PickaPecaPickles

I'm sure it's mostly coaching, but it could also be the emergence of Thompson? The top line of TT, JS, and Tuch have S% of 17.8, 17.2, and 16.5. Skinner is 6.1 points above his career average, and his best year was 14.9 with Eichel. Tuch is 5.9 above his career average and his best year was 12.7. That line also has 1/3 of the team's SOG. The kids' line as a solid S% as well, so I'm sure there are several factors, but I wouldn't discount Thompson's emergence as a superstar.

From Fairburn's article today https://theathletic.com/4029058/2022/12/22/buffalo-sabres-playoffs/ :

Need a win tonight. Combined with Vegas beating the Isles and Leafs beating the Caps, the Sabres would move within 3 points of the last playoff spot.

Yes, interesting question put that way. TT and Dahlin are a toss up for "best" player, but MVP? Who would the team miss most if not in the lineup? We've already seen the Mule impact and there's a strong case there.

ESPN doing weird things too.

His speed had a lot to do with their goal last night. Impressive.

That looked like a slider that started outside the post and bent in. Damn, he's good!

On the pre-game, Lundqvist said the Sabres have the worst D in the league. Who needs it! Interested to hear his take on the break now.

Cozens, third game in a row with 3 points.

Do they have a 3rd goalie?

Hattie

This one.

He's got 10 points in his last 10 games, and Quinn has 9. It'll be interesting to see how they finish the second half of the season.

I think they win tonight. The last game in TB, they were without Dahlin, Mule, and Joki. Their D consisted of Power, Bryson, Lybush, Clague, FitzG, and Pilut.

An Athletic article this a.m. ranks the 10 best rookies of this season so far: Power at #3 and Quinn at #5 (Beniers #1 and L. Thompson #2). https://theathletic.com/3925974/2022/11/24/nhl-rookies-owen-power-logan-thompson/

A lot of good quotes on Quinn and the Young-guns line from Fairburn's Athletic article: On Quinn: On their line: https://theathletic.com/3930511/2022/11/24/sabres-blues-jack-quinn-upl/

It was a comment about the overall, season-long D and what they would need to put them in the hunt come spring. Staying healthy, including GTs, would help bring their GAA down some (currently at 3.58). The young guys creating a stronger second scoring line was the other ingredient.

Hopefully it happens early enough to put them in the playoff race at the finish line. The top line (I know they haven't played together every game), has 30 of their 69 goals. When this young gun line starts shooting straight, they will be a dangerous team. I also expect the GA will come down a bit, now that the defense is back to full strength.

So, I was looking at the standings to see where the Blues stand, and noticed this random stat: there are 12 teams with a record of .500 or worse, and the Sabres are the only team with a + goal differential (+1), and the closest team following is the Wild at -5. Expanding the criteria to teams with 20 or fewer points (there are 17), again, the Sabres are the only team with a positive goal differential (Panthers are even). Is this just a fluke stat, or does it describe something meaningful about this team that belies its recent losing streak?

Samuelson

4-4 at the end of regulation. Buffalo wins it in "OOOOOOOHHHHHVVERR Time!"

After he said "I have 78 more games and work to do", it's too bad one of the reporters didn't follow up with "does that mean you expecting 82 goals? 🍺

They've been fun to watch since Granato took over, well about 10 games after with the adjustment. I can't see that last point(bottom 5) happening at all. Where they end up comes down to goal tending. Over the past 2 seasons, they've averaged 3.5 ppg against, whereas they've increased their scoring average from 2.39 to 2.79. That uptick in scoring got them out of the bottom 5. I expect their scoring to rise a bit higher this year, so better GT could put them closer to contending for a playoff spot (closer, they may not be close enough yet). I also expect the D to be a bit better, which should also improve their goals against. So, barring a slew of injuries in goal again, I think they'll most likely end up middle of the league pack (16-20?).

Both goals were impossible to stop--rockets, high at the corners.

Wondered why ESPN was showing a score of 7-5.