‘The Sabres had a sluggish start and an uneven performance in the first period was capped by Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller scoring with 6.1 seconds remaining. Buffalo was then outshot 15-2 during a third period in which the Sabres could not manage to sustain pressure in the offensive zone.’
The Sabres Report - January 27, 2021
Mike Harrington: Breaking the 'egg' takes the piano off Jack Eichel's back ★
‘”I don’t know how tough mentally it’s been,” Eichel said. “I’ve had a lot of chances, I think if I wasn’t getting chances, I think I’d be more frustrated. But yeah, it’s a relief to get one and kind of get that out of me. …. It was a good to make an impact offensively tonight.”‘
Wraparound: Eichel finally enters goal column as Sabres defeat Rangers 3-2 ★
‘The Sabres (3-3-1) had not earned consecutive victories against the Rangers since Buffalo won three in a row from April 2, 2016 to Jan. 3, 2017. Goalie Linus Ullmark made 28 saves for the Sabres, who have earned five points in their last three games. Buffalo killed a penalty for the final 1:37 of regulation and went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.’
Carter Hutton rejoins Sabres after weeklong absence stemming from collision ★
‘“I definitely felt it right away, but I think stubbornness takes over, too, in a sense. I’m competitive and I want to play,” acknowledged Hutton, who rejoined the Sabres for their morning skate Tuesday. “I kept communicating with (head athletic trainer Rich Stinziano), but I definitely didn’t put him in an easy spot, too, because I wanted to keep playing. I didn’t want to leave. And when it was in between periods I knew the way I felt, I was putting the team and myself in jeopardy going back out there. I kind of had to make a mature decision at that point.”‘
Jack Eichel’s first goal, special teams help Sabres beat Rangers, reach .500 ★
‘“I’ve had a lot of chances,” Eichel, who scored 36 goals last season and registered a 15.9 shooting percentage, said on a Zoom call. “I think if I wasn’t getting chances, I’d be more frustrated. Yeah, it’s a relief to get one and put one into the back of the net and kind of get that out of me.”’
Sabres notes: Matt Irwin ready for opportunity on blue line ★
‘“You want to stay ready and have to stay ready,” said Irwin, who made his season debut in Tuesday’s 3-2 win against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center. “That’s your job. So you treat practices like they’re your games, you work hard and you try to stay detailed in everything that you do and watch the games and see how they’re going.”’
Sabres’ Carter Hutton practices, says ‘stubbornness’ made him stay in game ★
‘“I’m competitive and I want to play,” Hutton said on a Zoom call this morning. “I kept communicating with (head athletic trainer Rich Stinziano), but I definitely didn’t put him in an easy spot, too, because I wanted to keep playing. I didn’t want to leave.”’
Eichel notches first goal, Cozens nets second as Sabres beat Rangers for first home win ★
‘Eichel’s contribution has been there all season, as he was tied for the league lead in points a few games into the year and entered Tuesday’s matchup with seven assists, but the pressure was starting to build as he was chomping at the bit to get on the board with a goal.’
Wednesday's New York Coverage ★
Rangers approach tipping point with another concerning loss (New York Post)
Rangers keeping Adam Fox on first power-play unit (New York Post)
Rangers blow another lead, fall to Sabres for fourth straight loss (Newsday)
Rangers struggle on faceoffs in loss to Sabres (Newsday)
NY Rangers takeaways: Hard to find moral victories in fourth straight loss (White Plains Journal News)
Photo gallery (NHL.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)
Eichel’s 2nd period goal lifts Sabres over Rangers 3-2 ★
‘“You have a little bit of a drought and it feels like you deserved a few goals and maybe some better fate,” Eichel said. “I think I had a few more chances in the game and you just want to try and capitalize on your opportunities. … It’s been a year; it’s been a long year for a lot of people in terms of preparing for the season. It feels like we’re still getting our feet wet.”’