Doohickie

I'll be going to the April 9 Sabres game in Dallas. I'll be shocked if that game still matters. I believe the Sabres won their last game in Dallas on an Owen Power OT goal (that wasn't called back).

Why? They gave him an opportunity. He didn't show enough to earn a roster spot. He's 36; time to hang them up.

Congrats. I don't need that qualification my self, but several people on my team at work do. It's not at all easy; several fail the first time.

Detroit is irrelevant. The Sabres are 9 points behind Tampa, 7 behind NYI, 4 points behind Washington. Washington has 3 games in hand and are 7-2-1 in their last 10; NYI have 2 games in and and are also 7-2-1 in their last 10. The Sabres are 6-3-1. Even if they catch the Wings, there's no way they're going to catch two of those three. Mathematically still possible but it would require epic chokes by two of those three teams, not to mention continued losing by the Devils and Wings.

And even if we win all three, Washington is 4 points ahead of us with three games in hand. Hard to imagine catching both them and Tampa who is 9 points ahead of us.

Losing one pretty much knocks us out.

He and Skinner still lead the team in goals.

I went over to the Avs forum on HFBoards and told them Casey can play any top 9 position. Versatile as hell.

Bryson/Bryson.

Based on the second half of this season, I think I would try to sign UPL for longer than that. Several scenarios could play out: UPL is a stud and so is Levi, and you're looking at an Ullmark/Swayman kind of tandem. UPL fades quickly but Levi's a stud. Levi becomes #1 and UPL is the backup (I think he will remain at least backup quality). Levi never realizes his potential and either becomes back up to UPL or the Sabres replace him. The both wash out and you have to bring in another #1, retaining UPL as the backup. The way I see it, signing UPL to a longer term like 5-6 years is prudent; I think he's proven himself at the NHL level. Levi still hasn't. Reward the best player. It doesn't mean Levi will never be The Guy, it just acknowledges what UPL has accomplished this year.

No. A backup needs to be available on all game days in case the #1 gets injured or ill on game day or needs to be pulled because he's getting shelled or whatever. You simply need a second goalie on the bench, period. If Levi is racking up minutes in Rochester, he's not on the Sabres bench. You could have a scenario where on planned off days (back-to-backs, etc.) you could call him up to give UPL a night off, but that's only part of what a backup does. If you leave Levi in Rochester to develop, you need another backup on the Sabres (a la Comrie, but hopefully someone better).

Playing for Brynäs IF in Sweden. Hey, he's only 31...

You can't even stay away for a couple of hours after saying you're giving up GDTs. You need help.

And now it's final.

Red Wings going down to the Golden Knights, 5-3 VGK with 1:07 to go.

Coming out of camp Bryson was lauded as having improved significantly in the off-season with a more mature, and more physical game. He's not a bruiser by any means but he's clearly more stable on his skates than in the past. In his own zone he's a pretty good defensive Dman, efficiently moving the puck out of the zone. At this point I think he's more effective at clearing the zone than Dahlin, who delays too much and gets fancy. I think he could hang in the top 6, but he may be our steady 7D going forward, can fill in when someone gets banged up for a game or two, or, as in the case currently, for a longer term injury. Going forward I think when everyone is healthy we'll see Clifton, Ryan Johnson and Bryson as the 6-8 D without a clear preference. Each one brings a good skillset and maybe you pick the one that matches the opponent best. Bryson was fine tonight against the speedy Oilers, but for a more physical opponent maybe you go with Clifton. I could also see where one of those three guys gets packaged as part of a trade. Personally if I had to lose one I think it should be Clifton.

Cozens. Cozens can be that guy. Watch what he does on the PK, and occasionally on the rush. I think he can be that guy.

Kind of like imitation Krab meat.

Three stars: Unless you're in Canada, eh? Then it was: Heh. They also didn't want to admit the Sabres won.... still shows 2-2

Yep. Sounds like Batman though. To me anyway. Truth be told, I miss Lorentz almost as much as RJ. What a great team they were.

So I'm rewatching portions of the game with the other coverage. Their color guy just sounds like Jim Lorentz to me.

Interesting: The Sabres top two goal scorers: Benched.

Well... some kind of S....

Institute a chaser on the shootout: As soon as the shooter touches the puck at center ice, a player from the other team can chase starting from the blue line behind the shooter to try to disrupt the goal. If a penalty is committed by the chaser, then the shooter can try again without the chaser.

I wouldn't pay to.... uhhh... view that.