Buffalo Sabres and NHL 2022-2023

[Process]

5 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

They’ve made a little push here toward the end but they are Quickly running out of time here and now they just took a penalty with 2:30 left. Ouch. 🤬
 

i thought that was a pretty damn weak holding call though.

Yup. They picked it up a bit but it was too late. 

 

They looked like they had zero interest in making the playoffs the vast majority of that game. Disappointing effort. Oh well.

[Doc]

Well they found their goalie.  Too bad they lost their offense.

[zevo]

feels good to care again...but this sucks

[BillsFan4]

Well, that’s game, and most likely kills any small chance the Sabres had left at the playoffs. But let’s be real, those two 4 game losing streaks back to back in March probably already killed their playoff chances. Just going .500 in that stretch and things are totally different right now.

 

They made a nice push at the end of the 3rd but it was too late. That’s the type of effort they should have been playing with all 3rd period. They’ve just come up short all season when the pressure was on. But they’re a young team. Hopefully they’ve learned some valuable lessons this season.

 

I’d still say it was mostly a successful season. They played a meaningful game in April. That’s definitely a step forward. But Playoffs need to be the goal next year, and that starts this offseason by hopefully filling at least a couple holes with meaningful additions.

[DrDawkinstein]

well crud.

 

But hey, when the season started, my take was "finish around 10th and be in the hunt" as a successful year for this crew.

 

The kids still need a couple years to develop. It's a man's league.

 

Excited for next year. Great to have a fun team that plays good hockey again.

[Simon]

36 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

But hey, when the season started, my take was "finish around 10th and be in the hunt" as a successful year for this crew.

 

Bingo.

Getting embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs would have served no purpose for this team and I'm glad they're going to have one more year of better draft picks to work with.

With reliable goaltending and more mature consistency next year, this is going to be a fun team to ride along with sooner than later.

[SinceThe70s]

6 minutes ago, Simon said:

Bingo.

Getting embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs would have served no purpose for this team and I'm glad they're going to have one more year of better draft picks to work with.

With reliable goaltending and more mature consistency next year, this is going to be a fun team to ride along with sooner than later.

 

Islander fan so perhaps I'm missing the Sabre fan perspective, but my immediate reaction is to disagree with the bolded. Regular season hockey and post season hockey are two different animals. I think there's value in getting to the playoffs for an up and coming team - as the Sabres appear to be - even if it means getting embarrassed.  (btw - I get that the Golden Knights blew up my line of thinking their first year)

[Buffalo Super Fan]

1 hour ago, Simon said:

Bingo.

Getting embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs would have served no purpose for this team and I'm glad they're going to have one more year of better draft picks to work with.

With reliable goaltending and more mature consistency next year, this is going to be a fun team to ride along with sooner than later.

What? You play sports to win a championship. If the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs it is another failed year period. Which cost this team money. PSE is losing tons of money on the Buffalo Sabres. Each year this team doesn’t make the NHL playoffs this hockey team is racking up a huge amount of debt. The Buffalo Sabres are unsellable right now and we are stuck with a ownership with one partner in poor health Kim Pegula and even before Kim health problems PSE isn’t really interested in owning the Buffalo Sabres anymore. Keep it up Buffalo Sabres fans with the losing and this team is going to be in Houston or Portland real fast winning Stanley Cups like the Quebec Nordiques move to Denver Colorado Avalanche than they won a Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs isn’t a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres in anyway. This comment is as ridiculous as tanking for success ridiculous. I want to be banned from this message board please banned me forget the warnings just flat ban me. Buffalo fans comments like this I want to be banned and cancelled wow not making the playoffs is a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres wow. I need to go into a Time Machine and never come back. Because Buffalo fan has become no standards no holding the players accountable ridiculous in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

[Jauronimo]

3 minutes ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

What? You play sports to win a championship. If the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs it is another failed year period. Which cost this team money. PSE is losing tons of money on the Buffalo Sabres. Each year this team doesn’t make the NHL playoffs this hockey team is racking up a huge amount of debt. The Buffalo Sabres are unsellable right now and we are stuck with a ownership with one partner in poor health Kim Pegula and even before Kim health problems PSE isn’t really interested in owning the Buffalo Sabres anymore. Keep it up Buffalo Sabres fans with the losing and this team is going to be in Houston or Portland real fast winning Stanley Cups like the Quebec Nordiques move to Denver Colorado Avalanche than they won a Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs isn’t a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres in anyway. This comment is as ridiculous as tanking for success ridiculous. I want to be banned from this message board please banned me forget the warnings just flat ban me. Buffalo fans comments like this I want to be banned and cancelled wow not making the playoffs is a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres wow. I need to go into a Time Machine and never come back. Because Buffalo fan has become no standards no holding the players accountable ridiculous in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

No one wants this for you more than me. I'm rooting for you!

