Archives for November 2007

'“If we were 10-2 or whatever and I was struggling, I’d take that any day,” the Buffalo Sabres forward said Thursday. “I’ll take my own problems over the team’s problems."' … [Read more...] about Sabres&#8217 Vanek takes losing personally

'“Under the top of the circle it’s pretty well three forwards versus five defenders,” Ruff said. “Around the league it’s something that is very common. Ask all the top forwards. That’s why they’re struggling. There’s a lot of good goal scorers with two, three, four goals. A lot of good players aren’t ripping it up. The … [Read more...] about NHL falling back into a trap

'Spacek has a shoulder injury that’s forced him out of the last three games and seven of the past eight. He said he’s progressing and hopes to play either tonight or Saturday in Boston, but it’s possible he’ll be out until Thursday in Ottawa.' … [Read more...] about Injuries continue to haunt defensemen

'The Buffalo Sabres plan to announce today that 4,500 seats with obstructed views will go on sale at noon today, on the Sabres’ Web site, for the Sabres-Pittsburgh Penguins game. The seats, many of them too low for a good view of the action, are priced at $10 apiece.' … [Read more...] about Shut-out fans to get shot at Ice Bowl

'Ruff says Vanek feels the weight of his contract - $50 million (U.S.) over seven years - and feels the pressure to be the go-to guy on the Sabres offence. ``Obviously I know it's there,'' said Vanek of his contract. ``I know people expect a lot. But like I said a million times, money doesn't change the way I play my game. It doesn't change the … [Read more...] about Sabres trying to get untracked

'"The whole league is getting the disease where there's a lot of people back when you get to the blue line,'' Ruff said. "I can show you clips where we hit the line and there are four guys lined up, or five guys there. There aren't a lot of options.''' … [Read more...] about Rattled Sabres

'In their last 11 games the Sabres' opposition has scored first, and over their last 10, the Sabres have had the lead for just 11 minutes and 37 seconds.' … [Read more...] about Flat Sabres offer a chance

Sabres trying to get untracked (Toronto Star) Flat Sabres offer a chance (Hamilton Spectator) Maple Leafs welcome back Tucker, McCabe for important game against Sabres (CP) Toronto Maple Leafs (6-7-3) at Buffalo Sabres (6-7-1) (The Sports Network) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Toronto Coverage

'"The Bills play their last (NFL) game on the 23rd of December and we have to be ready the evening of the 30th so players can skate on it Dec. 31st. That's a tight window," said Craig. "We had 14 days in Edmonton and we could take our time, not worrying about working 24 hours a day. There was room for error. In Buffalo, we have to work every hour on the … [Read more...] about Buffalo game faces different challenges

'Buffalo began the season well in one statistical category. In their first three games, the Sabres scored the first goal. Since then, however, the Sabres have surrendered the opening tally in every single contest. Will they change that Friday?' … [Read more...] about Sabres look to go streaking as Leafs blow into town

'You can see a lot of teams that you think should be scoring, aren’t scoring. There are teams that I wouldn’t think would score a lot that are scoring some goals, but there are a lot of good teams having a tough time putting consistent numbers up. The numbers are down. That speaks for itself. Goal scoring is around five right now, which is down again from last year. … [Read more...] about Lindy Ruff discusses trends in NHL

'You don't know it yet, but Happy Days are here again. And this time, they might just be for real. Happy Days? Last place in the Northeast Division, out of a playoff spot and already 13 points back of Ottawa? Yeah! And I love it!' … [Read more...] about Look closely: Sabres are rebuilding their game on the fly

'The message was clear after the Buffalo Sabres' boring 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday: low-scoring hockey is back in the NHL, so get used to it. It might've been the first time this season the Sabres gutted out a tight-checking contest, but it won't be the last. "There's going to be a lot of it this year," Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said. "That's the … [Read more...] about Sabres ‘gut out’ win over Bruins

'“It helps us but I don’t think we’re going to let the pressure off ourselves. We have to climb here, start putting together a string of wins together. It’s not going to be easy now that we won one. It’s going to keep being harder and harder.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres find release valve

'Go ahead and chalk it up to better coaching and looser officiating. But from what I’ve seen, this team lacks leadership, passion and competitive character. What they could use is someone like Drury to shut the locker room door, throw out the coaches, and tell some of the softer Sabres they’re not nearly as good as they think they are.' … [Read more...] about Win can&#8217t mask soft underbelly