nfreeman

Awesome thread. My dad had a share of tickets for a while in the blues — we could see the ice under the overhang but not the scoreboard. Then we moved down to the golds in the corners about 5 rows up from the ice, which were not built in and always kinda rickety. You couldn’t see much when the puck was in the other end, but it was an incredible view of the action in the end that we were in. My memories are not so much of specific games but rather the sensations — the cold, slushy walk from the car to the game and vice-versa, the crowded hallways, the sounds of the skates and the sticks on the ice, the intensity of the crowd, the feeling that everyone was in tight on top of each other and on top of the game, Milt Ellis on the PA, the tension of the PK, the explosion when the Sabres scored, how bright and clear everything looked compared to seeing it on TV, the countdown of the last few seconds of a win, the 3 stars afterwards, and the freezing walk back to the freezing car. And the players — The French Connection, Luce-Ramsay-Gare, Schony, Korab, Playfair, van Boxmeer, Ramsey, Virta, Tucker, Cyr, Andreychuk, Edwards, Sauve, Lindy, Seiling, Foligno, Barrasso, Howie... The new buildings are more comfortable, but the older ones were better.

I agree that there is a good likelihood that they don't re-sign Scandy or Bogo (or both). However, IMHO that is a decision for 2 summers from now, not next summer. I suppose they might trade one or both at the deadline in 2020 if they don't plan to re-sign him/them, but I think it's more likely that they keep both for a 2nd deep playoff run.

Why do you think this? I don't agree at all. He's a solid NHL defenseman, which is a valuable commodity.

Well, if we're gonna post Briere's 2OT winner, we need to have it with RJ's immortal call:

One other note about Miller that year: he won a 3-way competition for the starting job in camp with Biron and Mika Noronen, who had a pretty good pedigree and acquitted himself well IIRC. Miller won it out of camp, but he certainly could’ve lost it if he faltered once the season started. He played very well out of the gate though and didn’t look back.

PA may or may not want us to read his love letter to TP, and either way there’s no need to be grouchy about it, but we for dam sure want to read it.

This right here was a turning point in that unforgettable year. Ottawa was soooooo loaded that year, with all-stars at forward and D and a guy named Dominik in net. They had crushed the Sabres 3 times before this game -- 5-0, 10-4 and 6-1. This time it was taut, hard-fought and evenly played. 1-1 after regulation, and no scoring in OT. Miller stopped Alfie and Heatley, and Vanek then had a chance to win it. Here he comes:

This team is somewhat like the 2005-06 team in that both teams never quit and frequently overcame deficits in thrilling fashion. However, most of the mainstays on the 2005-06 teams were pickups and castoffs from other teams with a bit more experience, while most of the current team's mainstays are homegrown and younger. Also, as @Marions Piazza points out, the 2005-06 team had tons of scoring up and down the lineup. The Vanek-Roy-Max line was their 3rd line and was highly productive -- Vanek had I think 36 goals but was still healthy-scratched in the playoffs! -- and created major matchup difficulties for the opponents.

Here's something else: I posted in a recent GDT that Howie has started putting the checking line out for the shift following a goal by the Sabres, and that this has been pretty effective. Last night, after Casey tied it in the 3rd, Howie put Jack's line out and they got dominated, giving Pitt several scoring chances. Fortunately, Hutton was able to freeze the puck and Howie then put the checking line out. I really would like to see the checking line out there after every single Sabres goal. As a related point, Ryan Stimson has a good piece in the Athletic today in which he digs into the Sabres' chances of making the playoffs. He's not as optimistic as we are on this board, primarily because the Sabres' shot share is below 50%. In particular, he notes that the Sabres have only a 43% shot share when Skinner-Eichel-Reino play. This jibes with my general impression that Jack's line, as dangerous as it is, has a hard time in the D zone -- including when Pommer is the RW.

I've been a McCabe fan for a while, was pretty confident that he'd bounce back from an injury-marred last season and am very happy that he's doing so. He's become a pretty important part of this team. He's not a star, but he's solid at both ends and is responding well to both Howie and to the opportunity to get top-pair minutes with Risto. As @dudacek notes, his long-term role is probably 2nd-pair. I think he can fill that role pretty capably for a long time. And defensemen like that don't grow on trees. I'd be happy with a 5-year extension. Not sure what the right average $$ per year is -- maybe $3MM - $3.5MM?

