Even head coach Frank Wilson, who has been critical of Granger’s recent play, acknowledged the forward’s strong performance.
“Good job taking advantage of the turnover,” Wilson said, though he was quick to add, “We can’t count on mistakes…but two points is two points.”
The vintage Granger performance led many to believe the talented forward had turned a corner. His defensive play was notably improved, his positioning more disciplined, and his offensive creativity was channeled within Wilson’s structured system rather than in opposition to it.
That optimism proved short-lived.
Yesterday’s team practice in San Jose was tense, and this afternoon Buffalo laid an egg in a 5-1 drubbing by the struggling Sharks. Granger finished the night with just two shots on goal and was on the ice for two goals against. More concerning, the entire team looked listless and disengaged in what should have been a winnable game.
“Unacceptable,” Wilson said bluntly after the loss. “We took a step forward in Vegas and two steps back tonight. That’s been the story of the season, the character of this team.”
The loss drops Buffalo to 15-22-3 on the season, cementing their position in the Atlantic Division basement. With back-to-back games looming in Los Angeles (January 4) and Anaheim (January 5) to close out the road trip, the next few days are a critical test of that character.
For Granger specifically, questions remain about whether his Vegas performance was a genuine turning point or merely a flash in the pan.
The timing is particularly crucial as the calendar flips to January. Teams fighting for playoff spots will start to separate themselves from the pack, and Buffalo risks being left behind entirely if they can’t string together something better than a win every other game.
Wilson has also been facing increased scrutiny about his system and his relationship with certain veterans, particularly Granger. While the New Year’s Day performance suggested the two might be finding common ground, one good game doesn’t erase weeks of visible tension.
Granger was not available for comment, on either the game or how he celebrated his thirtieth birthday in Las Vegas.
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
- Jan 5 @ Los Angeles, 7:00 PM PT
- Jan 6 @ Anaheim, 6:00 PM PT
- Jan 9 vs. St. Louis, 7:00 PM ET (home)
CHAPTER 13
LOGAN
So we lost in San Jose. Whatever. Fuck it. We’re on the plane to Los Angeles now, and I’m ten chapters intoThe Mist At Dawn’s Edge. That’s all that matters.
CHAPTER 14
FRANKIE
After shadowing Dr. Chen in her outpatient clinic all day, I race upstairs to check on the post-op patients I started following yesterday. The hip replacement patient’s pain is much better today, and she has no sign of infection.
“Dr. Hashemi says I’ll probably go home in the morning,” she tells me.
“That’s great news.” I move out of the way as her dinner is delivered. “Hopefully you sleep as well as you can tonight, then, and we’ll say goodbye in the morning.”
My own stomach is growling, too. I’msoglad to be heading home, and I text my roommates as I hop on my bike.
Frankie
I’m in the mood to demolish a pot of pasta, if anyone else is game for Frankie’s One Pot Magnificence
Sloane
We need cheese
Liz
