Thorner

Hypothetical, because I see the two teams compared by the fanbases so often: IF the Sabres miss the playoffs, would your disappointment be at all mitigated should the Red Wings also miss? Trap game for the Jets

Agree, don’t see why they would leave it to chance when the stakes are so high

if we are talking points percentage I think they hold on

If they aren’t willing to tie their careers to Levi’s ability to be good next year, they really, really should bring in a compliment to UPL next season

Isn’t Ellis the pp guy?

We are also going to finish above .500 twice in a row, when we hadn’t done it once since Darcy Regier, if I’m not mistaken. Adams hasn’t been a good GM. That’s a league relative comparison. But he’s been better than the last couple Sabres guys. He’s been the best GM of that bunch im going to take a shower

The good news is that contrary to the analysis that looked like we had taken a significant step back this year, instead we look to have stalled out right around the same spot. Still extremely unacceptable given the goal, but much easier to rebound from going forward. It should show KA that what we had last year was “real”, we really are a team that is within shouting distance of a playoff spot. Most importantly, it should show KA the “run it back” approach was a mistake. No overhaul needed, just judicious supplementations. It’s a mulligan available to KA, but one he absolutely can’t punt on a second time

A lot of it is noise relative to how close we are to fielding a “proper” team re:achieving results necessary to make the playoffs our goal differential last season: 19th our goal differential this season: 20th I like that I said “shell game” a million times this offseason cause that’s what the numbers bear out

3-2 sabres its in the title

The strength of record for the teams we’ve faced has been significantly lower in the second half so far though - the 3 games you mentioned notwithstanding

“It’s what it is”

He’d be playing if they didn’t win the cup last year lol

- - - I’ll also add to add that I hypothesized a commitment to defence could see improvements this year but that team offence would suffer as a result, sans no outside additions. That’s more less what happened, and please, no “if you remove our best players it’s not that bad” comps I’m surprised you are calling the season lost when you hadn’t given up a week or so ago. Our improved play combined with a dearth of competition has us alive alive imo. These teams in the mix are not good We’ve gone 13-9 since January in 22 games 15-7 over the next 22 is not that crazy.

I agree with this in totality. But I’m no hypocrite: if we make the playoffs, ALL bets are off. It’s about the results. Buckle in

Tampa probably goes 10-9 We could go 12-7 add in the 3 wins I mentioned: 15-7 W W L W W L W W L W W L W W L W W L W W L W …we don’t even have to win 3 in a row. We’ve seen their refusal to give up down 1 in the 3rd, I’d wager their third period comebacks are rising the ranks. We’ve seen what UPL is doing. And we’ve seen what this team plays like when the pressure is off (admittedly, it might switch back ON at some point, and that’ll be the real test) Tampa looked disinterested. Maybe they’ve “been there before” one too many times. Washington is pacing for 90 points. There’s a window for us to get in at 90 this year: that’s the rub

Once they get healthy they are still the team to beat, league wide: but we’ll see a very banged up Vegas squad today, Eichel or no. Combined with our much-improved results of late, I’ll stay on my little prediction train and keep with the idea I don’t see this run here to wrap up finishing any time soon. It’s a shame the first 4 months of the season count, too, but I maintain things will get very interesting mathematically very soon. As long as UPL more less remains a brick wall accounting for our defensive lapses and scoring struggles, I think the timely scoring continues and therefore this run right up until about game 82. Pretty reasonable shot here to outpace the other teams aiming for 8th. With wins in the 2 we have in hand, and a win when we play the lightning again, we are only 4 points back and likely have the tiebreaker. Can we outplay Tampa to the tune of 4 points over the course of the other 19 games? It’s really that simple. If we do so, and win the mere 3 I mentioned, I don’t see the other contenders matching that pace

I think they have a legitimate chance. Watching Tampa was eye opening, hadn’t seen them play in a while none of the teams above really scare, I know the Sabres are going to have a very strong finish, just remains to be seen if it can be REALLY strong. I’d say they have a 1/4 shot Contrary to what the math might say

I was certain they’d win basically the entire time. Sounds funny but it’s true. ESPECIALLY once they gave Tampa the point. Keeping the season alive in the most not-actually-alive way possible was exactly what this group did last season lol i have no doubt they’ll bridge the gap to last year’s record enough to more less keep a status quo. Banged up Vegas squad on Saturday, let’s gooooo something about giving up the point while winning just tarnishes it for me..it’s so agonizing. I feel with a regulation win we had a real shot

If the team is anything this season it’s predictable

We got it

Really needed that full two point gain.. absolutely need the second point here

Power’s helmet is always comically crooked lol