eman

Well said. Accurate and to the point. Agree with all of the above 100%. Good things are coming. (and it is seriously about time!)

I have to apologize to coach Don Granato. I have been hard on him at times on this board thinking he may not be the guy going forward with this young team. Last night's performance has convinced me otherwise. He got the team motivated at game time which I didn't think was possible. I was expecting a horror show in Calgary and it turned out the exact opposite. Coach Granato seems to be the right hire and God bless him. It will be interesting next season with new blood from Rochester in the lineup, and it does give me serious hope for the franchise's future in quite a long time. Great learning lesson for the youngsters last night that with a strong effort they can compete and even surprise. All the best moving forward Don Granato!

Toker is an NHL backup. I think he's a good choice for that role. He's a good teammate, accepts the backup role easily and can steal games for you. Just don't ask him to run with a huge string of games. He stole many games for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL and was a pleasure to watch.

Seriously outplayed. Absolutely no cohesion as a unit and the passing was atrocious. At times they looked like they were coasting and almost disinterested.

I saw a sleepy hockey team out there that just wasn't ready to play at puck drop. (again) The Oilers, despite their talent just aren't that good of a hockey club and their goaltending stinks. They will be hard pressed to make the playoffs and if they do, they will be gone by the second round. Alex Tuch was invisible as were most of the Sabres last night. In fact, it was embarrassing and I'm worried as to what Calgary will do to them (Calgary is a good club with strong goaltending) Let's see if Donnie can at least get them to be competitive and "hard to play against" in this game. I seriously have my doubts.

It's not the loss. It's the lack of effort or any look of a cohesive unit that continues to surprise, as we have seen this type of game all too often under 3 separate coaches. This board was stating that they totally expect a playoff spot push for next season after victories over the Leafs and Golden Knights. I am thinking that Don may not be the guy moving forward yet again. The Knights are slumping with no Lehner and since Jack has been in their lineup. The Leafs have goaltending woes but maybe their new Swedish kid has solved that. This team, even with the Rochester grads next season, will have a tough time pushing for a playoff spot.

The "curse of Jack Eichel"! Whatever it was- even if it was just time spent with Victor Hedman, God bless Hedman for having an influence!

There has been some stuff written that Hedman and Dahlin had some talks during the All-Star weekend. Dahlin's game became what wwe were all expecting out of him almost immediately upon his return to the Sabres. If he took any advice from Hedman (if those conversations were true) he couldn't have gotten it from a better D-man. I tend to believe they spoke and thank you Hedman for any advice you gave him. Epic change to his game now and we're loving it!

Absolutely. Ron MacLean asked for a rerun of the tape and they went silent. It was an obvious intent to injure but Bieksa even said "Matthews is a star in the league and it will give George something to think about maybe not a suspension".

Ken Dryden, Harry Howell, Ray Emery, Pat Quinn.........

Ummmm, Stanley Cup Champion Dave Andreychuk comes to mind. Former Sabre by the way.

Nice night at the office for Cal Peterson. The one great Sabre opportunity and the puck rolls on Tage.

Sabres got caught on the line change. Athanasiou with the nice shot. *****!

Last night was very enjoyable and watching the Sabres beat the Leafs never gets old for me. The Sabres actually played "hungry" if that term applies, and great to see Craig Anderson get rewarded. That being said, I watched the Leafs post game and Sheldon Keefe was pissed at the effort by the Leafs (and rightfully so) I totally expect to see a much stronger effort by Toronto in "The Outdoor Classic" and hopefully Donnie will have the boys prepared for that. The Leafs can humble you when they're on, so, while I really enjoyed the game last night, I hope last night's effort will continue in Hamilton.

I don't think Levi or Portillo will be dressing for the Sabres next season unless due to injuries of the starter and back up. To get a quality number 1 keeper you either have to give up something of serious value, or assume that anyone who may be available is even willing to sign in Buffalo, full knowing next season most likely isn't a playoff one either. Not going to be easy. As for an 80-ish point season? They'll have to prove that to me under Granato. I assume nothing with this club anymore.

I agree, I would go with UPL as the starter and Anderson as his backup. Anderson has plenty of experience and can mentor UPL and can come off the bench when needed instead of carrying the load. Just my opinion. It limits Anderson from injuring himself hopefully, as well. Anderson still has some game left in him, totally agree.

That is why I am more than willing to give Granato an entire season next year. Yup, lockdowns were a mess, isolating a mess, Olympic break , than no Olympic break a mess, plus, several veteran players will be gone next season and Rochester grads will take their place, so we'll have a better understanding of the future dynamic of this club under Granato. If UPL isn't ready to carry the load in goal next season, than I don't think he'll ever be ready. That being said, the defence needs to get one hell of a lot better than we have seen in the past 3 seasons.

In the past week or two, I have stopped seeing growth and a regression to old habits (taking nights off) You can't allow this to creep back in, especially with the young players if this coach is to remain. You also have to start instilling a winning atmosphere as constantly exposing these young p[layers to accept losing, but we're developing, so it's alright mentality will become disheartening to the point that they will want out at the earliest opportunity. Next year is the year I want to see Granato be the guy, or not the guy. I want to see this club push for the final playoff spot. They don't need to get it but at least push for it.

Not taking the body and stick checking and backing up into your own goaltender is strictly on coaching. I don't disagree with you that the talent on D is thin as well, it is, but you have teach a defensive structure and it is exactly the same as under 2 previous Sabre coaches and that is what concerns me.

That being said, does anyone on this coaching staff coach defence? The Sabres defence is abysmal and it looks exactly the same as it has under 2 previous Sabre coaches. I used to blame Steve Smith but its obvious, he isn't the problem as he is gone and there is no change in defensive coverage or strategy. The defence continues to back in on its goaltenders giving up point blank opportunities each game. It hardly ever takes the body and continues to use "stick checking" as it's primary tactic. Sure you can bitch about the state of Sabres goaltending but until this aspect is seriously corrected, it will not matter who is between the pipes.

Can't help myself. The Sabres get me in a venting rage and I cannot stop!!! Must continue!

But the Players on the Habs did do it for St. Louis and that was not the case for most of this season under Ducharme. Maybe St. Louis has something to do with the relentless forecheck and the blocking of shots eh Alec Tuch?

I am certainly willing to give Granato next year as it is also, in my opinion, the year we will actually see what kind of coach he is. Some new and talented blood from Rochester in the lineup, some JAG contracts released and maybe who knows who else shows up but next season I expect to see definite improvement.

I agree. I just want them to be a legit challenger for that 8th spot, not a bottom 5 club again. I actually want to see a "hard to play against Sabres club" on the majority of nights, not just one out of every 4-5 games. If Don is "that guy" moving forward, they are going to have to show up on most nights for me to believe it and show progress. Right now there is regression.

I don't think there's anyone out there that will actually make a difference to this club and if so, would they sign here? Why? To get someone at the deadline means you give up someone of value (to get value in return), does that actually advance the state of this club in the long run?