LTS

When you ask that question, take into account how these people get into their positions to begin with. As unpopular as an opinion as it seems to be, the American people are too easily influenced into believing misinformation. Either they are the one's who are too stupid or they are too distracted to be be informed enough. Either way, it leads to blind partisanship. This blind partisanship, combined with people's in ability to admit their own mistakes, leads to excuse making rather than owning their role in the situation.

Truthfully I would be supremely skeptical of everything that is done with North Korea, even if it weren't with this particular leadership group in the Oval Office. I'll have to be more "wait and see" before I wade into forming opinions.

You don't fix dumb and lazy. Players either have the capacity to learn or they do not. If they are dumb, it's implying they do not. Lazy is lazy. Perhaps Housley needs to be more of a motivator but at this point we're seeing a similar response from the same players with multiple coaches and GMs. Perhaps the finger shouldn't be pointed at the coach? Right now there are players on this team that are not interested in playing at their level. What I saw from Eichel last night was inexcusable. As a coach, I do think Housley should be reprimanded for not putting Eichel on the bench. I would. He needs a wake-up call. For what it's worth, and it's a minor point at best, this was Schneider's 2nd win in as many games. He came in relief in the Devil's game before they played the Sabres and the team came back to win thus giving him his first W.

Kopitar and Doughty for Eichel... ?

Good ones? ?

It's all good. Let's see something tonight. Sadly I am back to being entertained by the trade chatter. I'm looking forward to that deadline more than anything else right now. While I hope for the Sabres to win, I'm not discouraged by their losing. I'd like to see a bit more out of them, but it is what it is.. Let's Go Buffalo...

The Islanders most notable improvement has been in their defensive play. They've gone from league worst in GA to the league's best in one year. I am quite certain that has nothing to do with Tavares as much as it does the other changes they've put in place. 50% of their goaltending is the same and Greiss is killing it this year. I think the Canadiens are a great example of what a "team" can do. They dealt out the bigger names and are now playing a team game. I'll admit I don't watch as much of their games but it seems to me they are just clicking. All of it boils down, to me, that it's not the coach. There are some issues still in that locker room and it falls on the players. I'm still reluctant to point fingers at Eichel and say he's the vast majority of the problem, but I do think he still has to grow up more. I believe Okposo's comments about guys getting too high and too low were aimed at Eichel. There are still talent issues here. There are a few more players that need to be moved out. This team is still performing how I expected it to this year. It was bound to be frustrating. I am hoping Botterill brings in a little more talent and a solid locker room veteran to get this team over the hump.

Players do sign for less money to play where they want to play. Some also happen to sign for top dollars and get to be where they want to be. OEL did that with Arizona this year. He could have earned more elsewhere, but wanted to stay in Arizona. A team that has had nothing but questions surrounding it, its arena, and its ownership for years. Yet, he wanted to stay there. It's not like it's unprecedented. Getting paid is certainly not the end all be all for players.

I was all excited to watch it, then I realized it was on NHL Network, which I don't get. So, I saw it in my guide, because one of my kids switched the filter to be all channels. I clicked to watch and got the "You need to subscribe" message. I was disappointed. I also made my kids go outside and clear the driveway using their toothbrushes as punishment. (That part is not true.)

It's Friday Night... Just got paid... That's not true. Let's Go Buffalo.

Watched it during the Superb Owl. It was a worthy replacement. It still felt like a "filler" movie but it was highly entertaining, so I didn't mind.

Of course, that first beer after the game is really nice too. ? I'll manage to get some before and after. I can't afford to drink during the game. ?

I probably missed whatever it was because I was busy just glossing over threads where people kept arguing over each other. No more time for it. And it really sucks if that is what causing so much angst... sigh.

Ticket arrived today! I believe Eleven said nothing was booked afterward. I know d4rk indicated he and Josie were going to hit the Beauts game at 5pm. I'm intrigued by that concept, but it also means that I won't get back home to Rochester until much, much later... (assuming I stay out after THAT game). I'm pretty much a passenger in this, so whatever works out.. I'm game.

