Michael Pachla: A crowded Eastern Conference pack, Sabres at Philly, a bit on Jeff Skinner

So Slowobtka is Skinner's missing link?

So Slowobtka is Skinner's missing link?
- RhinoFan

just pointing out some numbers...shot output almost identical, goal numbers down...

skinner and Johansson were buzzing early in the season...why that's not happening may have more to do with mojo not feeling it post-injury, but you can't deny how well they looked, especially with mojo playing an unfamiliar position, early in the season and Sobotka was their right-winger

Could either be in 2nd or 10th place at the end of the night

just pointing out some numbers...shot output almost identical, goal numbers down...

skinner and Johansson were buzzing early in the season...why that's not happening may have more to do with mojo not feeling it post-injury, but you can't deny how well they looked, especially with mojo playing an unfamiliar position, early in the season and Sobotka was their right-winger
- Michael Pachla

No, I think it was a good point. Wasn't poking fun.

Sobotka was playing better. Not good enough, but nowhere near the dumpster fire he was last year. Just thought it was funny after all the guff he's taken.

You know boards, keep making excuses for him, he hasn't scored any power play goals, he actually has taken a bunch of stupid penalties lately, you have your say and I have mine and mine is he hasn't been good enough, I am done talking about it.
- Buff36

What now?

He has taken one penalty since October 24th, and a grand total of 4 all season.

Since October 24th, he has drawn 6, and 9 total on the season.

Noted Sabres pessimist Dom Luszczyszyn had this to say today.

9. I decided to check in on an interesting change of scenery trade from the preseason: Alex Nylander for Henri Jokiharju. The Blackhawks are a train wreck this season and Nylander’s presence hasn’t really helped with 12 points in 34 games, coupled with middling possession numbers. Most games he’s been a non-factor. Jokiharju, on the other hand, has been much more impressive. He’s not exactly getting tough minutes per se, but they aren’t sheltered minutes either and he’s played them well, boasting a solid 51.7 percent expected goals rate. That’s not bad for the Sabres and his actual goals percentage is even better. I wasn’t sold on his rookie season in Chicago, but he’s looked like a capable top-four defender for Buffalo, a big reason they have a log jam on the back end. Nylander just hasn’t provided anywhere close to the same value. Advantage: Buffalo.


(Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
10. Jack Eichel is on an incredible 17-game point streak, one where he’s notched 31 points with the Sabres out-scoring teams 24-10 with him on the ice. He’s been magnificent and is entrenching himself as a player who belongs in the league’s upper echelon. He’s been a top 10 player this year scoring at a 117-point pace and has arguably been the league’s best player, period, over the last month. And yet, despite his all-world play during the last 17 games, his team has completely squandered the effort, going 7-6-4 during the stretch (an 87-point pace), getting outscored 23-15 at evens with Eichel off the ice. It’s a damn shame.

Some have wondered why my model is so low on the Sabres’ chances this season and this most recent stretch is a microcosm of that. Even with a player playing like the best in the world for a month, the rest of the team just isn’t good enough. What are they going to look like when Eichel isn’t carrying them every single game? Depth matters.

11. Leon Draisaitl looked like a legitimate top-five player through the first quarter of the season, but he’s hit a wall ever since, especially defensively. Over the last 12 games, Draisaitl is still scoring and has 11 points which is nothing to scoff at, but only one of those points is at five-on-five where he’s been getting absolutely clobbered. With Draisaitl on the ice, the Oilers have been outscored 16-3 and 12-6 by expected goals, meaning he’s earning most of his lumps. That’s a 34 percent expected goals rate, driven by the fact he’s been out-chanced in nine of the last 12 games. Thanks to this recent stretch, the Oilers have actually been outscored on the season with Draisaitl on the ice. Not ideal. For the time frame, his average Game Score is minus-0.36 – an extremely difficult number to accomplish when you’re still scoring at a 75-point pace.

The Oilers were comfortably atop the Pacific Division for much of the season, but when you live and die by two players, you can’t expect to survive when one of those gears stops turning. They’re 4-7-1 amidst Draisaitl’s struggles. If he isn’t scoring as often (which is excusable over a long season), he needs to be better in other avenues because Edmonton doesn’t have many players that can pick up the slack.
- TheSabresTaco

Such relevant info. shared by Taco that I wanted to make sure everyone got to read it/see it.

Logan and Deadpool were better than Man of Steel.
- dadeadhead

Disagree on the above sir IMO as the jokes in Deadpool wore off halfway through the movie and the clone in Logan made me spit out my drink due to stupidity.

What now?

He has taken one penalty since October 24th, and a grand total of 4 all season.

Since October 24th, he has drawn 6, and 9 total on the season.
- kingcong39

But why let facts get in the way when you can make sh!t up?

What now?

He has taken one penalty since October 24th, and a grand total of 4 all season.

Since October 24th, he has drawn 6, and 9 total on the season.
- kingcong39

I'll dust off this old chestnut from the great ROR flamewars of yore:

His lack of penalties shows he's not trying

Such relevant info. shared by Taco that I wanted to make sure everyone got to read it/see it.
- kingcong39

Their defacto 2nd line has a bigger negative impact than Eichel has a positive one during his bajillion game point streak.

Defensive Depth wins championships.

What now?

He has taken one penalty since October 24th, and a grand total of 4 all season.

Since October 24th, he has drawn 6, and 9 total on the season.
- kingcong39

No he took a penalty on the 5th of Dec, on the 2nd of Dec, on the 14th, on the 8th in Nov., and then 3 penalties on 24th of Oct., so no I am not making poop up.

But why let facts get in the way when you can make sh!t up?
- jochfr

Check your stats before you call anybody out.

You all can kiss Skinner's balls as much as you want, but he has 26 goals in the last 82 games not good enough. He's a good hockey player, but he needs to do better

Defensive Depth wins championships.
- ImThatGuy

Speaking of, Harrington thinks the scratches for tonight are Joker and DJ Dingleberry

You all can kiss Skinner's balls as much as you want, but he has 26 goals in the last 82 games not good enough. He's a good hockey player, but he needs to do better
- Buff36

Dont you get tired of being so redundant.

Defensive Depth wins championships.
- ImThatGuy

signed darcy regier

Dont you get tired of being so redundant.
- Carubba-Kaleta

Didn't bring it up, other posters did

Annnnnd here we go again...

Annnnnd here we go again...
- Powerslave

No, I am done talking about it, it doesn't matter

signed darcy regier
- SabresFaninIndiana

Larry Pilut > Doug Janik

Larry Pilut > Doug Janik
- jcragcrumple

> Drew Schiestel

No, I am done talking about it, it doesn't matter
- Buff36

Not even 3 months into an 8 year contract and there are already articles about Skinner’s performance. It’s like a certain galaxy brain called this back in April, 2 months before he even signed on the dotted line.

> Drew Schiestel
- Powerslave