X. Benedict

Look for the powerplay to explode tonight for a goal. (I thought I would keep the predictions modest)

The D pairing are looking great. Boy do Tallinder and Lydman work well together. As do Spacek and Campbell when they can concentrate more on the O Teppo and Kalinen are no slouches either. Having the D pairings back brings back a lot of rhythm.

I would call that a draw, but I do think HSBC is way cooler than playing in the Gaylord Entertainment Center,

This is driving me crazy. In the third the goal lamp came on. The goal was waived off and play wasn't stopped which led to a break to the opposite zone and resulted in a goal (all the backcheckers were out of position). A) shouldn't the goal lamp stop play? B) Does the Montreal goal count if the Buffalo goal counts. I think not because there has to be a center ice faceoff after the first goal. Either way, what the hell was that?

I don't think it is missing Scott Arniel so much as the amount of time people have been scouting and preparing for Buffalo. The whole league is trading notes on Buffalo - slowing them down - trapping - standing them up at the blueline - and pressing the point on the PP. The other trend I am waiting to see is if there is going to be a nightly cheap shot on Briere.

Jesus Left (for) Chicago

Special note of appreciation to Paul Gaustad as well. He deserves to wear the throwback. Thanks for that, If anyone has a picture of the Ronan Tynan quote and swords near the lockers could you post it please. I would love a copy of that picture.

Ronan Tynan's first goal call :w00t: I can't even breathe. :lol:

Stat that stands out like a sore thumb: Florida winning percentage when trailing after 1st period: 0%. Lets play a good first period.

They were showing lots of sabres fans on Versus in the third. But the biggest homer call was in the third period when the "Let's go Buffalo" was audible on the broadcast. Emmerick said, "Let's go Devils is the Chant". NIcely done anyway.

It looked to me like Lindy held the Briere line back the first period. It gave them a second gear in the 2nd. I'll take 1-0.

That is a good point. I would imagine that Gaustad will see some extra time for draws if it comes down to a possession game. I'm not sure, but that one save did look like a post. Either that or a stick.

I don't think it was that lopsided. Devils are going to pump shots from the point. Buffalo got trapped in their zone the last minute when Soup broke a stick. They owned the last 80 and probably had 4 shots, other than that it was pretty even. Briere-Pommenville-Hecht all had less than 4 min. TOI.

Surprisingly, Devils seem to be keeping shifts shorter than Buffalo. A fast, well played period. I don't think I saw a give-away by the Sabres.

Doc Emmerik is calling the game. He usually handles the Devils, so I imagine he'll be esp. complimentary of the Sabres. He's no dummy.

That is the entire game with the Devils. They win 82% of their games scoring first. (5th in league)

:beer: Hmmm. Good point. One is unbelievable and the other seems impossible.

There were two turnovers on that sequence. Kalinin and Hecht. Hecht probably made the pass of the year so far on Briere's hat trick- a backhand saucer pass right through the crease right to Danny's tape.

Danny Hecht Miller for me. I thought Kalinin had 3 pretty bad give aways. The first led to the first goal. I really do like Tree, but man, he seems to be the the kid in the dance hall that knows all the steps but doesn't have the rhythm . Overall this was a solid, workmanlike road win. Not too sexy, but never in doubt.

blah. poor start.

That was just ugly. It seemed like the entire team had the puck caught in their skates most of the night. Ouch. That was hard to watch.

That would be better than the C word.

Playing 10 games in 17 days at Sabre speed there are going to be casualties.

Wow. now this team can sleep for 78 hrs. and sit in the whirlpool. What a stretch.

TEPPO!!!!! oh drury!!!!!!!