Eleven

I can mostly agree with this--no reason to single out Thompson, for sure. And all of those injuries affected scoring and defense. The two big losing streaks, which I think ARE attributable to D and G, are the real cause, and now that one of those problems appears to have been solved, it's on to the other. 100% here.

That is a curious genealogy.

I think this game would have been out of hand early in the second with UPL or Comrie. I agree with the missed opportunities part. I do not agree w/ Granato's lineup nor do I agree w/ his late-game decision making (as usual).

He plays for the Rangers now.

He was going to score at will like usual. The loss of him definitely hurt.

Happy? No. I'd be happier if Granato understood how and when to pull a goalie and with 3 ENGs. ENGs in a game like this do not matter. You and I are a little older than some of the posters here, so do you remember when all the statistical literature came out about when NOT to punt in the NFL? And how coaches ignored it for 15 years? And how now, the well-coached teams follow those protocols? Similar statistical analyses are now available for pulling a goalie in the NHL, and those analytics say "early and often." The only coach whom I have noticed actually following those recommendations was on the winning bench tonight. Granato is a ***** *****.

No. And actually, I've got to say, I've been wanting to compliment the refs all game. They did a great job. I know, it will shock @nfreeman and such, but I really do think they called this game as well as I've ever seen an NHL crew call one.

And I think Thompson is out of gas, judging from how he "chased" Bratt. Shut him down.

OK. NOW you can leave a goalie in for the remainder.

Get Levi out of there again. Who cares if you lose by 6. Get him out of there. Get a skater on.

Why is Levi in the net with 4 minutes left, 2 down, on a power play? What is Granato? A young cat?

Keep it to the Johnson thread please.

Ok boys. Here we go.

Nice, Samuelsson. Now win the face-off and get Levi to the bench.

Read up on the analytics of when to pull a goalie when down 2 or 3. ABSOLUTELY in an elimination game.

Well, unless you want Peyton Krebs as Power's partner next year, he actually IS part of the solution. To get a sixth skater out there.

GET LEVI OUT OF THERE ALREADY

They already don't have enough defensemen.

10:44 left. Granato needs to draw up strategies for six skaters during this TV timeout.

Gotta pull Levi with 8 or 9 left now.

Who didn't see that coming a mile away when he had the puck between the circles for two whole seconds?

Granato hasn't read my memo, I see...

Here's what I want to see in the third: 1. The following should not be on the ice, FOR ANY REASON, unless and until the Sabres take a 5-3 lead: Okposo, Greenway, Bryson. Girgensons and Krebs should be used sparingly and only to spell other tired top 3 line forwards; likewise for Lybushkin on D. The other guys have all day tomorrow to rest. Shorten the bench, and do it NOW, not with 5 minutes left. This is an elimination game. 2. Restore Thompson to his natural spot between Skinner and Tuch unless he's mortally wounded. This is not a "dump on Casey" thing for me--this is a "that line succeeds" thing. 3. Granato needs to play the percentages and not be a chicken when it comes to pulling Levi. If the Sabres are down 2 with 4 left (or even 4:30), do it. If down 1 with 2:30 left, do it. This is NOT the time to go all Leslie Frazier and crawl into the shell.

NJ isn't coasting.

Because Ryan Johnson's agent gave him $1000.