pi2000

whoever shines in this game is prolly getting the call up for the west coast trip... that's how things work now.

You really believe that? That he didn't talk to his team about this being an opportunity to rally? Who would you have paired Franson with?

True, but he lacks quickness, it takes him about 18 strides to get up to full speed.

We're only one game into the second non-tank season. Everybody needs to lower their expectations. Add in all these injuries and it's essentially the same team that start last season, minus Eichel. I don't blame GMTM for that. If this team doesn't make the playoffs in 2017-18, then it's time to be critical.

I don't blame Bylsma for this... the team was flat for obvious reasons, it should be expected. Eichel, Okposo, Kulikov all out... O'Reilly not 100%. These are guys everybody on the team was looking forward to playing with for the past few months. You don't think Bylsma tried to rally his guys before the game, during the game, between periods? A west coast trip is perfect right now. They'll come together and rally, they have some winnable games, I expect a big improvement, maybe not Sunday, but by mid-week.

For every negative play that Karlsson makes, there are half a dozen wow type plays that only a small handful of defensemen in the world could make. I want to see more of those wow type plays from Risto. Can you point me at youtube video of Risto highlights? Does one even exist? Look, I've been critical of him because most on here believe he can do no wrong and he's a #1 franchise defenseman. I've also heard the only reason he's a -80 the past 3 years is because of no fault of his own... "his competition is too good", "he was young", "his team sucks", etc.. etc... I believe it needs to be pointed out when he's accruing minus's against guys like Gallagher... if Gallagher is "too good" for Risto to play against and be judged fairly, then Risto doesn't belong in this league... let alone a deserve $32mil over the next 6 years. After last nights game out concern shouldn't be wether or not we can afford him after year 6... it should be wether or not he's even going to live up to his current contract... but I digress, it's one game, the entire team (including Risto) was garbage and didn't deserve a paycheck... that we can agree on.

I agree. That turnover happens to lots of defenseman in the NHL. But does Ekblad make the same play? Kieth? Doughty? Lindholm? Weber? Suter? Burns? Jones? Ghost? Letang? Seabrook? Barrie? Karlsson? Vatanen? Subban? Josi? Hedman? should I keep going? Goal against or not, it's a disappointing play, a turnover, but yeah he's still developing and has a ways to go... but it's plays like that where he just needs to better in this his 4th season. How many positve plays did he make in this game where you sit back and say.. wow, that wad a special play only a talented guy like Risto could make. I hate that the bad plays out number the better than average plays.

Kane came with risks... character and injury concerns. So here we are, not a good decision by GMTM.

He doesn't have life threatening injuries, or does he?

Throw this one in the trash can. This team has had a rough 48 hrs. Losing two star players, not just losing them to injury but seeing them writhe in pain on the ice for several minutes and needing a non-trivial amount of medical attention. It's a shock to the team, seemed like they were going through the motions tonight... emotionally drained, deer in the headlights. I'll give them this one. A trip to the west coast is perfect at this time, they'll rally.

Of course he looks faster when everyone else is a step slower.

broken clavicle bruised ribs hip pointer ...and a ruptured 8-ball in his left hip pocket

Not to keep picking on Risto but he has to make a better play on that 4th goal. Both him and Gorges lose the puck race, then Risto loses a battle to Gallagher drops his stick and atands next to the net watching the goal. He's gotta be better, but that said, so does Gorges and everybody else in a Sabres uniform.

thats a collarbone

I agree that +/- isn't a defining stat on it's own. But when you're in the minus 80s for your career, it raises some questions.... questions you shouldn't need to ask about your franchise defenseman who you just paid $32mil. And I just saw him almost fall down in his own end under no pressure and cough up the puck. I expext better than that from my #1 dman. His skating and decision making still needs plenty of work.

Go back and look at the play. Risto gets the puck at the point and hes not under any pressure. Instead of making a play he tries to pass it back down low while there's not 1 but 2 MTL players in the way. The MTL player picks off the pass and springs Gallagher out of the zone. Thay might look like an innocent play by Risto, but it's certainly not a play you want from your top defenseman who you just gave a $32 million dollars.

Huh? The Sabres had it setup in MTL zone the puck came back to Risto on the point and he passed it right to a MTL player who sprung Gallagher for the goal. Unforced turnover by Risto led to the goal.

well that didn't take long, -1 for Risto

yes, flu

Is anybody actually at the Key Bank place where they play hockey? How is the new lighting? Did they repaint? Are the goalies wearing smaller pants? http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-goalie-equipment-changes-tangled-debate/

shot: Eichel > Matthews >>> McDavid speed: McDavid >> Eichel > Matthews hands: McDavid > Matthews >> Eichel finish: McDavid = Matthews > Eichel character: McDavid = Eichel >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Matthews

5 years?

I disagree. McCabe is better than both, quicker, more agile, higher top end speed. He just needs to improve his decision making, which comes with experience.

I really like McCabe too. He turned it up offensively at the end of last season and he's the best skater they have on the blueline. If he keeps that going he could land on the top pairing in short order.

I'll bet two units on the Habs. They always play well in Buffalo, and the Sabres are still reeling from the Eichel injury, which will hurt them mentally for a bit here before they rally.