Lucky number 33. Larry Larry Bird, ya’ll.
I’m a big fan of high school bullying. It’s a natural way to make sure 99% of us are brutally self-aware and resilient before the real world goes all Karate Kid on our nuts.
Then there’s the other 1%.
The people who will just never get it no matter how much the world abuses them. Some may call this “indominable spirit”, I call it pathetic. It’s the guy who comes across your Facebook feed each month hawking 1 of 4 “hustles”, none of which seem to last longer than 90 days: 1) DJ, 2) Hollywood Agent, 3) Motivational Speaker/Content Creator, or 4) Pyramid Scheme Salesman.
Before the season, some wondered if the Sabres were finally starting to “get it.” New GM. Eichel. Hall. Ristolainen. Cozens. A pulse?
Just over halfway into the season:
- They’re in last place by a mile, having not won in like 79 games
- The coach has been fired
- Hall will be traded soon
- Eichel is hurt and has probably played his last game in BUF
- Tristan Jarry (Goalie -$3.5MM) is tied with Jeff Skinner (Winger – $9MM) in points
Let’s all seek to remember one truth: No matter how many hard lessons the Sabres endure, they’ll always be Pyramid Scheme Kid.
Let’s get it.
1ST PERIOD
Sabres revamped unis are sharp. The previous dark blue made as much sense as the Penguins’ “Vegas gold”. Memo to teams, Re: Colors: Just…
Lotta chances early.
Eventually, Daniel Lafferty finished up his round with Gilmore and found himself on a 3-1. He found Rodrigues on the back door for a tap-tap-taparoo.
PIT Goal – Roridgues (3) A: Lafferty Jankowski [7:36] 1-0 PIT
https://gfycat.com/educatedunequaledichthyostega
Nice awareness by the Sabres’ beer league forward group covering up for their forechecking D-man.
Letang missed the net on a 2-1 a couple shifts later. It was as surprising as Jeff Eppy’s “suicide”.
Like 2 seconds later, Tang proceeded to shove it right up my ass off a favorable bounce from Crosby below the goal line.
PIT Goal – Letang (6) A: Crosby, Rust [16:54] 2-0 PIT
https://gfycat.com/dismalamusingcricket
Then, Rasmus Dahlin bombed one from deep to keep the game interesting (for now).
BUF Goal – Dahlin (2) A: Montour, Hall [17:17] 2-1 PIT
https://gfycat.com/cavernouscomposedgrosbeak
Dahlin is adult Scott Farkus.
Period ended with the Pens buzzing on a power play but couldn’t convert.
2ND PERIOD
No blood on the Peep as Kapanen hobbled off the ice.
https://twitter.com/geoffwithano/status/1374891177414115328
Taylor Hall had a semi-break, but his big teeth got in the way and Jarry made a nice glove save.
Pens botched a powerplay after Lafferty was interfered with by Frylock.
Some overdue excitement as the Pens appeared to score on a 4-on-4, but the refs correctly blew it dead due to an inadvertent high stick from Father Matheson. Crosby almost did the Buffalo Backhand towards the end, but it somehow stayed out.
https://gfycat.com/orangebaggybighornsheep
No matter. Dan Marino dropped a bomb so pretty, even Ray Finkle blushed.
PIT Goal – Marino (2) A: McCann, ZAR [17:29] 3-1 PIT
https://gfycat.com/scholarlyspottedhorsefly
Almost immediately after, the play of the game was made. Buffalo went to the PP, and Freddy Gaudreau made Rasmus Dahlin wish he had just watched the game with Tim Peel.
PIT Goal (SH) – ZAR (7) A: Gaudreau [19:36] 4-1 PIT
https://twitter.com/geoffwithano/status/1374900844202651651
Get real. That’s just a heroic effort to abuse a Former #1 overall pick.
Both teams would go to intermission praying for a quick and painless 3rd.
Side Note: How ’bout Alexandra O’Laughlin from the NBC Waste Management Open commercial?
3RD PERIOD
Stevie Janowski was coming out of the box to start the period, and found himself on the ice with Crosby. He was gifted two chances, and…
Guys like Gaudreau and Angelo have made him totally expendable once everyone is healthy. It’s comical at this point.
Pens to the PP again off a terrible turnover behind the Buffalo net. Buffalo really sucks, but so does the Pens’ PP. Letang’s cocaine wore off and he gave up a golden SH breakaway (saved), took a penalty, and sent things to 4-on-4.
Yo Sid….that’s your cue.
PIT Goal – Crosby (13) A: Guentzel, Matheson [3:57] 5-1 PIT
https://gfycat.com/indeliblehonoreddikkops
Much to the chagrin of everyone who’s had sex before, the WOOOOs started at PPG. The only thing that needs to end more than that tradition is the Sabres’ 2021 season.
Olofsson added a goal on some pity penalty shot.
Ballgame.
RANDOM NOTES:
- It’s amazing how bad Buffalo is. Pens Twitter loves to bitch about the Penguins having an “AHL bottom 6” and “no depth”. Just shut up, think about squads like Buffalo, and realize how lucky you have it.
- Jarry sneakily solid again. There was never a reason to worry. I’ll keep saying this until they drag me off the blog.
- God: If you’re listening, I promise not to make any dick jokes online until Easter if you spare Kapanen
- Riley Sheahan still exists
- Zero excuse to not get 2 more points tonight
- Sharpy and Jones made totally reasonable points on the Tim Peel stuff at intermission, but people just don’t want to hear it. We can have that fight later.
- Thanks for reading. Chirps on Twitter @GooeyHockey
- Pens always feel Safe Inside PPG vs. the Sabres
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
