It may be premature to post this, but barring a miraculous comeback seen only twice in Stanley Cup playoffs history, the Buffalo Sabres won’t be advancing to the Finals as so many predicted they would.
Sure, at the start of the playoffs, I predicted the Sabres would get there, but ever since their first-round elimination of the NY Islanders, I thought they weren’t playing like a Cup contender. I caught some good-natured flak for this, but the Eastern Conference finals ultimately proved me right.
I’m not writing this post to gloat, but rather to point out that the Sabres have the potential to be a great team once they add a key ingredient: character.
That was something the Sabres had in last year’s playoffs, particularly when one by one their defensemen fell to the sidelines due to injury. With their backs to the wall in last year’s ECF, they came together as a team, showed incredible character, and came to within one period of advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.
This year, perhaps weighed down by heightened expectations, perhaps believing their own press, perhaps believing talent alone would get them through, the Sabres weren’t the same playoff warriors they were a year ago.
Put simply, they lacked the character they had last spring.
Now folks will point to the Sabres woeful special team play in this year’s playoffs, especially in the ECF, or their inconsistent defensive game, or the struggles of their offensive game in the face of a determined defensive system throughout this year’s playoffs as the real culprit. All they need to do is address those problems and they’ll be a great team.
That’ll help, but ultimately without character, it won’t matter. Lack of character is why they've been unable to suitably address these problem areas. They're just not yet willing to pay the price to elevate their game.
The Sabres and their fans need only look at the team that presently has them on the brink of elimination for a lesson in that.
For years the Senators were one of the top teams in the NHL, yet season after season came up short in the playoffs, usually beaten by teams with lesser talent or depth.
The reason why they became an annual spring joke, why they became known as choke artists, was because they lacked character. They weren’t willing individually and collectively to pay whatever price to take their game to the next level. They believed their talent was enough to get them through.
Talent helps, but as we’ve seen in playoff history, character is the ultimate measure of a winner.
The Detroit Red Wings used to be a team like that, too. In the early-to-mid 1990s they were, like the Senators, one of the best teams in the NHL, yet every spring they’d come up small in the playoffs. It got so bad that by 1996 folks were questioning Steve Yzerman’s leadership!
Of course, nobody does that now, and there’s a reason for it: the Wings finally learned the painful lesson that talent alone wasn’t enough, they needed character to win.
Today’s Senators remind me of those Red Wings teams. For years they came up short, getting so bad that earlier this season even the most faithful Sens fans were calling for team captain Daniel Alfredsson to be traded.
Nobody’s doing that now. “Alfie” and his teammates are playing like a team on a mission, and they, not the Sabres, look like true Cup contenders.
No doubt the Sabres have the talent,. Even if they end up losing either Chris Drury or Daniel Briere to free agency this summer (and I still think it’s possible they can keep both by dumping salary elsewhere, but that’s a topic for another day), they’re so deep in good young talent they should be a contender for years. The only thing preventing that from happening is the will of ownership to spend what’s needed to keep most of the core of the roster together.
But this team hasn’t learned yet that talent alone isn’t enough in the playoffs. To go to the next level, they need character.
Now if they rally from the almost insurmountable hole they’re currently in against Ottawa, that’ll be one of the greatest displays of character in Stanley Cup playoffs history.
But if not (and I don’t like their chances), they’re learning a valuable lesson, one that hopefully they’ll never forget, one that hopefully – unlike the 1990s Red Wings and the earlier versions of the Senators – they won’t need to keep relearning for years until it finally sinks in.
I'm gonna have to agree with you 900% here. The Sabres have a little bit more growing up to do, and along with growing comes character. However it just seems a little "weird" that with a healthy team that they trouble, as compared to last year with most of the line-up injured. Hopefully this is the ONLY lesson they need to learn.
I would have thought someone crazy to suggest this back in October, but Jaroslav Spacek does not look like an upgrade, or even a suitable replacement over Jay McKee right now.
Just one example (Mike Grier is the other) of losing some of that character they already had on board. Not that they could have kept Jay, anyhow. He was an important piece of the puzzle last year, but he's not worth $4 million against the cap.
The bigger question is when will that talk switch to how the Senators are playing and how are they able to contain the opposing teams offence. The Sens are on the brink of making it to the big dance but analyst and fans are still saying that Ottawa haven't face any good team. I honestly think that the senators had the toughest schedule of all other playoff teams. They face the best offence player in the league (Crosby), the best goalie (Brodeur) and now the best team. What will it take before people start noticing and stop putting down the Senators accomplishments. Even if they don't win the cup this year, they are by far the best team right now in the playoff and the longer the Detroit-Anaheim series drag on, the better are the chance's of Ottawa to win the Cup.
