Doohicksie

People forget, or don't even notice, that VO is a good two-way player.

One of the best developments is that they make sure that if they don't get the puck, they tie up a man.

Did you even watch the 3rd period??? Yes... they did maintain their structure defensively. He saved 3 goals over expected last night alone.

Well, you did get the score right. And Hinestroza did have one point at least.

First period was an early push by the Oilers and the Sabres played kind of a bend-not-break game on defense. The Sabres scored right off the faceoff on a power play, wicked wrister from Dahlin in the high slot. Off the ensuing faceoff Thompson had a good opportunity but then the Oilers turned it up ice and scored on a break. Comrie really had no chance as it was a shot following a cross-ice pass that beat him. In the second period, Tage used his size and reach to cut back into the middle of the ice after being forced wide to get a tap-in goal. Oilers pressed but on the counter-strike Hinostroza passed to Peterka on a clean breakaway from center ice and JJ buried it. Lyubushkin had two huge hits in the game, one of which rivaled the Cream of Umberger Soup hit by Brian Campbell. Boosh would leave later in the period after blocking a shot off his skate. Hopefully he won't be out long because the Sabres are a better team with his physicality. The third period was frenetic as the Oilers applied the full-court press with McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice most of the period (McD had 10:14 of ice time in the period). The Sabres played desperate defense. I think they outsmarted themselves trying to do cross-ice passes to get around Comrie, but the Sabres were pretty effective in stopping those passes and tying players up in front of the net. Still, Comrie had to come up huge in tight and he did, allowing one goal on 20+ shots for the period, with about a minute and a half to go. The Oilers pressed more but then Cozens broke up ice, got blanketed by an Oiler but managed to push it up ice to Tuch who fended off an Oiler to get the empty netter.

I thought they did okay.... for two periods. By the third they were whooped. For the most part though they kept their structure and didn't panic, even under the wilting barrage.

But we do make the most of our chances.... unlike the Eulers.

Small sample size, but

Not often you can play one period and get two points.

Have mercy!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Wow is my feed behind.

Mitts didn't miss by much.

Damn. Look at Comrie's eyes. He's scary.

Then again, this is against McJesus. Every game won't be this hard.

Or JJ.

PP TIME!

Strategy has nothing to do with it. We're down to brass tactics.

A good foundation to build from, innit?

At this point EVERY icing is necessary.