for shooting the puck over the glass. 2-1 BOS. 

9:01 - Shots are 7-6, Boston right now, but I do not think the play matches that total. The Bruins are keeping the puck in the Buffalo zone a majority of this stanza.

5:50 - Holy cow, Miller saves the game right there. Andrej Sekera makes an incredibly dumb play in front of his own net, and if not for a flail by the netminder, Bergeron would have had his second of the game and it would be 3-1. Oh man, that was brutal.

3:24 - The Sabres are stuck on six shots on goal. It has been a while since they registered one on Khudobin.

1:14 - Miller is out for the extra attacker.

:48.6 - BRUINS GOAL. Milan Lucic scored on the open net, and this one is salted away for the visitors. 3-1 BOS.

End Of Game

Boston 3, Buffalo 1

Scoring Summary

BUF: none
BOS: 7:52 - Patrice Bergeron (2) PPG. (Chris Bourque, Rich Peverley). 19:11 - Milan Lucic (3) ENG. (David Krejci, Dennis Seidenberg).

Shots On Goal

BUF - 8 (26), BOS - 13 (39)


Postgame

Well, this is kind of the result that should have happened last night in Long Island, right?! If not for Miller's 41 saves the team should have not been in the game, let alone win it. The goaltender tried his darndest to steal another game, but again the secondary scoring really was not there. The Vanek-Hodgson-Pominville line was quiet, and except for the Ennis goal there was nothing else.  Just eight shots on goal in the third is another bad example of how this teams performs down the stretch. Next up is a meeting with the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. Catch all of the action, and the pregame show starting ay 6:30 p.m., on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.

