2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Rnd 3

[Wyldnwoody44]

Just now, Gatorman0519 said:

Hope the Cats get another one. 

I'm cool with either the Cats or the Oilers. McDavid deserves one, just like Josh Allen does.

Hated Carolina, Dallas is a big Meh to me. 

[7+6=13]

Florida is the standard from POHO/GM, Coaching and players.  Just love everything they do.

[...]

Edmonton will make the series interesting again, at least more interesting than Dallas, but I do kind of like a "The Battle of Dixie" theme.

[GoPuckYourself]

Alot of parity in the NHL, same exact teams most likely going. The way this Panthers team is built they could be getting 3 more cups. 

[Goldseatsaud]

31 minutes ago, ... said:

Bennett planned the whole thing.

He is a really good player. So many underrated 

[FrenchConnection44]

Barkov is a beast. So strong. There is no one on the Sabres who is close to having the strength, skill, and skating ability to be able to make that play. 

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

You are nothing if not an expert in employing the Straw Man fallacy. I’m not equating size with toughness, nor am I saying we need only 6’2, 220 players. Never have said that. So you’ve had enough practice with the straw man. What I am saying is that you still need tough guys with size to be able to handle the physicality in the NHL - in checking and enforcing — and to be able to take on other teams players when they go after one of our guys.

you keep touting Zach Benson as though he’s the next Marchand or something. He’s not. He’s not a tough guy. There’s not a single player on the Sabres or in their farm system with both the size and toughness who’s gonna take on the likes of a Tkachuk or Reaves or Xhekaj. Or several other players in a similar mold. It’s not the only thing but it’s a factor. Just look at the history of hockey dude - instead of filling your constant need to stroke your ego with a contrarian mentality. 

It is also not just fighting but the willingness to go after guys, beat on them and not be afraid to handle their own business. To defend your teammates when someone goes after them. We need several of them. We have none. Even if Benson were a mean SOB, he’s not going to be able to handle a Tkachuk or other player who could pummel his 5’10, 170 lb frame— he’s not a physical player. 

You can have all the 5’9, 170 pound players you want — you still are going to need some bigger, mean guys so that you can get after others.  And I’m not arguing as I’ve said many times before in multiple posts that every player has to be 6’4 240 who can punch like Mike Tyson.

The fact that this has to be spelled out for you in detail only unveils the hubris. 
 

this team needs multiple physical, tough players that teammates will respect, to up their intensity and physicality. They need to trade some of the softer players, especially the big ones who are soft and don’t really bring any physicality to their game, like Power or Samuelsson. and certainly they can still utilize smaller players who are quick or who are pesky, no one is arguing. They don’t need those guys so stop exaggerating everybody’s argument out of context and employing straw man arguments about size.

The very fact that this needs to be spelled out for you in so much detail just shows the lack of integrity in the argument you’re proffering.

there is no problem with any number of 5’9 180 pound players. But a successful team needs players with length, strength, size, and physical toughness and nastiness. They don’t have to all be fighters. If they are great. But every GM in this league (aside from perhaps the Sabres GM) would kill to have a Zdeno Chara or Victor Hedman. 

 

 

I've explained my position. You're either deliberately using a strawman of your own, ignoring what I've said, cherry picking, or can't comprehend my point. Idk which and idc anymore. I've repeatedly for years talked about how the Sabres need more grit and more heart. Miles and miles of heart. 

You're gonna be wrong about Zach Benson. I didn't even want to draft Owen Power. I hate Mattias Samuelsson's game. 

The last part to me is the most  amusing because we literally have Rasmus Dahlin and ik his rep on this board is fancy puck carrier but he's as skilled as both players you list and has a mean side. But what, because he's 6'3" instead of 6'6" or 6'8" that's not good enough? 

[LGR4GM]

Here let me clear up my stance. 

