Category: Hockey History 1917-2023

Heroes and Scapegoats

Sabres 1 – Red Wings 2  It is difficult to watch loss after loss…Buffalo played well but could not bury any of their quality chances and if not for the herculean shorthanded efforts of Mr. Tuch the Sabres would have been shut out. I am officially putting Lindy Rough on the hot seat.

Panthers 4 (en) – Stars 2  Global Series Finland hockey fans received it all, two games, a powerful defending cup champion versus a similarly strong opponent, a high scoring game, a low scoring pull the goalie game, at times good officiating, fighting, and a sweep.

Bruins 3 (en) – Flyers 0  Philadelphia would benefit from more shots on goal even though this was a close 2-0 battle and Boston’s second goal came after Philadelphia created some good chances in Boston’s end then allowed the Bruins to rush up ice and score. Note: Philadelphia Goaltender Ersson left the game after stopping all eight shots he faced with a lower body injury in the first period.

Blackhawks 4 (SO) – Kings 3  Chicago mars Los Angeles’ perfect home record by tying the game with 30.3 seconds remaining in the third period and after a scoreless overtime two ‘Hawks out deke and scorch the Kings netminder for goals and the win.

Capitals 7 – Blue Jackets 2  Head Coach of the year front runner Spencer Carbery has Washington looking like a cup contender early as the Capitals win eight times in their first 10 games and had Columbus goaltender Tarasov literally spinning like a top.

Senators 3 (en) – Kraken 0  Ottawa’s first goal was challenged unsuccessfully, both goaltenders played an outstanding 60 minutes, both teams penalty killers were top notch, and statistically similar except for a possible slow whistle (I thought the goal was good) and a deflection were the differences last night.

Penguins 3 (en) – Canadiens 1  Pittsburgh is dominating Montreal this season scoring twice as many goals in their first two of three meetings in 2024 with the Captain scoring twice inspiring the Pittsburgh announcer to shout “Crosby has a pair” and after watching Mr. Crosby play over the seasons…I agree.

Blues 4 (en) – Maple Leafs 2  An unfortunate penalty leading to St. Louis’ third tally cost Toronto this game as the Blues were able to weather the 17 SOG 4 third period Toronto storm to get to .500% winning percentage.

Predators 5 (en x2) – Avalanche 2  Power play specialist Stamkos is finding his groove as Nashville scores on both of its power play opportunities and twice into the empty net as the Predators drag Colorado down in the standings to Nashville’s seeding.

Canucks 3 – Sharks 2  Vancouver survives their Conference dwellers home effort as San Jose nearly thwarts the Canucks in their first of four meetings this season.

Knights 4 (OT) – Hockey Club  Utah skates into Nevada and earns another road point as the Knights required overtime to subdue their Conference opponent.

10 games  4-5-1  .450% winning percentage

Here along the Lake – The first month, the first ten games, and the Sabres are close…to becoming the team we know they can be.

Buffalo fired their head coach at the end of last season due to not making the playoffs and hovering above .500% winning percentage, New Jersey fired their head coach before the end of the season due to lack of offensive production and wins.

The Devils are 7-4-2 , .615% winning percentage under their new head coach and the Sabres are subpar compared to our last head coach, yet one win more would have given HC Ruff a winning October…were close.

Around the League

Capitals 6 – Canadiens 3  Goon wilson received a rare beat down from an opponent, but in his defense the fight he had to participate in was because of a solid clean hit on a player just returning from injury, and the Capitals 7-2-0, .778% winning percentage are surprising everyone.

Hurricanes 8 – Bruins 2  Carolina won its fifth consecutive game by crushing the big bad bruins who took 5 SOG each period for 15 SOG, the Hurricanes launched 18 SOG in the second period, even though Boston won more faceoffs, hit more 32 – 12, and out blocked Carolina, the Bruins looked terrible.

Penguins 2 – Ducks 1 OT  Pittsburgh players vocalized their desire to win last night, but after outshooting Anaheim 29 – 16 after two periods of play and being down 1-0 it did not look like it would happen especially in light of their current winless streak, fortunately they won on their second shot in OT.

Maple Leafs 4 – Kraken 1 (en)  A combined 25 SOG with Toronto scoring less than five seconds remaining in the first period for the 1-0 lead, in the third down 3-0 Seattle pulled their goaltender for a 6 on 5 and scored with 3:38 remaining but Toronto scores an empty net for the 4-1 victory. Note: While being defended Awesome Matthews banked a beautiful shot off the dasher board as if playing billiards to score into the empty net.

Flyers 2 – Blues 1  St. Louis took 7 SOG each period and scored once, Philadelphia taking the same amount of SOG for the game won on some outstanding individual efforts from Center Poehling and Goaltender Ersson.

Oilers 5 – Predators 1  Nashville’s woes continue and the Oilers thanks to Big Leon Draisaitl are up to .500% winning percentage.

Sharks 3 – Blackhawks 2  San Jose won their third consecutive game which are the first three wins of their young season while Chicago loses the game and an opportunity to advance divisionally by going 0 for 3 on the power play.

Last week’s answer: Jamie Lee Curtis

This week can you name the correct call?

Sabres edge out Red Wings

Sabres 5 (en) – Red Wings 3  Buffalo earns their first power play score when Mr. Thompson broke the NHL EDGE Puck & Player Tracking Statistics hardest shot with a 104.69 mph shot that created the scoring rebound.

HC Ruff has his team playing well, in the first period the Sabres literally moved as a five man unit up and down the ice creating a 19 SOG 5 disparity with Buffalo scoring twice.

In the third period during Detroit’s 6 on 5, UPL at the top of the blue ice forced Red Wings legend Patrick Kane to make a play instead of shooting and when Mr. Kane did manage to get a shot off it harmlessly bounced off the nearest side post.

To finish out October’s schedule tomorrow the Sabres host the Panthers for the second time this month, Florida was October’s first victory, now Buffalo has the opportunity to ruin Florida’s visit here along the Lake making them the last win this month while earning a winning record for October.

A near perfect home game for Buffalo

Sabres 4 (en) – Stars 2 (pulled goaltender for each goal)  Dallas sauntered into Buffalo with a 5-1 record and left with another road loss.

Buffalo killed three Dallas power plays and blocked nearly double the amount of shots that the Stars blocked, and although Dallas won most of the faceoffs Mr. Krebs was 6 of 7 for the Sabres and scored a beautiful wait and whack shot behind the Dallas goaltender.

Buffalo recently acquired from Edmonton for Matt Savoie left shooting 6’ 3” Center Ryan McLeod who has scored each of the last four games, defenseman Owen Power notched three assists, and Thompson & Tuch continue to produce points while UPL posted an excellent .933% save percentage.

Two more games left in October and both are at home with Saturday afternoon’s contest versus Detroit that will be the first appearance of Buffalo’s brawny black & red sweater, and Monday night’s matchup will be the second home game against the Panthers this month.

Another fun game to have watched

Unless you are a New Jersey fan that is as Tamp Bay on the road crushed the Devils 8-5 and after being outshot 15-13 in the second period the Lightning outscored New Jersey 5-1 for a 6-2 game heading into the third period.

Goaltender Allen was not pulled by new HC Keefe after the second period and the netminder’s save percentage dropped to .784% after allowing eight goals, one (SHG) while he was skating way outside his crease creating in essence an empty net goal.