tom webster

Ullmark stole a point last game, gave up at least a point this game

They are getting next to nothing from Hall and Eichel.

Games like last night happen all the time. No one plays with playoff intensity every game. I like the back n forth with you and I respect your opinion but this is a load of crap. The only thing I know for sure is that last night KO drew the penalty that led to the game tying goal procuring a point that will be important in the end. Has been great this year, of course not but he’s played two or three games with players he barely knows. Finally, it’s a long season and while you may want to lament a poor performance in one game, I’ll take solace in reveling in their point streak and development.

How do you know this?

I’m no analytics expert, but until yesterday the numbers, including “puck possession “ were very good. As someone else pointed out, numbers are meaningless with such a small sample size. Yesterday they were terrible and lost in overtime. I submit that if you just became a fan last year you would be very encouraged by that. The last 8-10 years has worn on us as a fan base and through those jaded eyes the team has no margin for error. They have a problem with the Eakins line that may not be resolved this year but I wholeheartedly believe that this team is finally on the right trajectory but time will tell.

They had one bad game and all of a sudden they follow good performances with bad performances. The “depleted” Capitals just beat the Islanders twice, including coming back from 3-0 down. Most think the Islanders are one of top three teams in division, some think they are the best. How can they lose to the “depleted” Capitals? Because believe it or not, the other team has their own talents and motivation. The Rangers spent two days getting reemed for their effort on Tuesday. They came out and punched the Sabres in the mouth. Unfortunately, last night, the Sabres didn’t have an answer. One of Raku’s mantras is keeping the team from getting too high when they win, too low when they lose. It should bring for a more balanced season but this isn’t football. You can’t read too much into one game. While I understand the frustration and the feeling it’s been this ten year drought but the fact of the matter it’s the beginning of the second year of this regime and like it or not it’s still a process and while I am confident this team is top four in this division, it’s still a ways from a finished product. On top of that, Jack is obviously hurting. Like someone else said, he lacks that extra gear this year.

Worst game of the year and still a chance for two points.

To me, Huglen is the wildcard. He had top six potential till injuries curtailed him. He’s looked pretty good in his comeback but usually back injuries never fully go away. He’s a long shot but would be a real feel good story. Samuelsson is the lightning rod. Some seem to see him as a legit 4/5 defenseman while others seem to see him as a washout.

The Eichel line has to figure it out. It’s bad enough they aren’t scoring but compound it with that crap is unacceptable.

You don’t need a fullback for that and also, as Allen develops he will be able to handle that by making even quicker decisions

My first choice as well

Dabol doesn’t play a fullback and I like that. I do not need this offense to start being a power running team.

I want a back with elite speed more then a power back but I wouldn’t hate Harris.

I agree with most of this. Pitts is interesting, though. I’ve seen mocks that have him going as high as 9 and as low as 25.

Yeah, he sat the last 12 minutes or so.

Or Yeldon, who is an excellent receiver,

Number 3 was huge in my eyes as well. There was one guy between him and end zone. It’s tough blaming a couple plays in a blow out but that one was huge.

Again, KC and Tennessee are the only teams that took advantage of the defense. Yes, they can improve the defense but the way to beat KC when they play like they did yesterday is to trade TD’s and hope they make a mistake before you do.

The 5 on 5 is not a Rieder/ Eakin. Sabres are getting plenty depth scoring. They need their top two lines scoring and it will come.

Tokarski was as well

I don’t necessarily disagree with that but obviously it didn’t matter except when they played Mahommes. They played one of the best schedules in the league and held up well. KC’s defense is very average but they appear better because every knows they have to score every time if they want a chance to beat them. That’s what I want for Buffalo.

I don’t know. I think other then KC, Buffalo is as good as anyone. In my opinion, to bridge that gap, they need more speed on offense and continued development of Allen and an elite pass rusher. My hope is, that despite the horrendous play of their defense yesterday, when they approach then offseason, they ask themselves how do we make our offense as good as KC instead of asking themselves how do we slow down their offense.

Given my track record this year and last, Casey will get a hat trick and everyone will be telling me how wrong I was! And I would be happy.

Yes

He seemed to like sitting at a bar by himself, just nursing his drink. I was at a fundraiser and there was this scrawny guy, knit hat pulled low, just standing at the bar while everyone else was milling around socializing. He left after about an hour and I bet me, the people I was with, the guy the fundraiser was for, the bartender and his teammates were the only people that knew he was there.