a couple of thing from last night:

--dahlin flattened guentzel with a check as the oncoming pens player was about to unload on him...dahlin looked awful on defense for most of last night, but those moves in the neutral zone were jaw-dropping

--Okposo was in beast-mode and was instrumental in buffalo's 3rd and 4th goals...although the replay doesn't back up enough, he was attacking well before he got the primary assist on nelson's and mittelstadt's goals
- Michael Pachla

Okposo played a helluva game last night

point taken on the 06-7 team, but they just overcame a three-goal deficit, scored two goals late with the goalie pulled against van and faced third period deficits five times during their six game winning streak...

hope there's at least a little validity to the comparison
- Michael Pachla

Oh I get it...and I agree. Maybe I am just curbing my enthusiasm!

a couple of thing from last night:

--dahlin flattened guentzel with a check as the oncoming pens player was about to unload on him...dahlin looked awful on defense for most of last night, but those moves in the neutral zone were jaw-dropping

--Okposo was in beast-mode and was instrumental in buffalo's 3rd and 4th goals...although the replay doesn't back up enough, he was attacking well before he got the primary assist on nelson's and mittelstadt's goals
- Michael Pachla

Kyle is somewhat quietly having a very solid season. He is hustling and doing the dirty work.
At 5-8-13 he's ontrack for 20-32-52 playing 14->15 TOI.
Time to move on away from any Okposo hate...especially if him and Casey can continue to build some chemistry.

cant stop looking at at the standings. Buffalo fourth overall in the LEAGUE...

Matt Larkin
‏Verified account @THNMattLarkin
3h3 hours ago

Fun fact: since the start of 2016-17, Jack Eichel averages more points per game than Alex Ovechkin, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Artemi Panarin and Tyler Seguin.

Cherrypicking? Of course. but just making a point that Eichel = gooood
- Stripes77

That CAN'T be, I heard the shrimp (Mariner, Marner, whatever the hell his name is) in Toronto is better than Eichel.... Whats really funny is people in Canada Actually believe it... BWHAHAHAHAHA

Hi

Hi
- jochfr

HOW DEEEEE....

what hutton's been facing on a nightly basis is reminiscent, at least to me, of what miller had to deal with from '05-'07...miller had very pedestrian stats but he came up with big saves, especially on breakaway's and odd-man rushes which were plentiful...gave the team in front of him a lot of confidence
- Michael Pachla

Agreed. And he's on a nice contract too

Dahlin went from -4 to -2 which to me is a win in a game they should have lost. DeJa Vu...
I am interested to see if they can play the same game against teams like Philly and Florida who are, based on record, middling but better than the record. We now know they can beat the good teams. What about the not so good ones? Also, can this team put a complete game together? It's a learning process. They start off soft...win a couple, lose a couple then all of a sudden start to take off but not in full game mode. In the play offs, you lose the 1st and 2nd periods, you more than likely lose the game. They need something else. Hard to say exactly what it would be but seems maybe some of the lines are starting to click and we will know more about who we are in the next 10-15 games. Sorry, rambling a bit but I am seriously confused on how to feel. I am thrilled but this does not feel the same as the 06-07 team that no matter what, no matter when, they could just win. We are close but not quite there yet in my estimation...for what it's worth...which ain't much!
- hammatoe

I think this is a good post, and I beieve we all tend to think pretty much the same.
Probably isn't sustainable long term, but holy hell it has been fun to watch this team come back!
They need to put that complete game together no doubt...but, we appreciate the never say die attitude they show...and personally, learning to win when challenged like that will serve them well down the line!! Enjoying it!

Pach, your reference to '06 team is relevant. I have been thinkinv the same, I may have even posted it over the last couple days.

And to think this is the year of transition...where the roster isn't complete yet!!!
Bodes well, for the future.

The Sabres have enjoyed some good plag and leadership by the Vets this season.
Okposo, Pommer, hell even Bogo are all lending a hand to show how to play the "right way".

It was really cool to see the unity during the celebration after Jack's winning goal.
To a man, the excitement and joy they had for each other success was great to watch.
It's so obvious the difference in attitude from last season.

I absolutely love watching a true team develop right before my eyes.

Right? He played like the team...they all gave and then clamped down and just finished. He game up goals, they did nothing to help but then all of a sudden they'd score or he'd stop an impossible shot to stop and boom, they were off to the races. It was a ton of fun to watch but maddening at the same time. I am seeing a lot of the same in this team and frankly, I love it and hate it all at the same time...more love it, though
- hammatoe

Agreed. And he's on a nice contract too
- mhp

sweet deal

What if all this team needed was a healthy Bogo?

We have all been giddy at the Sabres success..rightly so, and it feels good...errr, GREAT!!

Several have posted a reality that long-term their success probably isn't sustainable in the way they are winning (but fun as hell to watch!) ...enjoy it, it feels good!

