DarthEbriate

Yup. Cozens has had the benefit of 2 home games where the statisticians are crediting everything. His first period with the 5 hits was more like 1 hit, maybe a 2nd, and then 3 nothings. If that statistician were tracking Owen Power like that, he'd have over 200 hits already this season.

That should be 4-2. Alas, a win anyway. They learned how to play a 6-on-5 when Cozens isn't one of the folks out there. Progress?

When Benson has the puck, GO TO THE FRONT of the net and stay there.

Bad turnover from TNT and another extended zone possession and a goal.

Shoot in a screw! Where? Anywhere!!

Slow pit crew on national Tv We fix this end board and it’s all uphill from here. To the Cup!

Yes; the Oilers skate faster than the Sabres. But they also pass faster. Recover faster. Take away space faster. None of it matters because Tage shoots harder.

Henrique with a strong stick lift there. Good defensive center.

Showcase Byram on his own pair for the trade deadli.... oh. Oh, wait. It's a fun start for any casual fan, at least.

I'd say it would be a Skinner revenge hat trick game, but let's face it, he could just as easily be a healthy scratch as he has been the last 3 games.

The Dunne callup made more sense after learning that Greenway was still sick Kulich was newly sick and out of the lineup, coupled with the trade of Gilbert.

Ovechkin is 9 goals away. The Caps' 9th game out on their schedule is a home game against the Sabres. That game is sandwiched by 2-game road trips (at Winnipeg/Minnesota before, and at Boston/Carolina afterward). There is a chance that Ovechkin is the only Capital who takes a shot on goal in that Sabres matchup....

Short answer: Overall, not much -- it's on Darth Pegulas, the EEE mandate, and unqualified GM yes-man-Sheevyn and the culture and roster they've assembled. By Ruff's admission he didn't want the job, but took it anyway. He didn't act on instinct and that is his fault. But... The long answer: This season is Ruff's mess. If he is buddies with Pegula as has been posted on this board and reported elsewhere, then they had conversations before his hire. And my supposition: then they also had conversations before Granato's firing. This makes him essentially the de facto POHO upon hire as he has the most connections and tenure around the league and was Adams' mentor/coach years ago. His uncontested hiring was the beginning of this season's timeline (except HCDG's firing). Because Ruff was the first domino and had the GM's and owner's direct ear, he was complicit and part of the design of every event this offseason and season. And he will be so again once he officially is in the front office at the end of next season (barring retirement). ---- Instead, he should have said, "I'll come on as POHO and here is what we'll do: Adams remains GM/Pegula's sounding board, but I make the hockey decisions. I will make the decision on the Head Coach and new coaching staff, and I will provide the shopping list for players for the GM to execute. And to hell with EEE; if you want to say it's 'Playoffs or bust' then we spend to the cap in every way, shape, and form. We are getting a top-flight coaching staff. It is the Ruff Solo way or the highway, and if you, Darth Pegulas say no to any of these conditions, then your tauntaun will freeze before the first marker, I'll enjoy my retirement, and I'll see you in hell." Then, go hire McClellan or Gallant or whomever and put together the best staff you can find.

The one clear takeaway from this game: Florida is obviously peaking too soon. 1st round exit. It is their destiny.

There was no reason for Cozens' crosscheck and no reason for a fight there. The bodycheck was minimal, just Hathaway being a strong checker. The game was over. If you want to start a fight, you don't pick that guy. What's fun is you can clearly hear someone say "What a ###### idiot. What an idiot," at the conclusion of the fight. They weren't wrong. Note: Cozens wasn't playing all that well at the start of the season before the fight, either.

I don’t know what the Panthers were upset about. Malenstyn gave Kulikov a good solid check. Glad Dunne was there. He’s not an NHL player, but he would’ve wrecked Greer if not for the turtling.

Nope. Tuch still on with JJP.

Benson gets the opening shift with the top line. And the second shift, too. Is Tuch out?

If they get to 10 losses in a row, could GM Sheevyn do anything? No? Oh. Ok. Carry on.

Dunne really isn’t an NHL-caliber player. Sabres get all scrambly. Goal. They looked like the tank squad on that shift.

Panthers such good defensive sticks in every passing lane. And occasionally they pick off an incredibly slow Power pass.

Rosén looks slightly faster this call-up.

It was McLeod, so I can’t blame Norris or Cozens.

Got into a 3 on 1. No shot.

Out worked on the power play.