Taro T

Playing UPL was reasonable for the ST but a poor choice for the LT. If we all know UPL is a head case, surely those working at SHKIII Plaza know it as well. He has played exactly 1 game that matters (and that only mattered at the minor league level) and hasn't practiced with the big team yet during the RS. There was little to no chance that he'd've been in the right mental place to believe he had the situation under control; and it turns out that was how it played out. He played slow and he played small. Which is how he plays when he's not sure of himself. It was smart to not play Lyon. Will accept that they didn't want to pull Levi up especially after having played the night before (though in college they ALWAYS played 2 days in a row so it's not like he's never done that before). So, as much as this kid hates the idea, to keep from messing with UPL's head, they should've pulled Georgiev up even though they quite likely weren't going to get the 1 point either. IF they believe UPL can be redeemed (and it's pretty clear they do, or at minimum did prior to last night, and doubt they changed their opinion in 1 night); they should've given him the starter's net in Monday's practice and the game against the BJs like the plan was originally. And personally, would've kept him down in Ra-cha-cha for the full 2 week conditioning stint to get his head in as good a place as it could be. But that horse had already left the barn. Though short stints, UPL has gotten out of his own head, even for 2 months that 1 time. But he's always needed to be their only legit option in net and he's needed to trust his hips won't explode if he goes full out and he's needed to have management and teammates showing him the love. None of that was the case last night. (They likely were talking him up; but everybody knows that at least for now, the net is Lyons when he's able to go.) Will be pleasantly surprised if UPL does manage to get out of his own head again this season barring Lyon injury.

Their rarely having early leads under Granato isn't true? Don't know if your stat is correct or not, but will give you the benefit of the doubt it is for sake of discussion. Donny coached them for 274 games. You've got them having a lead going into the 3rd 68 times. That's having a lead heading into the 3rd just under 25% of the time. How seldom does it have to happen to be considered "rare?" Under Donny they were rarely ready to go to start the game. He did have them play better in the 3rd (and playing well in the 3rd is truly important, but so is showing up to start the game) but they were regularly behind the 8 ball by then and score effects are real especially when a good team doesn't take a bad team seriously.

They never blew 3rd period leads because they rarely had leads before then. They were awful in the 1st under Granato (especially hos last year) and bad in the 2nd throughout his tenure. They had to pour it on at the end to get their W's. Way easier to protect a lead for 4 minutes than for 40.

Whatevs. Haven't bothered finding the tablet's keyboard from the suitcases and the little hunt & peck keyboard doesn't just suck it also autocucumbers a LOT.

Someone here posted when UPL came back up that the Sabres had a plan to give each goalie 1 game of these 3. And guess it makes sense to have UPL as the backup in both Loaf games to get him back to a "normal" NHL situation. And if Ellis really couldn't go tonight, it makes sense to give UPL the game. Better than risking an injury/ exhaustion to Lyon and you weren't likely getting Levi from Cleveland to TO in a handful of hours before the early start. Am glad they got the lower point (that didn't happen in this sort of a situation last year), but they had a real chance to convert a 0-3 start into a 6-4 start which is exactly what they need for playoffs. Doubt they give up on UPL immediately. But he has to be on a short leash, and the team HAS given up on him before on a few occassions. Could see him in Ta-cha-cha legitimately by Thanksgiving, if not sooner should the rest of the squad get healthy and he not get his head out of his bippy. And, yeah, he gave up 3 bad goals, but he easily could've given up 8 if TO didn't shoot every other chance just wide. Play Lyon or Ellis vs C-bus, win in trip 2 to Beantown & give Lyon the Caps game. And if Ellis IS legitimately going to miss time, flip Levi & UPL and hope the Blues return the favor when UPL is on waivers.

2nd goal was horrible too. Should've moved his body towards the post & not just his leg. 3 bad goals in a game they lose in OT. Did they name him the 1st star? They should've, he was their MVP & without him, they'd've lost all 4 points this weekend.

8 years from now, give or take a couple of months. Was in the Charlotte Airport today & toyed with trying to change flights and get a ticket, but it was a LONG (but fun) week. Plus there were a couple of issues w/ the house when we got back. So, probably good that our plans didn't change. Go Bills.

Plus, they've had at least 3 pieces out every game so far. They've looked pretty good the last 5.

What'chu talkin' 'bout? Louie DePalma rocked a vest PROUDLY for years!

He did bring Bobrovsky from Filly. So, he actually understands you need a top guy. Of course, Bob wanted nothing to do with reupping. But he did land him once.

