Pimlach

Isn’t expected goals percentage still a function of expected goals ? Seems like it would be to me. Ruff usually plays the 4th line against scoring lines and they get defensive zone starts when he can get the match up. Sometimes they line up against the other 4th line. Strategy changes as the game evolves and depending on who gets the last change. Now, if the opponents 4th line is a defensive shut down line, and our fourth line is playing against them, would that make it even harder for our 4th line to score? Seems like it would. If I’m playing against the Sabres, and I want to score a goal, then I want to play against Cozens and Quinn’s line, especially if Bryson is out there with them.

How many teams have 4th lines that are NOT the bottom line in “expected goals”? I think Malenstyn is doing what was expected. Lafferty too. My eye test says that Abe-Kubel has been the least productive of the 4th liners. Ruff has played him the least games by far (only 7 games). He has no goals, no points, and only 4 SOGs. Due to injuries, he did recently did get shifts on the higher lines and now all of a sudden he has higher ExGF, he actually is rated with the better scorers on the team. That seems flawed. Fancy stats are nice but you cannot use them stand alone. His “real” production is not remotely close to “expected”. If he played more games this would likely change.

I will at least wait for the Minnesota Wild home game to make any detailed comments. After that game is Thanksgiving. That game will say a lot. - getting to 4 wins in a row, its been awhile for that - Playing good hockey at home and making the KBC a harder place to visit. - beating another top tier team that you are not taking by surprise - pushing into the race for 3rd in the division Winning home games with Wild on Wednesday, and the Canucks on Friday, will look very favorable for the Sabre's chances. Right now you can at least say they are still in the WC race.

Are you talking about

I don't think I would call his mistakes unforced though, if anything they are the result of high minutes and high pressure. He absolutely does take a few bad penalties that he needs to avoid doing, he has to correct that and not try to be superman. The cross check versus SJ was unnecessary but came out of his own duress to get to the puck when he didn't have to. He was in good position, the opponent was skating away from the net and not a threat. He was trying to get to the puck by going thru him. It was a mistake, he was already in perfect position to defend. He tries to do too much at times. The delay of game happens to everyone. The best players in the league have the occasional delay of game. When you play the hard minutes, and the PK, and take a lot of defensive zone starts you will eventually get this penalty. He will clear the next 999 pucks cleanly, in the air and over everybody, and then get another one for a penalty. And most of us will remember the one that gets a penalty. Unforced icings? I don't see a problem with this. He is very reliable and only getting better.

Buffalo is one of the last places he would pick to play in. He wants to play in St Louis (hometown), or be with his big brother somewhere. St Louis would have to gut their team to get him. Florida cannot fit him in either.

True. Remember that when these guys came around the Montreal Canadians had already established a very high level with veterans like Jacques Laperiere, JC Tremblay, Terry Harper and Jimmy Roberts on their defense. LaPointe and Savard did not have to carry the load, they inherited the load. Robinson came a little bit later, once LaPointe and Savard were established. The Canadians pipeline was the envy of every team in the league. It's a much different league now, and the Sabres have been the opposite of 1970's Montreal. Dahlin has been on his own since he got here, he never played with a mentor or even a mindful match for a partner. Power at least has Dahlin to carry the bigger load.

True. He really controls the flow of the game. I think he may be more respected around the league than among casual Sabres fans. He plays so many hard minutes, and in so many of the higher pressure situations, that when he makes mistakes everyone sees it and when he doesn't he is simply meeting expectations.

Peterka and Benson are probably not going anywhere. Hard to say about the rest.

I noticed that the west coast linesmen were fussy sticklers on the face-offs. Drawing boos from the crowds in both Anaheim and SJ.

Be careful with hope. We have enough assets to not have to rely on hope. If we are to acquire a top 6 forward then it’s likely some players and prospects will go. Look at the play of Peterka, Benson, Cozens and Quinn. Who is the one you move on from? Look at the promise of prospects Kulich, Rosen, Helenius, Östlund, Wahlberg. - Kulich is breaking out. Helenius is probably untouchable right now. Wahlberg has the size and strength that makes him a compelling player.

What games have both Quinn and Cozens been on? I can’t think of even one game this season. In Tage’s absence Cozens has had some better games, he is starting to contribute more but I am not seeing any revitalization of the pair. If anything they hold Peterka back when he is paired with them. Quinn is -8 with a 3% shooting percentage. His one goal is an empty netter. The only reason he hasn’t been benched is Tage and Greenway are out.

And Philly

Quinn does not deserve 2nd line minutes, especially if we add a top 6 player and are healthy. Before his injury Greenway was outplaying (and out scoring) Cozens, Quinn, Benson, Krebs, and the entire 4th line put together. His defensive play and his PK work was stellar. If we bring in a top 6 forward some of the guys on your list are probably gone. Unless Quinn’s game takes a major step up, I just don’t see Lindy giving Quinn more minutes than Greenway. It appears that Quinn could fall behind Kulich too. Quinn is playing a little better right now, but Benson (who started the season injured) and Kulich have improved their games by even more IMO.

The Brits

Reimer with a .939 sv tonight. Tuch was clutch. Benson was not tired. The PK was excellent. Sabres are over DeLuca 500. Bring on the Wild.

I had a premonition it was going to be 4-2. Dahls EN

Play a real power play.

Benson draws one.

PK doing its job.

Groan, groan

Groan

Benson is going to be very, very hard to play against as he continues to develop.

Tuchie with a shorty.