Roy's line letting chances go by the boards
Sabres' most potent scorers trying to fine-tune things
Every game, often more than once, the glorious scoring opportunity arises. Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek create a two-on-one, or Drew Stafford joins them for an even better odd-man rush.
And every game, often more than once, the chance fades without a goal.
The Buffalo Sabres' most potent scoring line is creating anxious moments for goaltenders on a nightly basis. The goalies, though, get to exhale in relief when no shots come their way. The trio has eight goals this season on, oh, about 200 opportunities.
OK, so it's not that many. But they've come away empty way more than they've celebrated.
"We could have had eight the other night," Roy said Monday in HSBC Arena. "We hit two posts, missed some point-blank opportunities, some two-on-ones. Those we've got to put in the net."
Saturday's 5-0 loss to the New York Islanders was just the latest example of the Roy line storming in and peacefully going away. They took 12 shots, half of which were wide or blocked. Once, Vanek hit the skate of defenseman Radek Martinek instead of an open net.
Vanek's night was frustrating from a goal-scoring angle, but Roy's whole season has been. The center has yet to score.
"Kind of [frustrating], especially when I look back at all the chances I've had, the missed opportunities," Roy said. "But they'll come. I've just got to battle through this."
Roy has brought part of the 11-game drought on himself. He took 2.8 shots per game two seasons ago when he scored 32 goals. Last season, while scoring 28 times, he averaged 2.7 shots. He's shooting 2.36 times per game this season, electing to feed his wingers rather than test the goalie.
"My job out there is to make plays and pass it to Thomas as much as I can," Roy said. "But at the same time, I'm usually scoring goals. I've got to find that line of when to shoot and when to pass."
The reason Roy's decision-making is slanting toward Vanek is obvious. The left winger has averaged 40 goals over the past three seasons. If a less-potent sniper were flanking Roy, the center might shoot first and pass later.
"I think so," Roy said. "Thomas is a 40-goal scorer. It's hard not to pass because he's always in position. He's all ready to one-time it or get in position to score a goal, and that's why he's so good at what he does."
The problem is Roy's choice is often turning into a broken-up pass.
"All three of us are smart enough to know when to shoot and when to pass," Vanek said. "We've created a lot more every game. I think the next step is to bear down on them."
Coach Lindy Ruff would be fine if Roy did the bearing down Wednesday when the Islanders visit.
"I don't like the fact he hasn't scored," Ruff said. "He doesn't like it, either. He's had some great opportunities that he hasn't put away. I think he's passed up some opportunities.
"The opportunities he's had inside the game, he's got to finish."
Meanhile, Paul Gaustad, out two games because of illness, returned to practice Monday. Patrick Kaleta, also ill, skipped the session but is expected back by Wednesday. Jason Pominville was excused because he and his wife welcomed their first child.
Said Ruff: "The population of Pominville went up, so he had the day off."
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