From Mike Harrington at the snooze.

The rookies are struggling mightily on the road, where they have to deal with tougher matchups and opponents whose physicality is riled up by the home crowds. Neither one had a point on the trip, with Quinn totaling three shots on goal and Peterka just one. They played only one 33-second shift in the third period Monday, with Quinn finishing the game with 9:45 of ice time and Peterka a season-low 9:27.

"I thought it was a tough night for them, but a great night for them to just absorb and learn," Granato said. "Quinner and JJ were off. It happens. But it was still a game where they could take a lot out of it."

Check this out: Peterka has 10 of his 15 points and five of his seven goals at home, while Quinn has all six of his goals and 11 of his 17 points in KeyBank Center.
- lacaprup

Kids learning to play the game, something to grow from.

Also from the same article

It feels as if it's time to ponder if the Buffalo Sabres might actually be good.

We all remember that not-so-small sample size that saw the club end last season 16-9-3 over its final 28 games, with wins against multiple marquee teams that included the rout of Toronto outdoors in the Heritage Classic.

With no pressure on the Sabres from the standings, the theory was they could play free and easy and opponents could not. Fair enough. Absolutely plausible. Then this season started and the Sabres put a dent in the theory by going 7-3.

Not so fast. Next came that ugly eight-game losing streak that seemed to torpedo yet another campaign. That has been followed by the 9-3-2 run that has the Sabres rocketing up the Atlantic Division ladder, from last place to fourth in just 15 days.

So we have three dominant stretches since March totaling 32-15-5 – or a 109-point pace for an entire season. You obviously can't throw the losing streak away. It happened. But much of it came with three defenseman out with injuries, and the Sabres played at Tampa Bay last month with four blueliners out as Rasmus Dahlin sat.

The questions prompted by all this are simple: What if that eight-game skid was the actual outlier and the real "small sample size"? What if the 52 games around that stretch are what this team really is?

What if this really is a team with a Hart Trophy candidate (Tage Thompson), a Norris Trophy candidate (Dahlin), a Calder Trophy candidate (Owen Power), the NHL's No. 1 offense and its No. 2 power play? Dive into any areas you want, but all those items alone scream playoff candidate.

The Sabres wrapped up a 3-0 road trip with Monday night's 3-2 nail-biter over the Vegas Golden Knights and came home just four points out of a playoff spot. Their plus-18 goal differential is better than seven current playoff teams. Development is happening just as they planned. There are still 50 games to play and now we see if the timetable for playoff contention gets accelerated.

Also from the same article

It feels as if it's time to ponder if the Buffalo Sabres might actually be good.

We all remember that not-so-small sample size that saw the club end last season 16-9-3 over its final 28 games, with wins against multiple marquee teams that included the rout of Toronto outdoors in the Heritage Classic.

With no pressure on the Sabres from the standings, the theory was they could play free and easy and opponents could not. Fair enough. Absolutely plausible. Then this season started and the Sabres put a dent in the theory by going 7-3.

Not so fast. Next came that ugly eight-game losing streak that seemed to torpedo yet another campaign. That has been followed by the 9-3-2 run that has the Sabres rocketing up the Atlantic Division ladder, from last place to fourth in just 15 days.

So we have three dominant stretches since March totaling 32-15-5 – or a 109-point pace for an entire season. You obviously can't throw the losing streak away. It happened. But much of it came with three defenseman out with injuries, and the Sabres played at Tampa Bay last month with four blueliners out as Rasmus Dahlin sat.

The questions prompted by all this are simple: What if that eight-game skid was the actual outlier and the real "small sample size"? What if the 52 games around that stretch are what this team really is?

What if this really is a team with a Hart Trophy candidate (Tage Thompson), a Norris Trophy candidate (Dahlin), a Calder Trophy candidate (Owen Power), the NHL's No. 1 offense and its No. 2 power play? Dive into any areas you want, but all those items alone scream playoff candidate.

The Sabres wrapped up a 3-0 road trip with Monday night's 3-2 nail-biter over the Vegas Golden Knights and came home just four points out of a playoff spot. Their plus-18 goal differential is better than seven current playoff teams. Development is happening just as they planned. There are still 50 games to play and now we see if the timetable for playoff contention gets accelerated.
- lacaprup

Going to need Power back and fast to sustain the success.

We all saw how out of gas Dahlin and Samuelsson were after 3 games out west without Owen.

They could also badly use a run of good health defensively, and perhaps one more veteran defender to be added that can play a truly grisly style.

Going to need Power back and fast to sustain the success.

We all saw how out of gas Dahlin and Samuelsson were after 3 games out west without Owen.

They could also badly use a run of good health defensively, and perhaps one more veteran defender to be added that can play a truly grisly style.
- kingcong39

Good Post

Going to need Power back and fast to sustain the success.

We all saw how out of gas Dahlin and Samuelsson were after 3 games out west without Owen.

