Robviously

You knew that was coming. Disaster for the Sabres. This team desperately needs a wake up call.

They still strike me as a team that doesn’t have a killer instinct and maybe doesn’t realize they’re not nearly a safe bet for the playoffs even with that 10 game streak. Perfect example was the Philly loss where they got a 2-0 lead and then completely stopped trying and ended with a blowout loss. At this rate, I wouldn’t be shocked if they’re out of a playoff spot 20 games from now and scrambling to get back in.

Welp.

Literally the only guy who showed up when we completely outplayed the Blues in the first.

STL to the power play and the 2nd period meltdown is under way.

Tough break that the puck keeps going into our net during these scrambles in front when Hutton can’t freeze the puck? The Caps scored one that way too that should have counted.

Welp.

Experiencing some phenomenal Buffalo sports fan PTSD after this period. When we outplay someone that much and come away with nothing to show for it, I reflexively brace for the other team to score a couple very soon. ROR almost did in the last minute already.

Really love how we get pinned in our own end every time Scandella touches the ice.

The 1997 uniforms were spectacular — the logo, colors, striping, everything. If the Sabres were an expansion team that year, there would have never been a reason to change. But with the team’s entire history in Blue and gold, it was still a bad decision to adopt those. I wouldn’t mind the goat head eventually coming back as a shoulder patch or 3rd jersey crest just to tie everything together in our history.

Everyone went to navy blue and black in the 90s to sell merch fo teenagers and because they did look better on TV at the time. In the era of HDTV, uniforms with bright colors look way better on TV (and have always looked better in person) so teams are wisely changing back.

Royal blue and gold, and use last year’s Winter Classic as the template. And a gold alternate that’s basically just the white Jersey with white and gold swapped. Make the blue B with the sword through it the alternate logo and put it on the shoulders for all three jerseys. Done.

Article about Samuelsson heading into the WJC: https://buffalonews.com/2018/12/24/buffalo-sabres-prospects-mattias-samuelsson-western-michigan/

So did Luke Adam. Obviously you’d want every 20 year old in the AHL to have a PPG rate (and you’d expect nothing less from a future star like Briere or Vanek) but it’s not decisive and not everyone is the same. This is literally the point of “development isn’t a straight line.” Like who the hell was Lawrence Pilut as a 20 year old?

I really doubt it’s 20 since most players don’t arrive there until they’re 20. And a quick check of Jason Pominville’s stats showed he had 34 points in 73 games as a 20yo in Rochester. I might believe 21 or 22. But either way, we’re way too down on Nylander because we rushed him to the AHL before we should have and he struggled as a teenager and because we’re comparing him to his brother.

Sounds like UPL had a stellar WJC exhibition game last night against Canada. It’s been great to see him have a strong year after last season was so frustrating — and shows that development isn’t a straight line. After last year, UPL was struggling, most people were still down on the Laaksonen pick, and it didn’t seem like we’d be signing Borgen. (And we didn’t even know who Pilut was.) Then you have guys like Guhle, Asplund, and Nylander that need more time in the AHL than we were hoping they would. Anyways, I guess we’ll see. And the WJC is quietly one of my favorite parts of the Holidays so excited to finally get a better look at some of these guys.

“That’s perverse!”

Another way the Berglund thing probably helps us then. It means we’ve got another roster spot to carry the extra defensemen while we sort out the logjam. And count me in as someone who liked seeing Elie play tonight anyway.

Two hockey thoughts: 1. We’re a different team when McCabe plays. We outplayed the Caps last night but blew it with a couple stupid plays (and ran into a hot goalie) and tonight’s game was a solid 60 too. 2. Ullmark is money on Saturdays. And it’s becoming easier and easier to imagine him in net long term for us.

The way they handled it (and still are since they haven’t said anything yet) is making me think it’s not too serious. And it does sound like RJ was feeling lightheaded and that they took him out almost as a precaution. We’ll see, but I was impressed with Rayzor and Duff stepping up.

Hope RJ is OK.

Prevent defense in the 3rd. ?

Both Caps goals were on idiotic plays by the Sabres.

Being brought up last year had the opposite effect - he returned to Rochester and never played as well as he had been. Maybe this will reverse that? ”She falls down a well and her eyes cross. Gets kicked in the head by a mule, they go back. I don’t know...”

Yes, easily. I’m from Buffalo.