Matt Ress
Don't sleep on me
Idk they forechecked very well at times last year. Sometimes with individual effort and sometimes with numbers.I was going to post about how they "should" be willing to dump, chase, and forecheck but they just aren't a great roster for that type of game right now. So besides that, what are the creative ways to beat the trap that Buffalo is currently suited for?
The rangers dug the puck out and moved up ice with speed which eliminated the Sabres being able to send more than 1 guy. If the Sabres did a better job defending the neutral zone or frankly, put more individual effort into the forecheck, they probably could have avoided playing in their own zone all night.
If they thought doing figure 8s was an effective forecheck method against the rangers skilled blueline, they thought wrong. Disappointed there didn't seem to be much adjustment from players or coaches. When necessary, we were able to be the more physical team but backed off when the rangers backed off.
Good vet teams will continue that physicality or at least become more relentless as a group until it forces the other team into mistakes instead of being embarrassed in the home season opener.