davidb wrote:

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You watch a game and you wonder if each and every player will always make an effort. I do not know if I have ebver watched a game where every line and defensive pair have played 100 percent. I am not making any excuses because these guys get paid well.

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  True enough, if every guy played hard like the Sabres team, we wouldn't be in fight for our playoffs lives! On paper we should be a little better then our record shows!

 Let's hope most play well game to game, to keep the points coming our way!

I don't know if it was our best road game or not, but it was a solid 59:30 effort -- especially in our own end. Coverage in the defensive zone was much better than usual, I thought, though the Buffalo announcers attributed this to a "bad game" by the Swordsmen. Regardless, there was solid fore-checking, good back-checking (c.f. Bulis on Hescht) and some strength in front of both nets for a change. Huet was good but he didn't have to stand on his head as he did against the Bruins last Saturday. He had help -- and from a lot of different directions. Markov, Souray and The Cube did their jobs well. And what a relief to have Markov back -- what he adds to the team offensively is amazing.

All that having been said, I believe that we really won because of one guy and that's Kovalev. To beat Miller, you have to find the corners and that's exactly what Kovalev did. Last night he showed a lot of effort -- he fought for the puck and to get scoring chances. Then when he got those chances, he made good. Markov's return seems to have given Kovalev a new lease on life. Let's hope he keeps it up.

Les Canadiens sont la

ray wrote:

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 Yes i'm glad you mentioned Bulis, Desi.  The play he made in the final period when it was 4 on 4 and he backchecked and saved a goal, is why this guy is one of our best.  Jan has been  there all year and hasn't taken a day off.  His country noticed and thats why for the first time he has been selected to the national team.

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Bulis is a player whose efforts did not translate into points - until the last month or so.  The guy is flying most nights, and before this year is up, it will have been his best yet in the NHL.  Nice to have at least one player having a career year!

plouf wrote:

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Markov's having a career year too, in all aspects of his game (except suspensions and injuries).

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I thought of Markov as I wrote that about Bulis, but I don't know his record as well (non-stat, mainly).  Didn't Markov have a great year last year?

 

habs93 wrote:

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It also helps that Kovalev finally hit the net with his shot as he has one of the best wrist shots in the league and leading up to this game - he was having oppurtunities but was missing the net especially the Toronto game - I don't see alot of Habs games, I rely on you guys with RDS for the game synopsis (sp) etc...........

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at stat they showed on Kovalev after his 1st goal of the game was he had taken 15 shots since his last goal, so he was 2 for 16. Only 2 goals on 16 shots for Kovalev isnt that good!! Good thing he got that 2nd one in the game! Lets see some more Kovy!