...

Boston, as a team, is just a dirty bunch. Toronto found their sea legs; this is a good game.

My kid kicked ass in the school musical yesterday, my other one won his soccer game the night before, and tonight we all went to see Iron Man 3. It's been a pretty good week.

Somewhat surprised since Grabovski got up and played. Surprised because I had noticed A LOT of elbows flying this past season, usually along the boards, especially in the corners.

That's a very solid theory. I absolutely buy that. Bravo!

Man, I thought the Leafs stood a chance.

The folks at Consol Energy Center are pretty quiet compared to the crowds last night.

I meant "black" not "red". Dummy me.

Empty seats at a playoff game? For shame, Anaheim.

Wow. Quick with the Miller-esque boo boo.

Kings vs. Blues not a surprise, Hawks vs. Wild is.

Blues had easily earned the win right up to that point. Sloppy defense on the Kings entry as Quick went to the bench ultimately led to that goal.

The Blues line change at 2:30 was awesome. I don't think I've ever been impressed by a line change before, Aaaaaawwwwwwww....

Wow, Quick is definitely LA's Miller.

Oh, you will...you will.

FWIW, I recall reading and seeing high expectations for the Sabres this season and last. JJ's assertion seems relatively accurate to me.

PA, I think the answer is simple: what company doesn't want to take advantage of a financial benefit when it's there to take? Doing so keeps them in the black, and, as you implied, has the organization set up to use that benefit so whenever time comes to sell, it's more or less a turn key operation for the new owner.

I like Quick and the Kings overall, their game appeals to me. But the Blues are the underdog and I've always been a closet Blues fan, so I could swing either way. I figured this series would be "blue collar".

You won't be disappointed unless you're a staunch Kings fan. This has been all Blues so far.

Violent and fast, just the way I like my hockey. So far this Blues game is fun. And the PbP guys don't suck. Now that's what a PP goal looks like! I fear for the Kings during the intermission; Sutter looks like he's ready to kill someone.

As much as I want to see Chicago own the Wild, the game to watch is the Blues vs. Kings. Get on with it already!

He reads the board. I don't know with what frequency, but I know he does. Frankly, I would, too if I were in his position (or one like it). I think there are a lot of people here who underestimate the value of reading this board, and boards like it. As well as culling through emails, reading relevant Tweets, etc. They're not going to get all of the data they need from just doing email surveys. My fear is that the data is being misinterpreted. You can tell by their approach to handling the fans, by the content of the surveys, and other ways they "reach out and communicate". Oh well, I guess next season we'll know for sure if they're over-playing their hand with all of this. Empty seats at the beginning of the season would be a bad sign, but a bit too late to get the message.

Roby isn't muzzled. WTF. That guy believes most of what he's saying. The only muzzling comes from Brian Duff's constant, goofy interruptions. Duff turned quickly into creepy guy making Roby mad.

I question the "passion" part, with all due respect.

The fact that there are no Tweets from that account makes it highly likely it is Ted. In my estimation, of course.

Buffalo, NY - Pre-trial maneuvering continues in the so-called "meddling" trial of Sabres owner Terry Pegula. A significant step toward an actual trial was taken today after Attorney Glass C. O. Emotion stepped forward as Pegula's public defender. Emotion was unavailable for comment, but his arguments in recent cases suggest he may not be completely loyal to Pegula. In one matter in particular, Emotion lambasted Pegula's Sabres for trading former Sabres captain Jason Pominville. More that one source, all wishing to remain anonymous, are suggesting finances are the motivation for taking up Pegula's defense. Emotion pressed for time to handle discovery but was largely ignored by Judge Smell. The prosecution continues to push Judge Smell for definitive terms, specifically pertaining to "meddling" and, today, the scope of an NHL General Manager's duties. In a moment that may herald the tone of the trial, Prosecutor P.A. Sabrefan was admonished for attempting to approach the bench. Sabrefan clearly had a greasy looking manila envelope in hand as he made toward Judge Smell. In an awkward moment, while separated by Sheriff's Deputies on the floor, Judge Smell and Sabrefan engaged in what appeared to be a stare-down. There was no comment on the pending trial from Sabres President Ted Black today at the Sabres post-season press conference. Pegula has not returned calls on the matter.