Losing Jay McKee and Mike Grier hurt a lot in the department (Character) you've mentioned. And I agree 100% when you say the Sabres haven't been willing to pay the price. That's accurate. I've never seen this team lose so many battles in the corners. But against Ottawa, I honestly think they're intimidated by how talented Ottawa is and how hard they are playing them. The Sens are CLEARLY the team that wants it more.
Last night was the Sabres chance. They win that game, they're down 2-1 and it's a brand new series. If you told me beforehand Ottawa would score one goal at home and the Sabres would still lose, I'd say you're nuts.
But at the end of the day, you CANT win in the playoffs when you have a power play that is 0-18. You just can't do it. To boot, they gave up a shorthanded goal this series as well. The 2 on 0 Ottawa had in the third period on Buffalo's PP illustrated the team basically just gave up.
Dmitri Kalinin has been awful and should be benched, then cut after the playoffs. Derrick Roy has been weak and crying about every call, which surely the refs have noticed.
BTW, I think Briere is gone after this season, as Connolley will take his spot. When healthy over a full year, he's no 4th line center.
When the Sabres signed Spacek he was brought in not only as an offensive "upgrade" over McKee. He was also supposed to the be the quarterback of the power play. Well, 14 playoff games, ZERO points and the fact he doesnt even play the PP shows it was a bad move. I can all but guarentee you the team lets Briere walk at season's end and priority #1 will become a defensemen who's strong on the power play.
First, the Sabres really miss Jay McKee and Mike Grier. Gaustad is back in the lineup and Zubrus has shown a penchant for playing the body, but those guys cannot replace the warrior spirit that McKee and Grier embody. The Sabres ought to look less into ways to keep their top-flight centers in house, and more into making their lineup playoffs-viable again. They don't need a Gary Roberts or a Brendan Shanahan... they need that bottom-six grit and snarl that can come through with big goals in a tight-checking series.
Secondly, the Senators have basically put forth the blueprint on how to handle a high-flying team like the Sabres within the 'new NHL' rules. As Ken Hitchcock was fond of saying, puck-movement trumps foot-speed. Hands down. The NHL was buzzing about the unrelenting speed of the Sabres' attack and how how many times they caught bigger/slower teams with their pants down. Much of the NHL was hailing the Sabres as the prototype for 'new NHL' success. But the fact that guys like Heatley and Spezza, who are not known for their skating prowess at all, are shredding the much-faster Sabres to ribbons is a testament to the importance of quick puck-movement over speed and intelligence over talent. Ottawa's defense is also just as mobile, but much bigger and more capable of handling Buffalo's forwards down low. The Sabres' blueline simply looks outmatched in the corners.
I agree some what with Character, but two things about the Sabres.
The PP has been awful, in the regular season the team that takes advantage of the PP the most usually wins. ( My habs being the expcetion to the rule). Now when the Sabres need a power play goal the most it eludes them
2) The Sabres received alot of bounces, breaks early in the year. A key bounce, rebound or fluke goal. There is nothing wrong with that every team over the course of the year will receive those. The Sabres are not getting the bounces or breaks ( the end of period 3 in game 2 the expection to that) Maybe the Sabres became accostumed to Karma to even things out.
I have not seen a team come out that flat in a must win game since the Leafs were held to 9 shots against the Devils in 2001 or 2002. If the Sabres had peppered Emery for 45 shots and lost 1-0, well at least the fans can hold their heads up and say they went down swinging. But now yikes!
Ottawa could be 12-2, with a long shot at going 16-2, not sure if that would be record for least amount of losses by Stanley Cup champ in a modern ERA.
Too funny Spector, I just wrote about "lessons" for the Sabres to learn this morning here - http://fans.nhl.com/gregsky/home/ - what did you have for breakfast?
It is very apparent that the Sabres need to address some issues this off season. If they are able to keep both Briere and Drury I fear they will have to seriously gut the rest of their roster. There is a chance they could end up losing them both depending on how much cash is thrown their way from other teams. It really makes picking one of them difficult. This is where the Datsyuk contract will come into play.
Great post Spector - love your work - I pale in your shadow. Take care.
Sensfan: This commentator certainly hasn't said the Senators haven't played a good team yet. Whoever's saying that is disrespecting the Devils and Sabres, two very good teams. I think the only concern is just how well will the Sens match up against either Anaheim or Detroit, two clubs that are more physical that the Pens, Devils and Sabres.
