Category: Hockey History 1917-2023

Georgiev smoked early in OT

Sabres 4 – Penguins 5 (OT) (G) Lyon allowed two goals on 13 SOG over the first two periods of play for an .846 save percentage then was relieved by (G) Georgiev for the third period, who let in three goals in 20 minutes and nine seconds for a dismal .824 save percentage and the early overtime loss.

We are not going to make the playoffs this season with these two goaltenders; the obvious solution is (G) Levi who is sitting on the nest in Rochester.

And after contributing to the Americans playing in the Calder Cup Finals last season, I would have thought (G) Levi would have been given more than two periods of preseason play.

The first goal last night against the Sabres should not have counted, blatant contact initiated by the Pittsburgh player, the announcers also said as much, as the Penguin player leaned into the Sabres defenseman to create contact before colliding with (G) Lyon into the net along with the puck.

The referees called it the opposite stating that Buffalo’s player initiated the contact that led to the collision, and it took quite a few minutes before the announcement of a “good goal” and PPG’s goal horn sounded for the home fans.

And that wraps up this season’s training camp and preseason contests as the Buffalo Sabres ready themselves for their upcoming 2025/26 NHL regular season beginning at home versus the Rangers Thursday night 7pm the 9th of October.

The NHL will begin their regular season after today’s 11 final preseason contests on October 7th with three games that includes the defending two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Initial waiver wire action

Here along the Lake ESPN FHL begins Tuesday and I have already completed three moves, both goalies were dropped to make room for more productive point producing players and dropping one skater to make room for a player that can contribute on Tuesday.

Observing my weekly matchup opponent to open the season, “Mike’s Magnificent Team” has two players that are “O” out with injury, he could place one of these players on “IR” injured reserve without losing him and select a player that can produce.

The other injured skater can be placed on the bench or if one of two skaters will be out with injury for any length of time a decision has to be made if they are worth hanging on to, better to drop and gain a productive point producer then waste a roster spot in hopes the player will return quickly.

A regular feature will be the daily ESPN FHL update with observations and recommendations as well as using my team as an example throughout the season.

Each ESPN FHL season bears out one concrete fact, the team managers that do not make any waiver wire transactions all season to improve their team ultimately end up one of the bottom four teams in the league.

Devon Levi needs to be recalled

Sabres 3 – Penguins 5 (en) Buffalo’s “starting” goaltender Ukko Pekka Luukkonen played the first period and reinjured his groin, swiss cheese Georgiev came in relief and posted a .769 save percentage by allowing three goals on just 14 SOG from a preseason Pittsburgh team.

No one but Ruff sees (G) Georgiev as a needed netminder, I can only hope that Buffalo’s heir apparent for backstopping the Sabres (G) Devon Levi will be called up from Rochester sooner than later or we can watch another playoff-less season unfold.

I am endeavoring to be patient with Ruff and his influence with GM Adams on who should be Buffalo’s starting and backup goaltenders and who should actually be playing in net down in Rochester, but it is wearing thin.

One more preseason game as the boys travel south to play the Penguins tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.

Buffalo Winter’s drafted team

As you may or may not know, I do not use goaltenders, this Wednesday when the waiver wire becomes active, these two netminders will be dropped for two positive point producing players.

Lyon Solid in Net

Sabres 5 – Red Wings 2 Born in Buffalo, Won Cups in Chicago, and now lights the lamp for Detroit, (RW) Patrick Kane put the Red Wings on the board with less than 90 seconds remaining in the first period to get Detroit within one of Buffalo 2-1 before heading into the locker room.

The Sabres hustled and played well all night, out blocking, out hitting, and outscoring the Red Wings while getting good goaltending from newcomer (G) Lyon versus his former team that gives him a solid look for backing up (G) Levi on opening night.

The Sabres preseason continues Wednesday October 1st as Buffalo hosts Pittsburgh first in their home and home series with the Penguins who then host the Sabres Friday night October 3rd for Buffalo’s final preseason contest.