That Aud Smell

Right - and as I acknowledged upthread - maybe just a bad matchup and then it just wasn't that line's night. But what I was reacting to was the idea that the team's "top" line should be busy, preoccupied with the other team's top line so that a lower tier line can clean up. That that's how the team should work (in general). That's how I read your OP. Maybe the point you were making was more along the lines of: Sometimes it's gonna be like that for your top line (but hopefully not often!), which, when it happens, can free up another well-balanced line to make hay.

given his upside, i feel like he only needs to be above average/good in his own zone.

it was his play in the d-zone - to get it started - that most amazed me. it had echoes of high risk play in his own zone.

that was horrendous. but the plays he made on his goal? wowza.

Great post. I meant to add/edit my post by saying that it may be that that OTT top line was just a bad matchup for the Tage line. That may be. And I do trust Tage to do the work (physical, mental, technical) needed to avoid having his line rolled like that again. (Also, it's one game in and I already want Tuch back on Tage's line.)

Big ups to Del the Funky Homosapien and his crew at Hieroglyphics. This song is hard as hell (none harder) - just play the first 20 seconds.

Fairly even - with Ottawa maybe the advantage in high risk scoring chances (breakaways).

I do not want the Sabres’ cornerstone center’s line merely busy with the other team’s top line. And I certainly don’t want that line getting its ass kicked, which is what happened last night. That line needs to be a lot better than it was in order for this team to have a shot at 95+ points.

This is fun

What happened to Samuelsson? Did he come back after he went to the locker room?

There was a lot to like there. The Thompson line mostly wasn’t it — until the EN goals maybe?

Love to see it.

Thompson’s line hasn’t been good overall. There’s still time to make a difference.

Dahlin still capable of the occasional WTF play.

I think the ref thought he broke the other player’s stick.

Dahlin’s play in the d zone to start that play was something.

That was some all-world sh1t.

That was an uninspiring, lackluster frame from the home team. Hoping for better in the 2nd. And, yes, Power looked like a greenhorn out there.

absurdly gifted. like, ridiculous. i say that as someone who doesn't much care for the material she recorded. edit: this clip still floors me.

Skinner's goal song choices are undefeated. What a goofball.

Aww. I like that tradition, btw.

Lesss get it. Go Sabres!

Then I will have a full report. And I will know the things disclosed. My desire to know will have been satisfied.

No idea what this is about - even after reading your explanation to Weave. I was just chuckling at Taro’s stringing those 3 Mikes together.

well-captured. i'm not sure i agree, but i get it.