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Was wondering how much of the incredible play on Monday had been due to the overall team adrenaline from getting Norris back finally healthy after so long and how much of it was getting a true top 6 skater into the lineup. Hard to read too much into last night's game because of the way how that 2 minute or so streak of horrible decisions and a bit of bad puck luck torpedoed the night. But, though Norris did have a hand in the PP goal (didn't he get the 2nd assist on the Zucker goal?), his line didn't look special even before the wheels fell off and the Appert appears to be stronger than the Norris as the PP didn't do squat after they got that 1 PP goal and it was poor play by Thompson on the PP that started the ball rolling downhill. They moved the puck well on the PP that worked. They did a lot of standing around waiting for Dahlin or Byram to get the puck to Thompson or Norris for a 1 timer outside of that. Again, the Appert is strong with this crew. Tomorrow's game will be a better indication of what they'll really get with Norris in the lineup. Am wondering how long it takes before we see Ruff's revised original plan for how to deploy the lines with Norris in the lineup. (Aka Thompson and Norris each centering their own lines.)

Leone said he thinks the Amerks lost 16 faceoffs in a row at one point last night. Utica dominated OT and won the game because they won every single faceoff.

I don't understand why he's still on the roster. He was a waiver claim as insurance if UPL was injured longer term. Keeping 3 goalies on the roster kills the morale of your goalies. There's a reason just about every other team in the league only carries 2. Just waive him at this point. It's not a wasted asset if you gave up nothing to get him.

Interesting commentary. Pretty much everything went wrong and the Sabres once again failed to handle adversity. The best players did not step up once again. Thompson’s lazy effort on a PP leads to his hooking call that nullified the PP. Tuch’s failure to clear the puck on a PK leads to a goal. The failed challenge, and another goal. The coach not calling timeout to settle things down, then another goal off of a Benson-Thompson give away. 3 goals in 59 seconds is a BIG problem. After that it was dysfunctional. Missed opportunities, the goalie throws his stick, a power play that does not shoot. The Sabres finally score and then give up a goal immediately afterwards. Then the Benson goal comes off the board, for offside - Tochett shows Ruff how its done. Dahlin’s match penalty. Hell, Dunne couldn’t even convince Des Laueriers to fight. The team lacked cohesion and maturity last night. This road trip will either make ‘em or break ‘em. Terry knows him.

Why is Ruff still the coach here? If they get fewer than 6 points on this road trip he should be fired upon arrival back in Buffalo.

He sucks, i can't even spell his name..

I debated getting tix to this one but ultimately said no. Ive seen Lamb of God a couple times already, and I just saw Kublai Khan last month as a headliner in the same venue, and holy ***** $90 for a show at Riverworks? I bet thats one loud, lively show though. I am going to see the Blissmas show at Riverworks next week. Better Lovers is a hell of good metal band with a local connection, and the rest of the line up is on the obscure side, but it should be a super high energy show. The last 2 years Blissmas shows were terrific. I suspect we have similar tastes in music. You should check it out.

If the Sabres shooters could hit the broadside of a barn it could have easily been a 6 or 7 to 5 Sabres victory. At least 4 open nets were shot right in to the goalie or, worse, wide or high, a common trademark of Sabres shooters as of late.

That couple of minutes was a bad move and put the momentum on Philly’s side. The Sabres were done and played without the extra effort for most of the game. There needs to be a major house cleaning but TP probably still believes the answer is in the room. This forum has way better answers.

Man, that game was a gut punch. I thought we were different with Norris back.

Piss poor effort. Blaming it on puck luck. What BS, suck it up buttercup. This is the NHL not backyard ball. The puck does not have a brain and if you are lazy it will find you.

Let's not forget Ersson let in three goals last night but had the third overturned. He was beat by Benson moving across the crease. Before that he waves at a puck Byram scores on and let Zucker beat him five-hole on the power play. The rest of the night the Sabres hit him in the crest. Don't forget the goal Ellis allowed when a Flyer hit his blocker with his stick. No GI call because Buffalo. We seen to have different standards for goalies depending if they are Sabres or the opponent.

I liken it to watching your kid play youth sports. You follow their every movement and see what you want to see because you want the best for them. Then they go up against “real” competition and you find out how good they really are. And it’s deflating.

Well, not anymore for $290 a piece. ***** ridiculous.

None of them are the solution.

I edited my post to an A- because of the first goal Ersson let in. (Zucker) Ellis had a far more difficult job last night because of the greater number of dangerous chances he had to stop. Proof the NHL has different rules for the Sabres

While you were enjoying the concert, we got to watch our own Psycho Killer! "Qu'est-ce que c'est?" in the Sabres instance is French for WTF?

They’ve so far avoided their annual mid/late November 10+ game losing streak. Which, as I pointed out, has become an annual event.

This team shows over and over they are poorly coached and are the least experienced in the league.

He is not playing very well in Rochester right now. Elevating a slumping goalie is no answer.

@zow2 thinks we have a four headed monster, apparently.

Lyon

At this point I'd agree. Bring up Levi, mix him in with UPL and maybe you will find lightning in a bottle. I went to that Devils game a week ago, I'd let go of Lyons and keep Ellis. Lyons just looks slow and small in the nets.

I feel like a broken record after these losses but again it comes down to converting chances. Most teams are going to lose only scoring 2 goals. This is another night where pucks that should be in the net are not going in. Doan could of had a hat trick last night but nothing worked out. Tuch, Thompson, Norris all not converting good chances. I don't know why. A lot of wide shots last night. Yes there were other problems, coverage, goaltending, and coaching. This team gets enough good chances that they should be able to outscore those issues on most nights.