Eleven

Again the refs are doing everything they can for the Rags. It's not working this time, though.

Oh boy. Those days.

I had to start this early because the Panthers are already being jerks by restricting ticket sales to purchasers with a US ZIP Code. (Sorry, @Huckleberry and @steveoath and others; I know how badly you wanted to go to a Toronto-Florida game in a ninth-ring suburb of Miami.) The first memory I have of this nonsense is Carolina in 2006, and it has continued ever since then. It's stupid and cowardly. We, we hardy Sabres fans, we are used to the enemy in our barn. It is weak to not be able to handle it.

It'll be fun to see where things stand at about 11pm tonight. If the Rags lose, I think I'm mathematically eliminated already.

It has happened, sure, but it is not normal in today's age. Non-COVID and post-lockout seasons: 2022 COL 119 2019 STL 99 2018 WAS 105 2017 PIT 118 2016 PIT 104 2015 CHI 102 2014 LA 100 etc., and I think if you look at the runners-up, you'll see a similar pattern. Of course, this means that many other teams with 100 points did not win, because the majority of playoff teams have 100 points of more, every year.

Same...over the Rags, whom I hope are eliminated tonight.

Can you imagine? The two most self-important urban populations on the planet.

@PerreaultForever too.

Sorting their subreddit by top posts is a treat.

Maybe not. We've seen 8 seeds get hot in the playoffs before.

Yeah that's a little ... entitled? Bratty? Not sure what I want to go with here.

***** off Boston!!!!!

I love that there are no commercials in OT but it is a little brutal when you're trying to get ready for bed while also watching the game.

Don't get me started on one of my mantras here.

I was with you 2 years ago & I would still rather have Montour than ... Stiven Sardarian, whatever that is.

That is interesting for sure. 6'4", 201, too. But he is Russian (I know you came upon him while looking at Swedes) and there is of course the concern that he won't be allowed to come over--and his Elite Prospects page (https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/708607/dmitri-simashev ) suggests that he's not leaving for North America until 2025.

I don't know what that trailer question means, sorry! And I want freedom for my people, not security...

Isn't that a poison?

I know. We had this discussion last week. I told you what he looks like there...

Again, your profile picture.

I never have understood the concept of "boxer briefs"--it's like all the restriction of briefs but ... more? Like if I'm doing something that calls for support, well, there are briefs or jockstraps for that, and if I'm not, there are boxers for comfort; why are we taking the worst aspect of briefs and extending that further down the leg?

Hoppe is an excellent reporter.

They make it up as they go along, like DoPS.

Refs are doing NYR every possible favor tonight.

No spoiler alert?