Porous Five Hole

More thinking on-field alignment and snap priority from the WR position, but yes Kincaid is probably the second best option the Bills have.

In looking ahead, is anyone NOT in favor of Shakir at WR2 and Gabe to WR3? Shakir doesn’t have Gabe’s size so perhaps outside isn’t his best fit (when you’re not elite like Stef), but, any production is better than Gabe’s production the last three weeks: 0 receptions, 2 receptions, 0 receptions I think it’s worth a shot.

I appreciate the discourse. No one here thinks the Sabres played well tonight, and UPL got it done. It’s hard to say that any Sabres tender would have done the same thing. Maybe? Probably? I dunno. I just know UPL got it done. I understand your concern about the Caps. Did you know their PP is second worst in the NHL at 7%? Even worse than us. They’ve won five of six, but it’s the bottom six leading the way. I don’t think they’re as dangerous as their reputation would lead one to believe. By and large, the goals they’re scoring are greasy and I don’t think any goalie really matches up more favorably than another. We shall see.

Thanks. Edited.

The AFC is a little bit of a mess right now. Looking at the wild card picture, the Bills are currently looking up at Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and neither team scares me. The Bills are also looking up at the Texans and they are hot, but rookie QB’s with rookie head coaches don’t usually make the playoffs. And just behind Buffalo is Cinci and Indy, who aren’t expected to make a run. If the Bills can split their next two games (Eagles & Chiefs), they should be fine to get to the playoffs.

There are no easy answers with the Sabres crease right now. I’m not a UPL guy, but to me it sends the wrong message to sit the guy who ended the losing streak.

Clifton only played 9:50 and it helped his game. So that got me thinking, who played all the minutes on the blue line tonight? Dahlin 29! Muel 22 Power 17 EJ 13:30 RJ 12 Henri 11 and Cliffy almost 10

I think he’s earned the crease for Wed at Wash. And if that’s the case, that would mean at least a ten day layoff for Levi.

It might have been because the Hawks ran out of gas, but since the EJ goal the Sabres only gave up two low danger shots on goal…and then held on for the last minute. Nice job boys!!

This is a big eight minutes for UPL. If he can get it to the garage, he would be the logical choice to get the next start.

Oh I’ll take that!!! EJ!

The Derek Plante sighting was a nice blast from the past.

Cozens had a chance to put the team on his back after Greenway’s hard work. Nope. I think it is more than just the face shield.

Correct, and the NHL/NHLPA has the same thing. Article 18-A of the League’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which grants the commissioner authority to impose discipline on a player who “has been or is guilty of [off-ice] conduct (whether during or outside the playing season) that is detrimental to or against the welfare of the League[.]” Criminal activity of all kinds are covered. It is bad for the business of the league. 18-A is a mutual understanding between the league and the players. No one is being canceled so much as Lucic is suffering consequences of his own actions.

I don’t agree and while it isn’t domestic violence... If I am convicted of a DWI, I lose my job. That is a consequence of my own actions. My employer is not canceling me.

Lighten up

I’m sorry for calling Brad Marchand your boyfriend. I now realize you two are incompatible for reasons only you could explain.

Lighten up. Or watch videos of Marchand licking people. Whatever floats your boat. 👅

I am not a medical professional, but there’s a difference between hip labrum tears (your boyfriend) and hip resurfacing (Kane). That should be acknowledged. Also, Kane’s 2022-23 defensive metrics had him third worst in the NHL with the Hawks and worst in the NHL with the Rangers. Before you blame his injury, his trend-line defensively has been 📉 year over year for years. We all want the Sabres to do something, but this move ain’t it. And to answer your question…coming off his injury, it’s impossible to tell if Kane is truly an upgrade or not. It’s possible Kane is Willie Mays in center field at the end of his career.

I like it better than I like Sabrehood

Goodness it’s like the police haven’t updated their mugshot camera since George Eastman was alive.

True. But the point Duffer made is valid. Also, the points per game pace last year relative to this year isn’t indicative of anything. Neither are proving to be a playoff team (I realize it is still early). This team’s offensive pace is not wreaking the same havoc. My conclusion was that playing a more defensively measured game isn’t working.

The goals against relative to the same point last year are lower.

From Sabres Live yesterday: Last year the Sabres were #1 in this category and this year they are #32. Care to guess what stat this is? Power play to penalty kill time differential. Brian Duff said, "They earned power plays last year with their pace, with their passing, with their ability to threaten teams offensively. It's not there and conversely the opposite is happening. They're not drawing penalties and taking too many penalties." My conclusion: The pace isn't there this year. The Sabres have a specific focus on defense relative to last year and it has not been worth the trade off.

You just mentioned a bunch of cap constrained teams and Buffalo. One of these things is not like the others.