Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Rebuttal: Sabres in 6

Reaction to AP or Absolutly Pathetic
submitted by "Kat-man"
The Sabres are going down in 6 games? Bold prediction. A few counterpoints for Arnold to chew on...
Point 1: Nothing from the regular season matters can be considered a very true statement. Like any other sport, getting to the playoffs gives any team hope of getting hot and making a run, much like 2006 Sabres did last year. It's no secret that Buffalo didn't belong 1 game away from the Stanley Cup Finals last year. They had no business demoralizing Ottawa or even coming close to the Hurricanes. But now anything less than a Finals appearance is unacceptable. However, "AP" points out the fact that the other NY team is 21-6-6 with Sean Avery? First off, who? Sean Avery? You mean the guy that spends his time talking trash, getting into fights with dive king and total embarrassment Darcy Tucker, hides behind Colton Orr? Take your own advice and throw the season stats out the window. This means the rangers are 4-0 with Chase Avery, 4 wins coming against a team headed to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. With guys like Jagr and Shanahan, and all the cups they have won, THEY SHOULD BEAT THE ATLANTA THRASHERS. Take a closer look at the schedule "AP". If we are going to pull out season stats, why not mention the fact the Rangers are a suspect 5-11-6 against playoff teams since January 1. Not to mention the fact that three of the wins came against the overachieving Long Islanders. It must be nice for the Rangers knowing they get to play the likes of Philadelphia and Long Island a combined 16 times during the year.
Point 2:As far as Avery goes, which I'm not going to waste my time talking about, the guy needs some pharmaceutical help. Developing these ideas about going into corners deserves more than just some psychoanalysis or free association. The guy needs help. And by putting so much pressure on himself to "rumble" in the corners, shouldn't any attention be put towards, hmm I dont know, scoring a goal maybe. The guy can play, theres no question. And if the youngsters on the Sabres react how they did against Neal, Avery will no doubt play a part. But that's one less scorer the Sabres have to worry about. Let the guy take some dumb penalties, let him take a run at the likes of Briere or Drury. In the words of Lindy: "Thats the definition of a joke."
Point 3: Now onto the Shanahan/Jagr issue. All I can say is the Rangers should be lucky Round 1 only went 4 games. Anything more and these two will be applying for Medicare. A combined 70 years old? They put up some numbers against a slower paced thrashers team who took way too many penalties, allowing the old timers to shut it down, maybe get a new pair of depends in between periods, and get to bed before the 11 o'clock news. Lets see how they fair in a 6 or 7 game series against the NHL's fastest team. Not good. Jagr himself compared the Sabres to a Ferrari. Shanahan is just too old to even understand why he is relevant in this conversation. With the Rangers only able to run 2 lines at best, look for the Sabres to step up.
Predictions:
Sabres win the series 4-2
Huge series for Thomas Vanek; at least 4 goals
Adam Mair knocking Sean Avery back to his "visions"
Jagr/Shanny- only goals will come on PP; one will retire after this series

3 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice post, katman or should I just call you woody paige? "if you look at the schedule". I'll agree with you, anything less than a Finals appearance is unacceptable but it will be a major disappointment. Jagr average 21 minutes in the regular season and playoffs, while Shanny avg 19 and 17 minutes. That is typical for 1st and 2nd line players in the NHL. The only others with more ice time is the D; which is also typical. What does age have to do with anything? They are professional athletes and are well conditioned ones as well. They both are use to averaging 20+ minutes their entire life. You probably think Lindstrom is too old to be #1 D in Detroit, too? Jagr had 96pts, how is he not going to be a factor? Doesn't Straka have a history of owning the Sabres in the playoffs? What you mentioned about Avery is laughable. Perhaps, he is the biggest diver in the league but he is one of the biggest agitators in the 'show. By trash talking he will get guys off their game, put the focus on him, drawing retaliation penalties, and putting his team on the power play. The referees always look for the retaliation. He is not "goal scorer" (by goal scorer, I mean 20 goals or more), he has never been a goal scorer, he was not brought to ny to put the puck in the net. He was brought in draw penalties and brings lots of energy. You fail to counter my points on goaltending, special teams, or depth. That must mean you agree with me. Do yourself a favor and stick to something you know, basketball. I’ll agree with you if said “I know nothing about basketball” I never played and watched as much basketball as I have golf on tv. It wouldn’t be fair to call myself a basketball expert but I wouldn’t say “I know nothing about sports” that’s like saying you know nothing about football and basketball. I wouldn’t question your basketball knowledge but didn’t I finish 2nd in the Big East basketball tourney?

    ReplyDelete
  3. "AP" you say season stats don't matter but yet you brought regular season power play and goaltending averages into the mix. Whats up with that? How do Miller and Lundqvists stats have relevance but Buffalos 30-Goal scorers "dont matter".

    ReplyDelete