Who'd Have Thought?

by Anne

I can't access Twitter or Facebook on my work computer but I can update my much-neglected little bloggaroo.

So it seems I've started a new job. Six months of unemployment was plenty, thankyouverymuch. We're fresh into week two right now and no end in sight. I'm temping in downtown Buffalo and it is LAUGH A MINUTE FUN. While this job might be wicked boring, at least it gives me time to update this. AND, if Iwork down here, which is right around the corner from the office I was working in when I started this precious little blog's predecessor, I will be a mere hop, skip, and a jump from HSBC Arena come fall. As it's not likely I'll still be working here then, I won't get my hopes up too high.

It's amazing how my playoff frenzied fervor immediately disappears when each and every team I have actual emotional attachment to is eliminated. First we said good-bye to the Los Angeles Kings, who lost in un-ceremonious overtime fashion at the hands of one Cap'n Joe Thornton. Then we bid adieu to the Buffalo Sabres who, it seems, could not recover from their back-breaking game 6 loss to Danny Briere and Pseudo-Pronger. Then the Penguins, who made it farther than anyone would've predicted without their two-headed scoring monster, were ousted by the bandwaggonable Tampa Bay Lightning.

The second round has almost entirely passed me by. Whoops. During the Bruins/Flyers series, I wasn't so much rooting for the Bruins as I was cheering against the Flyers... and a little bit for TimTom. Because, COME ON. It's Tim Thomas. How can you not love Tim Thomas? He CRAZY. And to think the Bruins almost parted ways with the crochety old net-minder last off-season.

It's hard for me to give a hoot about the Western Conference. The only team I actually WANT to win, is the Predators. However, if the Canucks defeat them, I won't exactly weep into my bowl of Special K the next morning.

The truth is, the reason I don't want the Canucks to win it all has nothing to do with the team or their fans or their city. The real reason is because I hate for the list of  "never won"s to get even shorter and my precious little Sabres and Kings are still sitting there, waiting for their turn to eat Special K out of Lord Stanley's cereal bowl.

Alas, if the Canucks win it all, I shall be happy for them and their fans. Totally jealous of course, but happy none the less.

Behbeh Alex Burrows thanks you for your time.



Appreciation

by Anne

Ryan Miller is all ours.

And he's fucking awesome.

One down. 

Fifteen to go.

Let's Go Buff-a-lo!

Letters

by Anne

Dear Kings,

Thank you for winning last night. I know it was in the shootout, which isn't my favorite, but at least you won. I appreciate updating the "W" column in your record. It is very enjoyable. Keep up the good work.

Love, Anne

 Wooo! Kings win!

 Dear Joe Beninati,

Thanks for developing an awkward man crush on Matt Greene. He is a "big burly beast," I'm sure he'll be glad to know you think so too. I am thrilled he has returned the Kings' line-up as well.

Love, Anne

What he didn't tell us is that this moose is named Matt Greene as well.

Dear Dustin Brown,

I'm sorry you were ejected from the game unnecessarily. Mostly I'm sorry you were ejected because you didn't do anything wrong. Also I'm sorry because you're on one of my fantasy teams and you killed my average time on ice last night. Please keep this in mind as you move forward in the season.

Love, Anne

I think this picture is from last season

HOW HAVE I NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE?

Looks like I found the front of this year's Christmas card.

Dear Drew Doughty,

Please wrap your head in bubble wrap and don't sit in any spinny chairs for the next few days. We'd like your coconut to be fully functional and ready to return to the lineup posthaste. I'm sure Simmer doesn't appreciate all the requests for chicken soup and foot massages. Oh yeah, and the Kings miss you. They're doing fine without you so far but they'll be even better WITH you. I'm sure Greener is trying not to take it personally that the first game you missed was his first game back. Bitterness between former housemates? Is there tension? Greener did saw Simmer's shoe in half once.... it's all coming together now.

Love, Anne

TIMMAH was kind enough to let you borrow it

Dear Sabres,

I have been having a bad few days, last night the Kings did their part by beating the Wild. However, I have no strong feelings about the Wild so that victory wasn't nearly as satisfying as, say, you beating the Philadelphia Flyers, my 2nd least favorite team in the NHL. PLEEEEEEEASE beat the Flyers?! PRETTY Please?!

Love, Anne

Does this come in women's cuts too?

Dear Tyler Myers,

You're  -8 these days. Please improve that stat and fast. My fantasy team would appreciate it.

Love, Anne

I see you are composing your thoughtful response.

Many thanks, young JBG

Dear Jason Pominville,

Please come back soon. We might not need you that much, but it's been weird watching games without you playing in them.

Love, Anne

I know what you're thinking, and you're right:

This picture will never be old.

