BillsFan4

Yes, that’s a different rule. Rules 37.4 and 49.2 address kicking a puck in with your skate, or using your skate to kick another piece of equipment (like a stick, glove, or anything laying on the ice) to put the puck in the net. Different from rule 78.5, which was the rule in question on this play. Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying the Isles deserved to lose. They played a good game and made a strong push during the 2nd that the sabres had trouble handling. You could see they were the more experienced team. I thought Buffalo played kind of timid/nervous at times. But I still hate that they won on that 3rd goal.

Yep. They went from controlling their own destiny to now needing other teams to lose to get it. Doesn’t matter though if they don’t start winning games or at least picking up points. Regulation losses are killer this time of year. Tonight especially so. It was basically a 4 point game. My hopes for a Sabres playoff appearance this season are pretty low now. I’m bummed. 😢 and frustrated with the inconsistent nature of NFL rules and officiating. They may as well flip a damn coin as to how they choose to apply the rules on a given night.

it doesn’t have to go off his skate. The rule applies to using any part of your body besides your stick.

Rule 78.5(I) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick. When this occurs, if it is deemed to be done deliberately, then the decision shall be NO GOAL. A goal cannot be scored when the puck has been deliberately batted with any part of the attacking player’s body into the net. Fasching very clearly deliberately directed that puck. That was not a stopping motion. You can see his leg turn and move forward. With that regulation loss and the penguins win in OT, our playoff hopes just took a HUGE hit. They don’t really control their own destiny anymore. Sucks that it happened on such a BS call. Par for the course for Buffalo sports I guess.

This goal was immediately called off. What could they have possibly seen to overturn the call on the ice? Looks like a distinct kicking motion to me 🤷‍♂️ What makes it clear - the puck wouldn’t have gone in the net had he not kicked his leg out. The puck may not have even hit his leg without the kicking motion. It doesn’t have to go off his skate for it to be a kicking motion. such a BS way to lose this game.

What total BS. If that wasn’t a distinct kicking motion, then what is? These ESPN announcers are nuts, and showing heavy bias.

This is the first Sabres game in years that i’m actually nervous for! Probably because it’s the first truly meaningful game in years… lol.

Yikes! Schoen will have his work cut out for him now. He doesn’t even get the benefit of building his roster with a cheap Qb contract. He goes right to the QB mega contract in year 2. And for a QB who IMO isn’t elite. Going to be tough to build a contending roster with that Jones deal, unless Jones takes another big step forward.

Yeah for sure it will be tough. NYI have the veteran experience too. But it doesn’t matter. This is still as close to “must win” as it gets. This is probably the most important game they’ve played in a decade. A regulation loss makes catching the Isles a much tougher task. If the Sabres really want a shot at the playoffs this season they have to get a win tonight, and preferably in regulation. Big game. It’ll be interesting to see how the Sabres play.

Missed opportunity not getting at least a point from the game tonight. Buffalo had their chances. Skinner made some big saves for edmonton. That bad 3rd goal by Anderson and ended up being the difference tonight. Oilers did a good job clogging up the middle of the ice and shutting buffalo down in the 3rd. Sabres have to get a win tomorrow, and preferably in regulation. It's effectively a 4 point game.

It was reported that Carr was actually leaning toward the Jets but the Jets wanted to wait and see what happens with Rodgers. Hopefully Rodgers just stays in Green Bay now! Or retires.

Some interesting info in this PC. Couple of the most interesting: - Arizona wanted more from Buffalo for Chychrun. They were focused on our top prospects. - Portillo was traded because he didn’t want to play in this market and because he didn’t see a path to the NHL here. If that’s the case, then don’t let the door hit ya… If he’s that scared of competition then I don’t see him making it. LA is pretty void of goalies+prospects though. They only have 2 under contract next season. Portillo claimed in a Buffalo News interview that it wasn’t because of Levi or UPL and that he was advised not to sign here. So who knows. His agent is Eichel’s agent so I am guessing there’s some hard feelings if he was advised against signing here.

Really like the way the Sabres rebounded against Tampa Bay! I was worried after 2 tough losses in a row (especially getting destroyed by Boston) that it was going to be the start of a slump. But damn, did they play great against Tampa! Now just keep it going!

I know Adams said he approached Okposo recently and asked him if we needed more toughness in the lineup. I guess we know what Okposo’s answer was 😂 I think it was probably needed. We have a lot of young kids and the NHL is an intimidating league. If they feel more comfortable on the ice it should only help them to play their game, and we’ve seen how they can look when they’re all on their game.

its the Vegas 2nd (so the worst of the three 2nds we have in 2023). He was teammates with Tage Thompson and played for Granato in the USNDTP. He actually out-scored Tage that season! lol A 2nd is a bit steep but I still like it. It brings an element we don’t currently have. He adds some much needed physicality and grit plus still could have some untapped potential. I bet he’s going to be motivated too. Still 2 years left on his deal so it’s not just a rental. asplund to Nashville for a 7th two years from now. Obviously this was about opening a roster spot and giving Asplund a chance elsewhere. I remember Tim Murray saying he had a 1st round grade on Asplund. 😂 cant say I know much about Strand.

https://www.nhl.com/standings/2022/wildcard Pittsburgh won in overtime last night. They took over the 1st wildcard spot and now sit 5 points ahead of Buffalo with 1 more game played. The isles sit 4 points ahead of Buffalo in the last wildcard spot with 4 more games played. With the Sabres upcoming schedule Its going to be tough to make up ground.

