GASabresIUFAN

DG will probably put Z and KO out to start the OT.

Terrible PP.

Clifton’s best play of the year so far. Mitts is playing so well. I feel a goal coming for his line.

2 unassisted goals so far. Edit: They gave TNT an assist on Raz’s goal.

That’s what stars are supposed to do.

That should have been 5 minutes

You knew that was coming.

That’s friggin amazing. I go there every time I’m in Raleigh. Have a great time at the game. Go Sabres!

Have fun. Love David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar.

GA were 18 in the first 6 games (diff -5) GA were 20 in the 2nd 6 games (diff +6)

No, right now that's a fail. The next 6 games are critical to turning a failing grade into a passing one. We need to go at least 4-2 in those games and we need to get 900+ save % out of our goalies to do it.

But we don't have average goaltending. We have very inconsistent goaltending, that's been below average in most games. 1. save % .867 L 2. save % .897 L 3. save % .903 W 4. save % .889 L 5. save % .960 W 6. save % .889 L 7. save % .895 W 8. save % .872 L 9. save % 1.000 W 10. save % .950 W 11. save % . 737 L 12. save 5 .862 W We have only had 4 games this season with a save % over .897. That is below-average goaltending that has been bailed out in 2 of our 6 wins by out-scoring the other team.

There won't be anyone available until after the 1st of the year at the earliest and maybe not until the deadline. Even then I don't expect KA to invest any assets in goaltending. Why? If the Sabres stay in playoff contention with the goaltending they have, then in KA's mind why waste assets on a trade? If the Sabres fall out of contention because of the goaltending, KA would rather have another high draft pick he can use on a forward and address the goaltending in the off-season.

They learned they screwed up going with the 3 headed goalie monster (with 3 inexperienced goalies no less) and handing the crease to a goalie with 7 games of NHL experience and no AHL time.

I think he means Levi learned from being run into the ground by his coach. I don't think either goalie has earned anything. Levi was handed the job by KA/DG because KA refused to add legit veteran help and Levi was his prized prospect acquisition. UPL has been given chance after chance and continues to get chances because he is youngish and again KA refused to add legit veteran help despite playing at a subpar level. Career Numbers UPL - 51 games - .898 3.42; Levi - 12 games - .897 3.13 YTD 5 on 5 save % for the Sabres .901 ---- for the NHL .921 These guys have earned nothing. Sadly this is the hand that KA dealt the Sabres and Sabres fans. Expect mediocre goaltending or less the entire season. If we make the playoffs it will be again on the offense to score 4+ a night.

The problem is what in KA’s history with the Sabres says he’d make a bold move in season to acquire talent to enhance his current roster?

I should have said this season.

Ok, but 4 good games to two bad games is a ratio I can live with. Yes UPL stole the 1st Philly games, but Jake Allen stole the Canadians game from us in the 1st 6. Those things tend to even out. I'll take an inconsistent team that scores 5 goals a night, as long as they continue to trend in the right direction. In theory, all games are winnable, but reason says that we'll lose to the Bruins and/or the Canes.

Tanev would be a fine addition except who are you sitting when Mule returns? Mule, Power, and Dahlin are written in stone. EJ is playing very well. They invested 9 mill in Clifton, so I doubt he sits. That leaves Joki, who has played pretty well this season. The only way Tanev works without sitting someone is rotating Clifton, EJ, Tanev and possibly Joki. I don’t love that scenario.

Tuch has points in 5 of the last 6 and the Sabres are 4-2. Thompson and Mitts also has points in 5 of the last six. The Sabres scores 13g in the first 6 games and have scored 26 in the last 6. Somethings are trending in the right direction. GA - first 6 - 18 GA (differential -5), next 6 20GA (differential + 6).

Which two Sabres have been on the ice for more SHG scored vs PP goals allowed?

The Sabres have 5 very winnable games in the next 6 (Car, Minn, Wpg, Pit, Bos and Chi). Win at least 4 of these 6 and I think we’ll all feel much better about contending for the playoffs.

I was dead set against this and all forward trade ideas, but looking at today’s lines and how ineffective our bottom six has been, I’m reconsidering my opinion. Another Greenway type acquisition?

Sabres are quickly becoming a walking MASH unit like the Bills. The Sabres have 5 (Biro, Mule, Comrie, Benson and Quinn) players on IR and Cozens day to day. Enough already.

No, I believe he was on an emergency recall. Rousek is still waived exempt.