Doohicksie

Yes.

Maybe JJ or Quinn. They're still waiver exempt, innit?

6-2 Sabres Quinn, JJ, Clague, Tommer, Skinny and Dahls with the goals.

Another goathead game:

The one you posted fell flat when it came out and still does as far as I'm concerned.

If all teams win their games in hand: Washington: No. of points: 50 Games in hand: 0 Points with GIH wins: 50 NYI: No. of points: 46 GIH: 1 Points with GIH wins: 48 Pitt: No. of points: 44 GIH: 4 Points with GIH wins: 52 Buffalo: No. of points: 42 GIH: 5 Points with GIH wins: 52 I get it: You can't assume a team will win its games in hand. But... Washington and NYI have already "banked" there losses. Every WC team above the Sabres is on a losing streak. Their points over the last 10 games are: Wash: 16 NYI: 11 Pitt: 8 (!) Buffalo: 16 So I guess I'm just saying that if you look at the games in hand coupled with the recent trends, Buffalo is looking pretty good to pass NYI and at least one of Wash and Pitt, and quite possibly by the end of January. I would also point out that Buffalo has been beating very good teams lately... teams ahead of them in the standings. They laid an egg in Ottawa but other than that, they are trending sharply up against quality teams while NYI and Pitt are at about NHL .500, and they have games in hand over Wash.

I read my post and I think you misunderstood my point (and I can see why; I wasn't very clear). What I meant to say is "I think the Sabres have (mostly) been playing better teams since then and those better teams the Sabres are playing are better able to break up plays."

On the other hand, I think having to fight back from early-season adversity is helping to shape the character of this team. Having to struggle mightily to even make the playoffs may make them better in the playoffs than if they were just coasting along. For instance I kind of relish the opportunity for the Sabres to play the Leafs in the first round. I don't know that they would beat the Leafs, but the Leafs have been very good in the regular season but haven't really found that extra gear for the postseason. I think with struggles the Sabres have had, the come-from-behind wins lately, etc., is forging the Sabres into a very resolute team that could surprise their playoff opponents, should they get that far.

Moving Casey to W seems to be helping him but I wouldn't write him off with respect to playing C in the future. I can see where Krebs could move up to a scoring line, but the Sabres will continue to need a quality 4C and I have no problem with it being Krebs. I think it will depend on the roles players coming out of Rochester are given as they move up. Will they want the "next center" to play 4C to acclimate to the defensive responsibilities of the NHL? Or will they want to continue with a tried-and-true shutdown line that perhaps has a bit of offensive pop? Alternately, are both Gus and Okie coming back next season? If not, will they introduce new wingers to the league on the fourth line, and want the continuity of Krebs to "show them how it's done"? Obviously you put your best forwards on your top 2 lines. But how to put together a third and a fourth line with the current roster and the upcoming talent that will force their way into the lineup may require more finesse, as it were, from Donny.

I think the Sabres have (mostly) been playing better teams since then and are better able to break up plays.

He's also fortunate to have a GM that is able to convince ownership that this is the correct path. I've said it before: Unlike previous Pegula-era GMs, the Pegulas place a lot more faith in Kevyn and have given him freer rein on the club. I think it's a two way street though; I think he communicates with them and keeps them up to date and gets their buy-in better than JBot or XGMTM.

I think the Jost line is starting to gel now. Casey is to an extent both a digger and a setup man. Jost is a digger and a distributor (different from setup in that he doesn't necessarily set up good scoring chances but he keeps the play moving). I will say that although he isn't top notch, Olofsson is getting better at being a two-way player. He's positionally better but on defense doesn't always make the play. The 3rd Minnesota goal illustrates that: He correctly picks up the man on the half wall and follows him back to the point. But when the Minny players curls back around to head back in before taking his shot/pass (which was tipped in), Ollie circles back to the middle and allows too much room. He's there, he's doing the right thing, but then he got outmaneuvered. He can see the effort is there but he doesn't quite execute the play properly. I think that particular play will be used in video review to show him how to play that better.

I think with tonight's game against the Wild, I see KA as having a secret weapon: Donny Meatballs. He takes the players he's got and molds them into the players he wants. Look what he did with the kid line. Yeah, they've cooled off lately but you can see what's there. Look at what he's done with Krebs. And now with tonight's game, I'm starting to think VO and Mitts are on the list of players that Donny has developed/rejuvenated. I don't know much about Lalonde's coaching style, but it seems to me that most coaches have a style of play and system they want their players to follow, and that they generally expect their players to get on board. Donny works with the players to get them to evolve into the players he wants, and also adjusts his system to put them in a position to succeed. I think a lot of coaches try to do the latter, but Donny really does work with players to make them better. It's the developmental mindset.

Can you imagine this happening in the Krueger locker room?

Lindy: "You have to win with the team you've got." Donny: "I will mold the team into what I want."

Same. The issue is I have to sit with @Spoonman 😄

Watching the MN postgame and their coach Dean Evason was mystified by the penalty call when Dahlin's helmet was ripped off. I think he needs to watch the replay. He also said that they knew coming in they couldn't win a "track meet" with the Sabres and he was right.++++++++++++

It was the best game for that line so far. I hope they can continue their progress. Donny really is a player whisperer.

Dan Dunleavy is the voice of a new era in Sabres history.

MAF: .838 UPL: .886 Not a great SV%, but UPL out-dueled a great goalie tonight.