To those of you who pointed out the loss of McKee and Grier: I concur wholeheartedly. This year's Sabres are definitely missing the "jam" those two brought to the table last season!
Before this series began I said that Ottawa had benefited from playing two series against teams that were not at the top of their game: Pittsburgh due to inexperience and a then-unknown Crosby injury, and New Jersey with a Martin Brodeur that looked pretty human (either due to age, illness or a poor blueline in front of him). Do I need to amend that statement to "three series"?
Buffalo has the chance to make history as the third team to come back from 0-3 and win a series, but they've been sleepwalking through the playoffs thus far. How likely are they to suddenly wake-up and put it all together?
And at some point, I've got to admit that perhaps, maybe Ottawa DOES have something to do with their 11-2 playoff record this season, and it isn't all just luck of the draw and poor play from their opponents...
Spector you probably hit the nail on the head. Although I do think Lindy Ruff is being outcoached for the second straight series, if you go back to last years playoff series between both teams not much has changed in the way of special teams play. The Sabres aren't hitting anyone, they aren't making teams pay for coming into their zone and they aren't taking care of the puck.
As Barry Melrose said last night, this team isn't willing to do the dirty work neccessary.
It also doesn't help that Dmitri Kalinin is playing one of the worst series I've ever seen a defender play.
Where do you think "character" comes from? Can it be consciously developed or traded for or is it really about the right constellation of factors coming together at the right time? How would you advise the Sabres? That they trade for some more grit? Or they replace Lindy Ruff? or they just wait and hope that Daniel Briere develops like Daniel Alfredsson (...or Rod Brind'amour or Vinnie Lecavelier).
You say the Wings have more "character" now than in the past. But what does that mean? Many commentators point to the play of Dan Cleary and Johan Franzen. Ok. But, this edition of the Wings features a lot of the same guys..and those past editions of the Wings featured Brendan Shanahan, Steve Yzerman, Darren McCarty etc. --- a lot of character, no? What makes Pavel Datsyuk a "character" player this year and a floating bum in plast playoffs?
"Character" seems an elusive and ephemeral quality. Last Fall guys like Jason Smith, Raffi Torres, Ethan Moreau and Fernando Pisani would be the character players - yet none of those guys showed up to play this year.
I agree, "character" wins cup... the problem is how the hell do you design a team with "character". I am not sure you can. I think it emerges when its good and ready to.
flamesfan-Thats a great point. This Sens team is a perfect example of that. I think its the willingness of players to do whatever is neccessary to win it all. Sabre players aren't willing to do it this year, like they were last year.
Spector, I think you're right about the Sabres being just on the cusp of title contention. Even if they lose both of the captains they still have a talented group of young guys that should only get better. Plenty of talented forwards in the cupboard in Rochester to boot (Michael Ryan, Clarke MacArthur).
Wayne Scanlon of the "Ottawa Citizen" had an article within the past few days about this very thing. I wish I could provide the link but I can't seem to find it. Basically he talked about how losing stud defenseman Zdeno Chara and the highly talented Martin Havlat actually made the Senators better. It allowed some young, gritty talent to develop that would have otherwise gone untapped. At this point, who could argue differently?
He also suggested that the holes left by Drury and Briere might be filled by some pleasant surprises that could likewise elevate the team to the next level. At this current low ebb it's nice to think about such a possibility. Although he's been strangely invisible during this series, I personally would like to retain Drury at least.
My comment wasn't directed at you. It was directed at the other 80% of analyst and fans that aren't reconizing the accomplishment of this Senators squad. What I find funny though, is that you made a comment regarding how Ottawa would far against Detroit or Anaheim. To me that seem as a "I'll wait and see approach" instead of "Ottawa could take on either team and defeat them since they have the momentum and a full roster (which neither the Ducks or Wings currently have)".
Sabreguy-I totally agree. Addition by subtraction has been the main phrase in Ottawa this year and Buffalo should take note. Just who we should subtract is another story...
I believe character is forged through adversity. You have to get your teeth kicked in a few times---maybe a lot of times---to tap into it. Scott Stevens, Stevie Y...they went through some rough times. Even Messier had to face the humiliating (at that time) prospect of the New Jersey Devils derailing their curse-breaking Stanley Cup run in '94.
So, yes, it is a bit of the planets aligning just right. You can sign character guys too, but they probably got that way by hitting the floor once or twice. At least that's how it seems to me.
