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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.

Me dense, me no follow this. Me see this several times and no understand using CHL or NHL speak. Help?

This has always been the case, IMO.

You have been most agreeable lately.

Think of it this way, you may have very well averted succumbing to alcoholism.

PHEW!

Absolutely. Next year will rock.

Word.

WTF.

WTF.

Again, the Sabres PP looks a lot more confident and poised. ...when the entry is successful, that is.

They really are, especially when contrasted against a crappy team such as ours. Just an obvious higher level of play.

The 3 and 4 lines will save the game!

Pull the goalie! Travesty!

Well, well, isn't this an interesting microcosm of the world today. The self-anointed elite have determined for themselves what is so, and are pre-emptively insulting and belittling those whose point-of-view is different. The self-determined intellectually superior, the self-proclaimed tolerant, are so clever and so open-minded they are shutting out possibilities. And why? Because these possible realities simply don't mesh with their world-view, their values, the thoughts that keep them comfortable. Using the media, and this is media, they announce their position, and belittle any opposing view, forcing the casual observer to make a choice: do I want to be belittled by contradicting the self-anointed elite? Do I want to be "that guy" whom the self-declared brain-trust descends upon with vitriol and scorn because I do not agree with their conclusions. The weak will, and do, cave to this. Unlike politics, what is there to gain in defending the NHL (willy nilly)? Nothing, other than it reinforces the value-set of those defending it, reinforces their self-begotten social position, reinforces a pecking-order. Whatever. The evidence is clear. There is no way to determine whether this lottery drawing is honest or manipulated. No way. And there are compelling arguments for either side. But, if you choose to not believe it is legit, be prepared to be mocked, insulted and run down until you change your mind - that is the American way!

It may take Taro and a few others a couple of weeks to get used to normal NHL speak after the CHL season is over.