But a lousy team looking to sell off a good roster player probably wants picks and/or prospects, innit? And if the Sabres make that kind of trade -- like, say, a low #1 for Panarin or KO, Nylander, Guhle and a low #1 for Kane -- doesn't that make them a contender this season? I think you're right about this -- I would guess that he is a pretty good leader and is well-respected in the room. Maybe it's just me, but I haven't liked KO's game for the past few games. Nice assist to Casey last night though, to be sure.

Awesome.

I would trade KO in a heartbeat, and pay someone a lesser pick or prospect as a sweetener, if JBott could find someone to take KO's contract. Hoss can certainly speak for himself, but I think he meant that any trades he'd be interested would involve the Sabres parting with picks and/or prospects -- not roster players (or at least not roster players with big roles).

I’ll also add that IMHO the “getting dominated in the first half of the game” factor wasn’t as bad as in the prior few games, but it was still absolutely there, and without outstanding goaltending, the Sabres would’ve gotten smoked. But still: another awesome comeback win! I’d like to see them treat the home fans to a strong and exciting win tomorrow and start to rebuild a home ice advantage.

I don’t agree at all. I thought that line was quite effective last night and TT played well.

I seriously think that was the best game I can remember him playing. Solid as a rock -- and on a night when they were down to 5 D. Welcome!

@DarthEbriate -- I agree that TT's role hasn't solidified yet, but it's not like he's played that much either. I'd love to see him earn the role as "forechecker and sniper on 2ndary scoring line" -- which is what Howie is giving him a chance to do by putting him with Reino and Sobotka. Let's see how it goes.

FIFY.

Welcome!

I for one am looking forward to seeing TT-Sobotka-Reino get a full game together.

Pittsburgh's line combinations (turns out Chad Ruhwedel is on their 2nd D pairing!): LW C RW Forwards Tanner Pearson Rating: 72.2#79 LW Evgeni Malkin Rating: 83.8#7 C Phil Kessel Rating: 77.6#17 RW FL1 Rating Rating: 77.87#15 FL1 Jake Guentzel Rating: 78.1#18 LW Derick Brassard Rating: 73.0#80 C Patric Hornqvist Rating: 78.2#16 RW FL2 Rating Rating: 76.47#4 FL2 Dominik Simon Rating: 71.8#84 LW Derek Grant Rating: 68.7#180 C Daniel Sprong Rating: 74.8#32 RW FL3 Rating Rating: 71.77#21 FL3 Zach Aston-Reese Rating: 72.4#77 LW Matt Cullen Rating: 69.1#175 C Bryan Rust Rating: 73.4#54 RW FL4 Rating Rating: 71.64#5 FL4 Defensive Pairings Defense Jack Johnson Rating: 71.0#95 LD Kris Letang Rating: 81.3#4 RD DL1 Rating Rating: 76.15#10 DL1 Brian Dumoulin Rating: 75.2#24 LD Chad Ruhwedel Rating: 71.0#81 RD DL2 Rating Rating: 73.08#20 DL2 Olli Maatta Rating: 73.2#48 LD Jamie Oleksiak Rating: 71.7#81 RD DL3 Rating Rating: 72.43#5 DL3

I agree there is no way he re-signs with the Sabres. He is going to LA, NYC or Vegas. But still: there are a lot of potential playoff matchups that aren't impossible. And CBJ is one of them, as they will likely be pretty demoralized after they unload Panarin and Bobrovsky at the deadline. Imagine how freaking psyched you would be on the eve of the playoffs if they added Panarin and a solid defenseman, earned the #3 slot in their division and faced Toronto in the first round. Eichel vs Matthews for generational bragging rights, and now Eichel has on his side Skinner, Panarin, Dahlin and much better goaltending than the Leafs. Now imagine how psyched you would be on the eve of the 2nd round after we send those hosers packing. I don't think I would be able to sleep at night.

But Panarin?!?! Who has 15 pts in 17 career playoff games?!?! If the Sabres are solidly in the playoffs and probably not playing Tampa in the first round, and if they can get Panarin for a #1 not in the top 20? I want him. We have to live.

Good stuff GA.

I think you have to try to hit someone trying to stickhandle through the slot, and if a big hit is available, you have to take it.