I thought they would be a bubble team at the start of the season and nothing has made me change my mind. Unless someone is getting stupid at the deadline I don't think the Sabres are going to do anything but move a few bodies out to prepare for the bigger jump next year. Columbus is a wild card in this... they'll go downhill fast if they dump Panarin and Bobbo. There are a few teams that are a bit more desperate to make the playoffs (Penguins and Capitals) and I think they will try to add for the run. They are nearing some roster turnover and need to make it in. The Hurricanes, Canadiens, Islanders, and Sabres are all able to float another year without significant pressure. Boston seems to be more of a lock, but if they lose a few they'll need to win now as well. It's foolish to chase the playoffs, as much as you'd like to get your players in there for a series. It won't help if you make dumb moves and sacrifice the future. We'll only hate things more in 3 years if the Sabres try too hard to win today and end up sacrificing too much for the future.

I mean... I love his name and all, but I can do without him.

Even if I am not checking a bag, I just throw my carry-on suitcase to the gate check. I don't mind waiting a few minutes. The only time I would be concerned is if I have a tight layover. At that point I just explain to the gate attendant the situation and ask if I can secure a spot so I will not be late for the next flight. That usually gets me upgraded in the boarding order without even having to change my seat. If I have time in the layover then I will gate check and make my boarding process easy. I waltz on at the end, sit in my seat and away we go!

They were intimidated by the flow...

After the first year with ROR things weren't all that bad either right? Things can still go sideways in St. Louis. But this is exactly what I had heard and felt all along. Well, St. Louis was a fine team last year until they decided to trade Stastny and take a little tumble. This year they weren't winning. ROR was doing his thing and he's still doing his thing. He hasn't changed anything. If the defense/goaltending doesn't show up, ROR would still be doing his thing and the Blues might be bad. So, it's probably safe to say that he has an impact on things, but his impact has remained constant so he was not the catalyst for the change. I think ROR is a better Stastny for the Blues, but not a massive improvement. The Blues are talented enough to win without him too I believe. Maybe not as much, but they'd be successful. I do like your analogy and totally understand what you are saying. I guess it's like saying, if Aragorn wasn't there and the cavalry shows up, would they have been enough to turn the tide? And now I hate you for making me use that analogy... ?

I'll take additional commentary to the ROR thread. The problem for St. Louis is the GT. It doesn't mean ROR is not a problem, or won't become one.

I'll probably plan to hit Pizza Plant prior to the game. Grab a Pod and some beer. It was pretty empty in there last year when I got there. Got a little busier closer to game time but that's when I went down to the arena.

ROR has nothing to do with the St. Louis turn around. I posted it in another thread. Summary: Since Dec. 1 their scoring rate has dropped, but they are giving up far less goals. They are more committed to defense and they brought in Jordan Binnington to replace Chad Johnson. Binnington has a remarkable record and stat line since joining the club.

The difference in the Blues has nothing to do with ROR. He was their leading scorer on December 1 when they were 30th in the league. He's their leading scorer now. He could be a problem still. The team is talented enough to win despite him, unlike the Sabres. The difference in the St. Louis Blues is Jordan Binnington. Who, prior to December 2 had not played a single game in goal. During the first 24 games (through Dec. 1) the St. Louis Blues goaltenders were: Allen: 7-7-3 - SV%: .896 3.24 GA Johnson: 2-5-0 - SV%: .895 3.12 GA December 2 through today: Allen: 9-8-1 - SV%: .899 2.88 GA Johnson: 0-0-0 - SV%: .800 3.92 GA (45 minutes TOI - he was pulled in his only game) Binnington: 10-1-1 - SV%: .927 1.82 GA Blues GF/GA - through Dec. 1 GF: 3.04 GA: 3.29 Blues GF/GA - Dec. 2 through today GF: 2.96 GA: 2.53 It seems that a really good backup goaltender and some better defense is helping the Blues win more. Their scoring rate is actually down. Also, they play in the Western Conference. ? They are still 17th in the league in points and 2pts behind the Sabres.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if he mailed it or emailed it. Either way, I have no email nor ticket in the inventory. If it's mailed.. perhaps it arrives tomorrow. I got a mailed one last year. I'm game for whatever.. so I'm just rollin'

Let me hunt around. You emailed the ticket? ( I have no email of it and nothing in the ticket inventory in my account). I had stayed out of here until my son's team was eliminated from his travel league playoffs. I'm now 100% in for the game. Did I read that you guys got Cole's again? ( I saw the comment about the Beauts game too ).