DarthEbriate

Here we go again!

The grossest part of it all is that if the Sabres had merely gone 6-6-2 instead of 4-8-2 in the last stretch, they'd be 2 and 3 points back of the WC spots with 1 game and 2 games in hand. They were on the cusp and no one broke away from them. They did it to themselves.

Let's not overthink this tonight. Levi hasn't practiced yet so he's not an option. Comrie had the shutout and a day's rest: It's Comrie's net. UPL as the backup to get used to being the backup. Let's go win again. As to Anderson, many thanks to him for giving us the March of 2022: that was a bunch of fun. And many props to him for being the best goalie on the team most nights these last 2 seasons and providing a comfort blanket to a ridiculously youthful roster. But at this point he should only get the start in Ottawa the remainder of the way (unless Levi has a shutout streak going, of course). (Edit: And Anderson could get 1 home start and dress as the backup in the final home game of the season.)

The issue isn’t losing games when allowing 4 or more. That’s sort of expected. The issue is they had 32 games with four goals against or more this season. That is absurd. Ridiculous! Ludicrous! Plaid! Goaltending will solve part of that. The defensive core each getting a year older will help. And the forwards getting collectively more defensively conscious in their own zone instead of immediately breaking up ice will at the sight of a loose puck will do wonders. Next season, try to get that number closer to 20 (figuring in some losses with empty net goals where you don’t mind how many you allow in the last minute as long as you were going all-out to tie it up).

Went back to watch the 3rd. Good period. The Isles had a couple good looks but were otherwise stifled, even after they were down a goal. They wanted to play for overtime and the loser point and it backfired on them and their veteran-ness. The Sabres were the better team in the 1st and 3rd, and Comrie made the 2-3 big stops he needed for the shutout. Good victory. It'd be nice if the Sabres could replicate that effort and response against other teams that have tried to out-hit and intimidate them. Another 3-4 efforts like this game over the course of the season and this game would have been the lead in the wildcard race. Next up, see if Comrie can play another strong one. Then unleash the Levi to a series of shutouts and the ferocious run to 8th (or 9th).

It's too big to be a NYI PPG. Or That's your imagination, kid.

Alright. I'm off to a brewery and then the final T-Birds regular season game vs. the meanie Portland Winterhawks (with 2nd year schmexy new Mt. Hood duds instead of the Blackhawk). No longer have a Kozak to scout, so I can root for the home team. Carry on, 'Spacers. Go Sabres -- keep on the attack until the final 0:00 of the final final frame.

He stole game 2? 3? of the season in Edmonton. When your forwards go to the front of the net, it works.

For all that effort on the horserace graphic (to even bother doing it) they should have shown the change in each from the Bo Horvat trade onward. Show Buffalo up top and falling. Show Detroit's flurry. Then Ottawa. Now Florida. And show how NYI was slow and steady. That's the story. You didn't tell the story!

NYI with a good-looking kill though. The Sabres rely too much on the one-timer and not enough on going and getting the puck and forcing rebounds and retained possession. But that's nothing new.

The NFL won't hire their guys full time. Billions of dollars in revenue and they make them work part-time and keep regular jobs. The booth is their opportunity for a good retirement-level salary. (Something tells me the ESPN NHL doesn't provide nearly the same compensation.)

Cozens' speed draws a penalty from old-legs Parise.

Ryan Jackson, son of their ref guy. That's the noteworthy tease you waited 2 more minutes on? C'mon.

Tell me about the other linesman! You can't tease it and then go silent 30 seconds on it!

One is the better skating team; the other has the better goalie.

Some teams have invested in multiple NHL goaltenders (not just hanging onto an injured Hutton, for example) the last 5 years. But Levi is on his way.

The suspense of TNT about to blow... fuse burning down... time is running out.

I didn't want it at the expense of Tage in the lineup, but I am curious to see Rousek's game at the NHL level. I've got him as the 13F/Hino role next year. I remember the quote from rookie camp or training camp that all the young guys wanted to play with him because he was the guy going into the corners, mucking about, retrieving the puck, and finding them. He's only in the 190#s range, but I want to see if he still has that forechecking and boardworking mentality against top competition. I know he's got some speed, too.

Now the chance for a patented VO ENG!

It's OK to make a pass to a teammate this late in the game, gents.

Now remember on this PP.... Do NOT do anything to take a penalty and give the refs any opportunity to take it away and a later Devils 6-on-4. Play it clean and bury the goal to seal it.

Tuch and Girgs stopped moving on the PK and the lanes opened all the way up.

Perfect shot. Schmid has no chance on it. But Ruff knows how to wake up a team before it gets out of hand.

Ruff doesn't wait with the hook.

MSG graphic says: Owen Power's 28th goal of the season. Where's the Calder conversation?!?