...

My wife: "OMG, why can't they just lose. Spoiled little rich boys..."

Risto just got schooled.

Thank God that was Hodgson and not someone who can think under pressure.

I'm indifferent, for the most part, unless he doesn't park this car in the garage properly over the next two games. If he doesn't realize by now that the fans should get what they want, and that he's been set up to give it to them, he hasn't earned Butkus.

Up until that goal Arizona had looked as sharp as I've seen them. That goal there was on the goalie.

Arizona played a good game last game, so, unless something has changed over the past few days, I would expect an honest effort from them tonight.

You found antidepressants that work?

Well, at least Arizona gave it an honest effort. And, that Calgary color guy does sound frightfully like Rayzor.

I think Pittsburgh is going to go balls-out the rest of the season regardless of when they win next. They will need to build momentum going in to the playoffs, assuming they get in.

The Goalie Whisperer's effects are strong in this game.

This game has my attention.

Well, tonight won't be the night.

I've grown to like Gionta and would normally be happy he scored such a nice goal.

Ugh. And they're wearing their pajamas, too. I thought we saw the last of those.

How is ROR going to get here, again? Also, I wonder if Grigorenko is causing Murray to second guess his (Grigorenko's) future here. He keeps flashing more and more of his talent.

By far the best article I have read on the topic all season.

Don't count your chickens, yet, folks. As I noted in the CHL thread, the DDs next two opponents are far more desperate than the Sabres' next two. This could drag out until the 11th. At the worst, the DDs need a regulation win out of the next two, or need a loser point in each. The Sabres need to lose one of the next two, or, at best, get a loser point in each.

This could drag out until the 11th. Pittsburgh is going to need to ensure their wild card slot and gain momentum going into the playoffs with their remaining schedule. The DDs next two are against more desperate opponents. The Ducks could lay down for them on the 11th, though, resting their key players.

I'm not sure what to think about the goaltending situation. Are these guys average but the Sabres unable to contain the offense, or are they crappy and a significant factor in the losses.

Not for nothing, the Islanders earned that goal.

How did Halak see that?

The Grigorenko line looks like the only line that can sustain pressure in the Islander's zone.

I can't. He has blocked me.

It's an analogy, not a direct comparison. And, the point of view is from the army's people, not the army itself. Of course the warriors are going to want to stay in the battle, that's been a major sticking point this entire season.

Everyone I know, save one, supports the tank. And these aren't people who I have had the chance to discuss the merits of it, but they just bring it up casually. It's ridiculous to suggest Sabres fans don't know what's going on, and it's simply wishful thinking to assign a ratio to the number of tankers versus anti-tankers. And, people need to go easy on themselves. It's okay to be happy for a loss. This point and time is just a blip on the map of a larger plan. Would you be upset if your army stayed and fought a battle they couldn't win only to reduce their effectiveness in the war? No, you'd be relieved when they got out of that battle as safely as possible, knowing they can regroup, reinforced for the remainder of the war.