DarthEbriate

Ziemer with a PPG and an ENG in the Gophers' opening matchup with the Ohio State Nuts. Badger freshman Vasily Zelenov had 3 assists in last week's 2-game set vs. the Michigan St. Spartans. He'll miss the final series of the fall semester vs. Notre Dame because he's in Slovenia participating in Team Austria's prep tourney for the World Junior Championships later this month.

This is a good game for the Sabres. So rarely does a team want (and need, in the standings) to avenge a loss against the Sabres. The Jets had a closed-door meeting because they were embarrassed by the Sabres on Monday. They will play the first period at playoff intensity. I look forward to seeing how the Sabres respond. Historically, these past 14 years, when a team has increased their intensity --- Florida and Boston have had a gear the Sabres could not match --- the Sabres have wilted. You want to make the playoffs, you don't wilt. Doan, Zucker, and Benson need to show leadership and drag the high-priced guys into it. And whichever goalie is in needs to make 2-3 big saves tonight.

Looks about the right time to win one and get back to NHL .500 and out of last place in the East for a day.

Emperor Sheevyn needs to go bye-bye.

Signing in quickly to say, It irks me more that the Flyers have their number than any other team. Speed kills. And the Sabres have speed. But they don't embrace their speed to kill Philly like they did back in the Peca days vs. the big bad Bruins. Just depressing.

Seeing as it's TNT and radio and nearly time for dinner... this is probably sufficient for my evening. Good start the season-saving/ending road trip, gents! May the Cup be with you, 'Spacers!

-- How we doing? ++ Same as always. -- That bad, huh?

Byram won a Cup. 😇

Sabres with the chance to go above NHL .500 is like a TIE Fighter the Falcon. We can all take a sigh of relief about worrying about charge toward the playoff race.

So... without visual... was it worse than TNT's interference last week?

Refs don't have a plane to catch tonight. With luck, they'll just keep it even all night -- 5 penalties apiece. And then inexplicably pocket their whistles for the final 15 minutes and not call anything.

Greetings, Spacers! Lock S-foils in attack position. Radio only for me tonight. Zucker!

They're pretty silly. Colorado is on pace for 139 points. Their goal differential is already +50 The Capitals and Stars have excellent records and are currently tied for second place in goal differential at +21. Victor Olofsson has 6-10-16 in 3rd line minutes (plus PP time) -- basically 10 minutes/game 5-on-5. He's on pace for 19 goals and 50 points. Victor Olofsson is a -1. (MacKinnon is a +32.)

Or send down Östlund. Or waive Dunne or Kozak. They do need a 7th defenseman for the road.

I'm going to add the 1st home game after the road trip because it's also against Philly. This is a Philly Cheesesteak Roadtrip Sandwich that will save or end the Sabres season. The Sabres are mostly healthy. They have a chance to right their road record and unite as a lineup against weak teams. They weren't "in it" at US Thanksgiving, but the road trip will either launch them into contention or effectively end the season. 12/3 @PHI -- they currently sit in the final WC spot. They have your spot, start taking it. W 5-3. 12/5 @WPG -- Just defeated them. Hellebuyck still won't be back, you're still faster than they are. Go win it. W 4-2. 12/8 @CGY -- They just embarrassed you, but you have their number in Calgary. They're still one of the worst teams in the league. Go win 5-2. 12/9 @EDM -- Just defeated them. They are still severely underperforming and are basically a two-player team with no goaltending. (2nd night of back-to-back, this is the toughest game on the slate). OTL! 2-3. 12/11 @VAN -- they're bad. Go win. Plus, I'll be there, so I demand to be entertained. W 6-3. 12/14 @SEA -- they're also bad. Two days of rest! Win here for the first time ever, you punks! W 5-0. 12/18 PHI -- three full days of rest to reacclimate to home. You've caught them on the hot streak, time to take their spot. W 4-3. Finish the sandwich 6-0-1. Yum, yum, yum. 33 GP and 39 points in the standings, probably good for 8th-9th in the conference. And then they're just getting started! (until a new rash of injuries and they back up the hot streak with 5 losses in a row -- because they like to Sabre with us.)

Norris is gonna pass Cozens for points by New Year's.

My thoughts? Lando Norris(sian). Joshdo Norrissian? He's the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. I thought you could help with some repairs. They told me they fixed me. It's not my fault!

After tonight's game... Norris is on pace for 87 points. The goaltending save% for the season isn't great, but it is consistent: Luukkonen .899, Lyon .899, Ellis .897.

It's a good construction. Norris with the speed and transition capability (and to win o-zone draws). TNT to be the shoot-first wing. Benson to force the issue, pressure the puck, and show off the silky passes.

But it took 3 attempts. Gotta get into midseason shape for the Three Stars.

Good job, gents! Now, take it on the road.

They choose to pick on Östlund. Wankers. Greenway, you're now a 4W. You're in the lineup over Dunne and on the roster over Geertsen. This is your job now. Do your damn job.

So... by leaving Stanley on the ice (Greenway), you allow Krebs to have to get tackled by a guy 3x his size. Stanley should've already been off the ice the rest of the game courtesy of Greenway 5 minutes ago.

What the hell? Does Benson need to go fight Stanley next week? You're up 5-1, go cheapshot that punk.

Now, if Norris just throws his stick to the corner like he got slashed, it's a penalty. (Which they need to fix as a call. If you drop your stick on a slash you should get 2 for embellishment.)