DarthEbriate

Tage is improving in his own zone, but that's the next stage of progression. Winning d-zone faceoffs so that we have fewer 3rd periods like last night, better defensive positioning and taking away space intuitively. We need to remember that Tage is only 100 games into playing center at the NHL level... even middling defense will turn him into a an absolute stud 1st/2nd liner tandem with Cozens.

Mitts + VO to Chicago for Toews + Kane straight up. Chicago gets to continue their rush to the bottom, but 1.5 seasons of a 2nd line. And Mitts is still an RFA and could still pop. And Chicago could still re-sign both of them in the offseason. Of course, we'd need to find new folks to complain about.

UPL and GM Sheevyn knew the score from the beginning of the season when they had discussions after signing Comrie. UPL needs playing time and lots of it, and he'll get that in Rochester where he's the #1. He's playing really soundly the last few games, but he's still #3 on the depth chart. In Buffalo, Anderson is still the guy (meaning: if you have a must-win game, he's in). Comrie has played 3 1/3 games with Samuelsson on the ice and needs to show what he can do. Now, if Comrie returns and the D is healthy and Comrie scuffles for 3 weeks while UPL starts consistently controlling the AHL and stacking wins (say .915+ with the Amerks D), then maybe switch things up at the All-Star Break.

It is a little odd that other teams aren't using their starter against the highest-scoring team in the league. I think the other starting goalies are just scared.

Now. Don't look back. Boston slaughtered Florida tonight so the Sabres take over 4th in the division.

VO didn't get a chance, just popped it out. Otherwise we've got more VO complaints that all he does is add insurance goals. UPL was fantastic. This team really misses Power's calm on the blue line.

Entertainment. A little spike in the heartbeats per minute. All good for a Monday evening.

Jost with a poor decision on that icing, then UPL can't see it for the screen. Alright... now get 2 ENG to put this on ice.

A penalty shot is so much better than a PK there... won't get tired, get some rest, and UPL just ate Marchessault alive.

Remember the Death Star! It only needs one shot to kill the comeback.

The Sabres still do need a center that can win some defensive zone draws. And Marchessault is thinking he's Tage from the dot. He is not. His shot is weak. UPL is anticipating and getting big and square. And... he doesn't seem to be leaning forward which was a major problem last year (defeating the purpose of being tall).

Sooooo.... the refs are only going to call Delay of Game from here on out.

Lovely! And no rebound.

We're just letting them stay close so we can add some empty-netters.

Excellent timeout, great chance by Tuch, and then a major guffaw. Well, the Sabres were waking up. Now stay away, get the response goal, and put the Knights to sleep.

And it's a good thing, as the Sabres are just tossing the puck away in their own zone rather than skating it out.

UPL's got the deflectors on. Double front.

It's been a couple weeks since the kid line looked great. It might be time to let JJP get a suite rest for a night as a refresh. And maybe Quinn for a game next week.

UPL K to the 6th power on that one. K^6

That's one hell of a Pilut!

Wooohooo! Tage will learn patience.

Skinnnnnnnnnerrrrrrr!

Looks like we're going to have to shell Hill into a sub-.900 save percentage in the first period tonight. SchieB das Fenster den FuB. <Exasperated sigh> Shoot at his foot! Always draft a Lechyshyn in any EA NHL franchise rookie draft.

Hopefully, Leinonen starts putting it together this season and next in the Liiga and gets onto Finland's 2024 squad. But it isn't promising since Finland's presumable starter Kokko is also only 18 years old.

INTERIOR: SABRES CHARTER RENTAL BUS: The Enterprise - COCKPIT JEF SOLO: Stand by, Tagey, here we go. Let's get the hockey gear. Solo and Tagebacca don their skates and open the bus door. TAGEBACCA: Grrrrrr. JEF SOLO: What the…? Aw, we've come to the arena and it's some sort of desert playland. Looks like an asteroid shower spewed up architectural designs. The arena isn't on any of the charts. Tagebacca taps the bus' map screen and checks the coordinates. Tuch Icewalker enters the cockpit followed by Dad Kposobi. TUCH: What's going on? JEF: Our position is correct, except… no arena. TUCH: What do you mean? Where is it? JEF: That's what I'm trying to tell you, kid. It ain't there. The nav computer just keeps saying "recalculating". VOICE OF PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE: Recalculating. TUCH: What? Where do we play? DAD: We'll pick you up… by the Enterprise! That's what that goalie always advertised… Never trust the rental car's onboard map system. Use your own phone. Or… what's wrong with using paper charts? Before the online times, before the Enterprise? TAGEBACCA: Grrrrr. JEF: Stay focused, Dad. The map system will find it. There's only a thousand hotels to sift through. It's got us headed for New York, New York. DAD: That's no New York. It's an approximation. JEF: It's too big to be an approximation. TUCH: I have a very bad feeling about this. JEF: Yeah. Turn to the right. Turn right! Tagey, turn that way, toward the Pyramid. TUCH: Why are we still moving towards it? JEF: Tagey is mesmerzied by its red lights. It's pulling him in. TAGEBACCA: Grrrrr. TUCH: But there's gotta be something you can do! JEF: There's nothin' I can do about it, kid. Tagey lights lamps. Me, I'm going to get chippy. They're not going to get me without a penalty! DAD: You can't win gambling. But there are alternatives to taking penalties. JEF: Score more goals? DAD: Score more goals.