All photos courtesy of AP
Filed Under :  
Topics : Sports
Social :
Locations : Boston, Buffalo, East Coast
People : Brian Koziol, Matt Ellis, Paul Hamilton, Robyn Regher, Ryan Miller, T.J. Brennan, Tyler Myers
02/10/2013 10:06PM
Amazing
It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Just when you think it can't possibly get any worse ... They couldn't get out of their own zone let alone into Bostons even with a man advantage. Yep I'm so glad we signed Ott to make the other teams quiver in fear at the thought of coming to our rink. Not to mention his goal scoring ... Go Sabres ... and take the Bills with you while your at it.
02/10/2013 10:14PM
Boston beatdown
If not for Miller, this would have been a blowout. Boston controlled the play for long stretches. The 2 game win streak was not impressive. This is not a good hockey team. Stafford should be with Grigorenko and Myers in the press box. Hecht getting top six forward minutes is mind numbing. They ought to give Kaleta a chance at a regular shift. He couldn't do any worse than what they're getting out of Stafford, Hecht, Foligno or Gerbe.
02/10/2013 10:17PM
Enough is enough...
How many times do we have to watch other teams dominate play with most of the game played on our end of the ice, which is apparently what ruff's 'system' is all about? How bad does this team have to get for there to be a gm/coaching change? If this is hockey heaven, I'd hate to see hockey hell. When something continuously fails, you have to try something different, and this teams management in terms of gm/coach has been the same for what, 16 years? Wake up pegula - be a leader and make the necessary changes.
02/10/2013 10:20PM
Embarrassing
I have never been so depressed in my 42 years of being a Sabres fan. Every year for my sons birthday I save money and take him to a Sabres game. This year he told me not to waste my money and lets do something fun for a change. He is only 13 years old!! Already knows this team is a lost cause. No effort or talent. Unbelievable.
02/10/2013 10:27PM
pominville has been lost for a few games
playing hecht top-six minutes should be the last straw...either he or ruff need to go...hello?...darcy?...terry?...y'all listening?
02/10/2013 10:32PM
WALMART!!!
FOREVERFORE!!! The ......oh cr ap. I am just an idiot.
02/10/2013 10:44PM
The Cream always rises and the Craap always sinks...
Bruins rising, Walmart sinking, again. EXTENSIONS ALL ROUND! Hecht was awful, again... RUFF MUST GO!
02/10/2013 10:55PM
Unbelievable
I have been following the Sabres loyally since 1971. They again have a stable of fine players including many 1st round draft picks, so... * why is their w-l record 5 - 8? * why have the sabres missed the playoffs the last couple years? * what is on R & R's resumes to suggest they have the skills and experience to win the stanley cup? * why does it seem like so many of the Sabres players appear to be afflicted with the Tony Horton (baseball player with an interesting story)syndrome? * why is Gerbe in the lineup instead of Grigorenko when under Lindy they always have been offensively impotent in the 2nd game of back to back game? * what has Gerbe and Leopold done to justify spots in the lineup over other players? * aren't there any players on the farm that are skilled enough above replacement players to bump them out of the lineup yet? * why was Regier infatuated with undersized players in the first place? * why does their defense resemble and remind me of the defensive messes that Jame Patrick was part of back in his Ranger playing days? * why is one of their star # 1 draft picks (myers) benched and his play has degraded to this? * why was Stafford (another first rounder) ineffective when needed and last year and not sxoring again this year? * why is there a lack of creative vision....is it just a coincidence that the head coach lacked this as a player? * why is Miller playing lights out and they are still losing games...is it that goalies can be be too overvalued these days? * why is Enroth another blue chip talent ineffective? * why is Vanek showing signs of slowing down now that games are taking a toll? * why does anybody think Ennis is a top 2 line center? * why does Ennis and Hecht lose such a large pct. of faceoffs? * what do Patrick and Adams have on their coaching resumes that show that they are good coaches? * why do the sabres allow so many and score so few (fluke) carom-off-the backboard goals? This is popular now in the league, yet the sabres haven't caught on...why? Don't they practice this? Do the players think of this? Or is there a a lack of creatuve vision and direction? * why do the Sabres tolerate so many players, such as Leopold, Hecht, and Myers doing the ole rather than physically engaging their opponents in critical situations? * why do the sabres often look much more winded or gassed than their opponents as the game wears on? back when they had drury grier and briere they'd be down by 1 goal going into the second or third and would come roaring back.Was it physical or mental conditioning (or both?) Myers is a wreck, Stafford doesn't get scoring chances. Neither have Gerbe or Hecht created scoring chances. NBC news has a segment called the Fleecing of America, the Sabres also have a version. The smoke and mirrors gig has got to come to an end soon with R & R. As Bucky Gleason said it comes down to credibility with those 2. Credibility doesn't guarantee wins, but without it and without lots of determination you're either treading water or dead in the water. Their play as a team reflects this. Would you be interetsted in seeing somone with knowledge and respect and is a reknowned great communicator like Pat Lafontaine have an opportunity to coach this team?
02/10/2013 11:01PM
Khudobin ELITE, MR SOFTEE, juuust soft enough to get Walmart beat!