They could also badly use a run of good health defensively, and perhaps one more veteran defender to be added that can play a truly grisly style.
- kingcong39

Oh for sure. The one game in 7 days comes at a great time for this team.

Se7en is a Christmas movie

All about the bible

Brad Pitt gets a gift at the end
- BeadyEyedDouche

this is the best synopsis ive ever read about that movie.

Oh for sure. The one game in 7 days comes at a great time for this team.
- lacaprup

They really need the break.

Dahlin looked spent the whole game against Vegas.

I've felt that way many times after a brutal training run the prior day.

You go to reach back for more power and there's none available to draw from.

They really need the break.

Dahlin looked spent the whole game against Vegas.

I've felt that way many times after a brutal training run the prior day.

You go to reach back for more power and there's none available to draw from.
- kingcong39

Let's hope we get a few guys back after christmas.

Let's hope we get a few guys back after christmas.
- TheSabresTaco

If they can add one more player via trade during this season without giving up too many assets, I hope it's a quality defenseman. Doesn't matter if they're a left or right shot.

If they can add one more player via trade during this season without giving up too many assets, I hope it's a quality defenseman. Doesn't matter if they're a left or right shot.
- kingcong39

i got laffed at for suggesting chiquorin last season.

If they can add one more player via trade during this season without giving up too many assets, I hope it's a quality defenseman. Doesn't matter if they're a left or right shot.
- kingcong39

If everything is true out there, there's a couple to be had.

i got laffed at for suggesting chiquorin last season.
- TheSabresTaco

His list of injuries is a real issue. No one doubts his ability or attitude.

Sabres are 6-1 on there West Coast trips.

Risto having 0 points in 26 games is a feat.

Absolutely baffling that he can't get points outside of the powerplay.

His list of injuries is a real issue. No one doubts his ability or attitude.
- lacaprup

The issue was primarily "we don't need another LD"

i got laffed at for suggesting chiquorin last season.
- TheSabresTaco

I was on that train, actually think we had Crouse joining us.

From Mike Harrington at the snooze.

The rookies are struggling mightily on the road, where they have to deal with tougher matchups and opponents whose physicality is riled up by the home crowds. Neither one had a point on the trip, with Quinn totaling three shots on goal and Peterka just one. They played only one 33-second shift in the third period Monday, with Quinn finishing the game with 9:45 of ice time and Peterka a season-low 9:27.

"I thought it was a tough night for them, but a great night for them to just absorb and learn," Granato said. "Quinner and JJ were off. It happens. But it was still a game where they could take a lot out of it."

Check this out: Peterka has 10 of his 15 points and five of his seven goals at home, while Quinn has all six of his goals and 11 of his 17 points in KeyBank Center.
- lacaprup

Pretty much expected right? Young, inexperienced players in their first year of NHL, having to face tougher assignments on yhe road.
Development year.

I was on that train, actually think we had Crouse joining us.
- Buff36

We did. Crouse this year has decided defense doesn't matter. But offense does!

this is the best synopsis ive ever read about that movie.
- TheSabresTaco

https://www.vulture.com/a...babies-list-taxonomy.html

We did. Crouse this year has decided defense doesn't matter. But offense does!
- TheSabresTaco

Still only a minus 1 on a bad team. Love to see what Donnie could do with him.

God bless the Senecas.

3 ounces of 21% thc dope for $185 total.

Oh happy day!

Why even grow your own at these prices?

We have the best weed for value on planet Earth. Screw Denver.

Going to need Power back and fast to sustain the success.

We all saw how out of gas Dahlin and Samuelsson were after 3 games out west without Owen.

They could also badly use a run of good health defensively, and perhaps one more veteran defender to be added that can play a truly grisly style.
- kingcong39[/quote]

I get the "perhaps" part that many hold. However, for more than a year I have been in the camp of wanting another Samuelsson type Defender to play at 2RhD displacing Joker, who then becomes trade bait since Lyubushkin is here (at least when healthy).
I'd be good with an older vet for 2, maybe seasons to pair with Power...of course if a you get version became available who wouldn't want it? Schenn and Murphy are targets, even our old friend Wil Borgen would be solid.

Clague should be playing as well...then hopefully Johnson displaces him next season.

i got laffed at for suggesting chiquorin last season.
- TheSabresTaco

I didn't laugh, but for the assets and the fact he plays mostly on the left, I didn't and still don't think it is the best move they could make. No denying the talent though.

Risto having 0 points in 26 games is a feat.

Absolutely baffling that he can't get points outside of the powerplay.
- TheSabresTaco

I predicted it many years ago, take him off the PP because Dahlin replaced him and watch his points plummet and reveal what a true liability he was and continues to be.
Some just like watching him take him self out of the play by chasing the big hit...and chasing guys behind the net.

I predicted it many years ago, take him off the PP because Dahlin replaced him and watch his points plummet and reveal what a true liability he was and continues to be.
Some just like watching him take him self out of the play by chasing the big hit...and chasing guys behind the net.
- IonSabres

glance at every flyers blog and you'll see it hasn't stopped.