Dear Squeaky desk somewhere in my office,

OMFG, STOP SQUEAKING, IT'S DRIVING ME SLOWLY INSANE. I SWEAR I WILL GO ALL HULK SMASH ON YOU SOON IF A SOLUTION TO YOUR INCESSANT SQUEAKING IS NOT QUICKLY REACHED.

Love, Anne

Free Agent Day is Going to be SO LAME

by Anne

With everyone running around trying to find things to prop up the cap ceiling so they can fit in more stuff and trading away all the UFAs, it seems as though the 2nd best day of the year is going to be hella lame.

Although there is serious potential for Nabokov to totally dick over the Flyers, and that I can't wait to see if I'm reading the reports on his trade/not trade/signing/not a signing. Any time the Flyers suffer I count that in my personal "W" column.

The Predators who no one really pays attention to most of the time, have shipped away several of their biggest names and aren't bringing back Dan Ellis meaning the team is one big ol' question mark for next season. But fortunately, it's the Predators so no one is really all that concerned about how they do. I'm not, especially now that Dan Ellis is gone as he is my favorite NHL player to follow on Twitter. Well, I suppose the Preds also have Shea Weber. Yummy, yummy Shea Weber.

Everyone is basically writing it off as a foregone conclusion that Kovalchuk will be a King on Thursday. I mean, I'd be okay with it, so long as he isn't the locker room cancer he's been rumored to be. Do you think Greener can keep him in line? 

I'm also pretty tired of all this "BRIAN BURKE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?" Nothing has happened of any significance since that "okay, maybe if we switch out our entire rosters, no one will notice. Aaaaaand GO!" with the Flames a few months ago. I mean, where's this Kaberle deal? Where's the big shake-ups we've been promised. I hope they come soon.

A little sad to see Cheechoo and Kotalik on waivers. Well, Cheech more than Big Czech Al. Cheech was once a 50 goal scorer and now he'll be in the minors? Unreal. Big Czech Al is mostly deadweight. He'll enjoy playing in the KHL, I'm sure. 

In all the draft hubbub, I forgot to show my EXTREME DISPLEASURE that Big Bear has been dealt to the Florida Panthers. EW EW EW EW NO. I mean, he'll be closer to me and we'll play him more often but :( :( :(. I'm running out of ties to the Canucks, people. Kes and SOB are about all I've got left.

I miss the Sabres. When will they be coming back to us?

Finally!

by Anne

The playoffs are over, the Chicago Blackhawks are the Stanley Cup champions!

Hometown boy, Patrick Kane scored a weird goal and clinched the trophy for the city with the longest championship drought in the National Hockey League.

Bring it home for a visit, Kaner!

Congratulations!

I may not like the Blackhawks, but watching the celebrations, their enthusiasm as first-time winners was infectious. That, and I hate the Flyers more than words can express.

Um, Blackhawks?

by Anne

The only reason I felt I didn't need/want to put much effort into watching this series was because I assumed that beating Philly would be no problem for you. I do not like that this series is tied at 2. Do gooder when back in Chicago. NOW. That is all.

My sister will be in Chicago for her final weeks of grad school this summer, it would sweeeeet if when I visited for her graduation in the end of July, I could see all the "Woooo Stanley Cup champs!" banners and carryingson that are likely to occur throughout the summer. I would appreciate not having to see the losers and ne'er-do-wells of Philadelphia (my cousin included, but not his wife or son)* celebrating a cup victory.

Duncan Keith didn't lose 90% of his teeth just to lose in the Final. Brent Seabrook didn't sacrifice his beautiful face and resemble a yeti to give it all up against Philadelphia. Jonathan Toews doesn't look like Wolverine's reject sidekick to NOT hoist the Cup over his head. But for serious, when are we going to have a winning captain with a proper playoff beard? If Nick Lidstrom's is the most "impressive" playoff beard of the last three Cup winners (if Chicago wins, I mean), this will be sad. HOWEVER, that does NOT mean that I want Mike Richards to raise that Cup over his head. NO SIR. 

Niedermayer's was by far the best since the lockout:

2006 - no beard

  2008 - pittance of stubble, sort of a goatee.

2009 - Does that even count? At least you can see it?

2007- What a captainly face full of hair.

If Jonathan Toews winning keeps this playoff beard drought going for a third year, I can live with that. 

* For the record my cousin is neither a loser nor a ne'er-do-well, but don't tell him I said that.

Ron MacLean is a BAMF & other things

by Anne

• First and foremost, we all must pay homage to one Mr. Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada who saved a man from taking his own life by diving into the Delaware River to save him. Read a bit about it here. What a dude. 