Started 0-3 last year too, but it was a totally different vibe. They were playing well, but just getting OK GTing and taking badly timed penalties. This time they were playing awful hockey in front of excellent GTing. Getting better effort starting in game 4 plus putting 3 guys that will buzz the net on the PP that game too while still getting the GTing have resulted in them looking night & day better. Expect they can keep up the effort. No data on if the GTing can stay great. If they can, well the division is very middling. Tonight would be a great night to get the 1st road win. REALLY hope Ellis gets the start.

TO fans oblivious to hockey history? That'd NEEEVVVVER happen. 😉

Would be perfectly fine w/ UPL watching tonight's game from the bench. Not thrilled with the possibility he'll watch from between the pipes. Let him have Tuesday's game if you feel you must.

If he's still playing beer league, there's a 50-50 chance @darksabre gets the callup before Georgiev. Georgiev will never see a regular season game in a Sabre uniform.

Agree that Levi isn't going to get called up anytime soon barring emergency. That was kind of the point of them grabbing Georgiev and Ellis. But, if they do hit a situation where they are forced to call another up; he should be able to step up.

So, the Sabres might have 3 goalies. They look like they do. Do they have 4? (And yes, not even being out of October is way to early to be making any final pronouncements on the GTing.)

Hard to believe, considering as bad as Erik Johnson was as a Sabre, he's even worse as a Color Commentator. Didn't expect he'd be able to find a profession that doesn't need professional degrees such as Engineer or Doctor that he'd've been worse at than Sabre defenseman; but he managed to find one.

Well, glad I didn't look for the sportsbook at that monstrous casino (probably ain't that big, but seems huge to this kid) if you've got your own bookie right at the end of the Thankgiving dinner table.

Fairly certain Byram ain't the brightest bulb on the tree. But, Jim Kelly isn't either and he's a Hall of Fame QB. Expect better coaching could get more out of him. He has serious talent. As for the focus of this thread, Power, wouldn't be heart broken if he were to be traded for the right haul. But personally expect trading him away before we see how he can mesh with Kesselring is premature. IMHO, paired with Timmons a few shifts, he's looked better than he has in the past. Have not liked him in his few shifts with Dahlin. And getting away from the thread topic again, have been happy with Samuelsson's play since he's come back from the most recent boo-boo. (Of course have been drinking pretty much all week, so maybe he just seems to be playing better. Had heard of these "vacations" but didn't really know much about them. They are forking awesome (especially when the wife's company is picking up a big chunk of the dime).)

Back in the day, pretty sure LaFontaine had to be out 40 games before insurance would start paying out. And for someone injury prone, the policies aren't cheap. (If you want to know how likely an event is, price out an insurance policy on it and figure the insurance company plans to net out across all its policies about 12% profit. So, look at the policy value, the policy cost, and that profit factor and you get a rough likelihood of what a pro considers the likelihood of that event happening.) Any policy on Norris would have at least 30 games missed as being the expectation. So, he must be EXPENSIVE to insure. Don't know if they'd have him insured against single season injury or not.

That's fine. Glad they took a look at him in Ra-cha-cha before sending him down. Gives him and the Sabres a better idea of what he has to work on to take his game to the next level.

Last day of vacation. Stayed in 2 different hotels just down the street from each other. A Ceasars is across the road from both. Pretty friggin' huge casino. Never bothered to go. Too bad wasn't aware of how desperate you were to place a bet. Might've been able to find a guy. ;)

Yeah, all 3 sports are very complementary, but hockey and lax just scream proficiency at both sports.

There is more to be seen on Ellis. Hope he gets a game this weekend. But, have little to no faith in UPL as a backup. He might be able to get his head around being a starter, but have no faith at all that he can be productive getting a game every 3 or so. Georgiev is NOT good. They are committed to Levi playing in Ra-cha-cha this full year. Which, with Lyon the current starter leaves Ellis as a realistic option at being the backup. Most 2 game in 2 night stints aren't going to have teams with TO's firepower on both ends. They need someone to claim the starter's role. That appears to be Lyon, but the jury is still out. But they also need a backup; and for now, would like to see what Ellis can do there.

Yep. And they need to get this right. They don't NEED to have 2 spare D nor 2 spare F's right now (though that's what NHL teams run); run with the 3 headed monster for a month or 2 until it sorts itself out. Not convinced UPL can mentally take a backups role, so unless he outplays Lyon would be the expected odd-man out. Lyon-Ellis is the expected pairing; but not convinced Lyon can do it more than a month or 2. Adams has been ridiculously patient in the past. No need to rush this call. And getting this right could literally be the difference between him getting an extension or not. (Though personally hope he's not getting an extension in any case.)