PromoTheRobot

We need DET and PIT to lose more, since they are closer to us in games played.

I don't think the game is on ESPN. It's a Hulu/ESPN+ game.

Isles score twice in the third. Up 3-2 with 9 to go. ENG makes it 4-2 NYI!

And that's fine for you. Meanwhile I'm just going to watch the games and enjoy them.

So you ignored his entire body of work and focused on the last 4 games that bolstered your take. Gotcha. If it makes you feel better to think that...

The Sharks gave was a great example of UPL bailing out the Sabres. Yes, eventually the Sharks scored two thanks to the Sabres chasing their tails in their own end. But UPL shut the door the rest of the way until the Sabres got the winner. Which is, by the way, how 70-80% of NHL games go. Other teams are good, other teams can and do score goals. There is no goalkeeper that meets whatever @LGR4GM's goaltending standard in the NHL right now.

A save on a high-danger scoring chance, often time coming after a defensive blunder or turnover. This includes saves late in games to preserve a lead. Here's a recent example though it came at the end of the 1st.

Were you in a coma when Lehner and Hutton were here?

What exactly are you arguing here? That the only adequate goalie is one who allows zero goals? Has a .999 save %? I think you are clinging so hard to this narrative, you're ignoring what most NHL goaltending is.

No those are results. You win or you lose. And if you watch the games you can tell how many critical saves are made.

When people speak of sustainability, it's an opinion that things are too good right now and will only get worse. Can't be disproven because it's an opinion. And the other part was citing only the last 4 games to disparage UPL and ignoring his season long performance which has been quite good.

Then what's the problem? The perfect goalie is never going to show up one day. UPL is doing fine. Devon Levi will contend for the job soon. Then Leinonen after him. Best man plays.

Now we bring in the sustainability trope, which is entirely an opinion.

Was there a reason why you limited your range to his last 4 starts? Hmmm? Let's see how he's done the full season... https://www.nhl.com/player/ukko-pekka-luukkonen-8480045?stats=gamelogs-r-nhl&season=20222023 Oooooh, lookee! 14-7. Why that isn't bad at all, is it? I'm sure you weren't trying to spin an argument here.

Stats versus results. What's more important? Wins or save percentage? The Sabres win games when UPL plays. He might let in an extra goal or two, but he makes critical saves when the team needs them.

I had to go back into the SabreSpace archives to see what the feelings were about Linus Ullmark. In one thread there was a debate whether to sign or trade him. One comment said Linus would be a good #2 but the Sabres still need a #1. Another said Ullmark would be a good placeholder until UPL eventual ascension. @bob_sauve28 called his shot and declared Linus "the real deal." But generally SabreSpace was ambivalent towards Ullmark. I think it's human nature to devalue what you already have in favor of what's to come.

We're just going to have to disagree and move on. I think UPL is on track to become our #1 and the playoffs will rely more on how we play in front of him.

Not any more inconsistent than many goalies. What's inconsistent is the play in front of him.

I never said that. What I said was I don't get why people see him as inadequate.

No. And I'm not anti-Levi. But I feel that there has been a pre-determination that UPL is not the answer and I think that's wrong. He has gone from a major question to the consensus #1 Sabres goalkeeper. And his play is a major factor in the Sabres playoff contention. Levi may indeed be better eventually. But he is not going to given a fast track to the NHL because of some perceived gaping hole in the Sabres roster.

What it mean is it's a subjective process. How do you compare two completely different careers? UPL has a resume that includes the AHL and NHL. Levi is mostly college with some tournaments thrown in.

I just want to understand the yardstick that measures consistency. Because it feels a bit skewed toward a favored result.

But really Devon Levi hasn't been that consistent. He's been lit up a few times this year.

I'm always curious about what makes one sold on one player and not another. Is it expectation? Devon Levi is seen as a savior so any good games he has is "proof" of his potential. UPL, on the other hand, was not thought of as highly. But when he has good games, some aren't convinced. UPL is a big reason why the Sabres are in playoff contention. His stats aren't as impressive, but what didn't show up in the stats are his big saves in key moments. I would argue the Sabres lose to the Sharks without him. The Sabres are a bad defensive team so any goalie who can win behind them has something going on.