The question is Will Ruff have the stones to start his MR SOFTEE against his "OWNER" ALFIE in Ottawa? Or will he hide the ELITE one under his skirt and throw Enroth to the dogs? Stay tuned for yet another Ottawa embarassment Tuesday! Followed by... Those loved Bruins again Friday... Too bad Walmart can't play against Khabibulin and the Islanders every night. eh? LOL, such hopeless loosers! By the way, you "ELITE" fans will be more delirious to know MR SOFTEE is mow .500 again on this FOREEVER 500 Walmart!!! Great stuff huh!? SSSSpring is in the air, GET YOUR CLUBS ready loosersss... Terry PLEASE DON'T FIRE ANYONE, this is FUN!
02/10/2013 11:23PM
The Weeble Chokes on Foligno's excellent pass...
Typical Regeir Ruff WALMART mediocre player that midget Gerbe! "Oh... Oh...! But he so quick... LOL!!! Put him in the lineup", the hopeless EUPHORIAN NATION screams!!! What BEAUTIFUL loosers!! Mediocrity Rules WALMART!!! THE PIECES ARE IN PLACE, though... Spring nears again. 4 ever 4
02/10/2013 11:25PM
When will Pegula come to his senses?
Wish Golisano is still the owner, then we know WHY he is keeping Regier/Ruff combo, the NHL's laughing stock. When Pegula spends so much more money yet a worse team, is this because we are Buffalo? Why can't BFN and WGR DEMAND a better showing a better accountability from their two sports teams in town? Pegula is really really a bad owner. Wish Golisano still owned the team.
02/10/2013 11:27PM
The Press Box = Lindy's Dog House... except for Jokin Jochen...
It's gettin crowded in there but teams will be scouting it because that's where talented players end up at Dictator Ruff's concentration camp! You can bet Jokin Jochen will never be found there though... GO GERBE!!
02/11/2013 9:05AM
Had enough of Sekera already
Why do they keep this guy? I think he is our worst defenseman. Get rid of the bum. Turnover after turnover and he plays 21 minutes. What a joke!!! Pathetic.
02/11/2013 9:17AM
Lindas post game
Same thing over and over...EXCUSES. This team might win 10 games this season. Where are the changes after the weekend Darcy??? Was waiving Ellis it???
02/11/2013 10:45AM
Pegula should be called "Pefoola"
Wake up owner.
02/11/2013 11:25AM
Re:Unbelievable
Even though it's only since 1974 for me... Amen!
02/11/2013 11:28AM
Sekera
Weak, just plain weak.
02/11/2013 11:49AM
Re: When will Pegula come to his senses?
I actually believe that Pagula is Golisano in disguise. Since Pagula went out and brought in the two Defensemen, Regher and Ehrhoff, nothing much has changed. Regier still doesn't make moves to improve the team. Ruff still plays the same boring dump and chase. The owner (which ever it is) still says that the two heads of hockey dept. aren't goin' no where. The new owner claimed his regime would be transparent, but his mouth pieces for the organization claim that Ruff is offensive minded, that it's still too early (that worked the last two seasons until it was too late), it's the iunjuries(a lack of injuries this season to call it that), And if a caller to Sabre's Hot line calls and attempts to make constructive criticism he is cut off and ridiculed. Last week Peters threatened to fight someone who offered his honest opinion. And no I'm not either one of those callers. The White Wash the Sabre's are spewing is embarrassing. I truly wonder whether they honestly believe what their shoveling out. It's sad that the new owner said he was dealing in honesty and transparance and have the gall to label anyone who offers his honest opinion (an opinion that 80% of the fan base believes) a "Hater". And I won't even begin with the morning guys improvised Buffalo Whiner Voice.
02/11/2013 3:16PM
It's Nabokov on Islanders, but you're right...
Nabakov was the one your were refering to, correct? I do get your point about franchises unable to be competetive at higher levels though. It's all about ownership and their ability to set the standard for their product. Your "Walmart" analogy is correct. It's easier to sell an inferior product to the less afluent than an expensive superior one to the more afluent. Obviously all Sabres ownerships realized that There are just many more less affluent customers in WNY than affluent. Less affluent means less decerning meaning lower expectations in products purchased. Hence explaining sellouts for this WNY standard mediocre entertainment ie; Bills, Sabres etc. They just keep producing what they can sell at the lowest standard, because its very productive.
02/11/2013 3:24PM
Ellis Waived... UNCLAIMED Walmart trash remains...
Now there's a surprise... Walmart waives another in there stable of mediocrity AND NO NHL TEAM is interested in theri GARBAGE. Bet they can send half their roster to the curb and it will be safe! Of course Regeir should get another EXTENSION for that. Terry, don't fire anyone, this is GRRREAT FUN! Fore em soon...
02/11/2013 5:35PM
CLEAN HAOUSE!! HIRE: Risebrough-Pat Roy-Gainey-Laperiere!!! NOW!!
There is your BRAND NEW GM, and Coaching staff. RISEBROUGH will draft and trade for "NHL" players; PATRICK ROY will "FIX" or TRADE SOFTEE, PATRICK ROY also DEVELOPED AND nourished Grigorenko who's currently languishing in Ruff's CONCENTRATION CQMP. BOB GAINEY will create "NHL" offense AND DEFENSE. JAQUES LAPERIERE will "DEVELOP" young defensemen instead of RUINING them. These PROVEN WINNERS are All ready to come and restore "NHL" respectability to this laughing stock of a franchise known as Walmart! Together they OWN 20 STANLEY CUPS!!!! WAKE UP PEGULA! Why did you buy it to keep it losing?? We are SO Nsick of GOLF in SPRING! TRANSFORM WALMART INTO AN "NHL" FRANCHISE AGAIN!
02/11/2013 6:31PM
NOT MR WALMART, but he likes to think he is...
(James Ziolkowski) IS NOT MR WALMART, but he likes to think he is... I love my fans!! FORREVERRFORE!
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If the Flyers buy out Daniel Briere, should the Sabres pursue him?
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