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You know how each NHL team has an opponent that, for whatever reason, they cannot beat? Well, the Atlanta Thrashers is that opponant. I would go so far as to say that the Atlanta Thrashers are to the Buffalo Sabres as the Dallas Cowboys are to the Buffalo Bills.
Yeah, I went there.
The opportunity was ripe for Buffalo to gain 2 crucial points heading into the shootout last night. The Rangers and Habs had already taken losses that day. The Panthers were defeated by the Lightning in overtime and the Caps took out the Hurricanes in a similar fashion. That extra point at hand on the evening was ripe for the picking. All Buffalo needed to do was beat the goaltender.
Luckily the Sabres didn’t trade away the best shootout player in the league the week before…riiiiiiight.
Kari Lehtonen stoned all 3 Buffalo shooters giving him his 5th shootout victory on the season. He’s 5-1 on the season in shootouts and upon further investigation, is a pretty good goaltender in pressure situations.
I also think it’s fitting that before the shootout began, Harry Neale (Sabres color commentator on MSG) mentioned how Atlanta probably wishes they had Ilya Kovalchuk in the lineup right now as he is a threat in the shootout. Well Harry, Kovie’s replacement, Brett Sterling, de-pantsed Lalime and buried the game winner. Have fun eating those words, guy.
Over the remaining 3 weeks of regular season play, the Sabres play the Panthers, Rangers, Canadiens, and Hurricanes. All must-win games within regulation. The Sabres also have 4 games against teams with losing records. The opportunity is still there for Buffalo to make something of this season but there has to be a sense of urgency in their game.
schrembs@saucerpass.com
twitter: @saucerpass
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It’s not so bad. There’s worse relationships out there like Atlanta/Philadelphia.
Let’s not forget the 10-1 monstrosity that the Sabres did on my Thrashers last year.
I would have to say 3 overtime losses to the Thrash this season trumps that thumping they handed ‘em last year.
I would glady trade in 7 of those goals for some help this season.
People are calling for the removal of the Thrash, but I think they have some nice prospects in their system. Here is how I’d like to see the summer play out for Atlanta:
1. Drop Lehtonen in favor of Ondrej Pavelec.
2. Deal Ilya Kovalchuck to maximize return.
Acquire a few solid forwards and another defender from a Kovie trade, draft Hedman/Tavares, bring up Pavelec without any competition, hope Enstrom can pick up his game from the back end, slowly work Esposito into the lineup over the next 2 seasons, give Holzapfel and Sterling a chance to start next season with the club and I think you have a nice 2 year plan to get the franchise back to the playoffs.
Schrembs, that plan would have flown in January, but Kovalchuk is the new captain and has stated to the media his pleasure since the new year and that he’d like to stay. Waddell has also stated that he’s untouchable until the trade deadline next season.
Lehtonen is hot. Red hot. Pavelec did pretty shabby when he was called up during Lehtonen’s injury. Giving up Lehtonen would be a pure gamble.
Enstrom has broken out of his slump and he’s getting assists, scoring a few along the way. His puck handling has been sick lately, and he’s done a good job at staying out of the box.
Atlanta is playing themselves out of the draft lottery. Unless if they blow it completely for the remainder of the season, Tavares and Hedman are pretty much a slim chance at best. After tonight’s game, they currently stand at 25th in the league.
Esposito needs a full year in the AHL, but he might get a call-up for a very short time next season.
Sterling isn’t is as amazing as the shootout goal gave the impression of. He’s small and not the fastest, and he’ll ship right back to Chicago when Kovalchuk is back.
This offseason will definitely be interesting for the Thrashers.
I’m glad to see Enstrom break out of hs season long slump. Even more proof the Sophomore Slump truly does exist. Him and Hainsey should be a nice young pairing on the point for the Thrash next season.
Wanna know what really bothers me. Atlanta let Darren Haydar escape. For a team so desperate for right wingers, I thought he could have easily developed this season into a serious scoring threat for the team.
Absolutely agreed on Haydar, but from a Wolves fan perspective. The only problem with Haydar is that he’s a career AHLer, and he’s going over the hump of his prime. He won his Calder Cup, and now he decides he needs a change of scenery. I don’t see Detroit calling him up from Grand Rapids, really.
I’m a huge fan of Darren. I loved him last year at the end of the Hossa era. I loved him as a Wolf. Ask my signed mini-helmet.
But Enstrom’s success is a little complicated. Mathieu Schneider pretty much poisoned Atlanta’s defense on the ice. Good man in the locker room, but character didn’t translate to points unfortunately. Now Schneids is gone and Enstrom is busting out, taking more initiative. Since Mathieu left, Enstrom and rookie Bogosian have been together, and they’re a match made in heaven. They’re scoring and scoring often, they’re keeping the puck in Atlanta’s offensive zone, they’re backchecking. Even behind the scenes, Zach and Toby talk to each other, a lot. Tonight, when Bogosian got his 10 minute misconduct, Toby served the penalty, and you could see the two talking in the penalty box like brothers, not backhanded, nonmutual comments. Enstrom and Bogosian is the future of Atlanta’s defense.
The sophomore slump does indeed exist. Patrick Kane had a lot of “what are you doing?” moments this season. It makes me a bit nervous for Bogosian next season. We shall see.
Schrembs, you’re one of the few Buffalo fans I can respect. You’re a good man, and keep up with the good Sabres reporting.