Edited April 5, 2023 by Jauronimo

[Mike in Horseheads]

6 minutes ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

What? You play sports to win a championship. If the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs it is another failed year period. Which cost this team money. PSE is losing tons of money on the Buffalo Sabres. Each year this team doesn’t make the NHL playoffs this hockey team is racking up a huge amount of debt. The Buffalo Sabres are unsellable right now and we are stuck with a ownership with one partner in poor health Kim Pegula and even before Kim health problems PSE isn’t really interested in owning the Buffalo Sabres anymore. Keep it up Buffalo Sabres fans with the losing and this team is going to be in Houston or Portland real fast winning Stanley Cups like the Quebec Nordiques move to Denver Colorado Avalanche than they won a Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs isn’t a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres in anyway. This comment is as ridiculous as tanking for success ridiculous. I want to be banned from this message board please banned me forget the warnings just flat ban me. Buffalo fans comments like this I want to be banned and cancelled wow not making the playoffs is a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres wow. I need to go into a Time Machine and never come back. Because Buffalo fan has become no standards no holding the players accountable ridiculous in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

Your a hoot, nobody wants ya banned because the rest of the place always needs a good laugh

[Jauronimo]

9 minutes ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

What? You play sports to win a championship. If the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs it is another failed year period. Which cost this team money. PSE is losing tons of money on the Buffalo Sabres. Each year this team doesn’t make the NHL playoffs this hockey team is racking up a huge amount of debt. The Buffalo Sabres are unsellable right now and we are stuck with a ownership with one partner in poor health Kim Pegula and even before Kim health problems PSE isn’t really interested in owning the Buffalo Sabres anymore. Keep it up Buffalo Sabres fans with the losing and this team is going to be in Houston or Portland real fast winning Stanley Cups like the Quebec Nordiques move to Denver Colorado Avalanche than they won a Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs isn’t a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres in anyway. This comment is as ridiculous as tanking for success ridiculous. I want to be banned from this message board please banned me forget the warnings just flat ban me. Buffalo fans comments like this I want to be banned and cancelled wow not making the playoffs is a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres wow. I need to go into a Time Machine and never come back. Because Buffalo fan has become no standards no holding the players accountable ridiculous in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

By holding players accountable do you mean posting senile rants on an anonymous message board?  

[Buffalo716]

2 hours ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

What? You play sports to win a championship. If the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs it is another failed year period. Which cost this team money. PSE is losing tons of money on the Buffalo Sabres. Each year this team doesn’t make the NHL playoffs this hockey team is racking up a huge amount of debt. The Buffalo Sabres are unsellable right now and we are stuck with a ownership with one partner in poor health Kim Pegula and even before Kim health problems PSE isn’t really interested in owning the Buffalo Sabres anymore. Keep it up Buffalo Sabres fans with the losing and this team is going to be in Houston or Portland real fast winning Stanley Cups like the Quebec Nordiques move to Denver Colorado Avalanche than they won a Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs isn’t a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres in anyway. This comment is as ridiculous as tanking for success ridiculous. I want to be banned from this message board please banned me forget the warnings just flat ban me. Buffalo fans comments like this I want to be banned and cancelled wow not making the playoffs is a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres wow. I need to go into a Time Machine and never come back. Because Buffalo fan has become no standards no holding the players accountable ridiculous in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

More hot takes with ZERO FACTS

[BringBackFergy]

