Pimlach

Yup. The ref didn’t call anything. And we know the refs were flawless last night.

The league does not allow clean hits to be avenged, but they just don’t call boarding consistently and they give out game misconducts inconsistently. See the Evander Kane hit and the Eric Robinson hit. There are other examples too. RJ was boarded, the puck was gone, the hit was unnecessary - so clean or not clean does not matter, the hit did not help the Rangers get puck possession, which is the stated purpose of a body check. He could have called 2 for boarding and then EJ would have taken the power play, there would have been no fight. He called nothing which usually leads to the fight, which caused the Sabres being over penalized. This fight is on the ref. The game was poorly officiated. The league should crack down on that instead. They let things go, then they get upset when the team that feels wronged responds Hockey is a violent game. Fighting is still a part of it, although now a small part of it. At least it is for the successful teams that win cups. Lots of people don’t want to accept it, they should probably watch golf instead.

The response was correct. The Sabres have been known as a team of pussies since the Lucic-Miller hit. You don’t let the ref police for your team. They won’t do it. Every team in the league would object to that hit. Johnson was in a vulnerable position. The hit was late and unnecessary since the puck was gone, Johnson was far enough from the boards for this to be boarding, the one leg in the air had dangerous look in real time. The ref was there and did nothing. EJ responded and took on a big guy. Thats the way I want this team playing. The way winning teams do. This hit was worse than the one Eric Robinson made when he tried to stop and boarded a player with the puck. For that he got a five, a ten, and a game. There is no consistency in the NHL.

Yes, a Vezina quality goalie was the difference. UPL was pretty good until the big mistake. I think the hole that the Sabres have dug is a large one. Until the first line decides to be our best line the W/L roller coaster will continue.

The W was much harder than expected. Chargers played with pride despite all their internal upheaval. The Bills won on the road despite losing the turnovers 3-0. A rarity to win under those circumstances. I hate the way this team plans travel. The got to LA yesterday. Played sleepy today. Sure it was a short week but this was shades of London. They need a full day just to acclimated.

I had the game on my iPad at the sports bar but it was challenging watching it and the Bills in that environment, beer, wings, people, etc. Bills got the DUB, Sabres fell short. Rangers had more power plays and better goaltending, that is what I got from a limited perspective I was expecting more, didn’t see any advantage in playing them on a B2B. The team needs more from the first line. They have to start carrying a bigger load. The EJ fight and all the misconducts was bizarre to watch with no sound. I liked that he jumped in That has to be the culture. don’t let he refs police, because they won’t.

The problem is defining a clean hit. Your rookie gets pummeled and you respond. That is how it’s been done forever PA.

That is how it should be. Like on every other team, you replace 30+ wingers eventually.

I’m watching with one eye at a Bills Backer bar. Why did EJ and Skinner get tossed?

Good Evening Teammates, Punch checking in. Im at a sports bar watching the Bills with the Boys. The girls are finishing up cookies and cackling away. Had to get away. I have the Sabres on my iPad. Let’s see if they can get 2 in a row. They need to work and tire this team out. Muscle Weight

Way to early to say but why not Cozens, Power, and R Johnson (already has a degree completed from U of Minnesota)? They all strike me as possibilities off the top of my head. Eric Johnson and Kyle Okposo are respected guys around the league. Scouting or coaching at some level are possibilities. Also depends on how close they want to be to family. To get the GM they have to want it to get there, and they have to be willing to work their way up what could be another long road.

Is this the best Toronto can do? To tubs of **** in their pajamas.

Both. The girls are still messing with Christmas cookies, I really gotta get out. Most likely Bills at Sports Bar with a few friends, and Sabres on the iPad. After Bills, I can re-watch Sabres On Demand.

When I was younger I lived in West Germany for a period of time. I had friends from Germany, Holland, and France - all at least bilingual many spoke 3 or even 4 languages. This was mid -80's, they used to say the word "crazy" all the time. Not to mean crazy like a mental condition, but to mean unusual/ fantastic/ surreal/ indescribable/ ... Crazy is a catch phrase for some.

I was hoping someone would say this.

I agree. As my last sentence reads, it will be interesting to see if the team wakes up and for how long.

Did anyone notice the tone of the Leaves Game post game interviews? Start with Granato. You could see and feel the distance between he and the media. He looked hurt, pensive to say too much, and maybe he even showed a little chip on his shoulder. All the interviewed players mentioned the Columbus game and the "fire Donny" chant. Dahlin had the most pointed comments. It is almost as if he, and these younger guys, do not realize that they are a reflection of the coaches. When they are continually bad it is the coaches that most often pay the price. Two things strike me about this: 1. These young guys are still extremely naïve. How can this be a surprise to them? There have already been 4 coaches fired this season, including a recent Cup winner. 2. The lack of veteran leadership in Buffalo is, and has been, a really big problem. Bringing in new vets is not a guaranteed fix to leadership because they are not invested (Stahl and Hall is a classic example). It is now incumbent on the Core to grow up right now and to start providing that leadership. That means Dahlin, Thompson, and Tuch. Having elder vets like KO and Zemgus around is not enough. This team belongs to Dahlin, Thompson, and Tuch. They need to get on the players that are not working and push them, and they need to set the example for hard work all the time. The players need to raise their standards themselves. This coaching staff is not going to do it. Adams is not going to do it. The team belongs to the Core that is just entering its prime. Do they want to be great? The Fire Donny chant may be what the team needed. Interesting is that it took the fans to do it. I was at the famous "Thank You Sabres" game - which was the opposite message and the start of a really good run for the franchise. It was like our expansion team of misfits had just turned into a legit NHL club and the fans let them know it. It appears we may have come full circle, hopefully heading to the good. I can only hope. It will be interesting to see if the team wakes up and for how long. What are your thoughts Sabre Spacers?

The wake up call came from the fans. Not the coaches, the GM, or the owner. The players listened for a game It probably will not stick unless the best players start consistently holding each other accountable. It has to come from within.

This is key. Now the players need to put up or shut up. The winning streak has to come from them. The only chance of getting back in is a good streak and consistency.

He said it’s on the players. He understands. It’s in the interview.

Or. Stay and have dinner or a late night snack. Right outside the rink are many good watering holes. Spend even more money. Then go home.

Put Clifton and Greenway out for the end

Kyle again. Let’s get 10. Why not?