...

And what is the origin of this "sense"?

I was not on board with signing P. Kane and still would not be if it weren't for the obvious fact that our forwards forgot the stick doesn't work when placed up their butts. If the coaches can't figure out how to get the PP solid, then perhaps talent can. I would be alright for 2 years but the guy better not be a princess that affects the team - unless it leads to a coaching staff turnover.

I see. So it's only a coincidence that at the same marker for the past three seasons they have nearly an identical record when in reality, despite what we are seeing, the team is indeed improved and trending toward a playoff berth. Given that; the appropriate action right now would be to hold and see how the team does over the next 15 games.

Another perspective: last year after 15 they were 7th in GF and this year they are 21st.

Last year they were 7-8-0 after 15. The year before that they were 7-6-2. This year 7-7-1. YOY the trend is no trend. In '21 after 15 they were at 45 GF. Last year they were 55 GF. This year they are at 44.

No, I think the frustration is that the team: is not trending, even slowly, above .500 has lost its ability to score no longer seems to be able to pass with a few exceptions, seems afraid to take the puck to the net takes way too many penalties is back to resorting to dump-n-chase incurs too many turn-overs and lacks the ability to retain possession has a horrible record at home All in a year where the stated objective is to make the playoffs. When last year we lost out by 1 point (and 1 game) therefore reinforcing the common sense reasoning that every game/point counts. The latter, especially, should imbue the team with a sense of urgency but we are not seeing that translated to their play. All of these items ostensibly can be addressed through coaching.

Looked that way.

They need to turn over the coaching staff. The Sabres look confused and discombobulated even in the games they win.

Does it seem like there are a lot of commercial breaks for this game?

Can we not attempt to maintain possession a lot more? You know what the Sabrez need? They need to assemble a practice squad not made out of skilled players, but beastly players who will hound them one on one and aggressively guard the net. Then they should run drills where the Sabres attempt to maintain possession and take the puck to the net. Goals scored from the point or anywhere outside the slot are not counted.

I recall that not too far in the distant past this team could actually complete passes. What happened to that team?

Oops. Penalty when we don't need one.

If the Peguins drop down yet another gear in the third we stand a chance.

Need your goalie to stop that shot.

Okposo won't carry the puck to the net to save his life. Every shot of his is low danger.

I think that's right, but I think Power still has a lot of learning to do before settling into his role. Not his fault, of course, but his lack of experience at times is very noticeable.

Would you agree he's hurting the PP?

I agree with @LGR4GM that we played them just about even according to the eye-test. This was the kind of game we haven't seen in a while 'round these parts: a lunch-pail effort to get the win. Was far from perfect but they did indeed put in the effort tonight. They'll probably play a tighter game tomorrow. Mitts' transformation and game-day guts should be an inspiration for the team. The players routinely hurting this team right now are Krebs, KO, Power, VO and Cozens. I also think it's not helpful to have two AHLers at a time starting a game if they don't need to.

Mitts should be the captain of this team.

These refs...

That was a very nice goal.

There are other teams?

What a difference a legit goalie makes for this team.

Everyone needed that Skinner goal, even Minnesota.