3 hours ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

What? You play sports to win a championship. If the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs it is another failed year period. Which cost this team money. PSE is losing tons of money on the Buffalo Sabres. Each year this team doesn’t make the NHL playoffs this hockey team is racking up a huge amount of debt. The Buffalo Sabres are unsellable right now and we are stuck with a ownership with one partner in poor health Kim Pegula and even before Kim health problems PSE isn’t really interested in owning the Buffalo Sabres anymore. Keep it up Buffalo Sabres fans with the losing and this team is going to be in Houston or Portland real fast winning Stanley Cups like the Quebec Nordiques move to Denver Colorado Avalanche than they won a Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs isn’t a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres in anyway. This comment is as ridiculous as tanking for success ridiculous. I want to be banned from this message board please banned me forget the warnings just flat ban me. Buffalo fans comments like this I want to be banned and cancelled wow not making the playoffs is a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres wow. I need to go into a Time Machine and never come back. Because Buffalo fan has become no standards no holding the players accountable ridiculous in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

Don’t even get me started on that arena. Canisius College won’t even play basketball there. 

[billsfanmiamioh]

7 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Your a hoot, nobody wants ya banned because the rest of the place always needs a good laugh

It has to be a bot…😂

[eball]

8 hours ago, Simon said:

Bingo.

Getting embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs would have served no purpose for this team and I'm glad they're going to have one more year of better draft picks to work with.

With reliable goaltending and more mature consistency next year, this is going to be a fun team to ride along with sooner than later.

 

Solid take.  I’m happy with the season and there is much to be excited about going forward.

 

[ChevyVanMiller]

8 hours ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

What? You play sports to win a championship. If the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs it is another failed year period. Which cost this team money. PSE is losing tons of money on the Buffalo Sabres. Each year this team doesn’t make the NHL playoffs this hockey team is racking up a huge amount of debt. The Buffalo Sabres are unsellable right now and we are stuck with a ownership with one partner in poor health Kim Pegula and even before Kim health problems PSE isn’t really interested in owning the Buffalo Sabres anymore. Keep it up Buffalo Sabres fans with the losing and this team is going to be in Houston or Portland real fast winning Stanley Cups like the Quebec Nordiques move to Denver Colorado Avalanche than they won a Stanley Cup. Not making the playoffs isn’t a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres in anyway. This comment is as ridiculous as tanking for success ridiculous. I want to be banned from this message board please banned me forget the warnings just flat ban me. Buffalo fans comments like this I want to be banned and cancelled wow not making the playoffs is a good thing for the Buffalo Sabres wow. I need to go into a Time Machine and never come back. Because Buffalo fan has become no standards no holding the players accountable ridiculous in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

When you go back in time make sure to pay attention in 5th grade English when they talk about the importance of paragraph breaks.

[muppy]

11 hours ago, zevo said:

feels good to care again...but this sucks

I recently began following the Sabres after decades long absence. Being the newbie fan basically I feel like i got back  onboard at the absolutely perfect time. 

 

New goaltender a near miss into the playoffs this season. But Simon mirrored my thoughts.  ...Even if they had gotten in it in all cases was very unlikely they'd have advanced.  

 

The Sabres needed some offensive swagger last night. And what we saw was almost zilcho. I didn't expect that.

 

m

 

 

Edited April 5, 2023 by muppy

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

11 hours ago, Simon said:

Bingo.

 

[DrDawkinstein]

11 hours ago, Simon said:

Bingo.

Getting embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs would have served no purpose for this team and I'm glad they're going to have one more year of better draft picks to work with.

With reliable goaltending and more mature consistency next year, this is going to be a fun team to ride along with sooner than later.

 

Yeah, I do not envy whatever team is going to ru into the buzzsaw known as the 2023 Bruins. If the Sabres got that 8th spot and the opening series against the Bruins, taking it to 5 games and not getting completely swept would be the victory there.

 

We'll get our "first taste of the playoffs" soon enough, I fully believe next year. And we'll get bounced around pretty good. With the age of this team, we are still 2-3 years away from being a force that can make a deep run. But the good news is we are on the right track and on our way. Fun to watch and follow hockey again.

[Jauronimo]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Yeah, I do not envy whatever team is going to ru into the buzzsaw known as the 2023 Bruins. If the Sabres got that 8th spot and the opening series against the Bruins, taking it to 5 games and not getting completely swept would be the victory there.

