LTS

I'm gonna do my best to get a Uppsala/Sigtuna trip in. Shouldn't be hard. I had contemplated Malmo but 4 hours out and back might make it impossible to pull off. I might just head out the Archipelegos and see what i can see. It's so close now.. the excitement.. it's real. I did add a whatsapp account, so if anyone wants it, just PM me.

Or.. Asplund.. a Swede. ? Honestly, I think they'll play him one game. This is one of those things that goes outside the numbers and falls squarely into the psychology of the game. You start your Swedish players, in Sweden, and the team bonds better, they have more faith in leadership, etc. Maybe it translates into better odds of winning down the road, maybe not. I'm not saying it will happen, but I can certainly see it happening.

The comment about bottom 5 really is meant in an overall tone. Truth is, any team can be struggling at any time, and when you play them, you should beat them unless you are in the same boat. It's similar to getting worked up that the Sabres just lost to a team that has won 9 games in a row. The Islanders may very well not end the season at the top of the league, but right now, they are the hottest team in the league. It's clicking and losing to them 1-0 on a fluke goal isn't something to get all worked up over. Which is how we started this discussion isn't it? Now, the Capitals loss, sure. That was a colossal screw up. They happen, but you hope they don't happen often. Discussions like these are exactly why analytics get brought up. They attempt to define the debate. But as we all know, it doesn't get fully defined to the end. It's all probabilities until it happens.

I'll finalize my logistics tomorrow morning I think. It's looking a lot like the public transportation option from the airport since I'll be paying for the 7 day pass anyway. @steveoathkind of talked me into it, despite the transfer fee. The express is just too much. I'm still up in the air what to do on Sat-Tues. I'm heavily leaning on Malmo on the 10th for the St. Martin Goose Festival.. who knows. O'Leary's at 7:30pm on the 7th. MODO has his arrangement on the 8th. I'd have to go look it up at this point.

It's a fair point I think. Perhaps a new thread for the discussion of the upcoming games themselves? I realize this thread started off with the announcement but it did quickly turn into logistics. At this point, all Sabres talk for upcoming games would be focused on the Sweden trip so it might make sense to have a separate thread.

You are your record. I would say that if you are bound to be a top 20 team and you've only played bottom 5 teams your record might not accurately reflect the end outcome. I don't go in for all the metrics. I can appreciate them, but I still maintain the eye test. This team has played better than last year. At the same time, this team needs to beat teams in its division who were seemingly going to be better than them. The league is shaking out and yes the Blues are the best example of ANYTHING can happen. This team is shaking off the last year of crap that was piled on it. I'm looking for a solid finish that sets up nicely for the next 5-7 years. Bad decisions are not easily overcome all the time. As for the stress? I dunno. I've lived through stressful moments and I'm just not keen on letting a hockey team bring me back there. I would imagine it's different for everyone and so be it. But, stress is bad for you. That 's all.

Double-check the SL train time. I was looking at the current rides and it says 1:17min for me. There are a few transfers. I will check again tomorrow around the same time. Keep in mind the 120SEK transfer fee to go from airport to commuter.

As with most things in the world, you are free to feel any way you would like. This does not spare your viewpoint from being analyzed by those who feel differently. As you have just criticized my stance that people should adjust their viewpoint and realize the team for what it is. It's fair. My goal is not to take a shot at the fans but rather to provide a viewpoint wherein setting appropriate expectations based on the composition of the team relative to the rest of the league provides a way to reduce the stress people feel over the team.

Thanks, pretty much echoes what I have read. Just debating paying the 500SEK compared to 200SEK for Flygbussarna, or even cheaper if I choose FlixBus.. which is like $5 each way. That said.. the ease and speed of the Express might seal the deal. Is anyone going to try and attend The Athletic meetup at O'Leary's on the 7th?

Out of curiosity, how are people planning to travel from Arlanda to Stockholm? I've read about Flygbussarna, Flixbus, Arlanda Express, and more. My head is spinning... but i was thinking about Flixbus and then possibly Uber or just walk (pending weather).

For the bolded.. there are only 16 teams who compete for the same thing. We're talking about the playoffs, not the regular season. Overall, I get your point. The alternative at the moment is that the intra-division quarter finals create rivalries that the 1-8 matchups don't necessarily create. Do I care? No. Do some people, yes, I suppose they do. That said, using the 1-8 system begs the question as to why even bother with divisions? If you used a 1-16 system you'd ask the same thing about conferences... or at least I would. There are arguments to say, pair up the winner of each division to get to the final. There is an argument for pairing up the conference winners.. I can see all angles and I suppose that's why, at the end of it all, I just don't care enough. You play the season to get in, you play the playoffs to win. Who cares who's next up.. you win and move on. I'm not dismissing the argument you are making, I could live with any format based on 50% of the teams making the playoffs (thinking ahead to Seattle). I would support an argument that says 6 from each.. I'd just never support more than 50% (again, 16 of 31 teams not withstanding at present).

