The Sabres Defensemen Lead The NHL IN Goals.

[IPostedWhat]

Great, but can they play defense?

The Buffalo Sabres' defensemen lead the NHL in goals and are on pace to absolutely crush the blue-liners' output from every other season of coach Lindy Ruff's tenure. So what's the difference this year? Is it improved shooting by the D-men? Is it forwards creating more space to allow the blue-liners to fire away?

Steve Montador has it all figured out.

"That's probably a credit to how good-looking we are," the defenseman said. Well, they look good on the score sheet anyway.

The Sabres' defensemen enter tonight's game against Vancouver in HSBC Arena on a goal-scoring tear, especially compared to previous years. The defensive corps has a goal in four of the last six games. They combined for a goal and three assists during Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory over Washington, continuing an output not usually seen from the back end.

The Sabres' blue-liners have scored an NHL-best 11 goals, including four each by Leopold and Tyler Myers. They also have 37 points, fourth in the league behind Pittsburgh (47), Atlanta and Detroit (39 each) entering Sunday's games.

It's only 18 games into the season, but they are on pace for 50 goals. The defensemen had 36 during Ruff's first season, and they haven't topped 32 since.

Sabres' defensemen reaching their goals - Sabres & NHL - The Buffalo News

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Wow, I never would have guessed that. Lets hope Pommers and Stafford can get on board. I do think Vanek has come out of his slump.

Maybe there's hope IPW.

 

[gtown27]

Here's the real question...if Myers finishes with, say, 15-plus goals and 40 points, would that make up for his horrendous play on D? He's still a minus-10.

He's looked more like a rookie (from what I've seen of him..and not a lot since I miss a lot of games nowadays) this year than he has all last season...

 

[dash]

If you look at the top NHL teams, you definitely have to have defensemen willing to join the rush and contribute offensively. The intermission feature on HNIC during the Canucks - Leafs game focused on how the Canucks defense are jumping in to offensive rushes.

Bouwmeester with the Flames is getting more offensively involved and was rewarded with a goal on Saturday night.

To answer the Bossman's question, hope is a dangerous thing.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Here's the real question...if Myers finishes with, say, 15-plus goals and 40 points, would that make up for his horrendous play on D? He's still a minus-10.

He's looked more like a rookie (from what I've seen of him..and not a lot since I miss a lot of games nowadays) this year than he has all last season...

Hi gtown! Yes I think more teams are keying on Myers but what's up with this falling down crap? I missed a few game's while gone but the games I have seen he seems to lose an edge at least once a game.

That said, I am sure he will pick it up. he's got too much talent not to.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

If you look at the top NHL teams, you definitely have to have defensemen willing to join the rush and contribute offensively. The intermission feature on HNIC during the Canucks - Leafs game focused on how the Canucks defense are jumping in to offensive rushes.

Bouwmeester with the Flames is getting more offensively involved and was rewarded with a goal on Saturday night.

To answer the Bossman's question, hope is a dangerous thing.


Yes it is dash.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

'Canes defense is right up there in goals as well.


wait..

was this thread about for or against?

 

[IPostedWhat]

Myers was paired up with Tallinder in his first year, and I think that really helped his transition into the pros.

Now that Tallinder is gone, he really doesn't have much help right now, and it was really showing early in the year.

I think he's starting to adjust now, and actually showing some signs of the Myers we knew from his rookie year.

 

[gtown27]

Hi gtown! Yes I think more teams are keying on Myers but what's up with this falling down crap? I missed a few game's while gone but the games I have seen he seems to lose an edge at least once a game.

That said, I am sure he will pick it up. he's got too much talent not to.

I agree. He has way too much talent not to turn it around.

But I also agree that he's falling down, tripping up or making a brain-fart giveaway at least once a game.

He just needs to settle down.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I agree. He has way too much talent not to turn it around.

But I also agree that he's falling down, tripping up or making a brain-fart giveaway at least once a game.

He just needs to settle down.

You going to the game tonight?

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yeah Leopold has been a nice waiver pickup for my fantasy team.

 

[pixburgher66]

Well, the Pens have been doing pretty well with D joining the rush and pinching and being great on offense...however, as Mr. Orpik said, they're playing too much like forwards some times and not like D. That killed them last week against the B's.