Eleven

Yes he should, and then there should remain the open question of who gets the bulk of starts. 2 questions.

These are two separate questions. The Sabres undoubtedly need Levi AND another goaltender who is better than UPL. Which of those two should be anointed the starter in September depends on who that other goalie is and how each of them is playing.

I'm not doing my full autopsy yet, but I'll say this: The suggestion Adams, or this season, should be judged according to the standards of the parade of inept GMs and failed seasons that preceded this one is not a solid defense of Adams.

Good.

Yep. And if Levi needs rest on Friday after the back-to-back, I'm ok with it. (And if he doesn't, give him the development opportunity!)

I won't be. This was the year I would have been happy with just "being there." This was the Tyrod Taylor playoffs for me. Next year, I want to see "damage," as you say.

It's one of the reasons I didn't want 28 out there in the third other than to give rest to other forwards. He's a great heavy forward. He's great at opening space. He has hands of stone. I do think there's a place for him next season though.

Start with the first two pages. We were all having fun being puerile and penile.

We need a cuddles emoji. AGAIN the Johnson thread is there for a reason. Geez. You people.

It is true. It also is true that they could have become an actual hockey team a lot earlier in the year. I need to take a break and leave the off-season analysis for a time when I am not as angry with GM and coach as I am at the moment. But this season could have and should have been something, in retrospect. That's great, Chad.

I can mostly agree with this--no reason to single out Thompson, for sure. And all of those injuries affected scoring and defense. The two big losing streaks, which I think ARE attributable to D and G, are the real cause, and now that one of those problems appears to have been solved, it's on to the other. 100% here.

That is a curious genealogy.

I think this game would have been out of hand early in the second with UPL or Comrie. I agree with the missed opportunities part. I do not agree w/ Granato's lineup nor do I agree w/ his late-game decision making (as usual).

He plays for the Rangers now.

He was going to score at will like usual. The loss of him definitely hurt.

Happy? No. I'd be happier if Granato understood how and when to pull a goalie and with 3 ENGs. ENGs in a game like this do not matter. You and I are a little older than some of the posters here, so do you remember when all the statistical literature came out about when NOT to punt in the NFL? And how coaches ignored it for 15 years? And how now, the well-coached teams follow those protocols? Similar statistical analyses are now available for pulling a goalie in the NHL, and those analytics say "early and often." The only coach whom I have noticed actually following those recommendations was on the winning bench tonight. Granato is a ***** *****.

No. And actually, I've got to say, I've been wanting to compliment the refs all game. They did a great job. I know, it will shock @nfreeman and such, but I really do think they called this game as well as I've ever seen an NHL crew call one.

And I think Thompson is out of gas, judging from how he "chased" Bratt. Shut him down.

OK. NOW you can leave a goalie in for the remainder.

Get Levi out of there again. Who cares if you lose by 6. Get him out of there. Get a skater on.

Why is Levi in the net with 4 minutes left, 2 down, on a power play? What is Granato? A young cat?

Keep it to the Johnson thread please.

Ok boys. Here we go.

Nice, Samuelsson. Now win the face-off and get Levi to the bench.

Read up on the analytics of when to pull a goalie when down 2 or 3. ABSOLUTELY in an elimination game.