nfreeman

For the record: PA's wit has been razor freaking sharp lately.

The skylight in the bathroom is a nice touch too. But I would have zero carpet around the toilet, as the carpet will inevitably become gross. I'd say YMMV, but on this one I don't think it's possible. Either way: many years of happiness in there!

I like putting Skinner and Mittsy together. I wouldn't mind seeing TT take KO's place on that line though if it doesn't work.

That bathroom is awesome, but I would ditch (and probably burn) the carpet around the toilet.

I didn't think they started the game poorly -- CO's 1st 2 goals were fluky, as was their 4th. I agree that special teams was the difference in the game. It looked like Howie moved Mittsie up to play with Skinner later in the game. Let's see how they react to this setback.

2 minutes in the box for you sir.

Not really complaining, but still: my wife and I are taking my daughter and 3 of her friends to upstate NY for the weekend. My wife has a few things to do during the day and is going to take the train up early tomorrow, which leaves me driving 4 teenage girls tomorrow evening on a 2-hour road trip. Yikes!

I wonder if any of Jimmy’s defenders in the Jimmy vs Chuck debate from the prior couple of seasons are having 2nd thoughts. Clearly there is something wrong with Jimmy.

Well, the bolded is a leap too far, IMHO. They've won 2 games, the first of which was primarily due to Hutton's terrific play. They look much better than last year, but that's really not saying much. And there have been plenty of shaky moments in the defensive zone, more than a few of which were contributed by the line that Larsson is joining -- which I think is the good reason (at least in Howie's perspective) you are looking for. We'll see. I'd rather keep Elie in too, but it's not crazy to give Larsson a look.

To teach them how to deal with insurmountable obstacles?

Good season finale and good season overall IMHO.

Eric Wood in the Athletic today:

I'll just point out for the record that for an old guy, Aud Smell's GIF game is razor sharp.

I'll also point out that I think IC is and for a long time has been a very good poster. I just think this attempted witticism missed the mark and should be retired.

Well, the roster limit is 23, so once Bogo, Larsson and Sobotka are all healthy, someone has to get waived, innit? I guess we'll see whether anyone gets hurt between now and the time when Bogo is ready to play. I think Zemgus has looked solid on the 4th line and the PK, but I am not interested in having both him and Larsson in the lineup under pretty much any circumstance.

Oh, FFS. Here are the OPs on this: Are these posts cruel or awful or inhuman? No. Are they clever or witty or really anything other than "ha ha, he's got bad acne?" No. Should grown men be making lame jokes about an 18-year-old's acne? No. If Dahlin -- or any other 18-year-old -- saw grown men making fun of his acne, would his feelings be hurt? Yes. Does being a sports fan make it OK to make fun of an 18-year-old's acne? No. Will Dahlin be OK down the road and get over both his acne and the jokes about it? Probably. Does that make it OK? No.

Good stuff Fuhr. I too have no desire to trade Shady for futures or to write off this season. I think McCoy still has plenty left to give, and getting rid of one of their few good offensive players would not be good for Allen. More broadly, they have a winnable game on Sunday. If they get to 3-3, a repeat of last season is possible. And no one who has observed the Sabres in recent years should want a team that he or she cares about to bottom out ever again.

Does anyone know whether, If they do call him up to Rochester, he can be sent back down to juniors if they change their minds?

- Whether KO is as bad as Flagg thinks -- and if so, why he's getting so much ice time. - Whether ERod should be moved higher in the lineup -- or whether it's better to leave his current line alone, since it's been pretty effective. - Who the right linemates for Skinner are. - Whether TT has been effective -- or whether he is squandering his opportunity. - Whether Beaulieu and/or Nelson can continue to look like respectable 5/6 NHL defensemen -- or whether they will revert to dumpster fire status.

Why don't we see what happens vs Colorado (who are off to a very strong start btw, and are playing Columbus tonight) on Thursday and then on the roadie before we come to any solid conclusions about anything.

More praise for 6K: he won the OHL player of the week! https://www.sudbury.com/sports/hes-on-fire-wolves-unstoppable-goalie-ukko-pekka-luukkonen-named-ohls-player-of-the-week-1077645 He's 6'5", 204 lbs, and will turn 20 in March. As a 2017 draft pick, I think he's eligible for Rochester next year, right? And then maybe, maybe, he's Hutton's backup the following year, which will be the last year of Hutton's contract? And then NHL stardom!

Serious question: when was the last regular-season game that left that much optimism? My game notes: - They beat a very good team and took it to them most of the game until it was time to cover up and get out with a win. - The improvement at goalie over last year is like night and day. Hutton is playing extremely well AND, it would seem, exerts a strong, calming, positive veteran influence. (Although Lehner had 35 saves in a shutout win today vs SJ -- good for him.) - Compared with last year, their passing is so much more precise and integrated into a team system that quickly exits the D zone and creates offense from multiple spots. - They have won their last 2 without much from the celebrated rookies -- Thompson and Mittlestadt aren't scoring or getting big minutes, and Dahlin has been good but definitely not the tip of the spear. It's the vets, both holdovers and FNGs, who are leading the way. - A big factor IMHO is that McCabe, Nelson and even Beaulieu are all improved over last year. - ERod is playing very well and earning his ice time -- 5th among forwards today, with over 17 min. I wouldn't mind seeing him with Mittlestadt. Colorado is up next. That's a winnable game.

It would be nice if KO produced some offense today. Flagg's KO rants have made me notice each time he coughs it up for no reason in the offensive zone. It only happens once or twice per game, so I don't think it's quite as destructive as RF thinks it is. but they definitely annoy me each time. I'd also like to see TT create some chances.

In honor of this thread and Columbus Day, I’ll say it again: I freaking love Indian food.

I don’t think the post fight melee was at all staged or phony. I recognize that UFC isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re at all interested, I’d also recommend watching the Derrick Lewis fight (and definitely the post-fight interview with Lewis) and the Tony Ferguson fight from that card. Both were awesome.