...

Crawford is going to get pulled.

The Blues need to get their heavy game back or they're going to lose this. Their D also needs to settle down.

CAN ELLIOTT HOLD OFF THE DYNASTY? Details at 11pm. The TB game looks like a regular season game in comparison.

The next game will indicate where this series goes. St. Louis is playing the same game as last year, but they look a lot more disciplined.

The Blues fans were like Roman gladiatorial spectators. That was a good game; Chicago's defense is deceptively effective. The may allow for too much zone time, but not a lot of shots are taken in the slot. Whereas, the Blues' offense is quite sneaky and had some really quality chances in close. I will be curious to see which team suffers under the so-called "Game of Attrition" tactic from the Blues. They tried that last year and it didn't work out for them. Elliott better stay on his game this series.

When you're on a roll, you're on a roll. We can just move the in-season predictions to a new prediction thread whenever that arrives.

Never.

Let's see. How about not using the internet. And don't use battery-driven devices. No CFL lightbulbs. Don't drive. Don't fart. Don't breathe. That should all do it.

Didn't GMTM mention something to that effect? Both times I listened to the presser, I've been interrupted, but I thought I heard something to the effect that Cody has been at the rink everyday, helping out and can see a role for him like that..?

Sabres win first pick in lottery. If they do, GMTM trades the pick. If not, they pick Juolevi. Johnson is offered a 3 year, $1.75m per, contract by GMTM. Turns down that contract, finally accepts a 1 year deal elsewhere for the same $$. Risto plays ball and would accept a 3 year bridge contract if the Sabres land Stamkos on a 3 year contract. Stamkos goes for the longer term and bigger $$ from the Leafs. Risto signs a 7 year $5.5m per contract. Legawand returns for 1 year, $1.875m. Foligno returns for 2 years, $2.25m per. Larson returns for 3 years, $1.875m per. Girgensons rights are traded. D-lo returns for 2 years, $1m per. McCabe returns for 3 years, $1.5m per. Pysyk is traded. Colaiacovo does not resign. Drake Caggiula signs with Buffalo. GMTM essentially ignores McGinn. No offer, no sign-ee. I like nfreeman's thinking, will steal it: Hampus Lindholm arrives in Buffalo via trade. There are no changes to the Sabres' coaching staff over the summer. Jimmy Vesey talks with Buffalo. Future uncertain. I could see him in TO or with us. If TO signs Stamkos, that increases the likelihood Vesey signs here, finishing our forward group. Jack Jack and Samson come back as monsters. Jack Jack gets in a fight and destroys his opponent. Not messed with the rest of the season. Samson develops a mean streak to aid his net-front-presence. Both make secret bet to each other over who will score more over the season. Both get at least 30 goals. Ennis is hit by game 15 and his career is ended. Sabres enter playoffs above the wildcard slots, say, 6th place. Lehner makes GMTM proud. Matty Mo re-invents his role and becomes a line gypsy, filling in where needed. He takes Z's role on the PK. Nearly forgot: ROR gets a slap on the wrist because he "has shown he is penitent and this act was not in line with his character". He pays a significant fine, has to pay for all damages to Timmy Ho's.

Which of Laine and Pujiwhatsit is the more durable? If you're debating fractional differences, then perhaps durability should tilt the scales. I'm kind of tired of seeing important players going down due to random injury. I like that Eichel seems uncommonly durable (due in part to his ability to avoid hits) and would like more of that. Larrson seems pretty durable as well.

Mark HamillVerified account ‏@HamillHimself 6h6 hours ago Mark Hamill Retweeted Star Wars Pretty sure I don't have any lines in this one either #RogueWonderful #HurryUpDecember #ReturnOfTheATATS #WOWZA!

Wait, there was a part two? Did I know this?

The owners whine more.

I've eased up on DD for the past several weeks. I think we're seeing a team that is starting to gel. I also think we're seeing some tired rookies, so, take this team with fresh players and they're probably playing "scary good" hockey. Again, I don't know why the Big Johnson isn't signed for next season, you can't ask for a better goalie for this team's predicament. Lehner, even though we finally got to see a lot of him the second half of the season, is still a question mark. And none of the goalies in the system are ready for prime time. Oh, forgot to talk about DD more... I think DD's system is starting to make sense. It makes a lot more sense watching it, and comparing it to other teams' games. It makes more sense now that it's being executed and that DD has a solid, consistent third line, and the Eichel/Reinhart pair has remained consistent. The system seems at least okay, if not good. There are other things to complain about with regards to DD, but I think his system is at least as good as anything else in the league. I also have to give him credit for attempting to be a clever, real-time coach, who will try different coaching and game strategies on-the-fly. I kind of like that small percentage of unpredictability, even if what he's trying to do doesn't work.

This just makes not wanting Stamkos more easy.

I don't see them ignoring head injuries, otherwise we'd have a lot less emails to read. I see them unwilling to institutionalize ownership of the issue, which makes sense because doing so is likely to open the league up to endless lawsuits. I see them trying to put the onus on the players and the NHLPA, because they consider it a player problem. I don't see how that is particularly eye-opening or new.

I fail to see what's so damaging about these emails, and I read that entire article from what's its place.

I don't recall anything being said by Murray, but I do recall reports saying ROR was embarrassed and addressed the team about it.

You missed the conversation elsewhere, but he apparently projects to be a 3/4 D man. Meanwhile, some here have him pegged as a career AHLer.

The boy just needs to eat. And work out. I like his interviews; he's an exceptionally humble kid. I shall root for his success.

??? back at you. I was responding to robin and sauve. I think he looks pretty solid and may be, at worst, on the call-up roller coaster next season. But DD has been putting him on the PP the past two games, and must see something there to do make that decision.

Hmmmm....HMMMMMMM.... I'm not sure I like this. My gut reaction is like Liger's. This reads like one of those people who are perpetually stuck in the past. A lot of people are stuck on the high-school days, but I know people who are stuck in college. He just finds a lot of schmaltz to justify it. When the you have a chance to go to the bigs, you go. When duty calls, you respond. This guy has failed at both. Don't want.

Well, the Sabres didn't come to play. Jack Jack had a bad game, but Nelson looked pretty good for his second game. I would have liked to see them come to play, but, in truth, I'm all right with them playing for their draft position. Wins or losses down the stretch here, either are fine. I want to see Fasching have another good game or two, and I want Jack to get goals.