dudacek

Just when you thought you knew what you were gonna get... Houser didn’t just look lucky, he looked good. Locked in to the play and moving smoothly and under control. We were god-awful in the first, I mean so bad with our passing and D Zone coverage that the Islanders were unprepared to take advantage. But Houser made the saves when we needed them and we responded. Good goaltending makes such a difference. Exactly one game after I decided Bjork ain’t got it, he shows up with the game of his life. It probably has nothing to do with playing with Sam Reinhart, right? Granato sure seems to love Bjork’s game and believe in his talent. Would sure be nice to uncover a player in someone improperly developed by Boston. Great turnover forced by Caggiula, terrific pass by Skinner, and Eakin finishing with authority. On the same sequence. I’m late posting because I had to go out and buy my lottery tickets. Because I pointed out the opposite yesterday, I need to say Thompson and Samuelsson followed up excellent games with weaker ones today, Although Tage did come on later. Cozens was better, but he’s still fighting it. One thing that Casey Mittelstadt is doing on a regular basis now that he did not before is presenting himself in open ice with clear lanes to cleanly receive or send a pass. His spacing and body control has been exquisite. Couple that with the improved pace and consistency and I think he’s probably for real. Dahlin was quiet tonight for the most part, but not necessarily in a bad way. If you were new to following the team, ignorant of its various storylines and had only watched the past month, there would be no doubt in your mind Reinhart is its undisputed captain and leader. The clip of the D on the bench watching Houser win it in the shootout gets my vote for highlight of the year, Those guys looked like a team. Again, I’m going to be sad the year is over.

Waits for the chorus of Skinner defenders to pull out the pitchforks. Doesnt Donnie know that Jeff has been scoring at over a 30-point pace on the first line!

And so the Carter Hutton era ends quietly in Buffalo 31-49-10, .902 S%, 3.12 GAA. Jason Botterill's drafts better show some lasting utility for this franchise, because his trade and UFA acquisitions are looking pretty feeble.

Sorry for singling you out but these kinda quotes always crack me up. “You think finishing dead last four times in eight years is bad? Wait until you experience what it’s like to have a 90-point season!” (Ominous music)

Can’t wait to see what Bales does.

Last year points by month: 11, 9, 11, 11, 8 that’s remarkably consistent for one thing. For another, the last month of the season is his worst. Previous year: 6, 15, 17, 7, 12, 5. Pretty inconsistent, but, again garbage time was his worst month 2017-18 was the year he he kicked ass in the 2nd half after a horrible 1st half when some started calling him a bust, which may be the source of this myth. (4, 6, 1, 9, 13, 14). For the record, that whole season was garbage time. 2017 4, 8, 9, 9, 8, 8 - about as consistent as it gets. 2016 - 4, 5, 6, 5, 8, 12 - steady improvement as a rookie

This is entirely false. Look at the numbers. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/gamelog/_/id/3114722/sam-reinhart The history of Reinhart haters moving the goalposts has become laughable. At least do what @PerreaultForever has done and say “I just don’t like him and I’m not going to change my mind” Its a lot better than making things up, or holding him to higher standards than 90 per cent of the league.

I wonder if the Sabres think Borgen is their #6 and aren’t too worried about losing him to the Kraken, although they don’t want to totally tank the chance Seattle might take Miller.

Yep.

Mine agrees. With him and Reinhart. Each will move on to better things.

Fans should also always be happy with winning.

The Islanders are far better than we are. Housser isn't that good. I'm still going to watch.

there is an 18% the last-placed team picks first, a 65% chance they pick 3rd http://www.tankathon.com/nhl/pick_odds

Vancouver and Calgary are two teams under a lot of pressure to do something significant. San Jose and Anaheim are teams that might be itchy as well.

Schoolyard BS that too many hockey people think is more than OK, but even somehow required.

