BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato wasn’t happy with his team at the end of the second period Friday in Winnipeg. He felt they had much more to give and he eventually got it.
Alex Tuch was equally as angry after the loss to the Jets and said they shouldn't have to be down a goal, or wait for a coach or a captain to elevate themselves.
This team has too much talent to be on the same pace they were last year. They should be a better team, and they’re not. Last season after 17 games, the Sabres were 7-10-0. This season they’re 7-9-1.
The good news is they’re right in the middle of the playoff race, but they shouldn’t be on the outside looking in.
Last season goaltending killed them, but this season goaltending has nothing to do with it. For the most part, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Eric Comrie have played very well, while Devon Levi has been good at times, and good enough.
What I can’t understand is when they play like they did in the third period against Winnipeg, they usually win. Haven’t they proven that to themselves enough to play like that on a consistent basis?
Why does it take Granato to lose his mind after a period, or Kyle Okposo to rip into them, to get them to play well all the time?
Granato believes that this team will find its game. I’m not saying he’s lying or anything like that because he truly believes that, but I have my doubts.
The game he wants them to play works and it works almost every time they execute it, so why don’t they play it?
It’s a simple concept, defend well to limit the opponent’s chances. You also should be able to create offense from that. When they use their speed to get through the neutral zone as a unit, it backs off the defense and gives the Sabres skill players a chance to make plays.
Granato talked Saturday about sometimes his guys get drawn laterally instead of straight to the net. You don’t have to be big and strong to go hard to the net, you just have to have the want to do it, and if they would do it more, they wouldn't be sitting outside the playoffs looking in.
Granato has been saying all last season and now over a month into this season that he’s sure this team will find its game on a consistent basis, but I’ve seen no evidence of that.
From my eyes, this team doesn’t get to its game more than it does. When they do get on the attack, they over pass the puck and often don’t even get a shot. If you’re trying finesse much of the time, it’s not going to matter if you have players to the net.
Coaches can only take the message so far, but if the players aren’t willing to consistently play the way that will win them games, it’s a slap in the face to their coaches and the guy sitting next to them.
This team seems to think that it can win on just talent alone, but it’s not happening. There’s no need to panic because they aren’t that far out of a playoff spot, but start motivating yourselves, instead of waiting for others to do it.