GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leaves 25 Oct 2025 5:00 pm ET TV: MSG-B, SN1, Radio: WGR 550

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, inkman said:

I’m sure he’s doing all he can from Pittsburgh

Considering Kekalainen lives in Columbus, I doubt that. 

[inkman]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

Considering Kekalainen lives in Columbus, I doubt that. 

Same point different city

[Big Guava]

2 hours ago, triumph_communes said:

Team has some identity but they are thin and these injuries are holding the back. They aren’t a strong unit yet so they struggle when one or two pieces are gone. 

the attack with the sticks and not going through the motions is making the difference in the mean time  

 

A few more injury returns and they’ll be hot 

Relying on an "everybody needs to be healthy for us to be good" angle is a losing proposition in pro sports.

 

Might as well be walking thru a desert looking for a mirage.

Edited 3 hours ago by Big Guava

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, Big Guava said:

Relying on an "everybody needs to be healthy for us to be good" angle is a losing proposition in pro sports.

 

Might as well be walking thru a desert looking for a mirage.

Plus, they've had at least 3 pieces out every game so far.

They've looked pretty good the last 5.

[nfreeman]

3 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

True to a point. Your defense will ruin good goaltending if it keeps giving up high danger chances. Watch any game last year's and tell me how many odd man rushes off turnovers you see. Then compare to now.

And as for who is or isn't a moron, finding good goaltending isn't like buying groceries. It's like complaining the Bills didn't just go out and get a Josh Allen earlier.

You cannot seriously think that Adams has not terribly mishandled the goalie position during his tenure here.

20-21 -- Ullmark, Tokarski, Hutton -- let's give him a pass for inheriting a very difficult situation with Krueger, Covid and a belt-tightening owner.  

21-22 -- after butchering the Ullmark contract and losing him to Boston, where he shines, KA goes with Craig Anderson, Tokarski and Dell.  Grade:  F

22-23 -- UPL, Anderson, Comrie.  Comrie was the shiny new toy, who crashed and burned, leaving us with mediocrities in UPL (.891, 3.61) and Anderson (.908, 3.06).  Grade:  F

23-24 -- It was supposed to be wunderkind Levi, but he couldn't handle it, so UPL got the #1 job and had the best year of his career.  Comrie was bad again.  Grade:  inadvertent B.

24-25 -- UPL got a big contract before the season and promptly pooped the bed with .887 and 3.20 in 55 games.  Reimer, the definition of "journeyman", was better and took over down the stretch.  Grade:  F

That's 3 Fs, a lucky B, a charitable incomplete in his 1st season and an incomplete in his 6th season.  And it wasn't because it couldn't be helped.

 

[PASabreFan]

"Sabres: A threesome in front of the net... without Devon Levi"

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, inkman said:

I’m sure he’s doing all he can from Pittsburgh

You may be mixing up Jarmo with Karmonus who lives in Pittsburgh. 

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

We are in the same spot with Kekalainen as we were with Ruff a year ago. Every move seen as positive by the fanbase and every move that seems to be working out, is credited to the influence of Ruff, and now Kekalainen. That is, until it doesn’t work out, in which case it’s Adams (see: adding Malenstyn and Lafferty are clearly Ruff’s influence, quickly becoming Adams is a fool). I’m not defending Adams, but he is not batting .000 when it comes to roster moves. 

Obviously.

[Brawndo]

Josh Dunne recalled from Rochester 

 

Tyson Kozak to IR

[Scottysabres]

5 hours ago, elijah said:

Moved to Charleston a couple years ago, no direct flights back home to Buffalo is extremely unfortunate 

I was TAD’d (temporarily assigned duty) at the air base often and had to report to the naval base each time for briefings as my helo squadron was assigned to ships there back in the early 90’s after the gulf war. I loved it then, loved it this trip. Although, it has sprawled out since my time there.

We did Topgolf out by the airport, Pinky’s at Folly Beach and I took the fellas to the Yorktown, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head.