• So the Flyers won last night. I dislike both of these teams in the Final so I appreciate that these three games have been exciting and close. Chris Pronger makes things more entertaining, as always, even if it's because he's a royal d-bag.

• Zack Kassian saddens me. I know he has a mean-streak on the ice, but being arrested and charged with assault is not exactly going to endear him to Sabres fans. Darcy Regier had expressed interest in signing him to a pro-contract soon. That will likely be put off until later into the summer, if it happens this summer at all, while he deals with this situation. Idiot. Win the Memorial Cup and get arrested. Well done, Kash.

• I'm reading this book:

• I'm a big fan of the Roosevelts and I like biographies and I like biographies written by David McCullough, so this should be a good read. Thusfar I've read the first chapter, which focuses on TR's Pops, also named Theodore. He sounds like he was the kind of father any kid would want. Next chapter is about his Mama, Mittie.

• It's hard to find things hockey to look forward to. I'm not all that pumped about the draft this year. Neither the Kings nor Sabres have high draft picks, and there's no possibility of going to the draft in LA :( 

• The Sabres signed Jacob Lagace. This seriously ups the pretty factor in the prospects pool, which is always a plus for development camp. By the by, when is Dev Camp this summer? I love going up there for the scrimmages.

• Tumblr is rife with sudden pangs of lust for Dan Carcillo. Ladies, I can get behind loving even the grossest of the gross, but just not Dan Carcillo. I suppose I could understand a latent desire for Sean Avery or Chris Pronger, maybe even Dion Phaneuf, but NOT Dan Carcillo. Gross me out in all ways possible.

• Let's Go 'Hawks? I might pay attention to the NBA. The week off before the SCF started had a lot of us on Twitter watching the NBA. I suppose I'll pull for the Lakers? I don't know. I feel like the Celtics and Lakers are ALWAYS in the Final. I know that's not true but  they HAVE met 11 times in the Final.

If the Blackhawks win the cup...

by Anne

...I'm taping numbers to my walls and playing whichever ones Oscar knocks to the ground.

A few months back, my cat (who likes to irritate me into getting out of bed every morning) knocked my magnetic standings tracker off of the wall. Several magnets fell off and there were two it took me a while to find; one I still to this day have not found.

Here's the tweet (click to enlarge):

Nostradamus, eat your heart out. You ain't got nothin' on Oscar.

What a relief!

by Anne

Seriously, thank goodness they won. The Sabres beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in oooooovertiiiime for their first win after the Olympicbreak.

Thank goodness Vanek scored.

Thank goodness Connolly not only scored but made up for a bad turnover as well. Both of them are guys who do not quickly bounce back from mistakes and like to be streaky.

Thank goodness Mairsy scored just because he's Mairsy.

Thank goodness Torres got his first point as a Sabre on Timmah's OT game-winner. He was out there at a crucial time and he majorly came through for his new teammates.

Miller looked almost refreshed in his post-game interview; even Kevin Sylvester commented on his clean-shaven face.

The only real downside from tonight's game aside from the few mental  lapses is that Little Foot pulled his groin and will likely miss some time. With Goose hurt and Ennis mildly concussed, does Gerbe get a shot? He's not hurt, is he? Unfortunately, these are the moments when a player like Paetsch who's a crazy genie and can magically play defense AND forward comes in handy. Oh well. C'est la vie.

Tonight's win puts them back into first place in the division by one point. Woo!

Here's hoping this is the start of something good and they can keep this going into Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Saturday Wrap Up

by Anne

Saturday was not so great.

I missed most of the Kings game but I can tell you they lost - yet again- on a Saturday afternoon. This time they made it all the way to the shootout before losing. Alas. They lost 5-4. Somehow Drew Doughty was a +3. That's no small feat when so many goals are scored.

The Sabres lost a snoozer 2-1 as Henrik Lundqvist got himself a Ryan Miller shutout. Pommer scored with 58 seconds left to spoil Lundqvist's shutout bid.

The Canucks also lost, but this loss was perhaps the most painful of those three as they lost to the BUTTER SNAPS, aka the worst team in the National Hockey League.

As I'm sure you're all aware, John Stevens, not this kid from Amherst:

He sang the anthem on Thursday

I almost fell asleep

No, this John Stevens:

He was fired by the Flyers on Friday

Peter Laviolette was instated as the new Flyers's head coach and they promptly lost to the Washington Capitals 8-2. Ouch.

The Penguins played the Blackhawks and the 'Hawks won 2-1 in OT. You'd think these two will meet in the Cup Finals, but I have a suspicion it won't happen. Don't ask me why, I just have a feeling that's all too easy.  The Penguins were without Sid the Kid who sat out to nurse a lingering sore groin. Wonder if there would've been a difference if he'd been out there? Who knows.

