pi2000

Ryan Johnson, who some thought wouldn't sign with Buffalo, has had a massive impact on defensive depth. He's completely bumped Bryson out of the picture, and they don't need to play EJ 18min/g. Things would look much different if he wasn't here. He was a guy they needed to hit on and somehow he looks much better as a pro than he did at any point in his collegiate career.

Almost feels like there's more pressure on him to perform well now that he's in Rochester. The expectations are high that he'll be excellent.

Last season UPL ranked 44th in home ice sv% out of 46 goaltenders who logged 600+ even strength minutes.... giving up 17 goals above expected at home... 2nd worst in the entire league. It's still somewhat early, but he's been much better on home ice (4 games)... allowing 1.7 fewer goals than expected.. home_sv% away_sv% 2022/23 0.871 0.910 2023/24 0.921 0.917

..and there it is.

I'm honestly beginning to wonder if KA has some kind of gentleman's agreement with Levi that he won't send him down to Roch. It just makes no sense to keep him in up if he's not going to play enough to properly develop.

Kane is washed, especially coming off hip surgery. I remember when Bogo cam back from his hip surgery, he was awful for a good 8-12 months... slow, stiff, couldn't pivot, etc... it took him a good 16 months to regain form. I doubt Buffalo even reach out to him.... they're not a sluggish Patrick Kane away from contending.

Unpopular opinion... last night was more to do with the Rangers laying an egg, than Buffalo playing exceptionally well. Don't get me wrong, Buffalo played well... that was definitely their "A" game. However, if the Rangers brought their "A" game, the score wouldn't have been close.

You ride 6K3U2N until he falters. Levi needs to be playing hockey games, send him down yesterday.

UP-Luu had what was probably his best game as a pro tonite. Let's hope he can find some consistency and string together a solid chunk of games. Their playoff hopes depend on it.

disrespectful imo

This lineup is a mess. You call up Kulich then scratch him, while guys like Krebs and Jost who have done nothing are in the lineup? And your best +/- defender is your 7th defenseman while Clifton who is a -9 in 19 games gets slotted in your top 6? Are they even trying to win? Or giving veterans playing time just because. Why not sit Clifton after his dash 4 on Saturday and put Kulich in as your 12th forward? FITFO

What's telling is the players never talk about the coaching staff as helping them win games. The Pitt game took KO to fire them up between periods, not Granato. They come out flat most games, on their heels out of the gate. That falls on the head coach to have them ready to play. A few more of these and it could get ugly fast.

He's been fine. Clifton on the other hand, yikes.

Start the search for a new bench boss and put Granato on notice. He did sound a bit defensive in his post game presser so he must be feeling the heat.

So, Jokiharju who has the 3rd best +/- on the team gets scratched in favor of the guy with the worst +/- on the team in Clifton... and they lose by 5 with Clifton putting up a -4. This team, smh.

Way to have the boys ready to go Donny. Another first period hole to dig out of, smh.

Clifton now a dash 2 after turning it over at the blueline.

Yep, that's mostly on Jost. As a center if you drop down to double team the puck you absolutely cannot let that pass get by you. Comrie shoulda read that and pushed out to the top of the crease.

Clifton already a dash one. Comrie glued to the goalline, smh.

Good point, but most of the game is played 5-on-5 where Jokiharju has performed mich better than Clifton. The Devils are a fast north south team, I'd prefer having better skaters on the back-end.

I'll bet you're fun at parties.

Ennis and Paille back in the lineup.

Jokiharju is 4th on the team with a +3 TRPM. Clifton second last with a -4. So unless they're just giving him some rest after his recent illness, this is a bad choice.

Should be Clifton or EJ that sits... but will probably something dumb like Ryan Johnson or sitting Olofsson and dreasing 7 D again. Also I'd go w Comrie.