Randall Flagg

Jack was an elite 5v5 scorer last year, and was very near the top of the league in that area for the first half of the season. He doesn't have any 5v5 points yet so I'm going to look for some of those tonight. If he can't get the production there over the next week or two, I'd like to see the guy he did it with back on his line. He'd still have PPs to pass to Olofsson to his heart's content, that wouldn't have changed a single one of the goals they've combined for since they're all PP goals

Montreal rammed the puck down Toronto's throat in their last game. They aren't going to be a pushover. They've had enough days off that it could end up being a negative thing for them, though. We played them well last year, gutting out close wins until the final meeting. Hope we get back on track! I think I'll be watching, but I flew home to surprise my family last night so I may be sporadic over the next week

I understand quite well the limitations of these statistics and regression analyses. But these players occupy different extremes, in different areas, and it's not coincidental, and over long stretches of hockey it has real consequences for our NHL team's results.

Unless Ralph has caught something, and he's now a worse hockey player. But if Evan is the Evan of last year, he's absolutely a top 12 (and I'd easily argue top 10) skater in this forward stable. And I only need a little more SS consensus that he's nothing special to spend some time getting some video to prove it

Rodrigues is better than you guys remember. There's a reason that, the second he was given playing time, he was never scratched again and a staple in the PK (and literally the only reason we ever generated any SHGs) His impact on any measurable in either zone is above average for NHLers, and it's because he's a smart player that knows where and when to go (I gave a brief example of this in my video project over the summer). Vlad spent last year as literally a bottom 3 player in the league in one zone, and below average in the other. There's a difference, and it's as meaningful as any realistic upgrade you can make to a roster, and is worth doing.

Was just driven to the airport by a gentleman from Pakistan. He's related to Abdul Salam, a physics Nobel Prize winner whose name is in acronyms I've used before. And when I told him I was going to Buffalo, he asked excitedly if I knew who Tim Russert was, and then raved about him for a few minutes. It was a really interesting ride. I also received book recommendations and life advice

Sure, but the reason those boys are so strong is because of their large frames that have a lot of mass haha

What an insane situation for them.

On average this is true, but the strength of several specific players, like Foligno, Jenner, Jones, and Dubois, derived from their size, tangibly affected the game in very visible ways, especially against guys like Sheary, Mitts, and Joki.

San Francisco has a tough defense. Baker was 8/22 for 100 yards, no TDs and 2 picks. Browns got stomped. I think the AFC is heavily losing its NFC games, which is good for us.

Who was Phil's PP guy? Legitimately asking. Does Ralph run this one? And I agree that it's looking spectacular, but we really do need to log a few more games before we declare it a good PP, and our bad players fixed etc. Tonight really could have been lifted straight out of last January. It's a long season, and I'm excited too, but if we get too sure of things at the highs I shudder to think what happens if we have a bad two week stretch

Head Coach Ralph Krueger Ra Kru Head Coach Ralph Krueger*****thepolice pretty dumb

Let's go Yankees!

Since we don't have any back to backs in there...this is unscientific, but I feel like we have the advantage there. It often seems like teams are sharper on one day of rest than on more than that.

If it was a minute later, then I think it's dubious connecting the two events. A lot of ***** like that happens in hockey. He wasn't even on the ice by the time the goal happened. They were the only line to consistently sustain offensive zone possession throughout the night, and that was reflected by the fact that they were the only line to have a positive shot attempt share (when they were on the ice, the Sabres had 73% of them, and no other Sabre line was above 50% - as much as I hate citing shot counts for single game performances)

Asplund's one of my favorite prospects. But the Larry line was the only one that could consistently handle the BJs' game tonight. I'm skeptical you can seamlessly slide Asplund into that spot now, or maybe ever, and get the same type of play, even if it's possible he's a better offensive player (we don't know that either). That's why I always spend the offseason fighting for our dear Larry

Did they ask him about it specifically? Either way, cool that he's even talking about stuff like that.

Another Krueger-ism to jot down: 5 forwards out with the pulley goaled.

I liked it. Fun to search for King easter eggs. Season 2 is coming out soon.

I saw a bit of the wrong kind of confidence today - not confidence in themselves, which is important (and there), but confidence that they'd be able to pass CBJ into a tizzy.

They're beatable but they're going to be a pain in the ass to beat as always. They were frightening against Toronto

This game was a carbon copy of the game in Columbus on October 27th, 2018. Tying late after being out-classed all night in both zones. Losing in OT. Columbus is a ***** hard team to play against when they get going. A lot of guys looked like last year's version. It'll be a good set of film for Ralph to break down. Not every game can be what the first two were, unfortunately! ***** I hope we beat Montreal. Hockey season never feels like it fills you up completely. Mild disappointment that we're 45 hours away from the next one.

Good point. That was a fast second shift. I betcha Ralph doesn't put him out there so soon next OT, something to watch for.

That was pathetic from Jack. OT losses suck man

It looked a lot like Jack's glove to me, and the BJ's reaction made me more sure. But I'll defer to you because my stream has been garbage quality tonight.