Ryan Stimson published an article in The Athletic... doing his normal impressive job of interpreting data ....which suggests that historically speaking the Sabres Shot and Expected Goal projections don't support a playoff position just yet, something like 29% chance...who knows, but we all have said improvement is still necessary...puting together a complete game.
While they are in a playoff spot, it would be prudent to acknowledge the average performance of the team and know that improvement is needed if they want to continue challenging to make the playoffs. It’s also important that Jason Botterill doesn’t make moves to try and accelerate the rebuild by taking advantage of some early season success. This is still a very young team and staying the course means not trading away picks for rentals. If anything, the Sabres should keep the long term goals of the franchise in mind rather than burn draft capital for short-term success.

Good stuff, ... in the Year of Transition, execute the plan...stay the course and maximize the long term. If done properly, we could see some great hockey fof 8 -10 years!
Can't wait to see what those 4 1st rounders over the next 2 years brings!!
I have faith in in JBotts to do the rightbthing, he has earned that trust IMO.
Enjoy this "Year of Transition"

We have all been giddy at the Sabres success..rightly so, and it feels good...errr, GREAT!!

Several have posted a reality that long-term their success probably isn't sustainable in the way they are winning (but fun as hell to watch!) ...enjoy it, uut feels good!

Ryan Stimson published an article in The Athletic...doing his normal imporessive job if interpreting data ....which suggests the Sabres Shot and Expected Goal projections don't support a pl ayoff position just yet...who knows, but we all have said improvement is still necessary.
While they are in a playoff spot, it would be prudent to acknowledge the average performance of the team and know that improvement is needed if they want to continue challenging to make the playoffs. It’s also important that Jason Botterill doesn’t make moves to try and accelerate the rebuild by taking advantage of some early season success. This is still a very young team and staying the course means not trading away picks for rentals. If anything, the Sabres should keep the long term goals of the franchise in mind rather than burn draft capital for short-term success.

Good stuff, ... in the Year of Transition, execute the plan...stay the course and maximize the long term. If done properly, we could see some great hockey fof 8 -10 years!
Can't wait to see what those 4 1st rounders over the next 2 years brings!!
Enjoy this "Year of Transition"
- IonSabres

If we are out of it by the TDL (which i don't think we will be), I wonder what Pommer could get for us? With the way he is playing and his veteran presence, maybe a 2nd?

If we are out of it by the TDL (which i don't think we will be), I wonder what Pommer could get for us? With the way he is playing and his veteran presence, maybe a 2nd?
- SabreWest

Who knows...he would be a desireable asset one would think.
He has utility here for sure, even next year on a reasonable contract...I'd consider bringing him back...depending on the play of prospects from the Amerks.
I could see JBotts doing him a "solid" and finding him a place on a contender.

Let 89 know, he didn't notice eichel last night.
- Boss34

I'll need a Kane update, anyone have one ?

Hey zeus crease toe.
- Der Kaiser

I'll need a Kane update, anyone have one ?
- SABRES 89

He wears #9, ?
Jack wantsto be like him, ?

We have all been giddy at the Sabres success..rightly so, and it feels good...errr, GREAT!!

Several have posted a reality that long-term their success probably isn't sustainable in the way they are winning (but fun as hell to watch!) ...enjoy it, it feels good!

Ryan Stimson published an article in The Athletic... doing his normal impressive job of interpreting data ....which suggests that historically speaking the Sabres Shot and Expected Goal projections don't support a playoff position just yet, something like 29% chance...who knows, but we all have said improvement is still necessary...puting together a complete game.
While they are in a playoff spot, it would be prudent to acknowledge the average performance of the team and know that improvement is needed if they want to continue challenging to make the playoffs. It’s also important that Jason Botterill doesn’t make moves to try and accelerate the rebuild by taking advantage of some early season success. This is still a very young team and staying the course means not trading away picks for rentals. If anything, the Sabres should keep the long term goals of the franchise in mind rather than burn draft capital for short-term success.

Good stuff, ... in the Year of Transition, execute the plan...stay the course and maximize the long term. If done properly, we could see some great hockey fof 8 -10 years!
Can't wait to see what those 4 1st rounders over the next 2 years brings!!
I have faith in in JBotts to do the rightbthing, he has earned that trust IMO.
Enjoy this "Year of Transition"
- IonSabres

They are earning more points than their performance, no doubt. But it is hard to quantify the value of a team that believes they will score the next goal to tie or win the game, similar to Ottawa 2 years ago, or Vegas last year.

They are definitely due for some regression imo, but a team that stays mostly healthy (so far so good), and a team that believes in itself can do more than expected. I still think they'll hit some rough spots, of course, but if they over achieve, I won't be surprised.

Oh I get it...and I agree. Maybe I am just curbing my enthusiasm!
- hammatoe

You got to get in dat a$$, L.D!

I'll need a Kane update, anyone have one ?
- SABRES 89

Ek9 2 goals in the last 16 games.
1 assist in the last 10 games.

Ek9 2 goals in the last 16 games.
1 assist in the last 10 games.
- Boss34

Eichel 2 goals in the last 9, i'm I doing this right ?

He wears #9, ?
Jack wantsto be like him, ?
- IonSabres

Never happen

Eichel 2 goals in the last 9, i'm I doing this right ?
- SABRES 89

Not bad. 😀


Happy Thanksgiving