ska-T Palmtown

They do need to do it well, tho. Throughout the season, we have seen what happens when our PK'ers got too chasey-wasey and the whole D structure turns to pudding. But, they DO need a few more quick darts to the puck when the opposition makes a bad or lazy pass. Too often the defenders just hold their spot. In fairness when COL had MacKinnon, Makar, and Raaaannttaananananen (sp?) slinging the puck all over - not much you can do there but hope your goalie can see the shot. Oh, and not leave Druin wide ferking open in the bumper ...

Wayne implying Carolina just isn't interested in playing us and just isn't into it, lol Edit: and Bizz: "get one in the first 5 mins and watch their arse holes shrink up" lol

Dammit - the intermission guy leads off with "carolina has the most third period comebacks in the NHL" ... stop!

I've seen worse hockey ...

Is this the right thread for a humble brag that after much hand-wringing, consternation, and much finagling the wife and I finally booked a trip to Australia? I went there on a trip with People to People 30 years ago this summer when I was in HS, so that is pretty cool, too. First time back since then - excited AF!

I am outside the MSG viewing area and do not have cable, so TNT is not really a viewing option for me. Edit: Dammit, I have Max. Although I have it through Prime video so I have no idea how that works.

I am kinda relieved this will be hard for me to watch, honestly. Games on ESPN+, I mindlessly turn out without really considering the consequences.

Probably pretty calculated, if you aske me. Young popular players who have been doing "alright" so far this year. No TT to have to answer "why can't you keep the puck in at the point?" 🤣

I'd add that my rage/anger/disappointment that is suddenly bordering dangerously close to apathy is directed at the team. The Sabres organization. For me, it does not extend to the players, as people, because I think they have been set up to fail. All the too-numerous-to-count threads about why management has failed this team are the reason I think this is beyond whether or not Player A competes hard enough on a given night. The entire organization is not set up for that to matter.

Awesome work. BTW, I mean absolutely no disrespect when I assign you arbitrary titles related to Cozens, your attention to detail on why he is such a likeable person but such huge disappointment as a member of the Sabres is legendary. This latest bit is staggering, honestly. He is the poster child for "But he should be good, no?" He has fire and passion. He has skill. He just can't seem to stitch it together. For a 7th overall draft pick, "average" being taken at ~50%, the expectations for Cozens would be: Between 500 (57.4%) and 700 (31.1%) games played. He is at 323 games by age 23, safe to say he will hit the average. (556 games would be 50%?) Between 100 (62.3%) and 300 (41%) points scored. He is at 187 points by age 23, safe to say he will hit the average. (225 pts would be 50%?) So, based solely on two statistics (all the Hockey News had, sorry) - the Sabres likely got an above average return for their 2019 7th overall pick. Kinda crazy.

I'll add that he seems to cough the puck up a lot. Like, A LOT. I knew I was correct in summoning you for that wonky stat! Thanks! (on the topic of coughing up the puck a lot on the powerplay, can we end the TT at the point thing? holy cow is he bad there.)

I will tack this one on at the end: ESPN's mid-season grades:(ESPN+, so I snipped it for ya) "Every bright spot is swiftly darkened by another poor showing" ... yup. I am curious for @mjd1001, our President of the "Not a Fan of Cozens" Club ... I don't recall the 18 powerplay goals in your in-depth looks. That is alarming that over 50% of his breakout season goals were powerplay ... and now they can't buy a goal.

I am fascinated by this. Like, if you are there, how do you even react to this?

Sorry everyone - this one is on me. They were up 2-0 and I had to leave for a family birthday party thingy. My dedication to the team is lacking and I accept full responsibility. But seriously ... giving up SIX STRAIGHT GOALS to a fellow bottom feeder? Ouch.

Quinn!!!!!!!

quinn going to the net?

MJ was my childhood (along with 4 SB losses, but I digress) - that man looked pisssssed after each. and. every. loss. I see hints of that in Josh at times.

Probably important to note that while 86 points seems like a low target, after the Sabres last game, it was 85 and just a little over a week ago, it was 84 - point is, the bar for WC2 seems to be slowwwwwly trying to eclipse the 90 point mark. The last several full seasons for the eastern conf have been 91, 92, 100 (!), Skip 2021 and 2019-2020, 98, and 97 ... jeez.

the enthusiasm with which Quinn ripped this one home makes me smile 🙂 (and I also hope ALL of his teammates take at least one shot like that in practice to rib him a little lol)

The "progress" at the end of the year two years ago sure appeared to be sustainable. They were playing MUCH tighter team defense along with smart breakouts and intelligent play in all three areas of the ice. Then ... poof ... up in smoke. I love this team, but until I see good play from the start of a season, I shall remain skeptical of any and all "progress". I culled your post down to one point I wished to explore further - I don't think it takes anything out of context. A shooter that is 10-15 feet out, no screen ... I would expect the league average on shots like that to be at least 20% scoring, probably higher. That the Sabres regularly give up these types of chances is pretty much a great reason to absolve UPL of some of the blame for team performance. Unfortunately, I don't know of any fancy stat that adjusts for how much a team leaves their goalie out to dry. High danger chances doesn't quite get it done for me; a weak swipe at a loose puck on a back-hand is a high danger chance, but so is the guy the Sabres consistently leave wide freaking open at the far post. One, I would hope the goalie saves 98% of the time, the other I would be astonished if they could save 50% of the time. The Sabres give up too many high quality high danger chances for this kid's liking.

Right - at the current pace of all the teams - 85 points gets you that last wild card. I forget what year, but a few years back, 84 got you in. 6g + 5a in 12g since the start of Dec. Please stop with the injury fallacy - TWICE he came back from two different injuries last year and both times, he was playing fine and scoring at a rate that outpaced his rookie year. Something was off to start the year, but it was most assuredly not the previous injuries.

He went after #38, but every good legend deserves some embellishment 😉 Edit: you may have been talking about a different play than the scrum where ZB pulled out a step ladder and grabbed 38 around the neck ... oops.

holy *****.

I'd be happy to see either of them go if it was a Panthers-Flames, Huberdeau for Tkachuk type trade. Sadly, since neither is a Huberdeau, we are not likely to get a Tkachuk back. Double sadly, any player who desperately wants out of their current situation would probably sign a life-long extension before coming to the Sabers 😞

Most people before the game "OMG, we're gonna get killllled!" Sabres get a point on the road in Colorado - "we suck!!! wahhhh" lol, get real