Fortunately, the Bills aren't playing today so I have no emotional commitments to today's football games. Although, as of this writing New Orleans and Washington are dead-locked at 30 in OT. Yeesh. Nevermind, the Saints just won.

The Steelers keep losing. I suppose I shall have to start cheering for either Peyton or Brett in the post season. We shall see.

Sorry I kinda died for a few days

by Anne

Yeah so I had all these grandiose plans for the putting to bed of Sabretooth's House and the emergence of QCSB, but then a stomach bug had other plans for me and I was outta commission from Friday afternoon until, well, right now, 7:50am Sunday morning.

Must re-cap a few days:

Thursday:

• Baby Schenner did not impress too highly in his NHL debut, but other than Quickie, none of the Kings really did. They lost 4-1 to the Canucks. I didn't make it through the entire game.
  

• I ate lots of Thanksgiving yumminess and it rocked.

Friday:

• I did not realize the Sabres game was on at 1:00 until it was 1:40 so I missed all of the first, except for the Flyers scoring their second goal. Boooo.
  

• Fortunately, the Sabres managed to hold it together and win 4-2.
  

• Goose hipchecked himself into the boards and hurt his knee. Ummm, not good, Goosie.
  

• Then Craigory took an awkward tumble into the boards and injured himself. 
  

• Kaleta hit someone and got suspended for it. Lame.
  

• I got really sick around 6:00 and was sick all night. It was quite unpleasant.

Saturday:

• I ate some solid foods
  

• The Sabres, Canucks and Kings all played.
  

• The Sabres played two of the most boring periods of hockey of the season before waking up and remembering they were playing the HURRICANES and scored five unanswered goals in the third to win 5-1.
  

• That wouldn't be quite so bad if the Butter Snaps hadn't allowed five unanswered goals in the third to lose 6-4 the night before. Oh Butter Snaps.
  

• This is already the second time this season the Sabres have won back to back games, something they only managed to do once last season. Whee!

 Mikey opened the scoring.

I love him.

I didn't care too much about him when he was in Buffalo before.

Now I adore him.

• Miller played out of his ever-loving mind. I should've tossed him and his glove hand on my list of things I'm thankful for.

Rick was right.

We are not worthy

• Tyler Myers had a terrrrible giveaway that lead directly to the Butter Snaps only goal, but Lindy just left him on the ice to work out the kinks and he finished the night with four assists. Three for the Sabres and one for the 'Canes. Haha. ohhhh, too soon?
  

• The Canucks hosted the Oilers and trounced them 7-3. The Canucks PK was not good, going 1 for 3, but they scored 5 goals in the first and chased Deslauriers. Seven different Canucks scored and Kes had three assists. Wooo!
  

• The Kings played the Blackhawks last night in a tight game. Simmer opened the scoring and Tazer answered, but that was all the scoring they could muster in regulation and OT. It went to the shootout where both Kopi and JJ3 scored and Quickie stopped the first two Blackhawks shooters and the Kings won 2-1! Wooooo!
  

• I fell asleep before the 3rd period of the Kings game. It's always grand to wake up to a Kings victory, especially when I didn't bench Quickie for the Sunny Hedgehog Enchanters.
  

• Quickie played an outstanding game. A game like the ones he opened the season with, thank goodness.

Quickie says NO.

I'm not sure what that dude in plaid is doing, exactly.

Tonight the Canucks host the Sharks. I will probably not be watching as it is my Mama's birthday.

Happy Birthday to my Mama!!!

Flyers tonight

by Anne

Tonight the Buffalo Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers, sans Danny Briere because he's hurt... again. Sigh. So's Simon Gagne, so really everything is the way it usually is in Philly.

I expect this to be the usual unpleasantness that comes when we play the Flyers. Jeff Carter or Mike Richards will score and make me nauseous. Scott Hartnell will do something douchebaggy, and toss in Chris Pronger and it's just going to suck.

Then there's this dude:

Ugh.

Gross.

I really hate the Flyers. They're in my top 5 least favorite teams in the NHL, they're probably #2, behind Ottawa, and ahead of the Rangers at #3.

The Sabres were 0-4-0 against the Flyers last season, losing by multiple goal deficits each game, including one shutout at home. Ye-ouch.

This sesaon, the Flyers are four points behind the Sabres 7-4-1 through 12 games for 15 points. The Sabres are 9-2-1 through the same 12 games.

Its Official (almost)

by Anne

It has been announced by the Philadelphia Flyers that they have agreed to a one-year contract with Ray Emery, formerly of our *favorite* Ottawa Senators.

I thought they'd wait until Raymond could officially sign on the dotted line on July 1, but they decided to jump the gun and announce it today.