I picked the Sabres to win the Cup this year and would agree with your observations regarding lack of character as a team, but I'm surprised no one has defended Chris Drury. The dude is small and plays with more grit than guys twice his size. He is easily one of the best money players in the playoffs over the last 15 years that I can think of. Give Ottawa all of the kudos they deserve; I didn't think they would get by New Jersey and I was dead wrong, but if you're going to blast the Sabres as a whole at least give props to the one guy who plays tough night in and night out.
Drury has the pedigree, for sure. But it's tough to defend and give him props for his play against Ottawa. Last night, everything on the line, ZERO shots. Two nights before, crucial face-off, Spezza wins it and Corvo ends it.
I stated in a previous thread that his leadership reminds me of Steve Yzerman. Spector noted that even "the Captain's" leadership was questioned during the frustrating early 90's in Detroit. I don't blame Drury for the hole the team is in, but he's had his hand in it too.
The current situation is tailor-made for Drury to put the team on his shoulders and at least show some fight. If that doesn't happen, this series will be a blemish on his otherwise stellar resume.
Last edited by sabreguy29 on May 15th at 10:21 AM.
sabreguy,
That's a fair assessment you put forth, but I still wouldn't question his character. The guy has been a champion at every level he's played. I don't think one series can ruin a career nor should it tarnish a player's rep.
Oh, no question. This series doesn't define Chris Drury. He is one of the high-character fellows that Buffalo teammates need to emulate. But if you're looking for a reason for the con####uous lack of praise for him at the moment, look no further than his performances in games 1-3.
The fact is that even the most rabidly loyal Buffalo fan has been waiting for Drury, more so than any other Sabre, to rise up and do what he does best against Ottawa. It just hasn't happened yet.
sabreguy,
Fair enough. I have to admit I'm surprised this team just isn't getting it done. I think very highly of Lindy Ruff as a coach and admire their co-captains a great deal, but I'm amazed at how flat their tires have been this postseason. Big props to the Sens and anyone who predicted this.
I kept telling myself that the Sabres would snap out of their playoff funk against Ottawa because of the heated rivalry they have. That they were only playing down to the opposition against the two Big Apple squads. Wrong.
I believe the Sens are an elite team that can win the Cup this year. They've proven long before this series that they are capable of pounding Buffalo into the ice, home or away. But I also believe that even the Sens are a little shocked at how relatively easy this series going for them.
The Buffalo team we are seeing now is not familiar to me at all. Even during the lean stretches of this past regular season there were never these questions about heart and soul. Something is rotten in Denmark and I wish I knew what it is. Lindy Ruff has to be sick to his stomach trying to figure this out.
I completely agree Spector They just simply do not have the drive they did last year. They were able to get by on talent alone in the first two rounds against teams that never really stood a chance, but as soon as they run into a team that can truly compete in the playoffs this year they seeem to fold. They're the highest scoring team in the regular season, yet lose 1-0 and only muster 15 shots in game 3? That's not the Sabres that everyone knows and love (well, around here, hate, we're just sick of all the Sabre talk, not that it was unjust). My little brother is a hard-core Sharks fan, and I really grew to admire Grier this season and can see why he helped the Sabres so much last year.
TKF,
I would never compare Drury to Stevie Y, but the guy is definitely a winner. Who knows, maybe wearing the "C" is too much to ask. My favorite Drury stat is out of 42 playoff goals scored, 12 of them are game winners... he's only played in 6 postseasons!! The Chris Drury moment that makes me cringe is from the seventh game of the 2001 series with the Avalanche. I remember it was tied going into the 3rd period thanks to Felix Potvin standing on his head, but I remember Drury stealing the puck and skating in uncontested and flicking a wrister past Potvin. I truly believe if the Kings would have scored first in that period Ray Bourque wouldn't have his name on the Cup.
By the way, nice call on the Senators. Who do you see in the Finals and eventually winning the Cup?
I tried to read through all these posts, and maybe somebody has said it already, but isn't the old addage "you learn to win by losing." At least that's what I heard a few times about Sid the Kid after the Sens tore through the Pens in the first round.
Ottawa certainly appears to have turned a corner, thanks to how many years of playoff futility (aka - losing?)
In this "new" NHL, everyone fears the cap tearing apart their team before the chance to win it all, but if the Sabres continue to be run as well as the Sens through the draft and intelligent signings, they'll be around for awhile, if not, blame the GM.
By the way, I'm a Leafs fan, and it almost made me physically ill to type those nice comments about Ottawa. :)
Nothing has happened so far to make me, personally, believe that Ottawa can't handle the Ducks or Wings. Heck, they actually beat Detroit at Joe Louis Arena back in mid-season. That's not easy to do even when the Wings are bad!