What about goalies this decade that have gone right from college to pros? Hockey was a lot different back then. I can’t think of a single goalie that has gone right from college to pros and stuck. Like I said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Levi gets a game or two this year to entice him to sign and burn a year off his entry level contract (though I could also see him playing in the AHL this season, especially if Rochester makes the playoffs). But I won’t be at all surprised if he is in the AHL next season. It’s what I expect to happen. If you are setting your expectations on him going right to the NHL you are probably going to be disappointed. Goalies especially need time to develop. Forcing him right into the NHL isn’t a good plan for his long term success. And Adams has been patient to a fault sometimes. I don’t expect him to force Levi into the Pros. I guess we will see next year though. No point in continuing to debate something neither of us have any control over.

Well that sucked. That loss to Columbus hurts even more now. You have to win against a last place team, especially when the schedule gets so tough coming up after that. Right now Pittsburgh is in the last wildcard spot and 3 points ahead of Buffalo with the same # of games played.

name the college goalies that have gone right from college to the NHL without AHL time. Are there any? I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Even goalies drafted in the 1st round get time in the minors. Levi was a 7th round pick. Giving a goalie time in the minors isn’t a fireable offense. That’s silly. Its definitely possible he gets time with the Sabres this season, if anything just to entice him to sign. But unless he’s lights-out good it’s very likely he spends time in Rochester. It’s rare goalies are ready to make the jump right to the pros. I mean, I hope he is. That would be amazing. But I sure wouldn’t plan on it. also, they had to trade Portillo. He told the Sabres he was going to test free agency. They tried to sign him last season and again this season. But he can use the college free agent rule to turn unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. So they had to trade him or lose him for nothing. He wasn’t signing here.

I am hoping/expecting to see a more aggressive defense with Frazier gone. A little more edge would be nice too.

are you saying the time is now to go all in for a goalie? Or all-in in general? I agree on getting a goalie (though I wouldn’t say I would go all in on one). I’ve been saying for a while now that they need better goaltending. But I’m not sure what’s realistically available. I don’t know that Talbot is on the market anymore after ottawa traded for Chychrun. They’ve been playing better lately too and might prioritize trying to stay in the wildcard race. There are rumors Demko might be available and that’s a guy I’d love to add. Still young and he was a true #1. But he struggled last season (he didn’t look like a #1) and this season when he hasn’t been injured. So I’m hesitant to give up what Vancouver would probably want. Im not sure who else is available. Vejmelka in Arizona? He looks like he has potential but his stats haven’t really been any better than what we have, though he is playing in front of garbage… I strongly disagree that the time is now to go all in this season in general though. The Sabres are nowhere near that point IMO. The Sabres currently have an 11 year playoff drought and haven’t drafted outside the top 8 in a decade. They are finally just starting to be respectable again. But there’s still tons of growth needed before they are anywhere near contender status. and The East is just brutal this season. Especially the top few teams in each division. Have you seen how much the top teams in the East have loaded up this deadline? I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen anything like this. It’s insane. There is no chance Buffalo goes on a run in the playoffs this year if they even make it. And to make it even less likely - they likely face Boston in the 1st round if they make the playoffs. They are having an incredible season. I would like to see them make another small addition at least. But not for a rental at the cost of the future.

I heard they were coming out with a streaming service but i was hoping it would be much more reasonably priced. I was hoping for maybe $10/mo. $30 a month is just ridiculous. I wish they would offer some type of discounted package for only the sabres broadcasts. I wish ESPN+ showed in-market sabres games. I recently decided to try it out for a month since there were 5 sabres games exclusively on espn+ this month and i am really enjoying it. Tons of hockey games every night. But i'd have to use a VPN to get the sabres games that are on MSG since i am in market. I still have cable. I've been waiting for a decent option for sabres games. This ain't really it. lol But i guess at least it's an alternative to cable.

wow that was way less than i was expecting. Armstrong held out that long for this? haha Not sure why the sabres wouldnt match this if they were really as interested in Chychrun as kept being rumored. Unless they did offer the same and arizona went with OTT's 1st instead. Or maybe they didn't want to give up their 2023 1st and wanted to send a 2024 1st instead? it looks like a deep draft. Or maybe they weren't as interested as the rumors said. Honestly, I never fully understood the Sabres supposed interest in him. He's a good player for sure but do the sabres really need to give up prime assets for yet another LH defenseman with dahlin and power? I don't think chychrun plays as good on the right side. It would have made for a pretty damn stacked defense though! Get me a goalie instead!

From what was reported it sounds like he made it clear recently that he wasn't planning to sign here before turning UFA. A 3rd is better than i expected in return. I wonder if he gave an indication he would sign in LA or if they are just taking the chance? How weird is it that the last 2 college goalies that refused to sign in Buffalo both ended up in LA? lol I remember i was bummed at the time when we lost Peterson. and for a minute it looked like he was going to be a good NHL goalie. But then he signed that big contract and has sucked ever since.

McDermott’s defenses have always been more aggressive than what we’ve seen with Frazier as DC. I’m hoping he gets back to that now that Frazier is taking time off.