Greeeeaaaaat. At least Heatley has said he wants to go to Edmonton, far, far away where he'll only bother us a maximum of twice next year if Edmonton is one of our three "at large" games. Peace out, Heater.

I can't wait for the "Emmmmmeryyyyy! Emmmmmeryyyyy!" chants to rain down from HSBC Arena, though, that will be fun to have back. Just as long as the Sabres are winning.

My best friend is moving to Harlem in August, my only solace is that I can have a place to stay when I get dirt cheap tickets to see John Tavares play next season. Nevermind that it'll take two hours one way to get from Harlem to Nassau Coliseum by public transportation and just over one hour driving. Whatevs.

I fell off my treadmill yesterday. Now I have a bruise on my knee. I'm one slick kid.

Still only Wednesday. Still 55 hours and 40 minutes until Game 7.

Discussion Topics

by Anne

• Ray Emery really actually will be the Phlyers new goaltender. The rumor inches closer to reality. Nothing can be made official until July 1 so it still remains just scuttlebutt... but, come on. We all know its going to happen
  

• Should we start a "Bring Biron Back to Buffalo" campaign? Cari makes great t-shirts, I'm sure she'd love to contribute to the cause

• "Hey Liiindyyyy..."
  

Pirates and Sabres ad Captains, oh my!

by Anne

I decided to peruse the Portland Pirates website last night, and came across this totally righteous picture:

There are so many awesome things about this picture

Nathan Gerbe's bright yellow pullover
His actually not-so surprisingly large calf muscles
Cracker's belly shirt and the fact that he appears to be about 9 feet tall.
(Do you think Sabretooth will ever try to eat Crackers?)

In case you were keeping track of the "Crackers Classic Golf Tournamet" (what a great name) This team did NOT defend their title. Boooooooo!!!!! Gerbeeeeee!!!

They kick off the season on Saturday against the Manchester Monarchs, AHL affiliate of the LA Kings (I love when AHL and NHL teams names are similar). Last season the Monarchs finished 4th in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, 1 spot behind Portland... and they were swept out of the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Whoops! Anyway, should be a good start to the season for them.

This is the first season where I feel I have a strong enough grasp of the NHL that I can branch out and try to learn about the finer points of the AHL. Therefore, it would've been nice if the Amerks were still our affiliate, but as they are not, I am not discouraged: GO PIRATES!!! WOOOOO!!!! PORT-LAND! PORT-LAND! PORT-LAND!

AND they're giving out thundersticks at the opening game. AWESOME.

Their seating sections have fun Pirate-themed names too:

Personally, I think they should change "Quarter Deck" to "Poop Deck"
Too bad no one called and asked for my input.
Do you think the locker room is called like "The Cabin"?
Do they call the equipment manager the "Boatswain"?
Are they "Port Wing" and "Starboard Wing"?
I've got a million of these.

Can we just discuss that their athletic trainer is named Robert Frost?

The most expensive ticket to any regular season game is $21 if bought ON game day. Pre-sale its $20. WOW. I NEED TO START LIKING THE AHL A LOT MORE.

Ummm, the Flyers lost a game to their own AHL affiliate as they said good-bye to the Spectrum...again. Quoi? I thought they already said goodbye to the Spectrum, but whatevs. Should Flyers fans be nervous because the NHL team lost to the AHL team? Or excited because they clearly have some talent in the system?!!!

News of the captaincy drops today after practice!!! As Kate so eloquently pointed out, we have really no idea what exactly makes a good captain or which Sabre actually possesses those talents, so, as excited as I am to hear, and as willingly as I offer up my blatherings on my choice for captain, I will be perfectly happy to accept whatever choice our own "Ruff Rider" makes. (Thank you, NHL.com).

Woooooooooo!!!!!!! 2 more days til opening night!!!! YAYYY!!!! WOOOOOO!

SO, WHO'S THE FINAL CUT?!!?!!!!!

Game(s) 1 Round 1

by Anne

So the Habs squeaked by the Flyers in this one. Thank goodness. I'm not sure lil' Danny would've made it out of the Bell Centre alive. I can't believe how intensely he was booed. Ok, ok, if we had faced Philly in the playoffs this season, we more than likely would've booed him into next week....or next season...

It's a weird feeling cheering for a team I don't really care all that much about (The Habs) when they score a goal, and then looking down and realizing that they just beat Marty. He had no chance on that 2nd Montreal goal. :(

Detroit beat the Avs. Crap. I picked the Avs. JOSE?! Could you have waited to screw up until after this series? Granted, it's only been 1 game, and apparently you were sick? Ugh, whatev, I only wanted you win this round, I would've picked the Stars/Sharks over your team anyway. Thanks a ton. I know that there is some great playoff history between the Wings and the Avs, but I honestly could not possibly care less. Not even a little bit.

