Broken Ankles

Final Destination 6: Sabres 23/24.

I’m going to say, not many. The Sabres fail to establish a net front presence where a penalty like this would occur. Ever. No one on this team regularly sets up in front. Not sure it’s coached but it certainly is frustrating.

I don’t think it’s coincidence that the average age of the defensive corps of the teams currently in playoff positions is ~29-30. It’s consistent. Without EJ, the Sabres average age is 23.9. By dumping Joki (not Clifton), and picking up Jiricek the average age would drop a few tenths of a year. With another young defense, we are just begging for similar results. And if by chance, after two years, Jiricek explodes, his second contract could be $5M, and with R Johnson on a $2.5-3.5M bridge deal, you have $32M tied up in 5 defenders forcing decisions up front. I’d prefer they target a true complimentary #2 defender. Must be right handed, must be between 26-30 with 6 + years experience. But this type of contract would put you north of $30M on the blue line with your top 5, while the average team is spending $26M on the top 6 Dman. I’d prefer to move a LD but Owen and Muel both have lost trade value.

Little bit.

Hard pass. This will never, not be weird.

Right before the tipped shot, Bryson had full possession of the puck, tried to, pass or clear the zone (don’t really know) and fanned on it giving SJ possession in our zone. It’s the definition of a giveaway in your defensive zone.

@JohnC This.

Apologies in advance for the negativity after a win. They win despite Bryson. His contribution was negligible in his 14:12 TOI. As @JohnC stated, Greenway with maybe his best performance of the year. According the natural stat trick that line has only played together for 24 minutes all year. Statistically nothing stands out, other than a good scoring chance for and high danger for but too few minutes to glean anything. They lost the Corsi battle tonight but I thought they dominated with a +2. Big bodies driving to the net is a good thing.

Futility counts as something right?

You went with Donny and Terry as liking less than the average, so you must be downright disgusted by these two, because they ain’t winning any popularity contests around here these days. And Adams was not on either list. So you’ve got just the right amount of hate for him, right?

Better: Victor Olofsson. Obviously weak defensively, but with stronger line mates and better playmakers he should easily be a bottom 6 forward that scores 20+. Better: Greenway. Stats on PK speak volumes. Big, strong and usually in good position Better: Joki. I’m a fan of R/L combinations, and we just have too many minutes given to L/L pairings. Joki/Power should have/could have been a great third pairing, with the ability to slide up if injuries occur. Clifton didn’t manifest into a #4 (yet -but I still have hope), and Dahlin needs a true right handed partner to eat 22 per game. Worse: Benson. Tons of potential and I like the kid, but still don’t see why he needed to be here. Struggling as of late with defensive lapses. If Sam Reinhart was sent back to junior to work on strength and other elements of his game, so should Zach. s well. Worse: Mitts. Like him way more than I did two years ago, and glad I was wrong. Just not as much as others. And I don’t want to see another Cozens like contract that results in regression or injuries after a career season in a contract year. Worse: Rob Ray. Bottom 15% of color guys on a tv broadcast.

Duffer said he was not a repeat offender on Sabres Live this morning. And based on that fact, and the prior suspension of McAvoy, Marty predicted five games. A shame.

A Brick Bar favorite.

I was in the barn last night representing SS. Money Wasted. My protest this evening is to not spend 1.5 hours of my time driving up the 405 from OC attempting to see what could be another meltdown in waiting. Instead I choose getting harassed by Kings fans at the local Irish Pub in Laguna Niguel. Five minute drive from my house and the Corned Beef sandwiches are hella better than anything at Cyrpto.com arena. I may need to double up on the edibles for this evening to numb the pain. Medicated watching.

Kyle

As if attending this in person wasn’t bad enough, they played the Shout Song between periods. Too soon.

Shortest PP ever

Please Stop. The man is top 10 in almost all categories for the position. Clearly a #1. Does not excuse the fact if he brings in that 70 yard pass they probably win the game. They needed to score a TD on the last drive and didn’t find a way. Team failed. Is the city cursed? Thirty years ago I would have laughed and said of course not. If we are living in a simulation, there is a likelihood that the Creator/Programmer has some kind of algorithm to inflict pain on our fan base. This loss cuts deep.

If you were replying with text to speech, possible that Siri caught what Mrs. PA was saying by accident.

KA and his “yo-yo” season theme continue, only this time with players back and forth to the AHL. Embarrassing look for the GM on talent evaluation for this team’s goaltending.

One less than he should be.

One goal against JoJo, in his first game since NY Eve, with a season GAA of 3.45 in a must win game. Pathetic offensive performance. An unacceptable loss.

Power with another one of his high velocity shots