GASabresIUFAN

Jost and Olofsson in the dog house?

@mjd1001 TOI is a huge reference point, but comparing them at even strength should be the reference as certain players don’t receive much time on special teams. For example Mitts is our leading forward at EV at 14:38 with Skinner second at 14:05. Tuch is 3rd and TNT 4th at 13:11. It’s pretty clear that Mitts and his line has become our top line at EV. TNT’s usage is fascinating. DG loves him on both Special Teams, but not as much as EV. His EV time is down nearly 1:30 from last year. I wonder if this is a reflection of his poor backchecking and DGs attempt at more balance. Cozens’ EV usage is the same as last year. On Defense, DG has dropped the EV usage of the top 4. Dahlin is down 30 seconds, Power is down nearly 2 minutes. Mule is down nearly 30 seconds and Joki is down nearly 2 minutes. The 3rd pair is also skating less that last year’s 3rd pair. I think this a reflection of limiting EJ TOI to keep him healthy and more Special teams time early in the year.

I was just about to post the same thing.

Who else is hurt? VO traded?

Raz points seem almost like a given. There were points last year where he would almost take over a game. I don’t think we have seen that this year.

Like Power being +9

With 12% of the season in the books, the Sabres stand at 5-5. That’s good for 6th in the Atlantic, and 4th in the wild card standings in the very rugged Eastern Conference. Sabres sit 10th in GF with 32 (16th in GF/gp at 3.20) and 16th in GA at 29 (12th in GA/gp at 2.89) for a +3 differential. Despite the terrible 1st game (and the Calg game) and team is trending in a positive direction on defense and in goal. The offense is also coming along with 19 goals in the last 4 games. The Sabres special teams are the reverse of last year. The PP is 29th at 10% while the PK is 5th at 90%. Last season the PP was 9th at 23.5% and the PK a horrific 73% (28th). The Sabres are getting contributions from most of the forwards. Skinner leads with 10 pts (5,5), followed by TNT with 9 (5,4), Mitts with 9 (3,6), Cozens with 7 (3,4), and Tuch with 7 (1,6). JJP (4 goals) and Greenway have added 5 points each. Dahlin leads the D with 9 points (2,7), followed by Power with 6 (1,5) and Joki with 5 (0,5). The Sabres’ victory over the Flyers was the first 2 game winning streak. Biggest surprises so far? Biggest plus? Biggest minus? The minuses so far have been Clifton, more injuries, and the PP. I also don’t think the coaching staff had the team ready to open the season. I also think DG ran Levi into the ground by starting him 4 straight to start the season. Krebs is playing his way to the pressbox. The plusses - Mitts’ continues to improve, JJP’s development, Greenway’s all around play, Joki’s improvement, and the fine steady play of Eric Johnson Biggest surprises - UPL’s excellent play recently, Tuch’s early season struggles, and KA juggling of Benson and Savoie. Things KA still needs to do. I’d like to see KA added another decent depth D. While I hope UPL continues his fine play. I’ve seen the show before last season. If I were KA I’d still keep checking the veteran goalie market. Other things I’d like to see: KA needs to find away to move VO. He is an unnecessary distraction at this point and deserves a chance to play somewhere. With Biro, Rousek, Rosen, Savoie and Kulich all playing well in Buffalo or Rochester, we have plenty of forwards to cover any injury. Eat the cap hit and move on already. It’s also past time to rethink the PP. Overall I think the team is rounding into form. This is a playoff team IMHO. I think we are better than Fla and Ottawa. I also think Montreal and Det will back track from their hot starts.

I project a 6 year deal at 7 per season if he finishes with 65+ points. He wants to stay and he is an important locker room guy. KA extended his BFFs Dahlin and Cozens. I would try to minimize the usage of NMC/NTCs if I were KA. The 6 year deal brings Casey to 30 and another good payday if his game is intact. I do wonder if locking up Casey makes it near impossible to retain Joki as well.

His back checking isn’t at Casey’s level yet.

This is a much better explanation.

Now they need to win this weekend to start moving up the standings. The goal, be in a playoff spot by Thanksgiving.

Best two way forward on the team?

Not exactly. Early yes, but the Sabres won 14 of the last 19 according to the broadcast and finished at 46%. Not great but not horrific either.

Expect the Flyers to goon it up on Friday.

I’m a Braves fan but like both teams in the series. Rangers deserve the win.

Lots of props to Biro. He was pretty solid tonight. I thought his best play was actually a feed to TNT early in the game. He must be on cloud nine after the game.

TNT (tv) is still droning on about Makar. What a bunch of crap.

Ugly win if there is such a thing. UPL was excellent.

Ok. This is working. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, … we want 6!

1, 2, 3, 4 …we want 5!

Great save by UPL.

Dahlin with his 2nd great save of the year.

Joki makes up for 1st period tip.

Because it is a Flyer broadcast.