Redneck

Are you bringing a Pizza?

Private Redneck reporting for duty sir!

If you have room, I would love to join!

I have a friend with 2 Dallas Stars season tix - she cannot go to the Sabres game here in Dallas; Sec 221, Row C, Seats 3-4. PM me if interested.

Did not realize Skinner was that strong

Geez = Hutton with 2 great saves.

Wow Shots 12-1 BUF so far

Not that I am against it, but how does Eichel get an assist there?

Dahlin was out there on the last shift

BOGO!!!

No trip on Eichel there????

Oh man. Down 2 for a few secs.

Thank you so much for the analysis! I subscribe to NHL.tv and went back to your timelines and watched these plays. Certainly I focused on Eichel and Dahlin. Dahlins passes - especially the quick backhand to Eichel (re: Dahlin's block, 13:09 left in the second) was just crazy and quick. When we was drafted, there was lots of talk about Dahlin hitting Eichel in stride - I was thinking of Eichel getting breakaways, but that was a great example -- a quick pass in our zone and Eichel had room to have a clean zone entry with a 2-on-2, which became a 3-on-3, then Eichel bought time/space to get his shot where Pommers put in the rebound. Great example of our future!

Planning a quick business trip to Montreal. Never been to a hockey game there before. Since is my beloved Sabres are playing on 1/31; that's a double! Anyone know of any Sabres groups/sections before I just buy a single ticket on StubHub?

Living in Dallas, I have seen Benn develop. I think where the Stamkos comparison breaks down with Eichel's strength. I see Stamkos as a speed guy with above-average strength. Eichel has elite speed/strength. I have heard the Mario comparisons also. Another comparison for Eichel - a more talented Toews.

Benn was a 5th round pick in 2007 and look how he has developed. When you look at his skill set, size, speed, shot and puck handling, Eichel can be even better. Certainly Eichel was drafted with much higher fan-fare, but if he gets to Benn's level and maintains it for 10+ years, are we happy? Or, who else do we want Eichel to be like?

I would say promising. The regulation goal scored on him was poor play by Foligno who didn't the puck behind him.n The shootout goals were not good. So still early, but his stats for a goalie just gaining experience are strong and he can and should improve. Hopefully, he can stay healthy and grow.

Well, crap. At least Eichel was in the shootout.

I will miss RJ when he finally hangs it up, but I have been listening to him since he started; then I left Buffalo in 1987; its been a joy hearing to his voice again on the WGR app. Life is a full circle -- I used to sneak my radio in past my bedtime is hear the Sabres game, now I listen using my iphone to that same voice!

Well, that sucked.

Well, crud.

Went to the game last night (I hit about 20+ Stars games/year - 10 rows above the ice in the corner where the Sabres shoot twice). Several people on my section are long-time season ticket holders and we have known each other for years — they were anxious to see "my boy Eichel” live, since I have been bragging about him all season (actually maybe for 2 seasons). The game in general: They hung with a high scoring team for 2 periods. The SOG count was very close after 2 periods. (15–13 DAL), so not many scoring opportunities for either team. I think the Sabres were pressing in the 3rd which left too many opportunities for DAL and that's hard to overcome, the Stars will take advantage of those opportunities. Early in the game, it looked like we were outplaying them as the puck seemed to be in the Stars zone a lot. The Sabres seemed to play back by design, so where there was a rebound by Niemi, no Sabre was there for it. There were very few quality scoring opportunities for the Sabres – my buds questioned Niemi getting 1st star, since "he did not do so much”. Evander Kane has awesome speed, noticed when he entered the zone a few times. Risto is awesome. He was in the corner fighting for the puck with 2 Stars guys, won that battle and got to another Sabre – again, right in front of us. The Tyler Ennis penalty was against Jamie Oleksiak – the 6’7” 250lb former 1st rounder fringe NHL player who beat up Deslauriers. Oleksiak has potential with his size, but is a “gentle giant” and used his body to get around Ennis — once he had a little position, Ennis really had no chance, but should not have taken the penalty, Oleksiak has minimal offensive ability and another Sabre could have taken the angle. On to Eichel. We showed up early to watch the pre-game skate and my friend’s comment “man, Eichel is BIG, just wait 2 years and he will get so much stronger”. He had some quality opportunities, there was a one-timer from the high slot which was amazing and right in front of us — looked like a rocket. There may have been something in my way, but on that play when he went through 2 Stars, it looked like he took 2 steps and was at full speed and took those Stars by surprise. The Stars defenders seem to get a small piece of him and that affected his balance, so he did not come in with all his power. I hope that as he gets even stronger, he will shrug off those defenders and get more on the puck. I did not notice many zone entries by Eichel. He seemed to play in the corners more than I notice on TV, and did not seem to play closer to the net/slot/shooting lane for a good setup/rebound. My buddies (again, long time season ticket holders) were shocked by Eichel’s speed, but did not see enough of it — this game, he did not seem to find space for himself. Crappy game against a good team, but before we aspire to be the Stars, realize they missed the playoffs last year despite having Benn/Seguin. I prefer to aspire to be the Blackhawks. We are better than last season, but still have a long way to go. GO SABRES! GO BILLS!

Jake McCabe has more goals than Evander Kane and Tyler Ennis!

My pleasure! I hit about 15+ Stars games/year (Sabres/Bills till I die though!) I think the article/excerpts shown earlier in this thread makes sense -- I did not see them cycle down low as much as I would have thought. On the offensive zone entries, I did not keep count, but my sense was not much success. A few times, when the Stars had the puck in their zone, McDavid was the only forechecker. Much of the game was played in the EDM zone -- Stars outshot EDM 52-28 (I was looking up after a shot waiting the count to hit 50!). I saw very few battles in the corners with him, other than when he was first Oiler in the zone. When I said I got the sense they were holding him back, and I read the article, I realize he did seem hesitant on entering the zone - which is strange because he certainly has the wheels and can catch up. Just one game, but (other than a nice deflection) he did not do anything spectacular, where we see Eichel highlights of great passes, Kane just missing, etc. We all know Eichel has NHL-speed/strength, and McDavid has NHL-speed, does he have the strength yet? I do think McDavid will be spectacular though. My only wish is that Eichel leads us to the cup earlier and more-often!

Went to the Stars/Edmonton game last night and certainly watched McDavid. A few observations: He certainly looks big enough, not Eichel size, but big enough to play in the NHL. He was on the line with Benoit Pouliot and Nail Yakupov. Two under-performers. He did not play on the penalty kill at all. Right in front of us (we sit 10 rows above the ice in the corner) he displayed some nice/fancy stick work, essentially controlling the puck with one hand while fending the defender off. There was one time when when he rushed up the ice, showing some good speed, but then lost control of the puck. Nice deflection to score -- that was on the other end of the ice, so my view is not as good as the ones on TV/Internet. Played on the second unit PP and did not seem to be the QB. I got the sense they are brining him along slowly whereas Eichel is on the PK, QB of the PP, etc. I will be going to Stars/Buf, so I will have the pleasure of watching both!