Pimlach

But he didn't want to be here.

He tried JJ with Cozens and Quinn already, and with Cozens and Benson. We just don’t have enough good top 6 players to be a top tier team. We are a middling team that will contend for a wildcard with lots of other middling teams. That is the Sabres next step, right now. Cozens, Peterka, Quinn, Benson are still not consistent enough. Benson is the best two way player of the bunch but lacks the NHL shot and finish. Quinn is barely contributing and I don’t agree with the notion that he is getting better, all players should be rounding into mid season form now. He may be getting better from the level he started the season at, which was a level so poor that he should have been sent down or benched. Injuries prevented him from the benching he deserved and still does. When Greenway comes back I would sit Quinn. Cozens, even with his 2 goals yesterday is inconsistent. He hurts PP1, and he is not a 2C yet. He should not wear an “A” either. That is a joke, he is simply not respected in the league. The ref gave him an extra 2 for mouthing off, that tells me the respect level that “A” gets him. Too much, too soon. JJP is better suited for the second line, but on this team he is 1st line. He is slumping and all the line juggling isn’t working for him.

Ok here we are, the day after Thanksgiving and the Sabres are 5th in the division and 10th in the conference. If you even up the games played we could pass Boston and jump to 3rd in the division. Any way you slice it they are knocking at the door but not there, but close enough to warrant consideration. The good - They seem to be responding to Ruff and playing a more disciplined game and with better structure. They are getting good goaltending from UPL. They are more physical than past years - but still not physical enough. The bad - The power play really stinks. The top 6 is missing scorers and is too young with Quinn and Cozens in there. So far they still struggle against heavy teams and play down to their competition, especially at home. Quality depth at forward. Needs - 2C and 4D veteran help. Start beating the teams in your conference, especially the lower tier ones. Thompson and Dahlin have to get back to being with the league leaders. What will it take? A trade or trades that add the right help. Without it we don't have enough. Leadership. Will we make the playoffs? I am going to vote "Yes", only because none of the teams they are competing with are not doing any better. This looks like a year with a lot of parity. I will reevaluate at New Years. Edit: Poll closed. So this opinion is not reflected in the votes.

Lafferty out

You called it with this one.

Quinn Hughes by far the best player in that OT. He dominated. I can’t recall the Sabres getting so little puck possession time in an OT. We had one chance but mostly they floated. We get 1 point. I’m disappointed in their play today. Not enough effort, no finish.

Wow ref. Quinn got there first.

I thought Benson tipped in one and Tuch got the other.

They gave Cozens that goal?

Big goal by Tuch.

Cozens scored. He is trying to atone maybe.

JJP stymied. Canucks playing an excellent road game after holding Buffalo off for the first 35 minutes.

Canucks are paying the price. Very solid defensive game for them. Garland took a huge puck on that shot block.

The game is not over. Someone has to step up though.

I see Cozens still has a propensity for childish behavior. I’m growing tired of him.

I like PP2 better than PP1. Gotta get Cozens off of PP1.

O for 3. The power play is getting to be a bigger problem as the games get more intense. We should be in better shape than 1-1 right now.

Oh my, UPL put it in on himself.

Nice. Byram playing wing again for a goal.

Good afternoon Teammates, Need a W today to get back on pace. No doubles L’s please. MUSCLE WEIGHT

Wow, major over-reaction. Your question is "why was the 3:00 start time advantageous to people on Black Friday". Why does the NHL schedule any day time games? Usually to get more young kids into the arena. They tend to do it when school is out and when parents are home. The Friday after Thanksgiving fits. The NFL also has no problem scheduling an afternoon game on Black Friday either. I don't think the Black Friday crowds are such a big deal anymore because there is so much more internet shopping today than back when Black Friday was created, so there is less physical participation, less lines, less traffic. Which gets to the part of my response which may be off topic to you, that Black Friday is not anything special. It is merely the day after Thanksgiving. You wanted it explained to you as a child, but what you seem to be seeking is a high level of precision in the response. I do hope this is helpful. Have a nice day.

Because Black Friday is fake. It was made up by retailers to get you out of the house to spend money on your day off. With the magic of the internet you can still shop from home on Black Friday, in addition you can buy most things at Black Friday prices even after that day.

Agree. And add Cozens to your list of players not there yet - he is on a pace for 16 goals and 32 points. That is not a productive 2C. Will he get closer to his 31G and 68 point production of 2 years ago? He is looking like a 3rd line player the past two seasons. Benson gives you two way hockey and some intensity, it remains to be seen if he can consistently score in the NHL.

Buffalo. Keybank.

Well the fruit of the original tank is all gone with Eichel and Reinhart now NHL Stars on other teams. Lets just hope the players we still have can get us their someday. Hopefully TP is learning you need NHL quality coaching, goaltending, and you need a mature and balanced team around your young stars to make any real progress in this league.