I should probably give one of those teams a chance to bowl me over with at least one totally smokin' player, but I just don't wanna. I mean, come on, the Avs average sexiness is so MAJORLY low, I'm not sure what can bring it back up. I mean, they have Ryan Smyth AND Peter Forsberg? Are they trying to make their female fans retch? Cuz, mission accomplished from this non-Avs fan. On the other side, I cannot possibly find a man attractive in a Red Wings uniform. GAH! They're so hard on the eyes. In this side-by-side comparison, the Avalanche win in a landslide. Their uniforms are at least pretty colors.

In other news, I'm sad to hear Gabby is injured with one of those "worn out hockey player after 82+ games" injuries. That could explain why my Superman posing studman was left with 1 singular assist in the Avs series.

Here's how NHL.com awkwardly describes his injury:

The Wild issued a brief news release that revealed Gaborik has a "hip deficiency attributable to overuse."

Ok, I'm just gonna let that one go. I think I made enough jokes off the blog about Timmy's hip injuries and bone spur to last a lifetime.

I always forget Gabby is from Slovakia. Just like I always forget Daniel Alfredsson is Swedish. Kind of like the time when I realized Cristobal Huet was a gen-u-wine Frenchman and not French Canadian. Blew my mind.

So Team USA meets in Maine today, where our new AHL affiliate will supposedly be come the '08-'09 season...Hey! Gerbenheimersmith, isn't Portland GREAT?! Don't you want to play there soooooooooooooon?

Day 4 -or- How much longer does this go on?

by Anne

After last night:

MTL wins 3-2, leads series 2-0
DAL wins 5-2, leads series 2-0
DET wins 4-2, leads series 2-0

Yesterday was Daddy Maloy's birthday so my hockey viewing was intermittent. I watched some of the later games, and I was getting my hair cut during the Nashville/Detroit game.

Soooooo.... my thoughts about the games will be mere observations.

Anaheim/Dallas - apparently losing my love to the Calgary Flames and my WC official boyfriend being J-Rome instead of Getzy is detrimental to the Ducks. They actually scored their first 2 goals in the playoffs....in the 2nd game. Ouchies. Most people in Buffalo are over the 1999 Finals. We all still hate Brett Hull, though.

Detriot/Nashville - If Nashville didn't have a totally smokin' captain and J.P. Dumont, I wouldn't care about them at all.

Montreal / Boston- The NE Division match-up. I feel embarrassed for those who thought Boston would win any games. If Montreal doesn't sweep, I'll be SHOCKED. It's possible Boston could squeeze out a win at home, but highly unlikely. I keep saying "Just think! It could've been the Sabres!" but we definitely would've won and least 1 or 2 games, considering we actually beat Montreal at least two or three times this season. The same cannot be said for the B's.

I'll probably watch the Flyers @ Caps game this afternoon, but I won't really care that much. I don't want the Caps to win so much as I want the Flyers to lose. I'm sure Ovie and the Caps will get their run at the cup next season or the season after, they don't deserve it this season, but in coming seasons, I'm sure they'll be a better team. They did greatly improve with Bruce (Um, Jack Adams Award?) and Huet, but they're still not up there yet. Bruce had BETTER win the Jack Adams.

I'll probably watch one or both of the later games. I'll be more likely to watch Montreal @ Boston because the team I want to win is leading the series. New Jersey @ New York I probably won't because the team I want to win is losing the series. Side note, Sean Avery was on the TMZ "Star Catcher" celebrating his birthday. Wow. I guess the rest of New York's sports aren't doing much right now, so let's talk to the goon on the hooker's client list as he leaves a restaurant.

Day 5 starts at 2:00 Cookie Monster @ AO's House.

Day 3, still no Buffalo Sabres. I don't like this practical joke anymore

by Anne

After 3 days:

Sens v. Pens (Pens win 5-3, lead series 2-0)
NYR v. NJD (NYR win 2-1, lead series 2-0)
Caps v. Flies (Caps win 5-4, lead series 1-0)
Avs v. Wild (Wild win 3-2, first OT, series tied 1-1)

I watched the first period of the Pens game before going for coffee and came home just in time to see them win it. WOOOO!!! I actually said "Did we win?" WE? I suppose in the absence of my Sabres, the Pens are my "we".

Yay for my Atlantic Division boyfriend! Good boy, Ry-Ry! That was a SICK wrap-around goal. He's gonna beat the Sens just for me. Poor Gerber he stopped 50 shots and STILL lost.

Now, you are subjected to a gratuitous shirtless shot of my (Atlantic) man:

Yessssss

Ok, Devs. We need to talk.

