pi2000

I think we'll see a nice game from the Girgensons line, they have a good matchup.

If you look at their goals per game average with and without Eichel, it's about a 0.5 goal per game difference (2.7 with vs 2.2 without). So you look at how many games they lost by 1 goal over the first 21 games... which is 9 games. Figure with an extra 0.5 goals per game, that's 1 goal every two games, meaning they would've gotten points in roughly half of the 9 games they lost by 1 goal... so that.s 4.5 games. Figure half of those 4.5 games they would've gotten 2 points (let's say +5 points), and the other half 1 point (+2-3 points)... That gives them roughly an extra 7-8 more points (50-51 points) in the standings if they had Jack the entire season, putting them right in the mix for the final wildcard spot (TOR w/ 50 points).

Zadorov with an egregious turnover late in the third gives ANA the game winner with 2min left on the clock. Other than that, Zadorov looked solid. Delivered a few big hits, held his own in a fight, and moved the puck well.

We're going to play a 30min 3rd period here in ANA. It's a school night!

And he's currently on a one-year deal (his previous 3 year deal was bought out by MIN), so at 33 he's playing for what is likely his final NHL contract. I expect him to get moved to a contender (ANA? LAK? WAS?) at the deadline as he's only making $2.6mil.

I agree that we're not looking at the finished product, however, I don't want him to panic in this situation. They are what they are, and trading away aging, slow vets for picks at this point in time won't help anything. Trading away goal scoring, ie Kane and extra for a top 4 defenseman probably isn't the right move either... I'd consider that pushing the panic button when we have guys like Guhle and Borgen in the system who might fill that role as soon as next season... so why trade away a 25 y/o 30 goal scorer for a stop gap on the back-end? Doesn't make sense. That said, I'm fully on board the fire Bylsma train now. If Julien becomes available you need to pounce. This team has accepted losing and that to me starts with the coach, if Bylsma can't snap them out of this losing culture, then try somebody else.

We use white pucks for goalie practice. http://howieshockeytape.com/store/white-hockey-pucks-6oz-training

You don't have to tank to draft good players. With this loss to the Leafs they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye IMO. At least GMTM will have a plan at the deadline... unloading guys like Kulikov, Gionta, Franson and anybody else he doesn't see as a long term fit. He can acquire more picks and continue to build through the draft which sounds boring, but it's how you build a team that can contend year in and year out.

Consider there are infinite parallel universes, in at least one of those universes Terry Pegula doesn't strike it rich in the gas industry and the Bills and Sabres no longer exist. I'm glad we don't live in that universe. That said, I think the Sean McDermott hire is a step in the right direction (well firing Rex anyway), and the Sabres are on the upswing and will get better over the next few seasons as their core matures and guys like Gionta, Moulson (can't believe I'm saying this), and Franson are replaced with guys like Nylander, Bailey and Guhle adding much needed speed to the lineup. It's difficult to be patient with either franchise after all the pain and suffering, but we have no choice at this point.

You'd like to see progress.

Romo wouldn't survive training camp.

IMO, the jury is still out on Lehner. A .922 sv% is nothing to sneeze at (8th in the entire league). GMTM knows goalies, has he ever brought in a tendy that stunk it up? Look what Chad Johnson is doing.... Neuvirth and Lindback were better than advertised.. as is Nillson.

Toronto is a bit younger team that BUF, I expect them to come back down to earth as the season wears on. Production from guys like Matthews, Brown, Marner, will drop over the next few months. Buffalo is young too, but guys like Eichel and Ennis have fresh legs, as will Kulikov when he's healthy, so I expect BUF to close the gap on TOR... but will it be enough to earn a playoff spot? I don't think so.

Most everything he's done to this point is obvious stuff that needed to be done. Now is when his job gets difficult and where I will grade him. If BUF stays within earshot of a playoff spot, what does he do at the deadline? Buy, sell, hold? Who does he protect in the expansion draft? What does he do with Bylsma, Kane, etc?

about time

86 They need to win games in regulation against eastern conference teams ahead of them in the standings.

IMO, to win this game, BUF needs to play a defensively responsible game. They'll get their scoring chances because TOR gives up goals in bunches, but they also can score in bunches. If BUF keeps them under 3 goals, they should find themselves on the winning end.

Most goalies today wear XXXL pants no matter what size their body is. To feel comfortable they add layers upon layers upon layers of material/pads to increase thigh circumference so they're not swimming in the XXXL pants. Size appropriate pants will open up more space over the leg pads and under the glove/blocker on today's butterfly style goaltenders.

Size appropriate pants is the first step, and it was supposed to be implemented in time for the beginning of the season, but there were issues with manufacturers, etc. so it was pushed back.

Without so many injuries, BUF could be another 6-8 points further up the standings sniffing a playoff spot. I think Bylsma has done a fine job with what he has.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: NHL has issued memo to all clubs/goalies saying all netminders must be wearing the "new" re-designed/size appropriate pants by Feb 4.

Eichel vs Matthews #sharpenyourswords

This is a game they should have won.

Ennis in. COR called up. Who sits? Maybe they give Kane the day óff?