nfreeman

ERod could elevate that line.

Not much offense from the top line tonight, and zero from Mittsie’s line. CBJ came out determined. Skinner’s goal was awesome. Montreal will be an interesting test.

They also haven't yet played a good team that took them seriously. But they do look different. They are faster, they transition from D to counter-attack smoothly and consistently and they play with more skill in the offensive zone. And they are getting very good goaltending Adversity will come, possibly as soon as tonight. Will RK keep them cool and confident? Or will the fragile little children re-emerge? It's impossible to know, but the more games they play like the 1st 2, the more used to it they'll get, and they'll start to expect it of themselves and to deliver it more often. As someone noted upthread I am freaking psyched for the games again.

And here is opportunity.

Excellent field goal defense today.

Holy mackerel.

3rd down debacle.

That's a 2nd TD taken off the board by "the refs! the refs!" to help the Bills, in the 4th quarter of a tied game. OK, that's enough. I need to let this go.

Big 3rd down here. They poop the bed -- but guess who bails them out immediately thereafter? Those dastardly refs!

Glad Allen slid on that one. O-line injuries are having an effect.

Was Nsheke inactive?

Calling the TD to Lee Smith, in his return to his home state, is exactly the kind of move that gets the players to buy in to McD and The Process. And great touch and accuracy by Josh on the entire drive. Duke Williams is about a million times better than Zay Jones.

So my wife and I saw "Dolemite is my name" last night. It's the new Eddie Murphy movie, based on a true story of a 1970s blaxsploitation actor/producer trying to get his movie made. (It's going to be on Netflix in a few weeks and is in a few theaters now.) We really enjoyed it. Very funny and with some good, intelligent, adult stuff too. If you liked Eddie Murphy during his SNL/Beverly Hills Cop years, you will like this movie. It will probably get some Oscar nominations. Solid A-minus and maybe an A.

2 drops by the TEs so far.

But but but the refs! The refs! Rob Johnson was concussed on a QB sneak. And I love Allen's potential, but it will not be realized if he doesn't start sliding when he gets into traffic. That was another huge hit he just caught.

I don't like QB sneaks in short yardage. Too much concussion risk.

My game notes: - Is this really happening? - MoJo and VO have completely changed the complexion of the offensive rotation. Now there are 2 strong top lines, and Mitts and Sheary have been pushed down the rotation to a more sheltered role where they can act, with Vesey, as a poor man's Roy-Max-Vanek 3rd line to keep the offensive pressure coming. - Here's another possibility for the unnamed vet who was ready to storm the beach after meeting with RK this summer: Scandella. He has been terrific. And his partner, Joker, has held up quite well too. - Speaking of the D -- pretty even ice time distribution last night, with everyone getting at least 17 min. Risto led with 23.5, which, as everyone has wanted, is down from his average of 24:38 last year and 26:30 the previous 2 years. - Reino's goals didn't demonstrate speed, as much as certain people would like to pretend otherwise, but they were both high-end skill plays. He also made a perfect pass to spring Eichel on that breakaway. - Skinner's goal was also gorgeous, both the pass from MoJo and the snipe by Skinner. - Another strong game for Hutton, although I think all 3 of the goals he's given up this year have been short-side misplays by him. - As noted upthread, VO has much more game than just his shot. He's a good passer and has good hockey IQ. - There's another winnable game coming up on Monday vs CBJ. Bank those points! Go Sabres.

Well, to be fair, RK's lineup is much improved. But it really does look like RK himself has made a big difference.

A lot of kids had these — my brother and I each had one. I feel like it was 20 post cereal box tops plus $10 or something at JC Penney or Hengerers.

Me too.

Mine isn’t that great!

Awesome.

Gusev is an interesting story. He’s 5’9”, 163 lbs, making his NHL debut at age 27 and led the KHL in scoring last year. Separately, I think Hutton will and should get the start tonight. Go Sabres.

Those critters were kinda portly, innit?

2 more observations from the Chicago-Philly game: 1. It was played in Prague in front of a 17K+ sellout crowd. 2. Chicago has a defenseman whose last name is Koekkoek. And one from the Toronto game: that was a Mike Bossy goal that Matthews scored.