How can Zachy lose his teeth in a loss? Come on now. He didn't sacrifice his pearly whites for THIS.

Look at that smile:

: (

Gone forever....or at least until he can get to the nearest Newark-area dentist.

I hope Staffy calls him with comforting words and pudding recipes.

Congrats, Ovie! Of course, he got the game-winning goal on his first playoff goal, so now the NHL will talk about nothing else until Drury is Captain Clutch or Crosby grows wings and flies over a goaltender to score. Oh, Flyers. Danny and Vinny Prospal each net 2 and they STILL lose. HA! Sorry, Danny! Actually, no, I'm not at all. What a shock...the tying goal was a PPG by Mike Green from Ovie and Backstrom. How often do we see that combination? Look out for that to be a HUGE trio for years to come.

I honestly don't really care about the Avs v. Wild series. Sorry. I will say I think Jose Theodore has his goal posts blessed between periods, though.

Did anyone else notice how herky-jerky TSN's tenths of a second are in the countdown to the end of a period? They fly down to .0, pause and then move on. Showing tenths of a second always makes things seem more frantic. They should do it the entire period, that'll at least get the crowd and home more into it...by drastically raising their collective blood pressure.

Words cannot express how much I love watching Manny "I'm 5'9"!" Legace commentating on Versus. He's new to this, he doesn't want to make grand, unsubstantiated, sweeping generalizations about a team or a player. Give it time, Manny, give it time. Ha! He was in the can for the end of the Wild game because it happened after only like 1:30. At least he admitted it, haha. Aww, Manny.

I wrote this post while watching the Wild game, it's currently 1-1, 7:30 into the third, so I can't post this until it's over in order to accurately post the score and the series standings. EDIT: I prematurely declared a 2-1 Wild win in this post, so when the Avs tied it up a few minutes later, I declared it my fault and took that part out.

Wait, there's STILL no Sabres game?

by Anne

Ok, hasn't it been 3 days yet? No? I haven't had 3 days of no Sabres hockey since the All-Star Weekend.

I tried to care about the Minnesota Wild v. the Colorado Avalanche but, unlike most Monday night Versus games that I watch, this one was not a catastrophic blowout with the first goal being scored less than a minute in. I was hoping Gaborik would bust out another 5 goal night in honor of me taking the time to turn on the TV and mindlessly sort of watch his team play in the background on mute while I cleaned up the mountains of clothes on my floor.

Tonight, there is a game between the Flyers and the Thrashers. Here's a refresher course in Anne's Top (Bottom?) least favorite teams:

1. Ottawa Senators (I love to hate them, I really do)
2. Toronto Maple Leafs (It's not as much fun to hate them post-lockout...but I still do it)
3. Philadelphia Flyers (My ire is long lived, eff you Philly, eff you)
4. New York Rangers (Gross. Avery, Jagr, Drury: gross. Yes, I still hold it against Jagr and his mullet that he left Pittsburgh. What?!)
5. Atlanta Thrashers (A very, very recent addition, ousting the 'Canes from this list)

So, based on this list, I should cheer for the Thrashers? Hmm, let's look at the standings:

1-7: Not the Sabres
8. Philadelphia Give us back Danny but you can keep Martys- 80 pts
9. The Greatest Team Ever - 79
10. Washington Ovechkins - 78
11. Florida Huh, You're only 2 pts back of 8th?s - 78
12. Toronto Maple Chokes - 74
13. New York Misfits - 71
14. Atlanta League Worst 246 GA, ha!s - 70
15. Tampa Bay 2/3 of a Good Line Still Lefts - 66

So, Go Thrashers? That seems wrong to say, but: Go Thrashers, none the less.

Toronto takes on the Islanders...um... Go Isles? Who cares. Neither of them are making the playoffs, sorry, SteveDangle. I still enjoy your videos and now know more about Andy Wozniewski than I ever thought possible. The fact that I even know who Andy Wozniewski is, is really a credit to you, Steve Dangle. BTW, even if you aren't a Leafs fan, and if you're reading this blog, you're probably not, his videos are funny and entertaining and its interesting to hear what non-douche bag Leafs' fans have to say.

Pens v. Rangers - GO PENS! There's no doubting how I feel about this game. The Rangers are due to choke soon, I'm banking its against Evgeni Malkin, that goal scoring freakazoid. Sidney WHO?

After Tampa on Wednesday is the dreaded "We need to finish playing all the games against our division, let's cram them all into the last 8 games of the regular season" run. Too bad we're in a very tough division. Even the Leafs (Leaves?) give us trouble from time to time. Can we temporarily trade schedules with the 'Canes? No? Ugh, fine.

