Porous Five Hole

Behind this defense? No thank you.

I did not realize this was an ESPN+ game until this afternoon. I am upset that I pay gobs of money to spectrum cable and I don’t have access to this game. And I can’t go to a bar to watch it either. I realize the ESPN+ exclusives aren’t up to the team. And I also realize this is the way that sports are trending. And I think it sux.

Here is a kind of crazy stay while thinking about this week’s opponent, the Viks. So far in their 7-1 start, their opponents have started their back up QB three times in the first eight games. Maybe it’s their fault Josh got hurt 😜

Risto is in the Torturella doghouse.

He can get sent back after nine games, right? Looks like he has only played in six games so far.

The forest through the trees

I felt that way about the Bills once (just give me a playoff wild card game on the road—after 20 years—and my life would be complete). And here we are with the Bills. That gives me have hope that better day are ahead!

Do they not get credit for defeating playoff teams like Calgary & Edmonton on the road? Or is that too far in the rear view mirror for you? Or are we just railing on the Sabres for losing games on the road to perennial playoff-accomplished teams like Carolina and Tampa? Did you expect the Sabres to win either game when the schedule came out? I’m simply saying let’s not overreact to results we probably anticipated to be the case. And in the micro, did you really expect a win tonight down three of the top four D and a half-healthy Lyubushkin? Yes they lost, but how they lost is relevant (close games in a tough stretch). I’m still bullish on Buffalo instead of lamenting that they always lose to the cream of the crop.

While I agree that teams are judged on wins and losses, the Sabres are 1) still in a developmental phase, and 2) the degree of the loss is relevant. Buffalo is losing one goal games to the elite of the league (see FL & sans an empty netter, see TB). That is incremental progress. Their record is their record, but I’ll take 7-5 with the eye on improvement rather than winning the Stanley Cup in 2022-23. Even tho I know that’s the goal of every franchise. I can’t be the only one to ascertain Buffalo is trending up despite seeing this “mess” before. It’s a process to be elite. Don’t let the mess of the last decade cloud the next steps the team is taking.

Agree with Soundgarden. Levi will need to prove it at the AHL level for a time. It would be nearly unprecedented to go from college hockey to the NHL immediately. All aboard the Comrie train for at least the end if next year.

A minor nitpick with your assessment on Girg up to this point in the season. He was directly responsible for the empty net goal against Pitt that sealed the win this week. He scored tonight. He’s a heart and soul glue guy. While he averages 20 points a year, he’s got five points in the first twelve games this season and can be trusted to protect a one goal lead late. That’s not a spot Hiney usually is one the ice for. But I would agree that I am fine with Hiney drawing in for Quinn or Krebs on a given night.

Their QB has been unbelievable. Side note: I root for the Hokies. Hooker was the starter for VT & was very talented, but also very up and down. After a couple of bad games, he had a sideline incident…and it was worse than this tweet shows: He was convulsing…like a bad case of the hiccups, but seizure like. And it went on for a while. It coincided with the fanbase turning on the coach once and for all, and the coach turning on the QB at the same time. He was essentially benched from there, even though he still played some. But the kid has talent. Hooker transferred to Tenn in the off-season and has really lit it up. That doesn’t explain everything (including the fact that the coach who lured Hooker to the Vols, Jeremy Pruitt, was then fired due to recruiting violations). Turns out current Vols coach in waiting Josh Heupel (former Oklahoma QB) has been the real deal so far.

I had not heard Ric moved on from color analyst. I know he only does home games and didn’t go on the road even during the playoffs. Why is Ric so weird? I cannot answer that lol. But I know what you’re saying. He doesn’t belong on the radio in any capacity. But I will say that he works for the same employer that I do, and while I have never interacted with him…I am very close to people who do (both men and women) and they absolutely love the guy.

No Vasy tonight. We get Brian Elliott. Hedman and Paul are both questionable and will be game-time decisions.

For the people who are for giving the young man a second chance, would your opinion change if you read this? He couldn’t even dignify Isaiah by saying his name in his explanation of his behavior.

So he took a bad penalty due to a clean hit he took. Congrats to him. I would rather have my team play today’s game. You’re stuck in the 70’s. That’s fine. We just disagree.

A whole lot of tickets available for the Vegas game next week.

The game has changed. I do not want my 11M, 60 goal guy doing anything but skate away. He got a cross check and a slash in. Plenty of pluggers who can jump in on his behalf from there.

Carolina had 55 SOG tonight 😳

I think first line minutes and performance over the last 90 games is who he is/will be . He’s been really good. And it appears you may agree. It seems like you may worry that his performance would falter due to the pressure of playoff importance-level games. Does anything stick out to make you feel that way?

You mean the Sens, right? 😂

Would a high sticking major count? Either way I think Dahlin is gonna cut someone.

He was a 1k receiver with baker mayfield and has since had two ACL tears and turns 30 on Saturday. You think he’s good, I don’t. I think it helps the Bills in 2022 if he signs elsewhere. Go Bills.

M&T Bank is a Fortune 500 company, but I get your point. This is also why it is so important that the Pegulas maintain ownership. There is no relocation risk for as long as they own the team.