‘”I think everyone came into this with a little bit of optimism,” said Evan Rodrigues, the only Sabre to play in both preseason games. “I think a big thing is that it shows if you do the right things it will lead to success. Everyone’s confidence is continuing to build. It’s showing the systems work if we all buy in and do our job. At the same time, it’s only preseason. It’s only two games and we have to make sure that we continue to do this day in, day out, the rest of camp.”‘
The Sabres Report - September 19, 2018
Mike Harrington: Dahlin nervous? Not for long ★
‘Said center Casey Mittelstadt: “I’ve been seeing him for a while now. He just makes everything look so effortless.”‘
Sabres Game Day: Injury list grows, Dahlin debuts, Eichel ready to play ★
‘On Sheary: “Just in the first day, he took a hit the wrong way. We’re making sure that we stay on top of that but right now it’s week to week,” Housley said.’
Sabres rookie Rasmus Dahlin calms nerves, looks strong in debut ★
‘Dahlin looked comfortable most of the night, skating 21 minutes, 32 seconds over 25 shifts, mostly beside partner Jake McCabe. Dahlin also played on the power play, manning a point beside Jack Eichel, and killed penalties. At one point, Dahlin juked Dominik Simon with a nifty move few players could pull off.’
Sabres forwards Conor Sheary, Sean Malone out with injuries ★
‘Center Sean Malone will miss six weeks after injuring his knee in Monday’s 4-1 exhibition win in Columbus.’
Wednesday's Pittsburgh Coverage ★
Casey DeSmith shines in Penguins preseason opener, but Sabres pull out 3-2 victory (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Even in exhibition games, fighting on the decline for Penguins, NHL (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Penguins newcomer Juuso Riikola makes another good impression (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Penguins notebook: Goalie Casey DeSmith solid in preseason opener (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Training Camp Takeaways: Preseason Game 1 (PittsburghPenguins.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)
There's hope in Buffalo — and this time, it might be justified ★
‘Sure, there are question marks about whether the defence can hold up and how Hutton will fare now that he has to handle a starting goalie’s workload. And then there’s Sam Reinhart’s contract negotiation to worry about, as well as an unfortunate pre-season injury to Sheary. But at least the players on Buffalo’s top-two lines are legitimate top-six forwards.’
Sabres list Sheary week to week with upper body injury ★
‘The injury is a setback for the Sabres, who were counting on Sheary playing on one of the top two lines after acquiring the forward in a trade with Pittsburgh in June. Sheary is a two-time Stanley Cup winner and has 48 goals and 93 points in 184 games.’
Sabres defeat Penguins 3-2 ★
‘Buffalo outshot the Penguins 14-7 in the opening twenty minutes, thanks in part to three power play opportunities. The Sabres cashed in on their final man advantage of the first when Vladimir Sobotka was credited with the goal. A bouncing puck deflected off of a Pittsburgh defenseman and into the net. The goal was unassisted for Buffalo. It capped off a 5-on-3 PP chance that was created after Daniel Sprong and Chris Summers were each called for minor penalties.’
Sabres' youngsters show speed and skill against Pittsburgh' ★
‘Dahlin settled down after that and used the vision that he’s so good at. He’s aware of everything on the ice because he’s never looking down at the puck. His passes were quick and normally on the tape.’