...

Jack actually tried the exact same approach and, if memory serves, shot that led to them to recovering the puck in the neutral zone. I was under the impression after the GWG that he had saw something the first time and was sure he could make it work again, hence the reason he kept it and tried again.

This is all true. It's the kind of thing that was working for them during the 10-game streak and working against them lately. I have to wonder if there's another factor involved that's not being measured, some combination of metrics that, essentially, measures "the luck you make or give up for yourself".

So...same team, same coach, totally different game. Obviously a different result. Same system and same manner of player usage. The conclusion?

That's because his play in the offensive zone just prior led to a turn over.

This was a good game by the Sabres, though. Even with one point, no one should have complained. Except about Sheary. And maybe Bogo.

Yeah, and Sheary BLEW IT. That guy is as useful as Okposo.

They earned those two points. Let's hope they remember what it takes, now.

NICE!

The D is alive!

Dahlin.

So, after that period I want to watch the third.

Good pressure.

No Eichel?

Bogo not having a good game. Skinner is possessed!

Boy, if we ever needed a goal, that was it.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERod!

That right there SHOULD change the momentum of the game.

Ho ho ho! Ullmark!

They really didn't look too bad. Bogo with the boo-boo at the very end there.

That's not a lot to go on.

Does anyone have a link to something where Phil says he won't line match. I would like to understand his thinking.

Which is what JBot is trying to do. Hence the reason I'm more inclined to look at this season as the first real attempt to recover from the Tank Years.

While I like your post, this here is a can of worms. Eichel and Dahlin came from the tank and there is no way around that. And no way you get them otherwise. So, that said, you're right that the danger of tanking means you can remain a garbage team for a long time unless the plan to dig you out of it is solid and executed well. I think if we had JBots all along instead of Murray, we'd be in a better place (but wouldn't have Dahlin). I think that the way to look at The Sabres' Tank is as a prolonged one, netting us, again, Eichel and Dahlin (and JBots, truth be told), and this season is the first real attempt to recover from The Tank Years. With that as the context, things look much better.