DarthEbriate

The Force is strong with this one.

That was a long time ago in an arena far, far away...

I guess that's one way to keep Kucherov from embarrassing Lehner with the non-shot goal. And the Sabres are likely to experience some unlimited power tonight. But I'll still try to watch.

I have high expectations for Mittelstadt, but I think a sophomore year of school would do him good. Then AHL for a season (plus a cup of coffee with the Sabres). Then, ready to go for 2020. That said, he's Casey Flippin' Mittelstadt. He's going to spark the Sabres to the playoffs next year. Also -- don't look now -- but he and Linus Weissbach are tied for points going into the two-game Badgers/Gophers weekend. I hope they each rack up 2+2. Mittelstadt is clearly too busy winning Nobel prizes to focus on his game to outscore the 7th-round pick.

ERR line? Media: How will you stop them? Opposition: Errrrrr.....

Entertaining victory.

Pouliot, you can't get outworked for that puck... and where is Rodrigues? My mistake --- defensively out there at the end. Which leads to: You can't get outworked for that puck!

Hadnt't even started making the new bevvy and had to scurry back to the game.

This Ebriate is ready for a stronger drink.

Good response in the minutes following to giving up that goal. Now, close out the period.

Blergh. If Lehner sells that he has that, he probably gets the whistle quickly.

We want four.

Much anger in him. Like his father. Liger?

Give in to your anger. It makes Reinhart powerful.

Kane - O'Reilly - Okposo should be a really solid 2nd line. At home, play 'em against their top line and expect equal possession and opportunities, if not better.

Just got home to Tatooine, so I'm a bit behind and will catch up during the intermission. What a nice shot by Jack. Lazy by the Isles to let Reinhart just meander into the zone and then easy access to the front of the net as an added distraction. Other than that, we don't look so good.

Kylo-wan Okposi: I understand you are quite a sniper yourself. Sniping and passing aren't hereditary, but a number of things that can combine to make a good first-line center are. Those you may have inherited. Still, even a Duck has to be taught to swim. Jack Skyeichel: What's a Duck? Okposi: A single unit of a once-mighty team, often arrayed in a V-formation. Something you must confront tonight. Skyeichel: Are we still even in the same reference? Okposi: No. You're right.... Let's see...You've taken your first step into a larger world.

Don't worry about it. We're all fine here, now.

Did Risto go solo dump and chase -- just to hit Ekblad?

I knew I'd seen that before.

If it isn't career-threatening he'll be back. He's still young. But we could try to move him (while on IR Evander Kane-style) to a team that has to take on some salary for next season and isn't interested in winning just yet. It also adds the option of packaging Kane + Bogo to a non-competing team this season that has lots of salary space next season (like Vancouver), instead of just sending Evander to a contender as a rental. The opportunity is there for Antipin! Let's go, Viktor! (And to a lesser extent, Beaulieu, but he's been such a disappointment this season I'm not holding my breath.)

As my then-housemate and I used to say when they built another antenna-topped cylindrical building... Seattle needs more needles. All the syringe-shaped buildings in the world, unite! And yes, it's the persistent gloom and darkness that gets to you in the winter. Then there will be that one day every couple weeks where Rainier is out and the Olympics and Cascades are glowing with snow, and it's all good. That, and last summer there was a 90-day stretch without rain... which actually, we could've used the rain badly then. It sort of balances out.

Mittelstadt mit dem Spiel-Gewinner gegen Notre Dame. http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-hockey/recaps/012618aaa.html

Antipin has been solid all week; he and McCabe look like a 2nd pair. I hope he sneaks into the slot and gets his first goal soon. And the Sabres keep away was beautiful. The Canucks were hapless; the fans were growing more and more restless... if we'd have been at home the building would have been rocking by the end (I hope). It was like an endless playoff penalty kill clear, except it was with the lead.

I'll start by saying... the Canucks, like the Oilers, didn't show up tonight. That said, Woohooo! I like to watch a win. The Sabres played a cohesive defensive effort. Reinhart is super-savvy and always in the right spot, but if he can only stay on his skates he'll add 10-15 points a year. Too bad Eichel didn't have the chances... but the 4th line got plenty of time. Yup yup yup, when we left Buffalo we were but the learners, now we are the masters. The key to all of this is: play each game like the last 3 combined. Full consistency. Good effort. The goals will take care of themselves. Peace out from Vancouver, all!