DarthEbriate

Finish this period. Don't relax.

That Vesey-Lazar-Simmonds line looked like a solid 4th line, GLO style. Now --- if you had 1A and 1B, GMTM-style, and had 2 bottom lines that are just mean and hard to play against... that can work.

It's like you have an extra gear when you know you can make a mistakes and you've got a guy who has your back.

All too easy. In fact, Dahlin getting wonky that pass reception might have broken Holtby. Concentrraaa drink!

If TOR, FLA, and MTL all go 5-5 over that same span, then a 10-game winning streak has it like this. Still on the outside looking in, but with a game in hand. TOR 79 gp, 89 pts FLA & BUF 78 gp, 86 pts MTL 80 gp, 81 pts

Ullie has been taught well, but he is not a starter yet. I need to see continued growth through the end of this season. Like Hart last game, Ullmark has to be the best PK-er on the ice for the Sabres through the end of the season. He's a .914 for the year, which is on the cusp of getting above average. Then, we get the #2 lottery pick and take Byfield, and I have drinks outside a cantina on the beach, some place warm but not too warm. Then, we watch JBot play moneyball and continue to fill the F ranks with unexceptional guys and trade for a 3C and sign for too long of term, instead of a 2C on a shorter term. Barring all that, I'd say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Random observation --- SJ and OTT are tied 1-1 in the 2nd intermission. Ottawa needs to win this game! Make SJ's pick even better for themselves. They can always lose their own games later.

Eventually you come up against the players who have the high ground in terms of skill and drive and no pre-existing injuries and no matter how high you try to jump over them, you're going to end up cooked.

He was an AHL All-Star this year. Not ready for the big league yet, but having Ullmark back gets everything back in order. Additionally, UPL K^6 can go back to Cincinnati where (was) he growing and doing well.

Wow --- it looked like that laserblast went through Risto -- complete with tossing the stick into the air. Like a good stuntman.

Sheary still shoots like he's wearing a Sabres sweater, at least.

Hmm, sure would be nice if MoJo could've bookended the intermission with goals.

Wish Eichel had delayed a bit more there... we had them looking like a gassed tank team at the end.

Vesey -- twice denied.

They pulled the RJ between periods!

That goal... J.J. ... you Binksed that one.

Logging in.... to a goal! ... isn't Vesey in the box? How'd he assist McCabe there, RJ?

I dunno -- the Avalanche game was great -- just lost to a hot team. But as the trip went on the team looked less and less interested and competent. I sure would like to see Healthy Eichel again.

.... So.... even Montreal, which did some selling at the deadline, has pulled away from us.

It could be worse. It's worse.

Good save by the Jets there.

Eichel going for 40 goals has meaning.

You found Chewie's medal!

Game on! This is where the fun begins.... Scrolling a bit... I see I've missed some pain leading to suffering leading to hate.

The trade deadline and 6-point gap were glimmers of hope. That was nice. But ultimately, this season is like the prequels. There are stretches of good stuff; there's a good script hidden in there in places; there are talented actors and some are having fun like they should... but ultimately, the overall execution of all these things simply falls short. I disagree about the the losses though. This franchise needs to win games, even if only as a selling point to upcoming UFAs in the short-term. I'm fine with winning the lottery, but there's no need to increase the odds of winning further. Fight through. Stop feeling sorry for ourselves, play a sound defensive system, score a few goals, and win.