DarthEbriate

There was no plan on that power play without TNT on the ice. And then Skinner just decides to dawdle about until Hagel takes the puck away with speed.

Go to the net, wait for rebounds. This is the Greenway.

Good kill, despite the crossbar.

Cozens looking much better tonight than... this month.

Artooooo. That way?

Once more into the trench! Lock s-foils in attack position.

Completely? No. He’s moved the goalposts to a timeline fitting Power/Byram maturity (24+). That’s not what starving fans want, but it’s fine for his paycheck. He’s just cackling, “I’ll make it legal!” But if he loses Dahlin or Quinn because they become sick of being here or this churns another 2-3 seasons without a playoff appearance, then this is going to reset once again. And that is a possibility.

Stephenson and Carrier would be an excellent start. Especially if Carrier could stay healthy.

Oh I know. That’s what’s so alarming. It'd be like adding Palat, Killorn, Hornqvist, Alec Martinez, and Patrick Kane to this roster. Arguably, the only passenger on that Canes roster was Adams.

Exactly. We wonder what might have been if Connolly, Numminen, Tallinder, Kalinin, and McKee stay healthy (Cup victory). But what GM Sheevyn and we forget is how that Canes roster was loaded with proven playoff warriors who could still play. And Justin Williams who would soon become Mr Game 7.

The other issues with Carolina vs this Sabres effort (thus far) is they were able to identify players (Skinner) who didn’t fit, regardless of production. And most importantly, the GM and coach were in lock step. Is Mitts the Sabres’ Skinner comparison? Likely not, because his loss created a bigger hole in the roster. Meanwhile, the Sabres non-fit was Olofsson. Coupled with Quinn being out half the season, they needed to get a middle six vet that replaced Quinn if HCDG was going to play Benson over VO. This was an incredible disconnect. It needed to happen before the season began. Then you have Benson on the 4th line, the vet with JJP/Cozens, and VO is on… San Jose or something.

Cozens had something with Quinn and JJP when the top line was on fire and drawing every opponent's attention. But if Cozens needs Quinn that badly, in addition to an incredibly hot TNT line ahead of him, then he's not ever going to live up to that contract. Benson-Cozens-Quinn should be given a chance next season, though (barring a top-6 forward pickup. But, I don't see that UFA/trade happening).

I can't ever really fault the players for winning.

My bad. I misread that. But Dahlin's sophomore season was HCRK trying to lose each game 1-0. And a worse roster, as well.

Just last season (or 2 ago?) it was Cozens picking Bergeron's pocket for the OT winner.

And Barkov is fantastic. This team lacks a Barkov, even a future Barkov.

But this team is a bit better than Dahlin's rookie season's team.

Most teams kill a major and get a bit of a lift in energy. So far... to be determined.

Or... alternately, no-show the first half of the period and then take a major.

This is a game they could steal with a good third and one fortunate bounce. The Amerks look like they're already on top of things.

TNT... labeled for the glove.

Negative. It didn't go in. Just impacted on the goal line.

Yup. Skinner left it short. Great save, but should've been in the net.

Panthers broadcast skipped to commercial so no replay yet, but it looks like Bobrovsky made a fantastic save. Or did Skinner simply miss the slide in around the skate?

TNT circles back in his zone instead of exiting, and then their 4th line simply outworks the top line and creates turnovers.