 

We'll get our "first taste of the playoffs" soon enough, I fully believe next year. And we'll get bounced around pretty good. With the age of this team, we are still 2-3 years away from being a force that can make a deep run. But the good news is we are on the right track and on our way. Fun to watch and follow hockey again.

I would have loved for these guys to get a taste of the intensity and physicality of playoff hockey this year even if they got shelled in 4 straight losses rather than have the shock come next year when they just might be able to compete.  Breaking the drought and putting that narrative to bed is as important for the Sabres as it was for the Bills.

 

I still believe this year was more about assessing the roster and developing the kids rather than the organization's best attempt to win which I have no issue with.  All year I felt that roster decisions were based evaluating Olofsson and Mitts before their contracts were up and more importantly letting Quinn and Peterka learn on the job and develop some chemistry with Cozens.  We would have seen more of Hinostroza and Asplund if Granato was coaching in must win mode.  Letting the kids learn and deciding on new contracts for Mitts or Olofsson is far more important to the future of this team than getting blasted in the playoffs with Hino and Asplund in the lineup.

[Buffalo Super Fan]

Every year is a different year. For the Buffalo Sabres fans saying it’s ok not making the playoffs. It’s never ok not making the playoffs. Boston Bruins fan doesn’t talk that way. Even as bad as the New England Patriots were notice you didn’t see Boston fans say it is ok the Buffalo Bills keep winning the AFC East it’s for the best the Patriots. The Patriots weren’t winning anyway maybe next year. It’s good to lose for drafting some Sabres fans would like to have a talk with Sabres fans like that. It’s 12 years and counting same old Sabres. Losing to win is a complete failure and waste of time and money. Don’t forget all the Sabres fans wasted money because the Sabres hockey players weren’t mentally tough enough to step and stand up against the Boston Bruins. The Boston Bruins are the Buffalo Sabres Stanley Cup which is sad. I want the Bruins first round because as a Sabres fan the Sabres need to stand up for themselves against the Boston Bruins.
 

Again Buffalo Sabres fans saying next season. What happens hypothetically if Tage Thompson gets injured and is out next season? Oh Rasmus Dahlin gets injured? Or the Sabres have 5 goalies get hurt? You don’t plan for that. That is why maybe next year is a myth. Each year is a opportunity to seize the opportunity. Unfortunately the Buffalo Sabres gave away too many games early in the season. I bet the Buffalo Sabres players wish they had those games back now. At the end of the day if the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs this season it’s another failed year of many too many in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

[muppy]

21 hours ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

Every year is a different year. For the Buffalo Sabres fans saying it’s ok not making the playoffs. It’s never ok not making the playoffs. Boston Bruins fan doesn’t talk that way. Even as bad as the New England Patriots were notice you didn’t see Boston fans say it is ok the Buffalo Bills keep winning the AFC East it’s for the best the Patriots. The Patriots weren’t winning anyway maybe next year. It’s good to lose for drafting some Sabres fans would like to have a talk with Sabres fans like that. It’s 12 years and counting same old Sabres. Losing to win is a complete failure and waste of time and money. Don’t forget all the Sabres fans wasted money because the Sabres hockey players weren’t mentally tough enough to step and stand up against the Boston Bruins. The Boston Bruins are the Buffalo Sabres Stanley Cup which is sad. I want the Bruins first round because as a Sabres fan the Sabres need to stand up for themselves against the Boston Bruins.
 

Again Buffalo Sabres fans saying next season. What happens hypothetically if Tage Thompson gets injured and is out next season? Oh Rasmus Dahlin gets injured? Or the Sabres have 5 goalies get hurt? You don’t plan for that. That is why maybe next year is a myth. Each year is a opportunity to seize the opportunity. Unfortunately the Buffalo Sabres gave away too many games early in the season. I bet the Buffalo Sabres players wish they had those games back now. At the end of the day if the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs this season it’s another failed year of many too many in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

you have a very busy head writing style. That was a lot to take in.   Regarding the Bruins they are a much better team than the Sabres. Their fans are used to having 

 Championship banners.   So they can talk smack in that regard. The Sabres cannot.

 

wasted money, complete failure blah blah blah that's just piffle.

