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Well I've seen Winnipeg play this year and this version was slow and not really up to their usual standard. I do think they came in not ready to play. I'm not taking anything away from the Sabres though let's be clear. They were fast and they chased the puck in numbers. That is the core essence of what they have built and how they have to play. If they continue that and slowly add more physicality they eventually could be quite good. Lastingly good even, but I'm not shifting from cautious optimism just yet.

You make a keen observation that not only are the defensemen player better defense but so are the forwards. The improvement in team defensive play can be attributed as much to the more responsible two-way play of the forwards. With respect to the blueline unit, I marvel at the exceptional and consistent play of Samuelsson. From strictly a defensive standpoint, I would say that he has been our best defenseman. His play is better than I could ever have imagined coming into the season. Another example of the improved attention to more responsible two-way play is the play of Quinn. He's far from being a stout defender, but you can see that he is giving an effort to be better in the defensive zone. I credit his experienced linemates for influencing his more mature play. I would even go as far to say that putting Quinn on a line with Zucker and McCleod was one of Ruff's best coaching decisions this season.

Oh ya I have no issue with the hit. The Dahlin hit earlier was pretty dirty but I have no issue with it either. I was actually surprised Winnipeg didn't go after him. The team stepping up is very good. I'm not sure they will be able to handle it if somebody calls them on the bluff though. At this point I'm not sure most of them can actually answer the bell if the bell actually rings. We shall see.

Sounds like they are starting Ellis against Philly.

Idle base it just then recent play. There is too much 'noise' how are your Thanksgiving when evaluating goalies on a handful of games. They are who they are over the medium so long-term. I'm going to give more leeway to a talented young guy who is still developing. I'm not impressed all that much with UPL. He's done what he was supposed to do, no more. Give me a few games where he is the reason they win....and I'll back him a bit more. Haven't seen that yet.

UPL should stand for "U Play to Lose"

Based on recent play, I don't see how you can justify starting Ellis or Lyon over UPL at this point. That said, UPL's numbers at home are far better than on the road. It feels like this road trip is UPL's chance (his last?) to finally establish himself.

Only has two goals. Trade him 😂

8 out of the 12 points available. Don’t care how they do it against who.

I want to see UPL based on his play establish himself. A decision should soon be made on which two of the goalies will be retained. However, I'm not going to be too disturbed when one of them is sent somewhere else. The goalie I will be watching to see how he reacts is Levi.

It only gets difficult when Justin Danforth comes back assuming all others are healthy. Not sure why they signed this Amerk blocker to a 2 year 1.8 AAV contract. If this was Jarmo's doing it's a bad look. Not sure where they intended to slot him into the lineup in the first place. With that contract he is going to be difficult to get rid of this year. I am not worried about losing Dunn but this guy could cost us Kozak.

I'm guessing they'll only pick up 5 points. I hope they prove me wrong: Philly - W in OT Wpg - L Calg - L Edm - L Van - W Seattle - L in OT caused by a Tage Thomas giveaway leading to a Seattle odd man rush & score

He's really fast and has good hands. He's a genuine one or two C. I would rather have Tage be either the first or second C on another line.

How did UPL look so good yesterday? Maybe it's because the rest of the Sabres didn't give the Jets any room to operate? Only one breakaway allowed. No stupid turnovers. If you don't need your goalie to stand on his head if the rest of the team is doing their job. Last night was a classic example.

Is your nickname Mr. Sunshine? 🤣

After how bad he was last year. I need a MUCH larger sample size of good play from UPL before I make the decision he has 'separated' himself from everyone else and is the clear #1. Especially because the numbers Ellis put up are mostly the result of one really bad game.... And the sample chosen just happens to not have a bad game by UPL.... Although he has a lot of them in the past year and is perfectly capable of continuing to have them.

Sample size too small.

Is it that clear? Seems to me UPL faces far less shots per 60 which could indicate many things....one of which they place a less aggressive system in front of him. IDK for certain. Lyon, outside his last 3 starts had a far better quality start rate than either of them. We have 3 good backup goalies...none of which have truly separated themselves as the best backup....UNLESS you factor in money....making UPL possibly the worst option.

Or send down Östlund. Or waive Dunne or Kozak. They do need a 7th defenseman for the road.

I'm going to add the 1st home game after the road trip because it's also against Philly. This is a Philly Cheesesteak Roadtrip Sandwich that will save or end the Sabres season. The Sabres are mostly healthy. They have a chance to right their road record and unite as a lineup against weak teams. They weren't "in it" at US Thanksgiving, but the road trip will either launch them into contention or effectively end the season. 12/3 @PHI -- they currently sit in the final WC spot. They have your spot, start taking it. W 5-3. 12/5 @WPG -- Just defeated them. Hellebuyck still won't be back, you're still faster than they are. Go win it. W 4-2. 12/8 @CGY -- They just embarrassed you, but you have their number in Calgary. They're still one of the worst teams in the league. Go win 5-2. 12/9 @EDM -- Just defeated them. They are still severely underperforming and are basically a two-player team with no goaltending. (2nd night of back-to-back, this is the toughest game on the slate). OTL! 2-3. 12/11 @VAN -- they're bad. Go win. Plus, I'll be there, so I demand to be entertained. W 6-3. 12/14 @SEA -- they're also bad. Two days of rest! Win here for the first time ever, you punks! W 5-0. 12/18 PHI -- three full days of rest to reacclimate to home. You've caught them on the hot streak, time to take their spot. W 4-3. Finish the sandwich 6-0-1. Yum, yum, yum. 33 GP and 39 points in the standings, probably good for 8th-9th in the conference. And then they're just getting started! (until a new rash of injuries and they back up the hot streak with 5 losses in a row -- because they like to Sabre with us.)

The Sabres are 9-5-2 at home, but only 2-6-2 on road. Philly is the next game. They are 14-8-3 (8-4-2 @ home) = 4 goals Wpg is next. 13-12 overall (6-5 @ home) = 5 goals Calg is the 3rd game. 9-14-4 (4-4-2 at home) = 5 goals Edm is 4th. 11-10-5 (5-2-2 at home) (This is the 2nd night of a back to back) = 4 goals and UPL in net to seal the trade Van is 5th. 10-13-3 (3-7-1 at home) = 4 goals Seattle is the 6th and final game of the road trip. Sea is 11-7-6 (6-3-3 at home). = 7 goals, because I really don’t like Seattle’s team name Thats the fare’s to be paid to make this a successful road trip.

He could be the next Pat LaFontaine. He could be the next Luke Adam. We need, like, 20 games straight before exploring this question with any substance. IMHO, of course.

League wide rankings since Nov 1st for goalies who have played at least 185 mins (66 goalies).... UPL (416 min) Sv% 21st GAA 18th HighDanger SV% 36th MediumDanger SV% 15th LowDanger SV% 13th Goals Saved Above Expected/60 21st Ellis (303 min) Sv% 39th GAA 52nd High Danger SV% 58th MediumDanger SV% 48th LowDanger SV% 31st Goals Saved Above Expected/60 39th Lyon (185 min) Sv% 59th GAA 64th High Danger SV% 50th MediumDanger SV% 28th LowDanger SV% 61st Goals Saved Above Expected/60 61st UPL has separated himself, he should be the clear #1 moving forward. A decision needs to be made on the backup.