Weave

I don’t want to know what my blood pressure was during the 4th quarter. I walked away before OT started because I was feeling genuinely stressed. It wasn’t just the game, but the game was sure not the relaxing Sunday I sorely needed.

I felt like Boston never believed they were in danger of losing this game. Although there were good stretches where we tilted the ice, it seemed like when they really needed to, Boston sent the next line onto the ice and removed the danger. And also when they needed to, Boston grabbed another gear and accomplished what they need to. The Sabres never relented, which is a good sign, but it still felt like men against boys when Boston decided it was time to stop farting around. Another sign that we are a clear step behind at least Boston level of competition. We’ll see how the next handful of games go. It should be at least 1 tier down from Boston. Loved that little 3rd period battle that Cozens was engaged in. I assume he took a slash to the wrist. And really made sure whatever happened was paid back. He put on a couple of doozy body checks the following shift.

What the hell did I just scroll through?

Faceoffs and imposing his will. He does those two and he’s Lindros without the cheapshots.

I’m not taking any blame. And I’m sure not gonna accept any guilt.

Thanksgiving. We’ll know what we really have around the last week in November. That will likely be enough sample size post-every team is feeling things out. There are some disappointing elements of our play that seem to be recurring frequently enough to resemble a pattern. Odd man rushes being the worst of them. Not responding to our key players getting hammered is another. Im not going to pull the eject lever until we see what happens when Mule returns and sends a AAAA D man back to Rochester. But the excessive odd man rushes were happening when Mule was in the lineup as well. Right now I am perceiving the issue as a fault in DGs system rather than a player growth issue. Im becoming disappointed in Granato. Part of player growth is getting them to adapt to what the other teams change on the ice. I am not getting the impression that DG is changing things system-wise to adapt to the opponent or personnel we have on the ice. I think that is a big mistake. We have enough players with 3+yrs as a pro that we should be able to expect them to handle adjustments based on personnel and opponents. I feel like DGs coaching balance is too far to the side leaning “make mistakes”, and not enough towards “its time to learn how to do what it takes to win”.

Mostly Wretched.

Is this the only thread you post in? 😀

A replay of that offside pass would have been nice. 😒

This is my fear.

Bro, it’s not always about you. 😂

We have the same lawn decorations around here. Apparently they can’t afford to replace 6yr old decorations that have been out in year round weather for 6 yrs.

That hair. LOL

Sometimes its better than the on ice product, innit?

I’m just here for the shenanigans.

Laziest. GDT. Ever. The Tim Murray draft pick announcement of game day threads.

The hairs on my forearm stood on end watching today’s episode. So good.

Have we finally reached the point where we can actually look down on Mitts contributions without the kids-just-need-time brigade shouting us down? Rejoice. He just doesn’t have it. At this point Brian Holzinger or Derek Plante will be a very positive outcome for Mitts. Move him for a piece that helps now, and after his next contract he’ll enjoy a respectable career in one of the European leagues. It’s a shame. He’s got Connolly’s hands. But the rest of Connolly’s shifty-ness just doesn’t show up often enough.

Throwing XXXX against the wall. Seeing if any of it sticks.

Outshooting the opponent but not really having much in the way of dangerous opportunities seems to be becoming a thing with this team. Very concerning. I’m going to channel my inner dinosaur here, but also concerning is seeing two Sabres on the receiving end of hits from behind along the boards and their linemates not responding at all. I realize the referees hand went up in both instances, but we are allowing ourselves to be physically dominated again. Abd after Ras just sat after being bopped in the shnoz, it should not be accepted that Tage gets slammed into the boards from behind. Any semblance of pack mentality we displayed in the first couple of weeks appears to have evaporated now that the rest of the league has found their footing and gotten serious.

So……. Risto, right? Im really curious if there is anything Torts can do with tough love that would actually change anything. My colored glasses thought that Risto was pretty solid when he was hyper motivated. The problem was, that motivation isn’t sustainable, and the dropoff for Risto when he wasn’t hyper motivated is huge.

Wait….. Ras AND Power now on their off side? Man this team needs to get healthy.