DarthEbriate

Right now, Ottawa holds the final playoff spot at exactly .600 pt% (98-point pace). Some veteran teams are starting to warm up: Boston and Tampa are both 7-3 in their last 10. Outside the playoffs but closing in on the wildcard spots: Florida is 6-3-1, Caps 5-3-2 and stacking wins.

Yup. It's got to get to 3 in a row and then get at least 8 points on the big Western Canada road trip. Next is Carolina. Oddly, they have won 3 in a row vs. Carolina at home. There's a chance they could get a streak going. (Don't let it go to our heads though: they don't have Carolina's number as they've lost 12 in a row in Carolina.)

Ziemer and the Golden Gophers take game 1 hosting McKenna and Pegula State U. Ziemer with a TNT-dot rocket on the PP and would've added an ENG except for the defender just getting a slight deflection on it to send the puck off the crossbar and out of play. Ziemer finished the night with a tackle and misconduct after PSU crashed the net as time expired.

NHL .500! Pour the Champagne of Beers. Sheevyn would've hung the Mission Accomplished banner.

I never knew I had it in me.

The Sabres pull ahead of the Canucks in the leaguewide standings.

Zucker was great until he hurt his shoulder, even before his illness. Great bump to the lineup and good play all around (even the penalty was fine). Hopefully, Benson gives them a similar bump when he gets back. They can play at a higher level. They just need to lose horribly once a week to re-stoke the fire. But winning 2 of 3 for the rest of the season will get them to the playoffs.

Working up the trade value!

I want the Blackhawks version of Paul Hamilton to ask them after the game: "Did you take the Sabres lightly? Did you not respect the game tonight?"

Remember one of UPL's victories over the Hawks is probably the one where TNT broke his stick on his shot, turned back toward the bench, and the puck hit the backboards, then caromed off the goalie's skate and in.

Several minutes behind now. Quinn... thanks to Zucker crossing the face of the goalie. Luukkonen: 3 on 17 is bad. Soderblom: 8 on 26 is... also bad.

But... Son of Ben... probably needs to be playing instead of being the 3rd broadcaster.

Was making dinner... Muel-PO!

14 years of Post-Traumatic Sabres Disorder

Power guilty of a soft pass in his own zone. Get it out, or pass it hard. Don't mess around inside your blue line.

Bah! Good rebound goal. Muel couldn't find it fast enough, but that's how pucks bounce. It was contested, just got turned the wrong way.

Byram sneaks in. BB-4 for Four (on the season)! Ray actually makes a good point: Tuch didn't baby that pass, which the Sabres are guilty of way too many times each game. You're playing with the best in the world. Pass it with mustard. Make a sandwich.

They didn't do a drop pass!

Glad Zucker's shoulder also looks better again, in addition to the new 'stache, and assumedly some regained weight. Sir, so good to see you fully functional again!

Great feed, Quinn (Solo). Don't get cocky! Zucker, sweet.

Hypothetically, if TNT remains at center, and TNT-Tuch remains a tandem (and Doan). And Benson-Norris both get healthy and stay healthy... who "completes" a Benson-Norris line? Someone to win board battles....

Wooo! TNT and Tuch look so much better when they're moving their feet and going to the net. (Like that Skinner season.)

The way that puck was spinning, and given Luukkonen's puck-luck and losing sight of it, Tuch probably saved a goal.

Did Malenstyn tweak something last game? I'm surprised with his speed that he's the first one sitting.

Yes, if you waive Kozak at this point, he won't make it to Rochester. Heck, he wouldn't make it past Edmonton. They could use a player like him in their bottom six.