How do we all feel about our renewed playoff hopes? I had begrudgingly resigned myself to being ok with hanging out in 9th for the rest of the run. Now, I'm back to: PLAYOFFS OR BUST!! This is a tough position to be in. My hockey ulcer can't handle it. No more spicy food for the rest of the season.

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Private to Thomas Vanek:

I hate you and your 9 minutes of ice time. You, our "star goal scorer" our "10 million dollar man" had the least amount of ice time of ANYONE ON THE TEAM THAT ACTUALLY DRESSED FOR THE GAME! PATRICK KALETA HAD MORE ICE TIME THAN YOU. ONLY THE SOVIET BOMBER AND THE CHICKEN HAD FEWER SHIFTS AND ONE OF THEM IS A 7 GAME ROOKIE.

What you have to show for this weekend: a -1, 2 penalties totalling 4 minutes, 2 shots and roughly 26 minutes of ice time spread out over 2 games. ARE YOU SECRETLY MIKE RYAN DRESSED AS THOMAS VANEK? HOW DO YOU MANAGE A -1 WHEN YOUR TEAM SCORES 13 GOALS? Get on it, Britney, lose some weight (you're lookin' a little soft these days), gain some confidence, start playing with that "Eff THIS" attitude you enjoy taking out and displaying occasionally. Don't treat that attitude like a Gretzky rookie card, keep it out of its protective case, use it, enjoy it, embrace it, mess around with it a little and we won't be screaming for your head if we don't make it to the playoffs. You're a fucking great hockey player, what the hell is the problem? Stop being so damn mopey and fucking play hockey. Get mad, get passionate! DO SOMETHING.

Love and kisses, Anne

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Private to Paul Gaustad:

AN 80% FACE OFF WIN PERCENTAGE ON SATURDAY? 4/5! Oh Goosie, I loves you.

Love, Anne

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Private to Pat Kaleta:

HA!

Oh, Patty, you are always good for some great pictures. I hope you're cozy up in the front of my SabreHeart, you'll definitely be there the remainder of the season. Don't laugh at Staffy, it's not nice, he's still got a tentative hold on his seat. Would you and Pie-YAY please stop putting tacks on his chair? Pat Lafontaine has been giving good repots that you haven't been annoying him, so that's good.

Love, Anne

5-2 Sabres over Flyers

by Anne

That was the most awesome 3rd period in a long time. I accidentally turned off the cable when I plopped my leg down onto the remote, in the exact moment Roysie scored his goal. God bless replay. MK and I yelled at the team the whole period "DON'T FUCK THIS UP!" And, miraculously, they didn't! YAY! I'm so proud!

It was pretty sweet. Ok so perhaps my total and utter nausea and despair work in the Sabres' favor?

Maybe its the fact that Lindy ripped them new ones because they weren't playing well defensively. Maybe. Because tonight they were MUCH better in front of their own net. Much more frequently when I yelled "keep it in!" they actually did. Millsey was back in his usual form and had a great, solid game. Not crazy amazing, but good.

Welcome back to the ice hockey world, Max. 2 goals, 1 assist? Thank you very much. Pommerdoodle! 2 goals! Population jumps to 22! Yay! Pratt! You were pretty sweet tonight! Roysie! You're awesome!

Wow! They had good transitions out of the zone! They didn't have as many turnovers! Yay!

Bernier was pretty BA on fighting for that puck to get it up to Max for his first goal. Some wonderful play making by Big Bear. Totally awesome.

Sekera had a good showing. A solid first game in his 3rd call-up this season. Brian Koziol tells me Sekera lead the whole team with 31 shifts, 2nd most ice time and a +2. He needed to skate that much when it came right down to it, they all had to cover Tallinder's shifts, and, miraculously, they did. It was the best defensive game in a long time.

A moment of silence please for Heather B. and Henrik Tallinder's shoulder. I know how it feels to watch your fave limping gingerly off of the ice. Poor Tone, he's lost his life partner for the time being. It'll be ok, Tone.

Wow, we won basically the most important game of the season. That feels pretty good. As awful as I felt after that last game, I feel pretty good now, not as relatively good, but still pretty good.

I'm not glad that Danny Briere was hurt, but it did make the game a little less personal because they didn't continuously rub him in our faces. However, his shootout goal was well represented on Versus.

Caps tomorrow. They'll be flyin' high on that 10-2 win from last night, and they didn't play tonight, so it's going to be tough. Lindy has declared Henrik Tallinder won't play and neither will Timmy.

Congrats to Craig Anderson who has set, and is still working on, really, the NHL record for most shots without a goal allowed so far he's at 92, the last record was held by Hasek who had 75. Well done, Mr. Anderson, that's pretty darn impressive.