 

What if's scenarios are as productive as woulda coulda shouldas......endless loop of negativity in regards to this team reading this post

 

But a hopeful "Go Sabres" from you  at the end. GOOD. Quit thinkin of all doomsday scenarios. A thoughtful word of advice.  things are looking UP with this team cheer up eh?

 

 

Go Sabres 💙💛💙

Edited April 6, 2023 by muppy

[Nextmanup]

21 hours ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

Every year is a different year. For the Buffalo Sabres fans saying it’s ok not making the playoffs. It’s never ok not making the playoffs. Boston Bruins fan doesn’t talk that way. Even as bad as the New England Patriots were notice you didn’t see Boston fans say it is ok the Buffalo Bills keep winning the AFC East it’s for the best the Patriots. The Patriots weren’t winning anyway maybe next year. It’s good to lose for drafting some Sabres fans would like to have a talk with Sabres fans like that. It’s 12 years and counting same old Sabres. Losing to win is a complete failure and waste of time and money. Don’t forget all the Sabres fans wasted money because the Sabres hockey players weren’t mentally tough enough to step and stand up against the Boston Bruins. The Boston Bruins are the Buffalo Sabres Stanley Cup which is sad. I want the Bruins first round because as a Sabres fan the Sabres need to stand up for themselves against the Boston Bruins.
 

Again Buffalo Sabres fans saying next season. What happens hypothetically if Tage Thompson gets injured and is out next season? Oh Rasmus Dahlin gets injured? Or the Sabres have 5 goalies get hurt? You don’t plan for that. That is why maybe next year is a myth. Each year is a opportunity to seize the opportunity. Unfortunately the Buffalo Sabres gave away too many games early in the season. I bet the Buffalo Sabres players wish they had those games back now. At the end of the day if the Buffalo Sabres don’t make the playoffs this season it’s another failed year of many too many in my opinion. Go Sabres! Let’s Go Buffalo 

We have the youngest team in the league, and THIS year was never going to be THE year for this organization.  Not even close.

 

It will probably go down as a relative success, despite missing the playoffs.

 

Next year should and will be different.  The expectation will 100% be there to make the playoffs and if we don't, there will be questions asking why.

 

 

[Fleezoid]

I've grown very weary of the "there's always next year" narrative. The way the team finished last year, this year could have been, and should have been "the year." Why not?! January proved they were good enough. 

 

Thompson grew from a great player to elite. Skinner's game was resurrected once back on the top line. Tuch's game is massively a pleasant surprise. Dahlin's defensive game improved. The middle line guys often stepped-up big time. A young team, yes. But they proved they could beat the top teams in the league. 

 

It has grown very old how Buffalo teams never fail to disappoint. 

 

Sorry, I'm in a bad mood. And, I think I'd like to stay that way for awhile. 

[Gregg]

IMHO this rebuild is finally working after what seems like 1,000 tries. They have a good young core that played well this year. Tage Thompson is already one of the best players in the league. Hopefully Levi can prove to be the real deal in goal. So far, he has looked good but its early. Maybe he can do for the Sabres what Shesterkin has done for the Rangers and Sorokin has done for the Islanders. They do need to improve the defense this off season either with FA or the draft. Their young core players are only going to get better. Same is being said of the Senators who are also in the same boat as the Sabres. If they can improve the defense, I think the playoffs are a very good bet for next year. It's April and the Sabres have stayed in the playoff race all year. Even though they will fall short this year when was the last time the Sabres were playing meaningful hockey this late in the season.

[BillsPride12]

27 minutes ago, Fleezoid said:

I've grown very weary of the "there's always next year" narrative. The way the team finished last year, this year could have been, and should have been "the year." Why not?! January proved they were good enough. 

 

Thompson grew from a great player to elite. Skinner's game was resurrected once back on the top line. Tuch's game is massively a pleasant surprise. Dahlin's defensive game improved. The middle line guys often stepped-up big time. A young team, yes. But they proved they could beat the top teams in the league. 

 

It has grown very old how Buffalo teams never fail to disappoint. 

 

Sorry, I'm in a bad mood. And, I think I'd like to stay that way for awhile. 

