nfreeman

Sorry for the spam — just trying to help a friend who can’t make it. PM me if interested.

I've noticed this as well. I think Cozens is pretty good at this and that it's had a positive impact. He's better at handling it and passing it than Skinner and VO are IMHO.

I hate to say it, but Benson was pretty ineffective last night vs Ottawa. I'm starting to think they're gonna send him down to juniors once his 9 games are up.

I thought that was either the best or 2nd best game they’ve played this year. If they keep bringing it like that they will make the playoffs and then some. TT and Tuch look like they are finding their games. And Skinner was maybe the best player on the ice. Team defense and the PK are greatly improved over last year although there are still frequent shaky moments. Toughness and physicality are also much better. The Sabres didn’t shrink at all when Ottawa gooned it up at the end. I loved the big retaliatory hit Tuch gave Tkachuk followed by the fight. UPL was really good until the team pooped the bed at the end. Still an encouraging performance by him. Greenway is a freaking horse and is rapidly becoming an important player on this team. Samuelsson is turning into a true shutdown defenseman. 1 game under .500 with Colorado and NJ up next. Let’s see how they do against upper echelon opponents. Go Sabres. Well done tonight.

But they got decent goaltending last night and lost because they didn't play hard. I agree it should be a given. But something is missing.

JFC. Enough already. Both of the participants in this particular exchange are well past the age where they should know better. Do better or keep quiet.

Absolutely.

Kinda interesting IMHO that the NHL chose tonight, which is the NBA's opening night, for the "everyone plays" night.

UPL is playing. If he stinks and they lose, the pressure will increase on KA to make some kind of move. And rightly so. I care much less about the goaltending than about whether they are going to play hard.

Dude. Do you want people saying this to you after you once again blame the refs for another Bills loss in which they play terribly? You can do better than this.

I don't agree with some of this post but the bolded is spot on. DG himself said after the game that they didn't take it to the net with conviction or determination. That was the difference in the game last night, and a big step down from their effort vs the Islanders. If they want to be a real team, they need to bring it like they did vs the Islanders.

That's not weird at all, for anyone with functioning eyesight. The Bills have looked terrible for 3 games in a row and have lost the guts of their defense.

Here's what I really want to see: - Focus and determination from the opening puck drop. It's time to retire the habit of coming out at home in a coma. - Driving hard to the net as they did vs the Islanders - Continued focus on defensive play and physical play in the D-zone, as rightfully demanded by Erik "Godfather" Johnson. - Another strong showing by Comrie. - Another strong showing from the JJP-Krebs-VO line.

I think this is it.

So I think someone posted in a different thread that once the conditioning stint is over, he either goes back to juniors or the Sabres need to make a roster move to keep him on the NHL roster. So, if no one gets hurt badly enough to go on IR between now and then, then someone will get waived or sent down to Rochester -- or maybe Benson goes back to juniors. Still, a lot can happen in 2 weeks.

Why? They have 10 games to go, their schedule in the last 10 is much harder than the 1st 7, they've suffered huge losses to injury and they look terrible. You might think the Bills are still likely to make the playoffs, but it's far from absurd to think they won't.

Hard to argue with this!

The last 3 games were like pretty much every game during the 18 years or however long it was before McD got here -- an unpleasant experience that was worse than about a million other things that could've been done on a beautiful fall day. The team has been acting like it got punched in the stomach since losing Tre, Milano and Daquan. They need to GTF over it or the season will be over in the next few weeks. Dorsey is the most likely scapegoat but I don't really think he's to blame.

Yes -- they are definitely getting good goaltending on the PK. Comrie was solid as a rock last night. But Greenway, Johnson and Clifton have all been major upgrades on the PK as well, along with improved PK play by TT and Muel. They have guys who know what they're doing out there now and they are playing with determination.

Holy mackerel the PK is about a million times better than it was last year.

I'm optimistic about Comrie too, but it's way too early for a victory lap here.

It's obviously much too early to come to any conclusions, but at present both EJ and Greenway look like excellent pickups. Those hankering for an infusion of experience and toughness may have gotten their wish.

Early in the season it’s still possible to witness a Deluca/NHL eclipse. Good thing your emoji was wearing his shades. More importantly, you are 100% right about them driving to the net tonight. That was great to see. They are showing elements of a more physical game on both ends.

That was the Comrie that was promised. Dahlin and TT played like stars. As others have noted, JJP-Krebs-VO was a very credible line. IMHO Krebs' natural slot in this lineup is #3C and JJP has taken a step up. He is continuously forcing the play into the O-zone. I was starting to complain about Mitts in the 2nd period, and then he took over the game. VO and Jost both had about 12 min of ice time and Zemgus had 13. The other forwards were all between 14:10 and 18:18. That's 3 games in a row they've played pretty well, and improving each game. Beat the Habs on Monday and we're back to DeLuca .500. And if Comrie plays again on Monday and plays well -- which I think will happen -- it will provide a major confidence booster, both on the ice and on Sabrespace.

This is fair but I think this is also DM giving Jost a shot to play with 2 guys who can skate and score, one of whom is also pretty strong on his skates. DM has said of Jost (like he's said of Greenway) that he has much more to give in his game. JJP-Jost-VO will have the opportunity to earn as many minutes as they deserve. Let's see how they do.