DarthEbriate

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.

I'd still like Asplund-Tage-VO to get back together. Asplund looked good for the first time in weeks in Detroit (of course, that's comparable to the rest of the roster). And Skinner-Cozens-Tuch worked nicely. Once Girgs is back, I'd send Krebs back down. But I'd also put Girgs on the wing over center, he's just better out there. Whether their center is Eakin, Jankowski, or Cozens -- the Girgs/Okposo line will work. Looking forward to some morning MLK hockey tomorrow.

Yup. It's time. Butcher has served his purpose (garnered the Sabres an extra 5th for a goalie pick) on this roster. It's time to bring in the Mule. Particularly after that drive down the outside and pass to Quinn to complete the hat trick in Rochester last night. Just make sure to send him back down at the right time so he's eligible for the AHL playoffs.

To the bolded: absolutely. To the talent: TB has some of the top talent in the league (including goalie). And in that game the Sabres were skating Quinn (debut), Girgs, Murray, and Butcher instead of Thompson, Tuch, Okposo, and Hagg.

I have neighbors who shoot off fireworks when the Seahawks score a touchdown (or win). It is annoying and it terrifies my scaredy-cat of a dog (and also because the Seahawks can suck it). Well, they're shooting off the fireworks for the Bills tonight. No one likes the Patriots. And it's time for them to get a good curb-stomping. Carry on, Bills. Carry on. (I'll keep the dog safe.)

That shutout was well-earned and well-deserved... from both sides.

The Wings have skated circles around them all night as well as outworked them in any puck battle. It's the worst effort in quite some time.

The Wings are skating hard and have been all game. They're fighting for the shutout.

That's got to be 2 separate penalties, right?

There you go. Don't be afraid to drop the gloves, either. Give those of us who don't have CBS something to watch.

Just how they drew it up on the board during the intermission.

Good start to the period.

I'd feel better about the Detroit parade to the penalty box if the Sabres could even properly enter the zone on the PP tonight.

Using Risto's old sticks.

Larkin --- he's too tall for your reach! Ended up kicking Tage's foot out for the trip. Gotta get the power play going.

I would liked to have seen Skinner-Cozens-Tuch (which looked decent vs. Nashville) and reunited Asplund-Thompson-Olofsson (pre-season/opening night lineup) now that Tuch and Thompson are both healthy. However, it's been noted that Thompson has been the lone center to unlock Skinner recently.