DarthEbriate

I think Bjork's drive toward the net there is the first time any Sabre has challenged Ottawa's defense to the middle of the ice since Cozen's goal. Certainly the first time I recall driving to the net. (And it drew an oooooh from the fake crowd noise generator!)

Yup. Skinner has been tricky to find the right center, and for a bit Tage/Skinner worked. However, since arriving, Tuch appears to be pushing Skinner pretty well, too. Keep Cozens on that line. Get Tager with Asplund and a healing Olofsson. And reunite Girgs/Okposo with Eakin -- or Krebs if he's staying up.

They're good enough to win... when the goalie is stealing it for them.

Olofsson's shot might be returning. Edit: I haven't seen him crank a slapshot in ages, but he's had two quick shots tonight.

After Boychuk's contract expires, we'll need to pay a little more to get to the cap floor. Plus, you've gotta give 'em more than UPL (back in the AHL). $900k!

The Sabres play with a sense of inevitability that is just plain discouraging.

Good save, Houser!

Krebs wearing the Stormtrooper helmet on that one.

Home vs. Detroit looked like RK-level conditioning all game, and then at Detroit it looked like RK-mud-skating in the third. I want the Granato-looking team back. We're getting outshot 2:1... again.

Houser just isolated the reverse power flux coupling! Thank you, thank you very much.

Silly to have to fight on a clean hit. But if the Sabres kill it, then a 5-minute trade of Hayden for Tkachuk is a win. Edit: Huh... Plus 10? So now my equation is unbalanced.

Cozens looking good again with Skinner/Tuch.

He's afraid of the Houser.

And during the offseason Boudreau would likely have commanded a much higher salary than Granato. Lest we forget: Effective, Efficient, and Economical.

At the beginning of the season the obvious choices to "not make the playoffs" in the division were Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal, and Ottawa. These were the teams to compare to going into 2021-22. So ends the season series with the "one year ahead" Winged Wheel. Outcome: complete failure, appear well more than one year behind. Tomorrow begins the season series with the "feisty in 2020" Sens. What shall the outcome be?

The Wings only had to play engaged, attacking hockey for 13 minutes to win the game.

Sabres had the puck for what... 2 seconds in OT?

Ugly finish to regulation.

Playing for drama. Like: We have goaltender interference... not! Welcome to the '90s. That was disheartening.

That's some Tuchin' strength in the corner.

Detroit starting to wake up. Got to rise to the occasion here, Sabres. Close out this period with some fire.

I can see that. And if VO gets to rest/press box for a bit until he has his shot back, then I can see Krebs in the lineup in his absence, although Quinn would be a better fit for the role.

I think last year's goalie UFA class was slightly diluted by the expansion draft. The Sabres put also all their eggs in the Ullmark basket. This year's UFA goalie class is also fairly dull, but they'll be able to entice someone with shorter term and higher salary because they will need to spend some money to get to the cap floor. As to Sheevyn, the coincidental storylines of 10 years to pull a leadership coup were simply too good to pass up, and since I've already put plenty of time and effort into the character that is Ebriate whose goal is to bring levity and the occasional smile to these dark times, I can hardly stop now. The good news is that we're through the fall of one Chosen One Jackikin Eichwalker and we're soon to begin the feel good times of the Original Trilogy storyline.

Once Girgs is healthy, I need Krebs building the continued rapport with JJP (once healthy) and Quinn game in and game out as one of the Amerks' top lines. Malone is out until March. Murray is up, Jankowski has been signed to an NHL deal and could pass waivers but might not, depending on injuries for opposing teams. I need the Amerks to make the playoffs so that entire trio gets a round of intense viciousness and then maybe a round against Utica. JJP/Krebs/Quinn is the future, as early as next season, but not the now.

Yup. If GM Sheevyn pulls the same garbage $750K goalie approach next season, then any UFA skater will rightfully stay away. Any Sabres RFA will rightfully say "I'm open to offer sheets, and only minimal years from Buffalo". There are 32 starting goalie spots in the NHL. This offseason, GM Sheevyn needs to offer 3x$5M to the world of UFA goalies. Are any of the UFAs available the answer? Nope! But blocking-schmocking. Get a goalie who is better than UPL today and for the next couple years to give the team a chance to grow and build. And if UPL beats him out? Excellent! If not, that stinks, but at least Levi/Portillo will be on the way. But don't go for Bedard. You go for Bedard and the brand-new young core will also start to want out.