DarthEbriate

Absolutely right. A good team addresses it and still wins the game because they won't blow a two-goal lead with a 5-minute PP and that will expire with under 10 minutes to play in the game. Tampa, Boston, Florida would have all responded.

I think Novikov would likely be good with it. He's got some muscle and recently took a one-game suspension for an "eat stick" moment. He was upset. But Kaleta was out injured and McCormick was in his first game back from a concussion and on a no-fight mandate. Everyone else just cowered. The person most willing to fight was RJ. Quinn took an awkward hit in the first and might have missed a couple shifts.

But this hadn't happened yet. I didn't care about a collapse, I cared about a team defending their own, momentum be damned. The worst that comes out of it is the Sabres don't get a power play by taking a major of their own. Whoop-de-doo. Statistically, they're good 5-on-5 (when Cozens/Quinn aren't on the ice).

So... when was that time going to be? After they looked into the future and saw that they got out of the PP having given up a goal against so then the game was too close to address the cheapshot on their leading scorer, alternate captain, and leaguewide face of the franchise? And Ruff is apparently just a defective clone of himself now.

Son of Ben: Search your feelings, Coach. You can't do this. I feel the conflict within you. Embrace your hate! HC Grand Ruff: It is too late for me, kid. GM Sheevyn will show you the true nature of the Franchise. He is your master now. Son of Ben: Then Coach Lindy is truly dead.

Next year. This was the last matchup.

But it was a 2-goal lead at the time.

Building on @mjd1001's response, then the correct thing for Zucker to do was ask, "Who did it?", and then go do something on his next shift. For a team in last place in their conference, the two points was irrelevant. How about building the culture for winning down the road?

That he's apparently chums with the owner and that he didn't demand his own staff just makes me so sad. This season is just an executive level pit stop for him. And then it's Appert. Noesen would've fought Noesen after that.

They still need a line brawl in the worst way. But it'd by 6 on 2 and Zucker and Benson would get killed.

So... replace the coaching staff, and for goodness' sake, trade for any old schmuck who will at least protect your leading scorer.

Ok... now run someone

Dahlin could've either held that a bit longer and looked to take a shot or, you know, not just iced it for no reason.

Nice job, Benson, being in the way. Meier sloppy there. But... would you rather be killing a penalty or on the PP in the final 2 minutes?

Oh, Muel. At least they later cleared it.

I guess if Gilbert isn't going to do anything, then why was Kozak scratched? I'd bet the kid would've been willing.

Alright. Now run someone named Hughes.

Good look for Cozens? No one was near the front of the net; backup goalie had it easy.

Just getting flat outworked on the PP.

Alright... new goal: Don't give up the lead on the major. Then, kill 11.

Score 3 on the major, and then the next time 11 is on the ice, jump him. Or take out Hughes and Hughes with elbows.

Go get 11!

Crap! The dreaded goalie switch. And an instant goal.

Luuuuuuuk! Some excellent saves today and that prevented another last-minute breakdown. I don't understand why every single Sabre skater crashed the opposition net with 50 seconds remaining in the period. Oh. It was Cozens, drifting down to the dot looking for a one-timer rather than staying back.

Nice feed, Tage. Zucker chirper and good redemption for the penalty.