[Flashsabre]

Benson has been unreal but he needs to pot one tonight to get him going in the goals department. Benson being the playmaker from the wing means you can have 2 shooters in Tage and Kulich at Centre and RW. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Flashsabre

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, inkman said:

Same point different city

And what if he is?

[shrader]

5 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

With a loss tonight and wins by some of our competitors we can slip several places in the standings. Islanders and Flyers are playing each other and one will pass us. Toronto will pass us, Panthers could pass us, Senators could pass us. It really is another big game 

 

Just win, baby! 

It’s October. 

[mjd1001]

2 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Quinn is turning into a force, too. 

I need a LOT more from Quinn than a couple of good games before I say that.

His anlaytics, possession numbers, defensive numbers are still pretty bad for the year...and its not like he has 5 goals in 8 games.

The last couple games were good, but overall this year he has still been below average.

[Night Train]

Many on the roster have advanced from floating to playing. 

[Scottysabres]

16 minutes ago, shrader said:

It’s October. 

Exactly.

I am excited they’ve won a few, but it’s a long season, just keep consistent competitive play boys, the wins will come.

[JohnC]

3 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Ok, the team is playing better and confidence is building.  They have an opportunity to gain points on the dreaded Maple Leaves.  
 

Ellis should be starting again, he earned it.   UPL had the shortest conditioning assignment in the NHL.  Who gets the net?  
 

I would love to see the first line collect a bunch of goals and the Sabres run away with it.  Instead goaltending will probably decide tonight’s game.   

I don't want to overreact either up or down. However, even recognizing that the improved play is for a short stint, isn't it so much more fun when the team is playing well? The focus of the attention is then directed to the play rather than to the rickety state of the organization. There are a number of reasons for this upgrade in play. In my view, the biggest factor to this better play is the play in net. 

[Eleven]

Pardon me if I missed it, but do we have lineup/starter info yet?

Paging @Brawndo and @LGR4GM

[Porous Five Hole]

14 minutes ago, Eleven said:

Pardon me if I missed it, but do we have lineup/starter info yet?

Paging @Brawndo and @LGR4GM

No morning skate, so no info yet 

[inkman]

58 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

And what if he is?

Maybe it doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it does. Tough to know without being in the building.  Which he’s not. 

[Pimlach]

8 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I don't want to overreact either up or down. However, even recognizing that the improved play is for a short stint, isn't it so much more fun when the team is playing well? The focus of the attention is then directed to the play rather than to the rickety state of the organization. There are a number of reasons for this upgrade in play. In my view, the biggest factor to this better play is the play in net. 

Certainly, Lyon has given them a chance in every game.  

What else is new?

Benson's emergence as a force, Doan being a top 6 contributor, Timmons performing well, improved play from Muel and Quinn, solid play from Rosek and the entire 4th line.  Special teams improving.  

The top guns are starting to make a little noise now, there is more than ample incentive for Thompson and Tuch to play well - Olympic opportunities may not always be there.  

Dahlin is in a difficult situation right now but his play is still pretty solid, as is Byram.   

They should get better as the season goes on, especially if Kesselring and Greenway are positive contributors.  

Can Lyon keep it up and what will they do with UPL/Ellis?   It sounds like they are going to play 3 goalies.  If Ellis and UPL both play well then they have an opportunity to make a move to improve the roster and really go for the playoffs.    The goalie situation is in interesting sidebar to the season.   Having Ruff and Jarmo here to manage it, rather than Adams alone, gives me some hope.   

[Scottysabres]

The goaltending is better, but so is the defense.

[PromoTheRobot]

15 minutes ago, inkman said:

Maybe it doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it does. Tough to know without being in the building.  Which he’s not. 

There are technological marvels that allow you to be anywhere virtually.

[PromoTheRobot]

 

[Doohickie]

2 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

Unfortunately, Sabres Mafia doesn't travel as well as Bills Mafia

Maybe they shouldn't call it The Sabrehood, innit?