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That's Avalanche hockey. They play a heavy game. Ragdolled Dahlin and up the ice for a goal. Now the make up call by the ref. Sabres need to get that goal back right here!

Yup, get the hook out. Toker needs to take a seat. Nice shot and all but you have to set the tone.

Just keep shooting Tage. Every chance you get!!

Fantastic Sabre D on that second goal. Outraced tio the puck. Just plain sad.

Avalanche very physical in their own end, Sabres are weak in their end when Colorado comes in. Have to hope Kuemper is off his game this afternoon.

All Avalanche after Tage's goal. This game could get ugly.

and then Mahomes showed up and the #1 ranked D failed. Believe it when I see it. Wright ain't gonna be a Sabre.

and no guarantee the Sabres get Wright either despite the odds.

The defence is actually terrible. They won't take the body, they back up into the slot area giving up prime scoring positioning and they stick check. This has not changed under 3 separate coaches, so you're basically requiring your goaltender to consistantly stand on his head game in and game out. Unless the Sabres start really putting the puck in the net (even next season with their young talent if they come up) they will lose more than they'll win.

Avalanche, very good. Let's see what happens in Denver. I am expecting this board to light up (due to a serious beatdown courtesy Colorado) Nice to see the Sabres can beat the bottom feeders of the league but Colorado will provide a truer measure of progress? Also Montreal coming up and hopefully no steps backward when playing them (they too, are absolutely horrible this season) Hopefully this team surprises me with a good effort in Colorado.

and a decent coaching staff! Let's not forget that.

I do believe the Sabres have a gem in goal coming down the pipleine in Devon Levi. It will take another couple of years but I do give KA credit for getting him. I believe this kid is the real deal. I will be following how he does in the Olympics playing for an NHL-less Team Canada.

To me, the jury is still out on Granato and his "style of play". Too many instances of lack of effort recently, and we have seen this under 2 previous coaches. As the above stated, regardless of the talent coming down the pipeline, you need real coaching to get anywhere, especially to counter strategies of the oppositions coaches. Don may be too nice of a guy. Don't like what I see. It's easy to blame the goaltending but in all honesty, Dell could have stood on his head, but when you don't score or only score 1 goal, you will lose the majority of your games. Houser was the only reason the Sabres beat Ottawa last game. This team is plummeting and I could accept it as I understand this is more or less a development year for the youth. However, I see no real structure or a hard to play Sabres team especially as of late. I am thinking the decent clubs that the Sabres defeated was largely due to the fact they took the Sabres lightly on that night. Being better than a Ralph Kreuger coached club isn't saying much. Ralph was one of the worst coaches.

Yes, there is improvement but is that saying much against the Kreuger coached Sabres? Honestly, Ralph has to rate right up there with one of the worst coaching hires in Sabres history. The Flyers are just garbage this season for some reason. Vigneault got canned and I never thought Yeo was such a great coach although he had small success in the past. Not sure why the Flyers are a mess, but they are. Sabres have some "easy games"? coming up: Ottawa again and Montreal a couple of times. Hope "the improved Sabres" come to play and don't let down in any of those ones.

and Ottawa. The win in that one was solely due to Michael Houser. Baby steps, but keep the emotions in check for the upper echelon teams in this league. That is where you want to see progress.

Not to mention, teams get game tape of opponents and strategize how to counter their style of play. The Sabres had the courtesy of the first month of play under Granato's style. Once there was some game tape available, Sabres opponents coaching staff watch the tapes and develop their game plan to counter.

Exactly: What's that quote again? "the definition of a fool is doing the same thing continuously and expecting different results" or something like that.

I might get lambasted for this, but I'm going to say it anyhow: I'm not sure Granato is the right guy, despite what may be coming up from Rochester next year or the season after that. I seriously have my doubts now.

Swept on the season series by the Wings! This team stinks. So brutal in O.T.

NOT! Offside big time!

Owned with a CAPITAL "O" tonight!!!! Tampa isn't even breaking a sweat. This is so damn sad.

3 breakaways in this period for the Sabres and Vasilevsky has stopped all 3. Tampa is coasting.................and they can. Zero offensive skill in tonights frowards for Buffalo.

That being said about the Pitt announcers. They were very generous in their praise for Don Granato and the job he has done with the Sabres. I found them complimentary of Malcolm Subban's performance and the Sabres new style of play. Other teams announcers have just basically laughed off this hockey club on the broadcasts I have watched. The Pitt broadcast team was very cordial in my opinion. E-Rod (whom I hated as a Sabre) has actually developed into a very decent player working with Sid and they praised him because he set a personal record with his 10th of the season. Absolutely playing with Sid helps. Remember Warren Young when he played with Mario? Then he leaves Pitt, signs a big contract with Detroit and disappears. Sid helps, but E-Rod is benefitting when he gets his chances.

Who are these guys? Did they have a team meeting before this road trip? They’re scrapping, goaltending is outstanding, constantly giving an effort! I think I like these guys! Honestly, I was expecting an 0-3 trip and another dip in the standings. Don Granato, Merry Christmas and God Bless you!

The Bills practice jerseys should read: "PROPERTY OF TOM BRADY'