I grew up watching Dominik Hasek. Actually, I should say I grew up listening to Hasek. I’m not sure when Empire Sports Network started broadcasting Sabres games, but my parents didn’t get cable until I was about twelve-years-old. Even when they finally did, I wasn’t allowed to stay up late enough to watch the finish of most games. My point is that when I would listen to the Sabres on the radio, and I never missed a game, Hasek was great almost every single night it seemed. I have a lot of memories listening to the radio as a kid, under the sheets, with the lights out, hearing RJ’s voice rise on every dramatic save by Hasek.
Back then, I dare say, goaltenders were even more important to the success of their teams than they are today. In his prime, Hasek was always the best player on the ice, for either team, every night. The skaters the Sabres had, I like to think of as a modest collection of Paul Gaustad types. Every goal the Sabres scored I was happy for the Sabres but also for the player, just like I feel when Gaustad scores now. Goals were less frequent in Hasek’s day and most teams depended on their first line to score about 70% of the goals. The Sabres were always more defensive minded and had a more balanced scoring attack. They were typically one of the lower scoring teams in the league. Hasek was relied upon to make huge saves every night. He was really all that mattered. If Hasek played up to his ridiculously high standard, the Sabres usually won. If he didn’t, they usually lost. That was my perspective as a Sabres fan ten or fifteen years ago.
{Aside: Hasek’s talent and influence on the success of the Sabres during his prime are matched by few today. The players and teams that come to mind are Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts and LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had that much control over the outcome. You could probably even argue that his supporting cast was inferior to Peyton’s and LeBron’s too.}
Lately, Miller has been dominating games like the Dominator used to. I’ve been really impressed. Some things are different though between the two net-minders. For one, there is a human element to Miller that fans can understand. We all know someone that has a similar temperament as Miller. He’s thoughtful about his preparation, mentally and physically. Maybe even a little neurotic, but in a good way. He studies and understands his position.
Hasek, on the other hand, was otherworldly. He wasn’t very articulate, as English was not his first language. No one could figure out Hasek, the person. He was unpredictable and played the game with a lot of passion. More than any other successful goalie I’ve ever seen, he relied on his instincts. Nothing about Hasek’s game could be taught. He was unconventional but everyone acknowledged and respected his overwhelming talent at stopping pucks.
I’m not so sure how well Hasek would play in the modern day NHL if he were in his prime now. Frankly, I think the changes that the NHL has gone through in the last ten years favor Miller more than Hasek. It’s more of a skaters game now. If the skaters are not playing good defense, the opponent’s forwards are eventually going to score goals no matter how good the goaltender is playing. Gone are the days that goalies can truly take over games like they formerly could. In today’s game, forwards are not disrupted by the clutching and grabbing that reduced scoring in the past. More than ever before, goaltenders need to be able to read the play which happens to be Miller’s greatest strength.
Still, when I was watching Miller stymie (great word that seems to be only used in hockey talk) the Leafs again and again in the 3rd period Friday night , I wasn’t ever thinking this game is over like I would when I was a kid and Hasek was in net for the Sabres. I was mostly thinking that the forwards were not backchecking well and that the defensemen appeared uneasy while handling the puck in their own zone. Eventually, I thought, the Leafs would break through. Granted, I thought it would come sooner than it did, but still, Miller was playing great. I was surprised at how uneasy I felt with him in net as I tend to think of myself as a huge Miller supporter.
To me, it proves the importance of team defense more than my apparent lack of confidence in Miller who has been playing exceptionally. The teams that play better defense are typically more successful. We see this every year. Everyone needs to be in position and be strong on the puck.
The Sabres’ forwards, in particular their two scoring lines, were neither Friday night. They were lazy with their coverage in the defensive zone, made bad decisions, and were easily pushed off the puck. Lindy evidently saw what I saw and started mixing some lines. It couldn’t have come soon enough.
This has been an issue with the scoring lines for a couple of games now. What’s going on? Tim Kennedy, a rookie, is making smarter decisions with the puck than any of the Sabres top six forwards. It would be one thing if they were only missing on chances in offensive zone but they’re having trouble gaining control of the puck and breaking out of their own zone. It’s concerning how easily opponents can forecheck on the Sabres’ top two lines.
So far Ryan Miller has been a remarkable difference maker for the Sabres. It has been one of the best ten game stretches in his career. The defensemen have played well, too. What has also really helped the Sabres so far are the checking line’s ability to convert on so many of their chances. I don’t expect that to last much longer, though. They will need better play from their forwards on the scoring lines.
They haven’t really found that chemistry yet. It’s troubling because all of these players have been together for a couple of seasons. What has been the problem? They seem to have a good mix of strength (Vanek and Stafford), playmaking (Connolly and Roy), and scoring touch (MacArthur and Pominville). Those players have eleven even-strength goals so far, of which MacArthur has five. The checking lines have ten even-strength goals and most have been very timely.
The biggest problem for the scoring lines I think has been their defensive zone play. Disrupting opponent’s forecheck and getting into space for outlet passes should be their focus before heading up ice. They’re all smart offensive players but their ice time is wasted in the sense that they spend most of it in the defensive zone. The Maple Leafs forechecked more intensely in the 3rd period Friday night than any team the Sabres have faced this year. The Sabres were overwhelmed. It’s definitely their greatest weakness.
The Sabres have started off the season with eight wins and only one loss in regulation in their first ten games. That’s an outstanding record so I don’t want to make too much of this. They’ve been able to win games in a lot of different ways. I’ve been very pleased with their play, overall. In the long run though, they need their players to fit the roles coaching and most fans expect of them. Part of that, for the scoring lines at least, is to be able to create some sort of consistent offensive zone presence. But that can’t happen without smarter play in the defensive zone.
Hockey has changed a lot over the years. Still, goaltending is clearly the most important position on the team. There’s no greater proof of that than the Sabres record through ten games. I know I’d feel better about the future of the team though if the Sabres’ most important forwards were playing better even-strength hockey.