Much ado about nothing. Surely didn't read the whole thread, but that game was awful, top to bottom. One seriously fluke goal. Both teams had chances. The Sabres are much improved over last year, but they aren't where they need to be. I've no illusions. The only thing that is messing with the plan is that Tampa and Toronto have been absolute disasters this year. This leads people to believe the Sabres are something more than they are... I thought Toronto would be better.. I would have never imagined the situation happening in Tampa. I dunno... I'm fine with tonight. I wanted them to win, but that was one of those absolute shite games that happen in a season. Last night was far worse. The Isles are on a tear of 9 straight now, so they've been rolling. Oh well, move on. Crush Tampa in Sweden and people will feel better... maybe.

In Rochester it's 318. There's also a station in the 30-100 range, but I can't remember it.

A team finishes the season with a certain overall rank. There will be expectations of them to beat certain teams they could be matched up against in the playoffs. If they beat them, yes, I am happy, but they were supposed to beat them so I am not as happy. In short, if you make it to the playoffs, you just go win games. That's all. If the team goes out in the first round because they matched up against the team that won the President's Trophy people are going to say, "Well, they lost to the best team in the league this year." It's only when you lose to those who finish below you in points that it's a big disappointment. It's why winning the President's Trophy isn't always the best thing. The expectations are that you will the Cup, because you were the best team. Teams that squeak in are usually more loose and ready to play. In the 06 playoffs the Sabres should have won the Cup. The Sabres lost the battle of attrition. It impacted their ability to win games, and they still almost overcame the setbacks to win. So yes, that's horribly disappointing. But had they lost in round 1 or 2 before all the injuries set in, it would have been an even monumental disappointment. That said, if Carolina was the second best team in the conference the Sabres might have beat them before all the injuries and then they might have been able to hold out over the remaining teams because they weren't as good. It's all ifs and buts.... in the end, you win or you go home. Certainly owners want more games, it does equal more revenue. If you want that, build your team to win the Cup and they will win round 1, 2, 3, and 4. You will get your games. No sense in being rewarded for being almost good enough by getting into Round 2.

Ready for the game. Sweaters are on.. he looked as stupid as a 15 year old would when he thinks his Dad is pulling one over on him. He won the league today too. Let's Go Buffalo. I'm ready for this.

This is something I completely agree with, unless injuries are impacting your team in which case you'd love to pair up against a "weaker" team first. But generally speaking, you need to win 4 series, that's that.

Last game before Sweden... hope they fare better than the Lightning did in their last game. Which.. ummm coincidentally? was against the Islanders. Anyway.. I'll break out the 50th anniversary sweater for this game tonight. My son is insanely jealous of me going to Sweden for the game. He'll be even more jealous when he sees my in my 50th sweater... he'll be slightly less jealous when I hand it to him to keep instead... Gonna be a great day full of hockey. He plays for his league championship today and then we're home for the Sabres game tonight. I love days like this. Go Sabres.

Imagine if they actually have someone skating on the ice in a Taro sweater? Just imagine.....

This is the one spot I would use that Trump GIF that so frequently gets used. But since i don't want to see his damn face on my screen I'll just say it. "WRONG!" But, you know, to each their own. Go Sabres.

This guy knows how to make lemonade from lemons... That's finding a silver lining. Well done. ?

Hell yeah. Get into that thread above. Welcome to the forum.. and definitely get in on the meetup and hanging out at the game.

This is one of those things... where if I was not sure what I was doing Saturday night, I might buy into. But it would be totally last minute.

There's a very immature part of me that wishes his first name started with an S. But.. yeah.. it's not good. Worse than Toronto? I don't know.

Saw only parts of the game. But getting outshot 12-6 and 21-5 in periods is not a good sign. Teams have learned how to defend the Sabres and they are starting to press the team. There are some bad habits starting to appear and they need to correct those. Most notably? Teams are getting the Sabres to focus on a low puck carrier while a guy drops in behind the play and has a clear shot at the goal. I've seen it in a few games now... the Sharks were able to execute on it as were the Rangers. The Red Wings not so much. They need to pick it up. They are much slower moving the puck out of their zone and almost look like they are beginning to think out there... and thinking is the enemy of being good. I'll take the win.. but against better competition.. that's not a win.

Detroit is the Atlantic Division definition of the Rangers. They are going to be just as desperate to stop the losing as the Rangers. Buffalo is traveling from NYC to Detroit to play. Not far, but not insignificant either. All in all, this has all the makings of another bad game for Buffalo. Let's hope the team comes out fired up to show that last night was an anomaly. Let's hope the ice is better than it was at MSG. There's no doubt the crowd size will be similar! Go Buffalo... and seriously this time. Go.