Written by Jeff Hochman | October 1, 2011
Jeff’s 2011-12 Eastern Conference Spotlight team: Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres finished 7th in the Eastern Conference (3rd in Northeast) last season and for a Lindy Ruff coached team it was considered a down year. Ruff, the longest-tenured coach in the NHL, is entering his 14th year behind the Sabres bench. The guy is one of the best head coaches in all of Hockey. With a career record of 526-390-78, reaching the playoffs 8 out of the previous 13 seasons, a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, his resume stacks up with the best of them.
When you think of the Buffalo Sabres the first name you have to shout out is Goalie Ryan Miller. Talk about your studs in Net. He is arguably the best Goalie in the NHL today. Not last season though. It was a down year. He went 34-22-8 with a 2.59 GAA and .916 save percentage. But when you consider his career stats of 221-126-41 with a 2.57 GAA and .917 save percentage, the numbers suggest he could have performed better. Miller is 31 years old and is primed for a monster season. He has all the attributes you want to see in an NHL goalie. Size (6’2 175), quickness, intelligence, desire, and of course blocking skills. The one attribute Miller does not possess is staying healthy, as he has only one season of 70 or more games. In 2009, Miller went 41-18 with a 2.22 GAA and .929 save percentage. I would expect something close to that this season! Jhonas Enroth is trying to secure the back-up job. Off to a great start this preseason with a 3-0 record and 1.53 GAA so far.
This team has a big, fast, and mobile defense in front of Ryan Miller. The offense is good too and gets the services of Derrick Roy back from a quad injury. It’s fair to say that Tyler Ennis had his “breakout” season in 2010, when he put up 20 goals and 29 assists in his first full season with the Sabres, but there is a great chance he doubles those numbers this season. He is one of the fastest skaters in all of Hockey!
New Owner Terry Pegula did some spending in the off-season and the Sabres should be an elite team because of it. The Sabres acquired Christian Ehrhoff, Ville Leino and Robyn Regehr, and Buffalo should be much improved on the power play with Ehrhoff. He had six power-play goals for Vancouver last season, which led all Canucks’ blue-liners and was tied for ninth in the league among defensemen. Buffalo has no weakness and will come at you with four top-notch lines. You might not know all the names now, but you will at seasons end.
Jeff’s Projected 2011-12 record: 52-23-7 (112 points, 2nd seed in the East)
2011-12 NHL Eastern Conference Mark your Calender pick: Buffalo Sabres -145* vs. Anaheim on October 7th, 1:00 PM E (Friday Day game)
*- Projected line
The Sabres lost 5-4 at Anaheim last season (Jan 2010) despite out-shooting them 45-30. The Ducks have never played well on the road in the Eastern time zone in October. Just like in the NFL, Pacific Time Zone teams traveling East to play a 10:00 AM body clock game do not play up to par in most cases. Buffalo lost their home opener last season and they will be focused to give their loyal fans a win this year. Play Buffalo and eat some Buffalo Wings after the win!
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Jeff’s 2011-12 NHL Western Conference Spotlight team: Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup two seasons ago and this team suffered with the Cup “hangover” affect in 2010-11. Chicago managed to make the playoffs barley with a 44-29-9 (97 points), which was good for No. 8 out West. They did lose a lot of fluky games as the puck just did not bounce their way. That trend continued in the playoffs as Vancouver ousted Chicago in the first round despite the Blackhawks outscoring them.
Chicago scored 258 goals and gave up 225 for a +33 differential in last year’s regular season. The +33 ranks seventh out of all the playoff teams last year. What Chicago needs to improve on is very clear. The Penalty kill.Last season, the Blackhawks enjoyed a 23% Power Play efficiency but had a 79.2% Penalty Kill. The 79.2% PK ranked 2nd to last out of all the playoff teams. Only Phoenix (78.4) was worse and they didn’t go far in the playoffs either. No team has won the Stanley Cup with a below 80% Penalty Kill during the regular season.
Chicago traded Brian Campbell to free up some cap space, but this team has elite talent in their system. You know the big names on offense— Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marain Hossa, and Fernando Pisani. The defense will be better with the likes of Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, who will be looking to bounce back from an off year. Chicago has 7 players on defense who are 6’2 or taller. They are all fast and can skate with the best of them. John Scott is 6’8 and getting better.
Corey Crawford and Ray Emery form a strong 1-2 punch in Goal. Crawford had a breakout year in his 4th season going 33-18 with a 2.30 GAA and .917 save percentage. He has great size (6’2) and tremendous blocking skills in net. Ray Emery is probably the best back-up in the league. His career record of 94-53-15 with a 2.67 GAA and .908 save percentage is impressive. Crawford is the man but Emery is good insurance.
Last season showed what happens when you don’t “bring it” each and every night. Every team the Blackhawks faced last season was a big game for that team trying to upset the defending Stanley Cup Champions. That won’t happen this year, only in Boston.
The Blackhawks will be more focused this season, especially on defense, The Power Play will be great and the Penalty Kill will be much improved. Chicago has a plethora of young talent that will only get better.
Jeff’s Projected 2011-12 record: 53-22-7 (115 points, 2nd seed out West)
2011-12 Western Conference Mark Your Calendar pick: Chicago Blackhawks -150* vs. Vancouver on November 6th, 2011
*projected line
The Blackhawks have this game circled and it will be played exactly one month into the season. They lost in 7 games despite outscoring Vancouver in last year’s first round playoff series. The Canucks will be playing its 4th road game in six days. Play Chicago!
