DarthEbriate

Yup. That was odd. Two years ago, he sat JJP and Quinn in the 3rd with leads for the half of the season; last year, it was Benson. But otherwise, just keep rolling in all situations. One thing about Ruff... he's coached to win from day one, which we've expected.

HCDG didn't even attempt matching at home until February in 2022-23 when they suddenly realized they had a realistic shot at the playoffs. Because development.

I don't see this as anything more than a practice/opening lineup skate setup. McLeod's ice time will drop because TNT is returning, but he is on the top PK and will get his minutes. I'd expect Ruff doing quite a bit of mix-and-matching tonight with McLeod finishing his TOI several minutes ahead of Beck, Lafferty, and Aube-Kubel.

True that; we need our sensationalism. That said, this was a 900-mile diameter storm front with 10+" of rain in California/Oregon, and then very little rain but consistent 60-90 mph wind gusts from Washington up Vancouver Island. I noted it in an earlier post, just call it a category 1 cyclone so everyone knows what it is, because the bomb part just means a specific parameter and isn't necessary. One neat thing about the cyclone: it spawned a baby cyclone in its wake. Much as when you draw an oar through the water and get 2 or 3 whirlpools. The "bomb" cyclone created a baby, then it looped around to the north and back out west into the Pacific as the baby (low-pressure spinner, nothing to worry about) added more rain showers as it brushed the coast. There were two cyclone eddies side-by-side a few days after the bomb initially struck.

Tampa not showing any signs of weakness against Colorado after 1.

For sure. My two concerns with Jiricek are: 1) This team doesn't need to get younger on D at the moment, even if the ceiling of the top 4 would go through the roof in the next few seasons, and 2) If I recall correctly, he or his camp had some playing time/power play time concerns last season, while Werenski was out. Bringing him here behind Dahlin, Power, and potentially Byram... he'd have a serious uphill climb to PP time, even with his heavy shot.

I think the risk is minimal -- veteran, composed goalie to manage a youthful D-corps. The really good part is it now sets up stability, particularly for Luukkonen who is playing like a true #1. If it's an evening game, ride Luukkonen and he knows it. Then, Reimer gets to use his experience to handle all the odd times each weekend through the new year: 11/29 - 3 PM Vancouver; 12/7 - 1 PM Utah; 12/15 - 5 PM @ Toronto; 12/29 - 3 PM @ St. Louis and... depending on how that Toronto game goes, give him Toronto or Boston on the 20th/21st back-to-back (probably Toronto again). Then, UPL just maps out his continuing good progress and quality starts.

Cancel the good vibes thread!

Yup -- in the Seattle area, part of that PNW cyclone. Missed the entire west coast road trip. I'm guessing Dudacek is in a similar un-electrified state up in BC.

Electricity returned. Unlimited power and such. Catching some highlights from last night. SJ is going to love Smith-Celebrini in the next few years. They play quick. Krebs has been working on his shot for the last two seasons -- now he has an actual NHL-level shot. Quite good. Reimer, that's why they got him (initially); steady, controlling the game like a Craig Anderson -- but the right age and the backup to a better goalie. (And it helped last night to make an amazing own-rebound-backhand glove snare.)

I had this in the around the NHL thread, but it fits better here. What’s the best thing you can do when retiring the number of one of your franchise’s best players? 1) pick a historically crappy opponent, 2) on their second night of a back-to-back, 3) and make sure that that opponent was involved in your retired player’s crowning moment: the Sabrepede. (Thornton got a primary assist) Hope the Sabres have some juice left over for Joe Thornton Day [today], because the Shark Tank is going to be in a silly-nostalgia-frenzy. The good Sabres team needs to show up tonight.

All wings report in from the restaurant with electricity…. 13 shots and 8 shots midway through the game? C’mon gents, get it in gear!

Now that his development is complete, it’s time for a 1:1 trade for Joker. Boom: top 6 fixed and cheap! 😇 Gah! Why was it not Sergachev?

That’s our Darth Pegulas the Wise at work. Home games? VEEEgas, baby! EEEichel!

Still no power at the homestead, so I’m almost certain to miss this one, too. I’ll check the score a couple times, though, and hope they can hit the DeLuca.

What’s the best thing you can do when retiring the number of one of your franchise’s best players? 1) pick a historically crappy opponent, 2) on their second night of a back-to-back, 3) and make sure that that opponent was involved in your retired player’s crowning moment: the Sabrepede. (Thornton got a primary assist) Hope the Sabres beat the Ducks tonight and have some juice left over for Joe Thornton Day tomorrow, because the Shark Tank is going to be in a silly-nostalgia-frenzy.

Stupid bomb cyclones. Also, just call it a category # cyclone (hurricane/typhoon) so everyone knows what you’re talking about.

That’s exactly who Reimer is, given his career stats and the variety of good/bad teams he’s been on. He’s had 1B to 2 usage and consistent numbers. Just need Luukkonen to be a real #1 and last night was a good example of that possibility.

Sabres won! Yippee!

Still no electricity (LIMITED POWER!) back on the homestead. Silly bomb cyclone might have me miss the game tonight.

It’s time we started holding the fans accountable. They’re easy to blame and the most numerous. Every time one of them says “Because Buffalo!” Or “We can’t have nice things.” Or has too much hopium or predicts the team making the playoffs or has a weird delusional comparison between Terry’s purchase and the prequel Star Wars trilogy. That’s where the blame lies, placing any expectations for success on a franchise that doesn’t warrant it. That said, Darth Pegulas the Wise is a terrible hockey owner.

It’s a good thing they’ve gotten points in their games against all the other scuffling Eastern teams: Habs, Pens, Flyers, Isles…. oh. Oh, right.

Just under. It looks like they were together in the lineup for 34 games. Their final game together was a 3-2 SO win over the Rangers on 4/3/21. The Sabres record after that win: 8-23-6. The result of them together? No playoffs. Unlimited (Owen) Power!

It does sound cooler than a "winter storm". And the satellite view is fun. I look forward to our new bomb cyclone overlords. Here in the south Sound region the evening weather report is gusty winds (up to 50 mph, so not all that bad) and drizzle. The bomb cyclone is too powerful to rain.

And it will be interesting to see if they get any Sacco bump, or they just fall apart without a coach who getting more out of less. I wonder where Montgomery ends up. I've got a great spot for him as an assistant to go on a Revenge Tour... oh, wait. The Sabres already have their next HC on the bench in Appert.