Taro T

Correct. They go by when the championship is awarded, not when it starts.

Overall, yes, we're ~1/3 of the way through the season. But his (& that entire line's) extremely hot streak really is only ~6 games long. Don't know that they can contine the torrid pace (would be awesome if they can, but that isn't overly realistic), but the WAY they are playing is sustainable. That's what's truly encouraging. They could very realistically have a 60 point player & 2 - 50 pt guys and depending upon just how real the chemistry is maybe average 60+ points each. Which for the NHL's Youngest LineTM, riding 2 rookies is fantastic.

Was right there with you in that expectation until Mittelstadt seemed to be benched at the end of the 3rd last night. Could see him, if not both, having finally found himself in the odd man out sweepstakes.

Would be great if he does. And believe he'll earn that. Still expect Peterka to pull too many votes from him for him to get that high. (Plus he has to deal w/ the bias some voters will have against voting for Power & another Sabre. An issue Power also shares.) And, to a degree it'll be disappointing if Peterka doesn't cannibalize some of Jack's votes because that'll indicate that he didn't improve as much as it looks like he can and should. He was playing substantially better than Quinn by the playoffs last year. Might've been Quinn running out of gas or dealing w/ an unreported injury, but JJ really brought it last spring. Now, if the Sabres are in the playoff mix, that bias against multiple players from the same team can be overcome because those 3 rookies will all be a huge part of the narrative.

For the 1st time in forever, they have 2 legit scoring lines. They also have the pieces in the system to have a 3rd by middle of next year at a realistic latest. (Might not come to fruition by then, but very possible it will or even sooner.) They've had 2 legit lines before, but typically 1 was a 4th line. This is different, and usually worth the price of admission IMHO YMMV.

Still believe Power will be a finalist and that both Quinn & Peterka will cannibalize votes from each other & end up top 10 in the voting but neither as a serious contender. Beniers will be tough to beat, but if the Sabres start to get into the playoff race, Power might edge him out again. 😉

Power has none of the awkwardness that Thompson often had on display when he 1st arrived in Buffalo. Power will continue to improve as he gets used to this level & doesn't make rookie mistakes, but he seems very comfortable in his own body and has been doing that Quinn acclimating into a new higher level but on a much more rapid level for at least the last 2 years. (Whereas Quinn has (until this year) taken a year to get things working at a new level & then take off; Power seemed to start on the 3rd pairing at every new stop & then end up top pairing about a week later.) But, yeah, he's going to be truly scary to play against. Much like Dahlin finally is (he has finally blossemed into the full package & is STILL getting better). Though doubt we see him throwing the sort of hits Dahlin likes to dish out. Expecting way more of a Dahlin growth curve than a Thompson spike. Hopefully a little steeper as he presumably is in a much less toxic environment than Ras was thrown into.

KO or VO? Would agree that Mitts & VO need to be separated at this point. Considering Mitts was benched at the end of the 3rd, expect that will be happening.

Needed Cincy to win today. KC very well might not lose again until they play either the Bills or Cincy again. But, if they're nice enough to blow another one, then provided the Bills take care of business against the Fish they can screw up one also.

Which is why Portillo has as direct a path to the NHL in Buffalo as he would have anywhere else. Comrie will be a UFA after next year. Anderson will be retired. UPL will likely be heading to the SEL or Finnish league, which leaves Levi as his competition. (Plus whomever they sign to platoon w/ Comrie next year.)

Especially considering how light basic skates are, not sure why all defensemen & defensive F's don't wear the Jay McKee shells on their skates.

Haven't seen the full roster & they only showed the backup once after Vinc was run, so not sure if it's still the same guy as last year. No idea if they'll rely on the backup in Vinc falter or go the trade route. They did trade in season for Adler (at the X) last year, so they are willing to make moves. It also didn't help last night that the captain was out sick & Albany did a great job shutting down the Great Dhane.

