DarthEbriate

Central Road Trip (opposition standings within their division): 1st place DAL: W 6th place STL: 2nd place WPG: 3rd place MIN: And then follow that up with Metro-leading Carolina. Tonight is a good start.

Well... one of these happened. Gotta throw a lot of predictions out there.

Unnnnlimmmmited Powwwwwweerrrrrr!

For his sake and this road trip, I hope Tager buries one in OT.

Let's go pick up some power converters.

Dang. Pavelski was waiting for that one to come around the boards.

Unless you're already seeing the future.

VO just waiting in his office, taking calls.

Always 2 there are.

Are they back to 2 refs on the ice yet? The one needed some stitches.

It doesn't matter that the Sabres' youthful centers aren't so great at faceoffs if you never get a whistle.

And even since 12/29 when the 7s line was put together. An even third line will do just fine if the top 2 lines are performing.

Exactly. Clean up the garbage turnovers, make the first pass, and leave the Stars forecheckers in the dust and skate them into oblivion.

The Leafs (5-2 lead over the Isles with 5 minutes to go) and Rangers (5-2 lead over the Panthers with 8 minutes to go) are doing their part for the Sabres tonight. Beat the Stars and turn up the pressure.

And Mitts is a +1 to boot. They woke up. Now just limit those turnovers and it'll be a fun game.

Good shift and change to close the first.

One thing to be said: Anderson is in the game. Another thing... can they manage to clear the puck or pass the puck below their own dots to someone not wearing a green sweater?

Exactly! What's the point of passing it so fast right back to the guy who passed it to you? Showing off? Afraid of the puck?

This game has the feel of one of those ones where the Stars look back wit DAHLIN!!!! ... with regret they didn't bury some chances.

Thank you, Mr. Anderson. But... please wake up, skaters.

Goodness gracious me!

Aww c'mon, you didn't at least enjoy the 2003 Wk 17 romp over the Broncos backups, regardless of the coincidental outcome out west? If you don't enjoy the journey, then the end result won't be as fun when it sneaks up and surprises you.

Cozens has 42 points (4th among Sabres forwards) in 45 games in only 16:49 minutes per game (4th Sabres among forwards). He's carrying two rookies on his line instead of getting proven linemates. He's got a 54.2 CF% (All) and 51.1 CF% (5-on-5 with said rookies) and is winning 49.5% of his faceoffs as a 21 year-old (and improving upon past seasons). Here's Cozens' competition in the NHL. 2nd line centers (C under 18 min/gm), https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/active/2023/points/all/center?stats-season=2023&limits=gp-36-90,points-29-130,toi-0-18 and if you sort by points it reads: Tavares 45 pts Hintz 44 pts (1C on his team) Hayes 43 pts (huh? I'm completely shocked on this one) Cozens 42 pts Bergeron 37 pts (1C on his team) Krejci 37 pts Kadri 36 pts Beniers 36 pts (1C on his team) Every one of those other guys also gets PP times (and Cozens only has 14 PP points). What more production do you want from a 2C? (This is where I'm of the mind that Cozens is the 1C soon and Tager becomes the high-octane and O-zone 2C.)

Seems like Power and JJP are due. On an early PP, Tage is going to mark a corner with a 101 mph shot and Oettinger will be so freaked out by the sound of it past his ear that the rout will be on. Sabres by 4. Where's the Love?

Yuck. Dominated in the trenches all game on both sides. Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a contest. That was Lovie Smith and Bears fans loved him because he did... in the beginning. He won several games against an aging Favre and a very old Packers roster overhaul in '04-'07 and then to start against fledgling Rodgers. But... Lovie still ended up with a career losing record to them because the Bears preferred drafting 1st round running backs and putting their faith in Grossman and then Cutler. (Never put your trust in Smokin' Jay.)