The Buffalo Sabres need to find more players with grit and skill combos, that preferably have size. On defense, they need 2-3 new defenders and none should be under 6'1" and they all need an attitude issue. We need more guys with high motors, who don't take ***** and yes, preferably most are 6'3" 210lbs. The Sabres need a pack mentality on the ice, not their soft nonsense response to physicality which dates back to Lucic running Miller. The Sabres simply don't have enough mean skill players.

Adams however falls into a psychological trap where he's drawn to personality traits that either mirror his own or he admires. It's why silly Samuelsson and good guy Bryson are still here.

[K012010]

I’m very excited for a rematch of last year’s finals. I wonder how big a loss Hyman is going to be in that match up. 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

Over the last three years Florida is 23-10 in road playoff games.

[OverPowerYou]

So the difference this year is that Florida will be the road team to start the finals and they’ll be more rested. But like the previous poster said, their road record is great. They’ll smash the oilers 

Also, imagine playing in 3 straight Stanley cup finals. That’s over 100 games every year. Shows you how physical they are. They will wear you down before they get a chance to be worn out 

Edited Thursday at 11:34 AM by OverPowerYou

[Wyldnwoody44]

I think FLA will probably take it again this year... But I'm guessing Edmonton may have learned a few things last year, and they do have the best player in the league. 

If Hyman is out long term, this may change, but I think the Oilers may have a chance (assuming they finish Dallas off) 

 

Nm just saw Hyman ad surgery and is done.... Good luck with that. 

Edited Thursday at 02:33 PM by Wyldnwoody44

[GoPuckYourself]

Skinner to me was 1 of the worst of the playoff goalies. He’s played well as of late but I think he’s the biggest factor if the Oilers move on.

[Pimlach]

Florida looks really impressive as stated and Bob the Goalie might be the difference. 

[7+6=13]

14 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Here let me clear up my stance. 

The Buffalo Sabres need to find more players with grit and skill combos, that preferably have size. On defense, they need 2-3 new defenders and none should be under 6'1" and they all need an attitude issue. We need more guys with high motors, who don't take ***** and yes, preferably most are 6'3" 210lbs. The Sabres need a pack mentality on the ice, not their soft nonsense response to physicality which dates back to Lucic running Miller. The Sabres simply don't have enough mean skill players.

Adams however falls into a psychological trap where he's drawn to personality traits that either mirror his own or he admires. It's why silly Samuelsson and good guy Bryson are still here.

I agree except I don't know that it has to come entirely from different players.  We often find out players have it, it just needed to be brought out of them.  I think it may be the singular most disappointing thing this year, for me, that Ruff didn't change this.  I thought he could/would.

[Huckleberry]

6 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Florida looks really impressive as stated and Bob the Goalie might be the difference. 

With Hyman also out, I think Panthers take it in 4 if Skinner is a no show.

[...]

Dallas is going to get steamrolled tonight.

[Wyldnwoody44]

Wow, at home, getting beat down 

Pulled Oettinger 🤔 wowwww

[...]

[Demoted]

Well thanks for clearing up this game early.

[Forecheck]

I believe DeBoer has never lost a game 7 before. Thought I’ve seen that stat. He’s about to. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Just now, Forecheck said:

I believe DeBoer has never lost a game 7 before. Thought I’ve seen that stat. He’s about to. 

Never lost a game 7, this is game 5... He gets to keep that streak 

[klos1963]

1 minute ago, Forecheck said:

I believe DeBoer has never lost a game 7 before. Thought I’ve seen that stat. He’s about to. 

This is game 5.

[Forecheck]

4 minutes ago, ... said:

Skinner is now going to play hockey in June thanks to Hyman being done. 

Just now, Wyldnwoody44 said:

Never lost a game 7, this is game 5... He gets to keep that streak 

lol true don’t know what I was thinking there 

[Wyldnwoody44]

1 minute ago, Forecheck said:

lol true don’t know what I was thinking there 

To be fair, I had to think about it for a minute too 😂 

I bet Skinner puts that puck in a nice case and displays it in his dining room.