A huge part of the dropoff in play has been Dahlin and Tage not being at 100% for awhile.  But it makes me feel even more optimistic for the future because we know what they look like when completely healthy.  Plus you can still expect to see significant jumps in play from Cozens, Quinn, Peterka, Power and then add in the young kids like Savoie and Kulich.  Don't even get me started on Devon Levi.

 

I just don't understand how any Sabres fan can't be anything but super excited for the future

[BillsFan4]

 

[muppy]

well the Sabres win in a shootout! The offense did show more swag tonight. Toughly fought close game. Nice Win!

 

Levi with 2 clutch stops in the shootout. That had to feel good! atta boy Devon.

 

keep stacking NHL game experience young man.  the fanbase has your back.

 

GO SABRES!!!

 

 

[Doc]

[4merper4mer]

I’d like to see them get to 42 wins which is legit over .500. It’s a small thing but symbolic in a way.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

A win is a win…Detroit playing with reckless abandon.  They certainly have some solid young “pieces” to that team.  I didn’t see all the goals scored against DL, but I did 3 that were “fortunate” goals.  The one that went off Owen’s knee, the Tuch deflection, and I forget the other one (Lyubushkin turnover?).  The kid is going to take his lumps, but I love what I’m seeing thus far.  He’s fun to watch.

 

So I’m hearing that Tage has fractured ribs?  Anyone else catch this rumor?  Man, I cracked a couple ribs last spring building a retaining wall, and I couldn’t even breathe without pain.  
 

Dahlin did not play well.  I think he’s pretty well wiped from playing 30 minutes/game.  Owen Power was awesome tonight.  
 

Just win babay!!!!!

[BillsPride12]

That was a good, hard fought win against a team that is in a pretty similar point in their rebuild to the Sabres so I felt like that was a good test.  It's hard to get too mad when they don't look great against teams that are just better than them at this point like Boston and Toronto etc. but it was great to see them fight toe to toe with a pretty even contemporary and get the W.

[Jauronimo]

9 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

A win is a win…Detroit playing with reckless abandon.  They certainly have some solid young “pieces” to that team.  I didn’t see all the goals scored against DL, but I did 3 that were “fortunate” goals.  The one that went off Owen’s knee, the Tuch deflection, and I forget the other one (Lyubushkin turnover?).  The kid is going to take his lumps, but I love what I’m seeing thus far.  He’s fun to watch.

 

So I’m hearing that Tage has fractured ribs?  Anyone else catch this rumor?  Man, I cracked a couple ribs last spring building a retaining wall, and I couldn’t even breathe without pain.  
 

Dahlin did not play well.  I think he’s pretty well wiped from playing 30 minutes/game.  Owen Power was awesome tonight.  
 

Just win babay!!!!!

There were 2 goals against where Levi had absolutely no chance. The Lyubushkin turnover and the PP goal where Dahlin failed to get the puck or tie up a man and a Wing had a tap in on the backdoor.  The last goal against was a perfect shot but Levi was in position in time to possibly make a highlight reel save.   The other three against were tipped, deflected, or bounced in off of a Sabre.  I don't think Levi has allowed a softy yet in any of his starts.

 

Razor made an interesting point the other day, possibly after talking with Matty Ellis, that college goalies face a ton of shots but they're often perimeter shots and theres significantly less traffic in front of the net.  Bigger bodies in the NHL, intentional screens on the goalie would be an adjustment for Levi was the point.  I haven't seen anything which suggests he's playing these weird bounces poorer than any other goalie but it is an interesting point considering all the strange bounce goals we are seeing.  

 

Power is so much improved.  What a difference a season makes. His confidence and skills were obvious from the start but now he has adapted to NHL game speed.  

 

I have not heard the cracked rib rumor about Tage.   Thought he had an oblique pull earlier in the season.  I know that one timer has been grounded for weeks.  He looks hesitant to wind up and let it fly.  He was better last night but he was clearly laboring up and down the ice vs FLA. Credit to him for lacing up with the season on the line.

[Jauronimo]

2 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

That was a good, hard fought win against a team that is in a pretty similar point in their rebuild to the Sabres so I felt like that was a good test.  It's hard to get too mad when they don't look great against teams that are just better than them at this point like Boston and Toronto etc. but it was great to see them fight toe to toe with a pretty even contemporary and get the W.

