DarthEbriate

So... um... good pre-game analysis. I hope Rousek gets a goal tonight.

The Sabres wouldn't need to worry about "addressing" someone who runs him, because he'll address it himself and get kicked out of the game anyway. It goes without saying that it this run-in scenario in my mind a goal was scored, and it counted after video review (crossed the goal line before contact was made).

It totally is bookie. But I figured I should google it because I've not watched the Special Edition in a decade a long time. A long time. Boogie showed up and I figured they'd changed it because calling Han his bookie might sound a bit too compulsive gambler-ish. (But Han loves his card players and gamblers.)

Now that it is absolutely true, let's try this out... Han, My boogie, and your Wookiee, are the best!

Yup. Edmonton has given up the 6th fewest goals in the entire league. They're not run and gun and no goalie this season. They also at one point were 5-12-1, making them... 36-9-3 since about US Thanksgiving (the dreaded "don't make the playoffs" line).

Yup (and I want Rousek in the lineup if he's going to be called up). Something in the water doesn't compute. But neither does the rest of the layout of the bottom 6. Those are two haphazard lines. At least have one you'd start in the D-zone and one you'd roll over the boards to attack. Like Skinner-Jost-VO; Rousek-Krebs-Girgs. Now watch as each DG line gels, dominates, and outscore McDavid's line.

Practice speed can also be driven by, and probably should be driven by, the players. You know when you're not putting in the effort; you know when your teammates are dogging it in practice. The players are allowed to get on each other and drive each other harder during practice as well as before/after. Do they want to win? Then practice like you're going to win. And yes, the team probably needs a Drury or a ROR, or any of the long list of players who will come in and put that stamp on the locker room. And then the kid core needs to embrace it.

As of now, GM Sheevyn has successfully lowered the expectations of the fan base. And he has successfully altered/executed the goals of the ownership from Stanley Cups plural, to just make the playoffs, to just be EEE.

There were too many teams to jump over in the standings in January and there are still too many teams to jump over in the standings. But rest assured, we know who our goalies are next season! Now, maybe overhaul the bottom 6 to have be able to force the issue, throw the occasional body check, and find someone willing to go to the net. And maybe even some sort of mid-twenties late-blooming mid-round pick who is simply willing to go to the net to play on TNT's wing. The Zach Hyman approach. You can have a Skinner, or a Peterka (and I like him, but he's so inconsistent and soft still, maybe someday), or Olofsson, or Jost (who was at least a little feisty today). But you can't have all of them.

TNT walks in... and not even a shot on goal.

Yay! I just had to play with my dog and leave the room for them to score.

Benson couldn't have set him up any better. Of note, the Canucks are poised to outshoot the Sabres simply with PP shots.

Nah, the lack of work is going to get to him. Then... 3 goals in 8 minutes to steal the win.

Skinner pinches Zadorov's stick under his arm, so Zadorov drops it before taking the penalty. Then, Zadorov just throws Skinner into the boards. Good defense.

Greenway overthought it. TNT trying to throw hits instead of getting into position on the PK. Now, we'll see a team that is desperate for their playoff lives! Oh... 8 shots on goal at the moment.

It's a pretty interesting strategize to give up the 1st goal and then play in Alamo Death Star Mode the rest of the game.

That's the master plan. Dump Kelce and start dating a real footballer from abroad. She'd be the Weapon of the Century. Cobra Commander on every TV channel in the world level of power.

When you just dawdle coming cross the blueline, Hughes can throw a hit, too. Dahlin with a very foolish penalty. Was that some sort of retribution for the VO hit? Why?

ESPN+ changed their filler commercial music to some sort of marimba thing from the "Live sports!" yelling message. Same video though. Good rush negation by Byram and Benson. Two of our most alert players.

I've got a bad feeling about this. The shots are 14-5 and the Sabres are the ones with 2 powerplay opportunities thus far.

I thought you said this team was fast! Watch yourself, Sabres fan, or you'll find yourself floating home. Not skating. Atall. Or however Ray spells it.

"The Sabres who have a group of players who you think would have a good powerplay." - Canucks broadcast And you can see why. They stand around waiting for passes, lack intensity to win the puck battles, and only 1-2 guys are even allowed to shoot.

The backchecker tried too hard and basically overskated Krebs and ended up with the hook. Krebs' lack of speed drew that penalty.

Check it out: a PP -- struggling lately, percentage-wise -- someone in front of the net the entire time and lots of quick, hard passes. Should have scored on 2 or 3 different occasions. Hire their PP coach.

PP2: No one goes anywhere near the front of the net, so when Power and VO look to shoot from the point there's a wide open view from the goalie. Pretty obvious challenge outcome. And... thoughts on Vancouver's matte helmets? This is one of the prettiest matchups of the season, but I don't know about the matte helmets.