nfreeman

I'd like to see them come out PO'd about losing to Fla and determined to take it to the Oilers from the get-go.

I wonder if any of the current Sabres has any beef with Evander Kane and if so whether we'll see any indications tonight.

I don't agree at all. I thought TT, Skinner, VO and Quinn were all worse than Krebs, and that Krebs was about as good as pretty much every other forward other than Cozens, JJP and maybe Asplund.

Probably Anderson in goal, right?

Oh yeah:

I agree with all of this except the bolded. I've been lobbying for Tuch to take VO's spot on the top line, and I agree that VO doesn't play with force or tilt the ice the way Tuch does, I think VO has quite a bit more game than the way you describe it here. I think he is a very good passer, with very good hockey IQ. He needs the right linemates, which he doesn't have now, but he is and can be a very effective top-6 scoring forward. I don't think it was a goal, and it definitely wasn't overturnable based on the overhead camera angle, which was the best angle. And yes, we'd still be having this conversation, because the top line has royally stunk in the 1st 2 games.

For those predicting a Bruins collapse: they are handling Florida nicely tonight, up 4-2 in the 3rd (without 2 of their best players in Marchand and McAvoy, who are out with injuries for a couple of months).

Interesting. The top 2 lines are exactly what I was hoping for after the Fla game. Skinner-TT-VO wasn't working at all, and Tuch was the only guy who showed up on the 2nd line. Aspie has been playing well and has had good chemistry with VO, so it makes sense for him to take Tuch's spot on Mitts' line. I don't think Krebsie necessarily deserves to be healthy-scratched, but I'm fine with Vinny taking his spot on Cozens' line if DG thinks it will work.

Welcome! Good stuff here -- please keep posting!

Nail-biter.

If you're referring to McKenzie's 2nd awful play in the red zone today, I agree that it was a bit behind him, but McK definitely should've made that catch. Separately, the Bills' inability to handle KC's pass rush and blitz is the difference in the game so far IMHO.

I thought the same thing! I thought Mitts was pretty ineffective yesterday, but I'm encouraged that you thought he looked better. To be continued.

The bolded is spot on, IMHO. Yesterday I kept thinking that TT and Skinner need someone who plays with force, and VO, although I like his game, is not that guy. Tuch is that guy, which I think is the reason that DG has him with Mitts and Quinn, who also need someone with that quality. This might be the solution. Aspy plays a fairly forceful game and has good chemistry with VO. That would enable Tuch to go back to TT and Skinner.

My game notes: - Like the Ottawa game, the Sabres were well outplayed and outchanced in the first period, but played better in the 2nd and 3rd, in which they were pretty competitive. If Skinner buries either of his point-blank opportunities, it's a different game. - Overall though the Sabres were fortunate not to lose that game by 3 goals. Florida was clearly the better team. - I think DG was unhappy with the team as he did a fair amount of line and D combo shuffling later in the game. - I thought Mitts took a step back from his performance vs Ottawa and was pretty lousy -- although DG evidently didn't think so as MItts led all forwards in ice time. - Cozens and JJP created a few chances but were not as effective as they were vs Ottawa. - In order for the Sabres to beat a Cup contender like Fla., they need to get much more from their top forwards than they got yesterday. The passing, entries, etc. were generally crappy and shifts with sustained offensive pressure were few and far between. - Tuch was by far the Sabres' best forward yesterday. I want him back with TT and Skinner, who were pretty ineffective again yesterday although they did create a couple of great chances that Skinner didn't cash in. - Dahlin was their 2nd-best player if not their best. I loved his battles with Tkachuk, who is going to supplant Marchand as public enemy #1 very soon. - Bryson played well again in his limited role. - Comrie wasn't bad but he wasn't a difference-maker like Anderson was vs Ottawa. - I did like their team spirit and willingness to mix it up, although I'd like to see it from a few more guys.

Interesting. I am of the opinion that Mitts is actually a pretty mediocre skater -- i.e. not quick in small spaces and not particularly fast when he gets going. However, last night he looked to me much more poised, thinking the game better and making better decisions and more accurate passes than ever (recognizing that there is much room for improvement among the entire team, including him). He also looked to me like he's in the best physical condition of his career. I agree about Tuch and the lines. It's too soon for panic but if TT and Skinner look lousy again tomorrow I'll be ready for Tuch to move back to their line.

Has anyone seen anything today on Mule's status? It looked like he might've gotten hurt blocking a shot in the 3rd last night.

I agree with most of this except for your observations on Power, Joki and Mitts. As I mentioned upthread I thought Power was shaky for most of the game and Joki was solid. Despite being a longtime Mitts skeptic, I also thought that was maybe the best I've ever seen Mitts look, and I think he's going to have a pretty good season. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow.