Doohickie

I think it's important to note that part of the reason Casey's gaff was so egregious is that plays like that are becoming increasingly rare for the Sabres. It seems like they were par for the course a few years ago but now when someone makes a play like that they really stick out like sore thumb. I agree that Mitts will fill a valuable role on the team when they start getting playoff action. He has the pedigree and has shown that he has good passing skills, fair enough shooting, and under Granato has developed some grit, especially along the boards.

There were a lot of posts in this GDT; I'm pretty sure I didn't read them all.

No, you're right.

Cozens did not get a fighting major. He got a roughing double minor. No Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Also, in Tage's postgame interview he said, "There's a couple times we were careless with the puck and let them back into the game a little bit but I think for the most part when we stuck to our game they didn't really have a chance against us." I think we all know who he was calling out.

One other thought: I thought Tage had a very good game defensively. He wasn't perfect but he seemed very disruptive to the Caps players on the boards in the Buffalo zone.

The question about St Louis and Gerbe had me rolling on the floor. Fantastic.

Casey was pushed around a lot early in his career but he's learned how to stay on his feet, battle along the boards, take a hit and also dish one out. It's not that he has snarl as such (aka Dahlin or even Cozens); it's more that he's become hard to play against. I think his board work complements Cozens' speed and ability to work in traffic. Mitts isn't known for his speed exactly, yet he can play at speed with Cozens. Because he's played center, he's a good alternate on the faceoff dot and he and Cozey are both good playmakers.

I think it's possible for the goalie to influence the style of play. For whatever reason UPL seems to influence the team to play Run & Gun. I think it's a weird synchronicity of the vibes between the goalie and the rest of the team. I don't know what's driving it, but I like that the Sabres win with UPL and don't question it too much. And until you change your username you're in no position to criticize goaltending 😉

What neck?

Read my last line.

There's been some talk about whether just getting up into a playoff spot would lead to some complacency and a drop off a bit. Today's game tells me otherwise. Now that they're nipping at the playoffs they don't want to drop back out and EVERY game matters. After the Caps game I'm more optimistic than any point in this season that the Sabres will make the playoffs.

I like to think so, but he's been in work for quite a while now.

2023 1st - in a deep draft, definitely worth quite bit Oloffson - proven goal scorer Vinny - Good energy guy, but basically just a throw-ion UPL - Emerging goalie, could turn out to be the best piece going back Rousek - this would hurt the Sabres but you gotta give to get Bryson - mostly harmless throw-in; a D for a D That said, I don't think that's enough to get the return in @Turbo44's proposal.

I think Donny sold it the way I hoped he would. Opportunity to seize! This is not the thread you're looking for.

Memba when they used to do that all game long when RFK was the coach? Memba??

OMG so spot on and so funny!

Brain fart is a good word for it because I'm convinced he knows better but.... oopsie.

😉

Early in the game he was floating, especially in the defensive zone when he should have been actually pressuring the point. The first Washing goal was a direct result of his driveby of Jensen, waiving his stick and then curling away from him toward the middle of the ice, allowing Jensen to move up the boards for a clear pass to Strome who buried it. That's a common maneuver by him and frankly I bet it's picked up in scouting reports and the whole league knows he does. If I noticed it, professional scouts noticed it. Later in the game I did notice he positioned himself better and was able to break up Washington passes in the Sabres zone and get the puck up ice. He also skated back hard to prevent what otherwise would have been a 2-on-1. So it wasn't all bad but he's just not very consistent at coverage in his own end. I think his problem is focus because sometimes he does play really well defensively, but he has too many lapses that lead to quality chances against.

"Expense of this season"?????? The Sabres play at a 105 point pace with him in goal. HE'S NOT HURTING THE TEAM.

I don't care if he allows 10 goals a game, as long as the team plays at a 105 point pace with him in goal (they've earned 32 of a possible 50 points with him in net, which is a 104.96 point pace over 82 games). And for those who advocate sending him back to the A, what is he going to learn there that he can't learn with the Sabres? If he's not hurting the team, why send him down?

While I can't argue with any of the stars, I really think Quinn was a difference maker out there today as well.

So how do you think they did? 😉

The Hinostroza goal in particular was amazing. Just when it looked like the Caps D nullified a shot, Vinnie picks it up and taps it home. I couldn't figure out what happened until I saw the slow replay.