DarthEbriate

A little side conversation for a Friday. On 3/1/2022, the Sabres were 16-30-8. Their next game they convincingly beat Toronto 5-1. What was unique about that 3/2/2022 game? Ontario had just repealed COVID attendance restrictions and Toronto's arena was full. Every "big" or "event" game since, the Sabres have shown up. And they've played better and better in regular games as they've gone along. Stay on target. The Sabres have played 76 games since 3/1/2022. 6 games left in the arbitrary season cutoff. (Aside: 2/21/23 vs. Toronto starts the next "new" season as a coincidental bookend.) The Sabres are 42-28-6 for 90 points in those 76 games. They only need 8 points in 6 games to reach 98 points over 82 games -- guaranteed playoff pace. This includes an 8-game losing streak this year and a stretch of 8 losses in 12 games last March/April. Yes, the stretches like that have to get eliminated, but they haven't kept the the Sabres off a playoff pace. The Sabres are good now? The Sabres are good now.

The Sabres are up by 2 goals in the third period. How many goals are they going to give up? 2. How many goals are they going to score? Somewhere in the 1 to 7 range. The Sabres have a lead in the third period? Go strap yourselves in; I'm going to enjoy the third period and another win.

I fail to see the problem with this. Since Toronto's core was reconstituted (drafting Matthews) they've made the playoffs 7 out of 7 seasons in the toughest division in hockey. Sign me up for some of that. Toronto's leaguewide GF/GA rankings in those seasons: 5th/22nd, 2nd/11th, 4th/18th, 3rd/27th (coaching change), 6th/7th, 2nd/18th, 9th/4th. Their defense may have had some blips but it's overall improved year-by-year. They possess the puck and score enough to win regardless of the defense. And they don't have a Dahlin/Power/Muel. This Sabres team is a bunch of 20-24 year-olds who will learn defense as they gain experience. They have no playoff history. Who's can say how they'll react? They might fold. They might be a bunch of playoff monsters. Get into the playoffs every year, play better team defense as your core ages, get a hot PP or a hot goalie in April/May/June, and take your chances. And in the meantime, be fun to watch night in and night out in the regular season. Enjoy the ride.

Disappointing, but it's not going to matter. The Sabres are going to sprint past both of them (technically already ahead of the Caps).

The world's changing. Hockey's changing. Even the Sabres are changing. You can't stay in here all day dreaming about the tank and Eichwalker.

Central Road Trip (opposition standings within their division): 1st place DAL: W 6th place STL: W 2nd place WPG: W 3rd place MIN: And then follow that up with Metro-leading Carolina. Tonight is a good start. This is a very good start. I see you Wedge, good work.

The 2-goal lead going into the third. Sabres are the most entertaining team in hockey.

Dang. That's why you score it yourself unless it's a 2 on 0 with the other guy needing one more for a hattie. Be selfish at the end.

Skinner is too nice and way too contested a pass. Just attack and finish it.

Definitely worth protocols to check. He got a stick-butt swung into his chin, wobbled, and dropped. Popped up and needed just a bit of help to the bench. TSN says he looked alert and back fully aware as he was leaving the ice. But definitely needs to be checked.

You worry about those jets, I'll worry about the empty net goals.

Well. No shutout. But now there will be opportunities for empty-netters so folks can hate on Goalofsson.

Bah! Boushh had it flub off his stick on the clear. Dang it. Sorry, Comrie.

This team wants it for Comrie. They're playing Bruins-level defense.

I think that since the Power goal, the Sabres have more goals than the Jets have shots.

And it keeps Cozens' next contract slightly lower?

Goalofsson! That's how you retaliate. (And later you can run him for good measure.)

And rightly so. Stick butt to the chin.

Good block, Clague!

Joker bails out Power. Still playing good defense all around.

Not Gragnani?

Honestly? Yes, lots of 'em. There have been numerous barrages that destroyed opposing teams' wills this season. The Sabres are scary when they get skating.

Great defense by the Krebs line to close it out. Best lead in hockey!

Sabres up 70.4 to 29.6 on faceoffs tonight. Huh. Who'd a thought that?

Even when unintended the intention is there.