AMERKS RECALL PAIR FROM CYCLONES (Amerks.com)
The Sabres Report - March 25, 2019
Sabres hope to finish strong before another long offseason of reflection ★
‘”You always have something to play for,” Carter Hutton said. “It’s the NHL. Truthfully, for me, I clawed and fought my whole career to make it here, so every time you get a chance to play in the NHL, it’s an honor. You should never take it for granted. … When you’re out of the playoffs it’s tricky but everyone is playing for a job. Everyone is playing for their life. That’s something guys need to be aware of for sure.”‘
Sabres recall defenseman Lawrence Pilut as a precaution ★
‘Pilut, a 23-year-old defenseman, joined the team as a precaution because Bogosian and Hunwick are dealing with injuries. However, it remains unclear if Pilut will be needed when the Sabres play the New Jersey Devils on Monday at 7 p.m.’
Sabres recall Lawrence Pilut from Amerks ★
‘Pilut has been dynamic at times in his first American Hockey League season, registering four goals, 26 points and a plus-21 rating in 28 outings.’
Monday's New Jersey Coverage ★
Devils’ lines, pairings vs. Sabres (3/25/19): Blake Coleman out? Will Butcher returning? (Newark Star Ledger)
Devils, Sabres finishing up frustrating seasons (The Sports Xchange)
Sabres at Devils preview (NHL.com)
Game Preview: Devils vs Sabres (NewJerseyDevils.com)
The Sabres bring back Pilut ★
‘Pilut arrived as practice was ending so Casey Mittelstadt filled in with Rasmus Ristolainen on defense. That usually means that Mittelstadt isn’t playing on Monday. Housley said he just wants to give the kid a chance to exhale and relax, “Sometimes in a player’s development it’s not a bad thing to take a step back. We give up way too much and it’s not what you make, it’s what you leave on the table and right now we’re leaving way too much and in Casey’s defense, it might be a good thing to take a deep breath, he’s played a lot of hockey, so we’ll make that decision tomorrow.”’
Sabres secondary scoring woes, defensive slump led to missing playoffs ★
‘Rough ride for Ristolainen: Rasmus Ristolainen came into the 2018-19 season — his seventh in the NHL — as the No. 1 defenseman on the Sabres depth chart but has the worst plus-minus in the NHL (minus-42); Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings is next at minus-30. Ristolainen is fifth on the Sabres with 39 points (five goals, 34 assists) but it’s been in his own zone where he’s struggled the most.’
Pilut joins Sabres in New Jersey, adding insurance on back end ★
‘Phil Housley said he expects Bogosian to be ready to play against the New Jersey Devils on Monday, but the addition of Pilut gives the Sabres insurance on the back end with another game awaiting them in Ottawa on Tuesday.’
Monday's Rochester Coverage ★
Amerks stage incredible third-period comeback, stun Marlies in overtime (Amerks.com)
Marlies Drop OT Decision to Americans (Marlies.ca)
The Sabres Report - March 24, 2019
Finality hits Sabres hard as playoff fate become official ★
‘The Sabres continue to be terrible in the second period, allowing four goals in this one. They wilt in the face of adversity on the road, where they’re 11-21-5 and have lost 11 straight. They make mistake after mistake on defensive coverages and give the puck away with impunity.’