Tkachuk this year 10/24/34 Reinhart this year 25/15/40 Tkachuk average per 82 25/39/64 Reinhart average per 82 24/30/54 Tkachuk has bonus points for being nasty. I wonder if Sam gets the centre bonus yet? Reinhart is an RFA this summer, but Tkachuk has a poison pill contract requiring a $9 million QO next summer.

Sam Reinhart has the game winner in each of the Sabres past three wins, and five of our 14 overall. He's tied for 20th in ES goals in the NHL and is 8th in goals overall. Jack Eichel was 8th in goals overall last year. Jeff Skinner was 12th when he got his $9 million contract. The last time a Sabre finished top 10 in goals for a season prior to last year was when Thomas Vanek finished 8th with 40 goals in 2008/09. Vanek wasn't that good at faceoffs either.

This ^^^ was the game story. Well said. Other randoms: Anders Bjork got a bump to first line as Jeff Skinner continued to be Jeff Skinner. This isn't another rant against Skinner (you either see it or you dont), but Anders ain't got it folks. He's got Girgensons speed, hustle and offensive IQ, but without the physicality and with a sprinkle of Skinner's ability to make you think he's going to dazzle before turning it over. Adams would be foolish to protect Bjork over Tage Thompson. Tage was a beast tonight, showing what he can be capable of if he's focused and purposeful. Yes, it happens too infrequently. Yes, it's frustrating. But when you lack forwards with the physical gifts to create offence the way we do, you gotta take the upside over the JAG. I continue to appreciate Mattias Samuelsson; he's on my team next year. He's like a dad out there. I love Dylan Cozens to death for his smarts and his hustle. And I know he's got lots of skill. But goddamn has he hit a wall the past week or two. He just can't execute. Smart move to take Bjork off his line and probably a smart move to shift to wing for a bit. he was noticeably better in the third after that happened. Risto had one of his good games. His decision-making deserves the criticism, but I don't think he gets enough praise for his one-on-one defending of a puck carrier. He can be very good at removing the puck from the man and stopping him from getting it back. If Asplund is just a guy, he's the best of our bunch. They sometimes overpass, but ATM line works when it's on because all three guys bring a go-to-the-net mentality that was (and at times can still be) completely lacking from the rest of the roster. Sam Reinhart has three of the Sabres past 8 game winners, and five of our 14 overall. He's tied for 20th in ES goals in the NHL and is 8th in goals overall. Jack Eichel was 8th in goals overall last year. Jeff Skinner was 12th when he got his $9 million contract. The last time a Sabre finished top 10 in goals for a season prior to last year was when Thomas Vanek finished 8th with 40 goals in 2008/09. Vanek wasn't that good at faceoffs either.

This is a much more interesting discussion. Does he want to be here? What are his contract demands? What is the trade market? Separately, I liked the way he treated Housser tonight. Looked like leadership. For a team I frequently see accused here of not caring enough, or having enough heart, he certainly doesn't lack either.

Two goalies (one can be Ullmark), McCabe or a similar replacement, Jack healthy and happy, a top six winger with an edge, and a player who can be what Ralph thought Cody Eakin was. Plus Dahlin, Casey and the other kids not being the myth @PASabreFan thinks they are.

In all seriousness, it's pretty hard to find a guy who has demolished every single negative rap against his game in such meticulous fashion. 60% in the faceoff circle tonight — continuing a trend — including winning a draw to set up his own game-winner. 19 points in his past 19 games, coinciding roughly with the move to centre. I'm going to miss this guy. But don't worry, I'm writing down names for when he goes all post-Buffalo ROR on our *****.

Moot. Either way, they are more effective and it can be tied to coaching. Not sure I agree with the Dahlin take either. All players make mistakes. All players (except maybe Cody Eakin) make plays. Dahlin is making far more plays, but he is also making fewer mistakes.

Can anyone remember a time when any NHL team had its top four goalies all out with injury simultaneously?

You aren’t legitimately criticizing the Sabres for this are you?