Depending on which cross-section of Sabres fans you poll there could be varying levels of satisfaction regarding Buffalo’s first 15 games.
Well, first 14 games. Number 15 will be played tomorrow against Ottawa at First Niagara Center. Based on this weekend’s schedule there is little room to include a 15-game report card.
After a tremendous 5-1 run to open the season, the Sabres slid back to the pack with a 1-4 run which brought back many demons the team struggled with at One Seymour H Knox III Plaza last season. It seems as if Buffalo has righted the ship recently. The Sabres have three straight wins – two coming at home – and have pulled back into the top-five in the Eastern Conference.
Hockey is a game of ebbs and flows. In games and throughout the season, teams will have things go well while fighting struggles just a couple nights later. It would seem that the Sabres have experienced both situations through their first 15 contests. They had some worry-free outings in Europe followed by a disappointing home loss to Carolina, a game they probably should have won. The process continued after completing their road trip, the Sabres dropped three of five games on their first extended home stand, but have since found their way back to the win column.
A great many factors can be attributed to Buffalo’s struggles and success; goaltending has been a direct result of both. The same could be said about special teams. There hasn’t been too much flash from the big offseason acquisitions, but familiar faces have been providing quite a spark for the Sabres so far.
Now for the grades:
Coaching – B: Can’t really put too much emphasis on what Lindy Ruff has done just yet. He hasn’t made any horrible decisions but has managed to figure out how to rotate his goaltenders. According to the bench boss, he has deviated from his goaltending schedule three times and all three he cited were correct choices. Ruff has been a little quick to the trigger regarding shuffling his lines, which may have hurt chemistry between some of the players. With a 9-5-0 record and one of the NHL’s top penalty killing units, there isn’t too much to criticize at this point.
Special Teams – A-: The Sabres boast a penalty kill that is operating at 92% entering the weekend. The unit has been outstanding all year, definitely one of the top strengths for the team. The power play has been on and off, an expected problem considering the new faces and the simple nature that is succeeding on the man advantage in the NHL. The unit has been strong through the first 15 games, continued success will go a long way for the long-term success of the Sabres.
Forwards – B+: This grade changes depending on which line you evaluate and which game you base your evaluation on. Obviously The Subway Line of Vanek-Adam-Pominville has been superb, with only Adam being removed for 6:23 against Philly. Paul Gaustad and Nathan Gerbe appear to be the line that any RW can play on. They have looked good with Pat Kaleta skating alongside and even better with Brad Boyes on the wing. Corey Tropp even has seen minutes after power plays. The Sabres fourth line has been a revolving door, but the current trio may be the best the team has seen this season. Tropp has filled in well for Kaleta, meanwhile Matt Ellis and Cody McCormick continue to do no wrong as grinders. Only the Leino-Roy-Stafford line – to that extent Tyler Ennis too – has had ups and downs. Roy has caught fire recently and Stafford seems to be waking up. Leino has been a disappointment thus far, but seems to be in a comfort zone with Roy and Stafford. After all, this is the longest he has stayed with a line so far. If Leino can start finding the scoresheet the Sabres will be skating with four complete lines, they are already pretty close where they stand now.
Defense – B: It is either sunshine and daisies or fright night with the Sabres defense this season. Andrej Sekera has been living up to his new contract (until Tuesday) and may be the steadiest defenseman the Sabres have at this time. Robyn Regehr has been quietly effective as well for Buffalo. Regehr has brought a serious physical edge that the Sabres blue line has been lacking in recent years. The remaining four (five counting Mike Weber) have yet to find any consistency. Tyler Myers is either good or horrible and Marc-Andrej Gragnani has had a similar run. Meanwhile, Jordan Leopold has been only so-so, especially compared to his 2010-11 campaign. Christian Ehrhoff simply hasn’t lived up to his contract. He has had some good games, but hasn’t made the necessary contributions to the power play that everyone has been waiting for. Weber hasn’t played enough to be properly judged. Buffalo needs improvement from their big money defenseman as the season progresses.
Goaltending – A-: Yes, an A-. Ryan Miller was very much a superstar through his first five starts; he has been anything but that since. However, he has been 50% of a very effective tandem for the Sabres. He stole two points in Montreal and was a major part of Buffalo’s win against the Panthers. So don’t discount his contributions based on the past week. Jhonas Enroth has continued his winning ways from last season, and has helped right the ship at First Niagara Center. Despite utilizing an awkward style, Enroth has been outstanding for the Sabres as has likely weaseled his way into a greater role than originally expected of him for the season.
Overall – B+: Buffalo is sitting in fifth place in the East entering play tonight. They are sniffing Toronto’s heels and very well could overtake the Leafs if James Reimer’s head injury persists. The Sabres certainly have some work to do as they move forward. The defensive zone has been nightmarish so far and the offseason additions on the blueline have not managed to limit the shots and chances being created. Perhaps it is because there is a little too much offense on the blueline, perhaps the forwards aren’t helping enough. But, outside of getting Ryan Miller back on track and continuing to improve the power play, the Sabres biggest concern has to revolve around their defensive struggles.
Still, at the 15 game mark the Sabres are in a pretty decent spot. The East is fairly jammed up right now in terms of points, so the standings will fluxuate for the next little bit. Still, had a fan looked at this team after 10 games they would likely lose control. After 15 games, things look far steadier.
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