Neo

True is putting cigarettes out on his forearm and unable to post.

I wasn’t shy when I was skeptical. Character prevents me from being shy when my view is changing. Eichel is stepping up. Oh, he’s always been talented and dangerous. Now, however, I expect him to DO DOMETHING ABOUT IT when the situation demands. Who else remembers knowing, without doubt, that Borje Salming was goin to pot a goal, down by one against the Sabres, when the goalie’d been pulled? I think it’s situation, and not just talent, that separates the very goods from the elites. We shall see, but I like it. Go Bulls!

In th doldrums, 2017 - 2018 edition, I said something about showing me DeLuca .500 before talking playoffs. If memory serves, I reasoned 2019 - 2020 looked like my best guess for the post season. We may have something this year.

... from the anti cheeseburger joke guy!?

Go Gators!

Vampires ... they can’t be killed.

Are we still seeing number two goalies more often than you’d expect? i almost think he coaches think the rotation when the schedules released

Oh, I wasn’t suggesting any “stronger line-up” wish. I have no answer for you in that context. The thought occurred to me as the crowd roared its appreciation for the Sabres and their effort. I remember Weber enduring the pain and ignominy of the hometown fans cheering Sam Gagner’s’ overtime goal in Buffalo during the tank. Front offices tank, not players. Weber, the warrior, suffered that most terrible double pain of the wound, itself, and the knowledge that it occurred during an unworthy pursuit. My fantasy for Weber? We beat Arizona, take Dylan Strome 3rd, improve to the point of not getting Dahlin, and Weber’s on the third pair during last night’s win. An old school honorable route to the same place. Full disclosure - while i didn’t cheer Gagner, I was sure glad we didn’t screw up the tank, once it was underway. I would confess to Weber ... once the die was cast, I sold my soul.

Too many words for me to sort them, now. I posted once about the magic that was both the Aud and an era, but can’t find it in search! I can’t shake “wistful” ... I can’t shake “intimate”. The Aud was more than a building or a place where an event took place. The Aud was a participant in the event. I watched hockey games with the Aud, not at the Aud. I felt her. I remember her. A few years back, my kids visited the Aud after it’d closed but before it was torn down. They sent me a piece of the facade and a framed drawing. They told of a pilgrimage they made based on my stories. They grew up in Florida, and knew her only through my stories. Imagine the power of that. I had no idea the impression I’d made with them in my lap, telling stories. Wide eyes, wide eyes ... OP, any time you wanna lean over and ask me “do you remember”, feel free! Boy, do I!

Random thought ... I wish Mike Weber could be here.

I am giving Eichel “and I ain’t GONNA lose” props.

Umberger lite.

You’re way more flexible than I am.

Nail, coffin .... you’re up, next.

What I’d like to see. Jack Eichel step in and make a statement. “I hate to lose, and I ain’t gonna lose”.

With all due respect to Disco Dan .... I am not missing long stretch passes, chips, and chases. I wonder what he’d do with this talent? Some say the same thing. I dig the carry ins and possession. Skill - what a strategy.

Dark’s opening video. Awesome. When you get to be a certain age, remembering back is .... Larson answering the bell! He could’ve snickered and pointed. I could hear him say, “Nah, I’ve got this”. As others pointed out, Dahlin on the bench after the fight! He looked like Flounder at a Delta Tau Chi party. “Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, BOY!” Skinner! The crowd. The National’s giving props.

Breaking from my usual form, I will make a long story short. Two weeks ago, I had lunch with a college student who’s in the hockey analytics industry. The topic “came up” at lunch, but wasn’t the purpose of the meeting. His firm has clients in the NHL and overseas. When I blurted out “Corsi, Fenwick” to demonstrate my familiarity with his craft, he just smiled politely and slowly nodded his head “yes”. I could almost hear him saying “yeah, Corsi, Fenwick”.

Today, I am buying my first ever lottery ticket and calling Peggy Noonan to see if she wants to go to a movie, or something.

I think your last thought is worth pondering. Tangential ... I was not hopeful turning the leadership roles over to some of the kids ... this team likes itself more.

With all due respect to a great hockey player .... I’m not missing ROR and soul searching accountability interviews following loss number four in five games.

Hey, Lehner .... a REAL hockey team!

I was imagining Risto saying “squueeEEEeeeEeel” with a Finnish accent while riding Kessel into the boards ... before giving him that “huh, what” look as the refs arrived.

I’m remembering back to three or four BIG Hutton moments.

I’m listening to the third straight “post game show” on the opposition television station ... same script ... woulda, coulda, shoulda ... “the Sabres are for real”. They cut the lead in half four straight times.