...

Tough call. I haven't watch the Islanders at all (they probably weren't playing "their game" on Friday). I don't like Pittsburgh, although it's difficult to say why, other than they underperform without Crosby. Sort of a "which team shows up" thing. I like Ottawa in maybe 6; that team is driven. OV will fall apart under playoff pressure so I say the Rangers in 6. Boston will most likely dance all over a Leafs team with something to prove, so they take it in 5.

Chicago crushes the Wild in four. Not sure about the Kings vs. the Blues, but that's the series I look forward to the most in the west. The remainder doesn't interest me.

Got to see Rudy play tonight in person. I really liked his game. The boy hits and anticipates the play very well...I would almost say exceptionally well but I think I need to see him in more games first. Shame we won't be able to see what he's all about until next season; I would have liked to see him play against some high level talent a few more times. I like Flynn, too. Not quite as excited about the guy, but he's a step up, talent-wise, from the other guys they had up in the recent past. But, while I'm not as close to being on suicide watch as Robviously seems to be, I have to agree with what he says to an extent. It's a bit early to close the book on Rudy, but I would be surprised if he becomes one of a top pair. I think we're seeing what Flynn can do now; he would obviously be more effective with better talent around him, but he seems like a good third or fourth line center.

:sick: Eh...not really.

Is Darcy still GM?

How can you possibly think of food when drunk? How?

Didn't win anything, never made it on the Kiss cam, bah. The crowd was sure trying to be positive, though, and made an effort, at times, to get into it. Hecht is retiring. I think the best thing today was Vanek's pre-game comments. We may see him back here next season, with a contract extension and the "C" on his jersey.

Buffalo, NY - As the so-called "meddling" trial of Terry Pegula looms, pre-trial machinations may hint at what's to come. The prosecution is trying to establish with the court that a definition of "meddling" exists, but Judge Smell does not agree. Indeed, there seems to be a question as to whether a trial can take place due to differing opinions of the legality of "meddling". While neither the prosecution or Judge Smell have hinted at where this may lead, it is possible a higher court may have to establish the definition and terms of "meddling". Meanwhile, the defense has yet to appear in court to weigh in on this most important matter.

Is the draft pick what killed the board? Was the pick that whacky?

Found it. Lots of complaints about the editor. Looks like we're stuck with issues until they get around to fixing them at Invision. http://community.invisionpower.com/topic/347361-editing-posts-is-inconsistent/

Black Sabbath must have been something else to behold the year they debut. Now, they're old hat, but, back then, holy moly...minds blown.

At present, there is nothing that suggests Team Pegula will drop kick Darcy. Of the two players, I think Miller is more likely to stay because not only does TPegs want him here, I think Miller is loyal enough and competitive enough to take the gamble for the right price. Vanek has more overtly intimated that he'd rather go elsewhere to chase the Cup. He doesn't seem to have the loyalty to the cause thing Miller seems to have.

Looks like Ehrhoff has too much schnitzel.

Why did they start Fleury?

What is that weird "woow" vocal, siren-like noise the crowd is making there in Pittsburgh?

Rudy is a refreshing change to the typical Sabres soft d man who is afraid of taking the hit.

The fellow reviewing the Joe here: http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/joe-louis-arena-s48/ ...says: "Fans in Detroit are probably a bit spoiled. Two decades of playoff runs, including 4 Stanley Cups, can do that to a fan base. You may find more empty seats than you would think, especially during the week and against less successful teams." Maybe. Talk to me when the Sabres have won four Cups in two decades.

They are when the rest of the roster sucks. How about putting away the knives and discussing the whys and wherefores of this point. I'm not sure I necessarily disagree having watched a lot more non-Sabres games this season than I have in the past that I can remember with any certainty. Without a tab or two of stats open to make my eyes gloss over and keep me up well beyond a reasonable bed-time, it seems some of the stronger teams in the West have a lot more going for them than just goal-tending. And, surely, it's not goal-tending that's putting a team like Montreal in the playoffs. Again, without some stats handy to make a more intricately crafted point, or statement, or question, however this sentence ends, it seems that it would go without saying that an above average goalie would be the right investment to make for the right roster. Quick wasn't an investment last season, but he was perfect for the Kings. Or take the tandem in Chicago this season, and you have Rask making it easier for a Boston team that is having troubles scoring.

Isn't it that the fan-base doesn't want to get killed getting to a game? Poor Detroit. Liberalism sucks - see Detroit. I'll be around for tomorrow's, so, barring a banning between then and now, or some other reason, by God, I'll tip the next thread to the fourth page.

I just finished watching the entire set. Absolutely gripping and exceeedingly well done. Run, don't walk, to your nearest video distribution centre to get a copy. Or, take a magick karpet.

Sorry, Joe Louis? Is Detroit having a fan issue, too? I'm slow.

Missed the game, did the F'N Center look empty?

Enroth starting. Surprised?

This, right here, is the thought that keeps occurring to me as I read this thread. If the Sabres are going to do a proper "rebuild", don't they then want to address all of the flaws? Miller has covered up the flaws in the defense for years now, to his credit, of course. If the idea is to build a Cup contender, they must address those flaws in defense. That could take a while. If I were Miller I wouldn't want to gamble that this particular franchise will figure it out any time soon. Frankly, I like Miller overall, and of all of the core, would like to see him win a Cup before he retires.

I don't know. Any additions or subtractions from a culture are bound to alter that culture's dynamics at least somewhat. Consider how the culture here changes when personalities come and go. How this translates on the ice is the real question. Does a different culture off the ice result in a team that communicates on the ice more effectively? Will the players make an extra effort for the others if the culture fosters that kind of commitment? This kind of intangible is the stuff I think a lot of people may argue is completely lost on Darcy; hence the reason his player acquisitions, alone, may look good, but the team does not. Just a thought. I think there is something to it all, but haven't pondered it long enough to articulate a mature theory.