dudacek

The Staal line has no one to go get the puck.

Didn’t like our offensive chemistry at all, despite the shots. Did the Caps get a good scoring chance that period? Id break up Jack and Hall in the second. They’ve gone from looking for each other too much to doing it themselves too much, and actually got in each other’s way a few times. Kyle is playing the right way and improves our team. And obviously Dahlin’s best offensive showcase of the season.

Caps bringing some heavy, heavy hockey and seeing the benefits. I would really like to see the top line simplify.

I suspect the plan was to rest him this game all along, but this raises a very good point. Would they have sat him if he had won the game in the shootout? I'm assuming Kyle goes in for Cozens. Should,we also assume Casey gets his first action in place of Tage?

I’ve long been an advocate of a 19-year-old draft. 18-year-olds can opt in, but are only eligible for top-10 or lottery picks. If skipping the draft this year, or limiting it to the first round is a way to make that happen, then do it.

Yeah, I tend see a lot of the same things you do, but that’s not what I saw. I saw Sam at the post bracing for the back checker with his stick in the air, not on the ice, with an “oh S—t!” look on his face as he was surprised by the pass. I will re-watch.

I’m not OK with bad results. And I am not just seeing effort, I’m seeing a team that is creating chances and limiting chances. I believe that Skinner Eichel and Hall are probably going to combine for more than 1 goal in most five game stretches, and when that happens we will go 3-1-1 instead of 1-3-1. I don’t know if this team is going to make the playoffs, but so far they have looked to me like they are capable of making the playoffs. Yesterday they didn’t lose because they were soft, or listless, or the same old Sabres, or any other tiresome BS that dominated the game day thread. they lost because of two god-awful defensive plays by Dahlin, a couple posts, and a terrible penalty call on Risto heading into OT. The PK looks better, the breakout looks better, the secondary scoring looks better, the rush defence looks better and the offensive cycle looks better. I will take Cozens, Reider, Eakin and Sheahan over Sheary, Vesey, ERod and Frolik any day of the week. The top scorers haven’t started scoring, the PP has looked good once it gets set up, but has struggled to get set up, and the goaltending is still questionable. These are things that can be fixed. ***** the long-term, the Sabres can be fixed right now.

I have not watched the replay, but live I yelled at Taylor for not shooting. I was surprised that Ray of all people (simplify, shoot, simplify) took a shot at Sam for that and even more surprised that it has been echoed on here.

Do we need to rebuild every time a team plays decent hockey over a five-game stretch but only gets 3 points?

I so hope the first night of the NHL playoffs finds you in an easy chair enjoying a glass of fine scotch with a smug smile.

Yes. More than any other Sabres media figure, if memory serves. Erod deal at the trade deadline last year was one, if I remember correctly. I think there was at least one other. Which tells me the Sabres may have upped what they are willing to spend on some of the discussions you alluded to earlier. And that the current Hutton/Ullmark situations have them concerned.

It was a reference to ROR and the fact that Terry slapped a deadline on that trade, meaning we took what was available, instead of maximizing the asset like the Jets did by sitting on a discontented Laine for months.

Well, there’s the bigger stage Dubois wanted. 😜 Good on the Jets for waiting to move Laine until the right opportunity opened up. I hope Terry Pegula can tear himself away from the Bills long enough to kick himself at least once.

I particularly noticed this with Hall last night.

The Dubois trade talk brings back very painful O’Reilly memories for me. They are very much comparables and should net similar returns. We all know that’s not going to happen.

I thought the broadcast was noticeably bad for exactly the above reason. The Sabres crew was watching a TV screen in Buffalo and sounded like two buddies watching from a couch in their living room. They weren’t focused at all.

Havent read the thread, but I think Ralph’s tendencies got away from him tonight. No idea why Tage sat the entire period. Can’t see it being good for a player trying find his confidence. Dylan in the shootout was all theatre; I doubt he showed anything to earn it. Taylor Hall is mediocre in shootouts and had his worst game as a Sabre. Not sure why he shot 2nd But the big issue was continuing to ram the Eichel line down Washington’s throat when they clearly were pressing. The other lines get benched and shook up. Coulda woulda shoulda. That’s a game that will haunt us.

Cozens is worth more than a Sabres first rounder — more proven and closer to making an impact. The Jackets will not accept a package with the biggest piece worth less than Cozens or Reinhart. Mitts is, without question, worth less than Kotkaniemi.

B.C. just announced the provincial plan today. Once the frontline and high-risk people are done, mass free vaccinations for the general public expected to start in April, from oldest to youngest. My demographic means I'll probably get my shot in the summer. Everyone who wants a shot expected to get one for by September. How are they handling the rollout in your parts of the world?

Somebody's getting off the schneid today. I'm going with Eichel. In fact, I think it will be a big day for the first line.

Is it just me, or is Montour getting the most ES time on the blueline? And we haven't really seen enough PK to establish trends, but how has the defence been utilized?

I can't see the Sabres and Jackets connecting for a trade that doesn't involve Dylan Cozens or Sam Reinhart. And the Sabres would have to add. Other teams will be offering an asset at least that good.

This is something most of us, including me, have defaulted to. I think it needs to be challenged. I have not noticed any attempt to match this line against the Backstrom or Giroux lines. I have not noticed Ralph doing much matching at all, save an apparent preference to match strength (Jack's line) against strength. Does anyone have access to this info?

Your opinion strictly based on what you've seen of his play, or coloured by things you've heard being said in or around the organization?

Cozens getting his first rest tonight if KO is ready? I expect Tage back in for Asplund.