DarthEbriate

It's interesting to see the Sabres play the Canes (and Pens) as those are the teams where the Sabres leadership comes from (Adams played in NC, Karmanos helped draft the core that is this current Canes roster). But both those teams have coaches who demand defensive pressure. No haste. Well-defended, but no haste. Kotchetkov is a very good goalie and the Canes' likely future #1. He's also the 2019 BUF 2nd round pick they receivied in the trade for Skinner.

Hurricanes announcers: "Excellent first period." I'm guessing Ray is saying: "Good period (except for that one brief spot where they got outworked, outskated, didn't create their own puck luck, got outshot by 2, and didn't play defense)." You can't go into Carolina and not skate hard.

Goal against on a lost faceoff in... the offensive zone? Their wingers fired as soon as the draw was won. Double damn.

Got a dead tree today. Tonight: lights and hockey. Maybe add some ornaments if I'm feeling frisky.

Intensify the forward batteries! I don't want anything as many pucks to get through to our net.

Unless you're a Wenatchee fan with an inaugural season that could be pretty awesome.

Bring him up! He's ready.

Is AHL.com correct? The Amerks are being outshot 13-0 in the 3rd? Levi rocking 32/33 saves thus far.

XXXI. My sister was driving us home after the game and we drove home through downtown (as opposed to how we'd normally go along the river). The street was lit up for the holidays. Folks were laughing, dancing, and singing. Many horns were honking. All with a gentle snowfall and night-pink sky. It was a positive culmination (this was before it got too late and the bars let out; we were kids at the time) of knowing for the entire season that we had been ascending step-by-step for 4 straight years and this year we were hands-down the best all-around team in the league. We were going to win that game... and we did. And the drive home was a bit surreal and dreamlike.

Dahlin stayed down low, the other forward didn't drop back to help. Puck past Power and... all too easy. I think I'll take a break for the evening.

Hmmm. Outshooting 2:1, outscored 1.5:1. That's not going to cut it.

Greenway's pretty strong.

Young Ben... off the faceoff. Now that's a goal I've not seen in a long time.

The Blues had a 3-shot shift at the very end. But it was 3 goals on 6 shots for quite a while. Need to protect the net one of these days.

Rasmus!

Well that was a coincidence. The Blues broadcast was interviewing Neighbours' dad (from their teams Dad's Trip) when his son scored.

Be OK, Rasmus.

Crap. Well, that's why contesting (even if losing) the faceoff is important once every few games.

Phew...kkonen!

The Sabres are everyone's Hockey Fights Cancer Night opponent.

I was going to make a comment about how the local sports folks are using ESPN for their Sabres rosters and stats... but it looks like ESPN has updated their Sabres roster. No Casey Nelson. No Artem Kryukov. In fact, they've even got Rosén in there. Way to be, ESPN!

That was my assessment as well. I blame Blue Cross Arena for the Sabres leadership electing to tank 10 years ago.

You are part of the Rebel Alliance Rochester Americans and a prospect. Take him away!

I foresee a fairly quick visit to LTIR, thereby freeing $4M for a playoff-push acquisition. That will give Kane his money and another 4 months of rehab before rejoining the team. For a first round exit to golfworld.

11-7? And play two guys barely 6 minutes? Nay... Go 10-8! Full consistency!