Broken Ankles

I’ll use some lyrics from Drive-by Truckers to sum my feelings. Goddamn Lonely Love I got green and I got blues And every day there's a little less difference between the two So I belly up and disappear Well, I ain't really drowning 'cause I see the beach from here I could take a Greyhound home but when I got there it'd be gone Along with everything a home is made up of. So I'll take two of what you're having and I'll take all of what you got To kill this goddamn lonely, goddamn lonely love. Sister, listen to what your daddy says. Don't be ashamed of things that hide behind your dress. Belly-up and arch your back. Well I ain't really falling asleep; I'm fading to black. You could come to me by plane, but that wouldn't be the same As that old motel room in Texarkana was. So I'll take two of what you're having and I'll take all of what you got To kill this goddamn lonely, goddamn lonely love. Stop me if you've heard this one before.. A man walks into a bar and leaves before his ashes hit the floor. Stop me if I ever get that far. The sun's a desperate star that burns like every single one before. And I could find another dream, One that keeps me warm and clean But I ain't dreamin' anymore, I'm waking up.

As noted by others above, more attempts from in close is a good thing. Not a coincidence that expected and actual goals go up when the blue dots are concentrated low.

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Kyle Okposo.

That cannot be a coincidence.

The shear irony in this game is incredible. On the Chiefs side, their complaining about a 5 yard penalty, that was clearly a penalty to define the loss is comical when less than 10 months ago, the won the Superbowl on a questionable penalty that in fact confirmed the win. As noted above, they had three other chances to get into FG range. On the Buffalo side, we were waiting for a 2 minute drive defensive meltdown, which has been the only reason this team was not 9-3 coming into this game. And we saw it. The blitz decision (and execution thereof) yielded one of the all time greatest plays to go ahead late in the game. Except in the record books it never happens, but for what I can only describe as a Billsian blunder. This type of error could only happen to our team right? But yet it not only happened to another team, it happened to them, against us, helping preserve a victory. Seriously ironic *****. Maybe a cosmic thing happened on Sunday where we all transported to the Bizzaro world. Happy the Bills got a W, but would have liked to see it done in a cleaner and less controversial way.

Isn’t this what we all came here for? To see if McD’s defense can hold a lead?

If the Sabres would stop hiring coaches (assistants included) and FO with absolutely no experience, they might not have to worry about paying someone not to coach. Most contracts have ‘mitigation’ which allows the owner to recoup any money from the new team for the Coach or GM fired. Whatever JBot made in Seattle offset what Terry was responsible for paying him. But that only works when you actually hire qualified coaches and GM’s who can, you know get hired outside of the Sabres organization. Just like TM couldn’t get a new gig, do you think Adams could score a GM or even an AGM position? Meatballs isn’t getting a head coaching gig and this League loves recycled coaches. RFK, Ted Nolan, TM, LaFontaine, etc. Hire quality people and you don’t have worry about paying them to not coach.

That statement is true on most nights but not last night. The heat maps show the Sabres did go to the slot, and more than Montreal did but really were not rewarded. As I noted last night, if Kyle, Jeff and Dylan can get the puck elevated it was 3-0 after the first. But instead they all hit pads. That’s execution. I’m not expecting them to see repeat this type of game plan too often. But against a smaller and weaker opponent I thought they dominated physically, especially in first and third periods. Lasts nights loss could be blamed on an abysmal PP, Levi shitting the bed in the shootout or failing to close the deal when up close.

The Levi is breaking

If Skinner, Dylan or KO could just elevate the puck it’s 3-0.

Power with his usual fanning on puck in front of his own net. WTF.

stachybotrys chartarum - the Matt Ellis of molds.

Unfortunately recent history agrees with you. The Sabres are 1-18-1 their last 20 games being out scored 83-33. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/bruins-vs-sabres-record-last-20-games The only logical prediction.

Or……was it the analytics department that led him down that path?

All this. Neither of these two are winning awards for debate and logic reasoning, however there is a segment where they lay out how so many hires of Head Coaches, assistant coaches, GMs and other front office are/were unqualified. I’ve never listened to the podcast prior to last night but listened to the show on WGR a few times before. Perhaps an element of sour grapes in being let go by the organization, but they were brutally honest about their assessment of the assistant coaches. Peter’s asks what makes Matt Ellis qualified to run the Sabres Power Play. Something written many times on this board. But it feels different coming from former players. Someone tell the Uber drivers to get their recording devices out in cities where Buffalo is playing road games so we can hear from Tuch or Dahlin. Also good comments about the forward line construction and the lack of change in roster. Peter’s made a joke about more turnover in a 12U team. So true. Most teams have at least 3-4 new Forwards YoY, and they brought back the same team. Olofsson included. Again they were brutally honest that this was a KA failure. You have too many skilled forwards that can’t forecheck. I was ambivalent about the two UFA Dmen Adams signed but right now it look like a fail. And while I love the post game comments from Johnson and not questioning the leadership skills of EJ, it seems like a big overpay on Adams behalf to get someone/anyone with experience in the locker room. Almost desperate.

I’m 50/50 on Sundays game as well. But if they win in KC, its inconceivable they could run the table. If they lose Sunday it’s over, and in my mind, McD has lost the team. I would guess three more losses follow (Dallas, Miami and even LA). I would need to see changes before getting excited about the offseason.

Why is Benson playing PK? Are we back to developing again?

Now it is….

This team is consistent at one thing. Inconsistency. Frustrating to no end. I thought they outplayed the Blues overall, but stretches of this game including the first 10 minutes was just head scratching. Have the kids ready to ***** play at puck drop. Donny, what are you telling the team during the time out? Did you not expect push back? And what’s up with the three quarter zip sweaters? Every game? Are you on blood thinners? Mix in a v-neck, would ya? I think we have Nana’s shawl if you’re chilly on the bench.

I’m watching…..bad play all around, including the goaltenter.

Most of them. Expected goals is 2.11.

Or….keep his city out of your voice.

You have been banging the drum for a long time. Glad you got the scoop.

Or three hours ago and you replaced Skinner with Clifton.