Some may think it fashionable to say the regular season means nothing. Not to start throwing low blows around, but tell that to the Leafs and Habs.
"Character" seems an elusive and ephemeral quality. Last Fall guys like Jason Smith, Raffi Torres, Ethan Moreau and Fernando Pisani would be the character players - yet none of those guys showed up to play this year.
Bingo. In these sorts of discussions, "character," much like "chemistry," is used as a post hoc rationalization rather than a useful analysis. The sabres have been outplayed for three games, and rather than chalk it up to simply playing three bad games in a row, folks have a need to provide some sort of explanation. It isn't like good teams don't have three or four bad nights in a row during the regular season; it's just that it gets described as what it is: a team having some off nights. These things happen.
It's not that I don't think that character is an important element to a winning sports team; clearly, it is. However, determining character is a much more complicated task than simply watching a team lose a couple of games, and attributing all of the things that go wrong to their desire or work ethic. Those on the inside don't have a good handle on it, and those of us on the outside have even less.
I'd be a lot more impressed with the people who use character as an explanation if they had any ability at all to be able to tell me ahead of time who has it and who doesn't. Seems like it's only been a year since the Senators and the Red Wings didn't have character, and the Sabres did. For the most part, all of these teams have most of their rosters back. Did Buffalo forget how to have character, and did Ottawa and Detroit magically fin
I agree that talent isn't enough. It also takes character... or heart as I prefer to say. I don't think there's any way that Buffalo will be able to hold onto both of their big guns, who're headed for UFA status, but I say they've gotta hold onto Drury. Drury has been a clutch player who's shown a lot of character in the past, and his leadership in the dressing room is also considered priceless.
Briere is a great player, but Buffalo has other rising stars. I love Vannek, and if they sign Briere and Drury, how're they going to hold onto the other guys coming up in the system? Vannek in his 2nd season is putting up more goals than either of the two EVER have.
Anaheim or Detroit would probably be favorite to win the cup against Ottawa (because of regular season standing) but I fail to see how old Detroit and inexperience (and undisciplined) Anaheim could beat Ottawa. Detroit are good on PP and not so on 5 on 5 and Anaheim are terrible on PP but good on 5 on 5. Giguere isn't playing like he was in 2003 and Hasek (well you guess is as good as mine when it comes to his style), he can be hot or cold. I believe Ottawa could control the tempo of the game against either Anaheim or Detroit which would increase their chance of success. I think right now (unless Buffalo wins 4 straight games) it is Ottawa Stanley Cup to lose.
I agree that the Sabres are missing some character, however I don't think people are giving the Sens enough credit. They handled the Pens quite easily and people said it was Pitts lack of experience. Then they took care of the Devils and it was New Jersey who didn't show up and Brodeur who looked tired. Now it's the Sabres and whats wrong with them.
I think it's time to talk about whats right with Ottawa. They have almost the perfect mix of size and speed. A great goal scoring line that is balanced by a great checking line. Defensemen who are willing to give up their bodies to protect the net. A goaltender who may not be one of the leagues elites but has kept them in every close game thus far. And a captain showing them leadership with and without the puck.
This is a great hockey team and they deserve more respect then they've recieved throughout these playoffs.
As a Devils fan, I will give props to the Senators. They outplayed the Devils and took the game to NJ and Brodeur. I think if the Devils played with the hunger that the Sens are showing during this playoff, they could have made it to the cup. But as Steven Tyler said, "you got to lose to know how to win", Hopefully the Devils will look from what the Senators showed them and correct things in their coaching staff and players
so that they can battle for the cup again.
The Sabers just don't look like the determined team they where last year. The Sens play great D and have shown they can control the other teams big guns. Crosby-Penguins, Parise/Elias-Devils.
I was pulling for the Sabers in this series, but it seems that the boys from Buffalo are pulling for the Senators.
You're right. People aren't really talking much about how well the senators are playing. At the begining of the year everyone thought that there would be this huge gap in the Sen's defense and I think that people are still seeing that gap with Chara gone... when really they've been a much better team defensivly this year. At the same time they are almost a 1 line team when it comes to forwards and their first line has been unstoppable. Emery has been hot as well. Ottawa has been playing well enough that if they win the cup, they definatly deserve it.
I remember over a month back retards on espn and fox were saying how the Penguins were going to beat the sens because they were so talented. I thought that the Pens could put up a good fight, but Ottawa blew them away.
Then when they met New Jersey tons of people were saying that Jersey's traping would kill the sens, but they blew Martin Bordeur away. It shocked me. The sens are now about to topple the Sabers. The team which was favoured to win the cup for several very good reasons.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