 Sens and Wings were busy in free agency last summer and were supposed to be in the playoff mix.  Florida has been dealing like crazy to be a borderline wild card.  Gotta feel good about being where we are today mostly through drafting and developing.  Youngest team in the league despite rostering a goalie who knows how to program a VCR, decent cap room going into next year, and a solid prospect pool.  Kulich just set an AHL goal record for 18 year olds, Savoie had another strong season and playoffs, Ostlund is still alive last I checked, Rousek looked more than capable of playing bottom 6 minutes in his opportunity, and Rosen has a funny looking face.  With the best goalie prospect we've had since Miller, the future looks bright.

Edited April 7, 2023 by Jauronimo

[Dr. Who]

28 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

 Sens and Wings were busy in free agency last summer and were supposed to be in the playoff mix.  Florida has been dealing like crazy to be a borderline wild card.  Gotta feel good about being where we are today mostly through drafting and developing.  Youngest team in the league despite rostering a goalie who knows how to program a VCR, decent cap room going into next year, and a solid prospect pool.  Kulich just set an AHL goal record for 18 year olds, Savoie had another strong season and playoffs, Ostlund is still alive last I checked, Rousek looked more than capable of playing bottom 6 minutes in his opportunity, and Rosen has a funny looking face.  With the best goalie prospect we've had since Miller, the future looks bright.

Rosen is always the red-headed stepchild in these discussions and he's actually pretty damn good. Looking like we hit on all our first-rounders last year. Analytics and scouting folks KA brought in are coming up aces.

[PromoTheRobot]

22 hours ago, Fleezoid said:

I've grown very weary of the "there's always next year" narrative. The way the team finished last year, this year could have been, and should have been "the year." Why not?! January proved they were good enough. 

 

Thompson grew from a great player to elite. Skinner's game was resurrected once back on the top line. Tuch's game is massively a pleasant surprise. Dahlin's defensive game improved. The middle line guys often stepped-up big time. A young team, yes. But they proved they could beat the top teams in the league. 

 

It has grown very old how Buffalo teams never fail to disappoint. 

 

Sorry, I'm in a bad mood. And, I think I'd like to stay that way for awhile. 

 

Not sure what to say. We all live with disappointment. You have to watch how this team develops. The NHL is way different than the NFL. Rookies don't just play. (Devon Levi appears to be an exception.) It takes players 3-4 years to fully develop. 

 

Don't forget this is only year 2 of the Adams/Granato regime. And this team is already at the doorstep of the playoffs. We have more points now (83 with 5 games to go) than we've had since our last playoff season. We are #6 in the league in goals scored. We might have found our new Ryan Miller. There's plenty to be excited over.

[Jauronimo]

4 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Not sure what to say. We all live with disappointment. You have to watch how this team develops. The NHL is way different than the NFL. Rookies don't just play. (Devon Levi appears to be an exception.) It takes players 3-4 years to fully develop. 

 

Don't forget this is only year 2 of the Adams/Granato regime. And this team is already at the doorstep of the playoffs. We have more points now (83 with 5 games to go) than we've had since our last playoff season. We are #6 in the league in goals scored. We might have found our new Ryan Miller. There's plenty to be excited over.

With all the excitement this year around career highs and the development of Power, now Levi, the guy who hasn't gotten a ton of attention is Dylan Cozens.  His growth has been remarkable.  He put up over 30 goals this year despite constant line juggling, mainly playing with 2 rookies who were overmatched for much of the season, and he wasn't a PP fixture until the second half of the year.  He has yet to fill out his frame.  I am not guaranteeing he his going to be a perennial 30 goal scorer but I don't think he has reached his ceiling yet.  

[BillsFan4]

Now that was a great win! Sabres played a heck of a game against a very tough opponent. 

[Jauronimo]

2 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

Now that was a great win! Sabres played a heck of a game against a very tough opponent. 

Best performance of the season??  Best I can remember.  They played really well defensively against a great team, controlled play, battled back, and they looked solid with the lead in the 3rd for once.  What a win.

[zevo]

4 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

Now that was a great win! Sabres played a heck of a game against a very tough opponent. 

Just can’t seem to get the help we need. Our own fault but great win indeed