Dell vs UPL. Taking the over. 😉

Sabres TYPICALLY play very well against the Snarks. Should be the 1st W in a stretch of 4 out of 5. (Hopefully they don't end up getting 2-3 upLs.)

That's what it should be. Will believe Bama isn't making the playoff when it is actually announced. Good luck to your Dawgs. This is definitely theirs to lose.

Bandits opened at home against the Albany Firewolves tonight. Bad guys won 11-10. The story of the game was goaltending. Jamieson made at least 42 saves for the Wolves. Not sure how many saves Vinc made, but Albany's 4th goal came on just their 7th shot. Nanticoke started the scoring, but then Albany found the area under the post & above Vinc's left shoulder. Can't recall if it was 4-1 or 5-1 before the Bandits started solving Jamieson. Bandits were down 9-5 before getting it tied back up at 9 on a play that got Nanticoke his 4th goal & ejected for a goalie interference major & a subsequent fight. During that comeback, McKay had one called back for a legit crease violation. The Bandits had another called back on what should've been a clean goal that got followed by a rookie celebrating & following into the crease before the ball fully crossed the line. That ended up being the difference as Albany scored 1 on the major & an insurance goal after that and the Bandits could only get 1 back before the clock expired. If Vinc can find his game, the Bandits will be tough to beat again. But Matt is 40 (what is it w/ Buffalo & 40+ year old goalies?) and didn't play well in the playoffs, especially in the finals vs the Mamouth. If he can't find his game, the Bandits will waste a very good roster.

Because of some combination of dust particles & light refraction.

Fair enough. But really don't see a need to move everyone into Team Stormcloud & Team Sunshine & Kittens.

Would say there is a 3rd group of fans. Those that are resigned to the fact the newest plan is being effected and are hopeful it will be successful, but aren't fully bought in that it will be (for whatever reason - goaltending, coaching, lack of vets, etc.). (EVENTUALLY it will be, but making the playoffs for the 1st time since '11 in '26 would not be considered by any reasonable person that it was truly successful.) Not necessarily optimistic but looking towards signs that this 3rd reboot can finally be successful. Meaning making the playoffs next year. (Or, #### it, THIS year even. Yeah, now THAT would be optimistic. 😉 ) Just because somebody doesn't reflexively assume the plan won't work doesn't necessarily mean they believe everything is sunshine. & roses. It could simply mean it's too d*mn depressing to always be looking at only the shortcomings.

No, unfortunately in this instance, because the rules for what constitutes a catch are different than for what constitutes a fumble. And, yes, what constitutes a catch is to a degree contradictory to the rules for a fumble. One, you are trying to gain possession. On the other, you are losing possession. The only thing those thinking it was a catch can use to justify it is to say that since his hand never left contact with the ball & the ball never touched the ground, he never lost control of the ball. Which would make it a catch. And a wide out likely would've gotten the benefit of the doubt. Not that it matters, but Mac & Cheese thought it was an interception. He went straight to the bench & took off his helmet. In his eyes, the drive was done.

To the 1st, yes, Thursday night vs the Avs. To the 2nd, no. Asplund was always the 2nd wing on that line.

Personally would've preferred Beniers, but they didn't go wrong at all w/ Power. They're shaping up to be able to consistently have a #1 D-man on the ice for 50 minutes/ game in a couple of years. Except for a 1/2 season of Tallinder elevating his game, they never HAD a #1 D-man. They've been able to get #1 C's, they'd never had a #1 D prior to Dahlin. Now there's a great chance they'll have 2. That's not a "blown" draft at all.

He is effectively retired. He will be a coach for Dallas next year. He planned to beat coach for them this year, but the league stepped in and said you can't be one of the 50 for 1 team & then take a job w/ another team. Apparently they have different rules for players they want working for the league as there have been a few guys on BF-LTIR who have been hired by the NHL Office through the years.

FTFY & yes. They were dropped from being the 2nd line against Joisey.

Guessing it is: A. Gains control of the ball B. Both feet (or 1 knee) in bounds C. A 3rd step or a football move. Close?