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There were a few shifts yesterday when the Sabres had the Oilers hemmed into their own zone and had total control of the puck. They had 2-3 players up near the blue line and the other two at the net. They were primarily taking shots from above the faceoff circles but had a crowd in front of the net, and were able to recover their own rebounds time after time, totally wearing out the Oilers stuck on the ice. I believe Malenstyn's goal came at the end of one of those shifts, or maybe it was Byram's, and I made the remark that the goal felt inevitable. Long shots are okay, as long as you're crashing the net, obstructing the goalie's view and possibly getting a deflection (doesn't matter if it's off a Sabre or an opponent, as long as it's still on goal). Perimeter shots can be fine, as long as you do it right. The problem with the Sabres in seasons past is they weren't crashing the net with their low guys. That's kind of why I made that remark. I don't trust him either. Then again, just looking at the opinions on Sabrespace, there isn't a clear consensus who should stay, who should go, and who should return to Rochester.

It's possible. Looking at the numbers right now, they save $9.6 million by dropping him this offseason (~$17 million 2026 cap hit vs ~$7.4 million dead cap). I'm not sure what kind of salary-fu is required to make the numbers work to keep him.

Thank God that decision is in the hands of Kevyn. God knows he won’t make the wrong one.

This is how we play now? The important thing is to go to the center of the ice and drive the net, whether it's weak-Oilers-defense, whatever Calgary has, or big-bad Zadorov and the Bruins. The Sabres need to use their speed and attack the net. If Rosén/Östlund or TNT revert to settling for perimeter shots (and there's no screen and the goalie makes it look easy), the vibes will sway right back the other direction.

This

Savoie is where Rosén was last year. Will he get better? Probably. I think he had one decent look with a shot when the game was tied. Otherwise, he was just another one of the Oilers' bottom 9 that didn't particularly do anything.

I heard his name mentioned a few times. Meh.

Podkolzin was addressing Krebs' hit/almost-boarding on McDavid. Krebs was game to go for it and was throwing before the linesman could make up his mind to let them go. That's not a fight Greenway can (or should) step in for. As to value, Krebs is a better 5-on-5 option, but Greenway's PK ability is his foremost skill and he has muscle that Krebs will never dream of. Really, Greenway is the role of Geertsen on this team except he doesn't go looking to fight, but he has the strength to hold off anyone. Case in point: Greenway was the reason Tom Wilson missed half the WSH game this season. Greenway crunched a player, Wilson wanted to fight and got all the extra PIMs and Greenway simply tied him up the entire scrap. Maybe Geertsen is a better fighter, but Greenway just wore Wilson out.

Savoie was -1 with no goals or assists in 15:59TOI Edit: he had 2 shots but I honestly don't remember them so can't comment on that

Tomorrow's game will be a huge tell as to whether Dahlin coming back and their having faith in 2 goalies has actually elevated this roster or if it was just a 2 game mirage of what might've been. On paper they should destroy Calgary (well, ok, maybe destroy is a bit hyperbolic, but they SHOULD beat them) but this has been true several times in the past few years, and the end result too often is a Flames victory here. They need to not let up and lose a game they should win unlike what they did when St. Louis came to town. Win that game and they can show that MAYBE, just MAYBE they'll be able to play well enough at home to overcome their road shortcomings and get to a point where even just going 0.450 on the road could be enough. And Thompson continuing his aggressive play tomorrow would go a long way towards making that regulation W happen.

Ruff says that Benson might start joining morning skates starting tomorrow.

What about Savoie?

I don't think one must go, but you are correct.

Yeah, for all the people hating on Malenstyn and say he doesn't contribute to scoring... he does contribute by disrupting the other team's offense.

St. Louis Blues have no choice but make a trade for a new goalie to save their season

Power is a giant cream puff. Has he ever actually hit anyone? I can't count how many times I've seen him not smoke someone when he had the chance. He will never get any room on the ice if he doesn't use his very large frame as it was intended. He's a big weakling who hits nobody and stands next to opponents when they score. Not a mean bone in his giant body. He consistently gets outworked in corners and has more giveaways that Publishers Clearing House. He's gotta go.

Adams traded him for a 6th.😝

Go Bo. Power cowers.

Greenway should sit before Malenstyn. He is not physical, does not grind, is slow, does not score etc... He had a chance to go after Nurse last night atend of 2nd period. Instead it was Krebs who fought and Krebs is far more valuable than Greeway. Thompson has been working so hard lately. Others are feeding off it.

Regarding Draisaital I was going to ask the same thing. My guess is he was chirping Tage about running their goalie

True, but until Kesselring shows he can be 2nd pairing Timmins keeps the job. Currently Byram and Power are 2nd pairing skill and pay but they can’t play together well and are not good on the right hand side.

That seems to be the consensus of the beat reporters: A rest day. (There were 2 skaters also not present. Samuelsson being one?)