Taro T

You could be correct. But just realize that other skater would've been Olofsson.

He does lose the puck a bit. He's also playing with literally brand new pads that aren't dimensioned the same as the ones he's used the past 2 years. Give him a full training camp with this gear and the lost pucks go away. And pretty sure that the book on him is going to be to get traffic in front and try to get deflections. With a secondary plan of try to get him moving across the crease and then shoot high. The 1st of which, is what it is, the D will need to keep Levi's sight lines clear and the counter is also that a lot of traffic in front will lead to odd man rushes the other way for the Sabres due to their speed. The 2ndary plan can be thwarted by playing good D. And based on his reaction, anticipation, and reflexes doubt that 2ndary plan is going to be as effective as the doubters expect.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Actually before that it was Thompson turning the puck over along the near boards that set up the chance eventually. He had what should've been an easy clear but it bumped back into the slot where the Cats pounced; 15 or so seconds later is when Skinner got bumped off the puck.

The AHL doesn't have the agreement with the CHL, the NHL does. And because of that, in the CBA it states that an NHL team that wants to loan an 18 or 19 year old from the CHL to another team needs to offer the player to his CHL team first before offering him to any other team.

They can only loan him to Europe if Winnipeg agrees to it. If they'd agree to that, they'd agree to letting him play in Ra-cha-cha IMHO. (And can't see them agreeing to either.)

Don't expect they'll catch the Cats. They need the Aisles and Pens to continue to play underwhelming hockey. The Aisles could easily finish with only 91 points and if they can drop to 91 it only takes 1 bad goal against to fall to 90. IF they catch the Pens, they'll almost certainly have the tie breaker over them. The Pens should lose to Minny. Find a way to lose 1 more game either in OT or regulation and 91 will be enough to be ahead of them too via tie breaks. Not likely, but more likely than the Sabres running the table.

He can't play in the AHL playoffs. Might be the source of confusion for you.

Winning 5 of the last 6 gives them a chance. Winning all 6 gives them a non-negligible chance.

But will they have issues with the Sabres? Carolina will get the Swamp Cats.

Very disappointed in the loss, but am really excited to see this team next year. The kids will be 1 year older and at some point (maybe day 1) Levi will be keeping them in every game he starts. Let Okposo go back home to Minnesota and trade Olofsson for what they can get. Opens up a slot for Savoie and a real 4C. Leave Jost as the 13F. Sign Johnson to be depth (likely in Ra-cha-cha next year), and bring in a real 4D bumping Stillman to the 7th slot and Clague to 8. Bryson can be the 10 behind Johnson. Bring in whoever is the best goalie you can get on a 2 year deal and run with the 2 best goalies of the 4. Trade one of UPL or Comrie and try to slide the other into Ra-cha-cha unless he beats out both Levi and the new guy. This team as constructed will be in the playoffs. Make these tweaks and it could really do some damage. Should be bummed right now. But am so excited for the future. And, if Pittsburgh and the Aisles will continue to stink it up, who knows, maybe they can sneak in this year afterall. Wouldn't have any money on it. But until they're eliminated won't give up hope. You seem to be confusing the AHL rules and the NHL rules. The only thing keeping Levi out of the playoffs this season is the likely inability of the Sabres to get past 2 of the 3 teams ahead of them.

They have to keep Levi between the pipes until they're eliminated. He gives them the best chance to win every game. This could've been so different if Tuch's skate was 1/2" closer to his own end on that entry and if the puck somehow doesn't bounce off Levi's blocker.

You sure about that? Maybe with Thompson back the PP won't be hot garbage. But wouldn't have money on it.

Well, their 3rd stringer has played great recently and backstopped their recent 3 game W streak. Sabres need to approach this like he's Bobrovsky and make him look like the career tweener he is.

Makes sense. If the Cats win tonight, they leap frog the Pens and are tied with the Aisles holding the 1st tiebreaker with a regulation win or going to at least the 3rd tiebreaker with them. When the Cats lose, they're still out of the playoffs and now have no games in hand on the Aisles and have played 1 more game than the Pens. When the Sabres win, they still have to get ahead of at least 2 teams that are in front of them though they have games in hand on all so can be ahead of the 1 out of the playoffs by winning the games in hand and tied with another by winning all games in hand and a point behind the last by winning all games in hand. Though doable, it's still daunting (especially with that home game vs Carolina.

We'll see. Had 1 been available, that would've been his number. He wouldn't be the 1st player to switch numbers when the one he really wanted became available. Could see him going either way when UPL moves on.

LOL. Don't go getting ticked off at others when your pedantry is incorrect. That's on you, not us. ;)

That's not true if the game is on TNT. And per PTR's comments, pretty sure that's not true for NHLN games either.

It's possible. But at this point, don't see the Pens losing after their next 2 games. (Had thought the game after Joisey was against another bottom feeder, maybe there's hope they lose 2 in a row.) Unfortunately have a gut feel that they beat Minny. Last night was the night they were set up to choke one away but DeSmith would have none of it. After Minny, they finish with Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus. They either have to lose to Joisey and the Wild or find a loss somewhere in those other 3 games for the Sabres to have a realistic chance.

Lyon has played extremely well for them. At this point, would probably prefer to see Bobrovsky between the pipes. (Yes, Bob is a way better goalie, but right now Lyon has that horseshoe firmly lodged up his buttocks.)

Height absolutely is overblown. And it's a big part of the reason that he lasted until the 7th round. (His play and his relationship with Luongo is the only reason he was drafted at all.) Levi gets the job done where ever he's been. Still would like to see a more sure thing vet than Comrie or UPL in house next season so all the eggs aren't in Levi's basket. But am hopeful his play during this stretch and in camp make that addition superfluous.

Pretty sure nobody advocating playing him the majority of the remaining games this year is expecting that. He ISN'T flying under the radar. He's an extremely technically sound goalie with tremendous reflexes and awareness. The only box he doesn't check is he isn't 6'4"+.

Sabres and Swamp Cats can't both win out. They play each other. The Sabres WILL win that game. So, the Sabres have to miss out on 1 fewer points than the Aisles do out of their last 4 remaining games because as you say the Aisles have the tie breaker. The Aisles have TB & Filly at home, go to the Caps, and then end at home a couple of days before everybody else against the Habs. It might just be wishful thinking, but the Aisles can easily miss out on 4 of those 8 points. The Sabres are almost certainly going to lose to the Canes. Beat the Swamp Cats and Detroit. Take 3 of 4 in the Metro NY region. Beat the Otters and the BJs. Florida hosts the Otters, visit the Caps, and then host the Loafs and Canes. If they lose 1 of those 4 (they could lose more) then the Sabres taking 11 or 12 points out of their remaining 14 gets them in. But it starts on Tuesday with a win by the swamps.

5 behind the Pens with 2 in hand. They were outplayed by Filly for the most part but DeSmith was ON and the Pens 1st goal was a fluke. The Pens still play Joisey. But that could very well be the only game of their last 5 they lose. The Aisles are more catchable.

So who are the Sabres hosting there?