Archives for January 2009

'The coaching staff and particularly Lindy Ruff have taken criticism for what has been a mediocre year thus far, but it's difficult to perform with your captain (Craig Rivet) and leading playmaker (Tim Connolly) injured. Ruff has done as good as can be expected. My only real complaint is Ruff's inability to trust a backup goaltender. Miller needs a game off more often, giving … [Read more...] about Handing out some mid-season grades

'The Sabres need consistent scoring if they hope to press for home ice in the opening round of the playoffs. And Derek Roy is perhaps the biggest key in that push.' … [Read more...] about As Roy goes, so go Sabres

Two late goals give Wings 6th straight victory (Detroit Free Press) It's time to relax, take a break (Detroit Free Press) Photo gallery (Detroit Free Press) Wings rally past Sabres (Detroit News) Wings' Conklin knows how to fly (Detroit News) Photo gallery (Detroit News) Samuelsson's goal lifts Red Wings past Sabres (Booth Newspapers) Red Wings' Samuelsson doesn't mind … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Detroit Coverage

'“We were hoping to wear (Miller) down. We thought if we stayed at their net, we’d get our opportunities,” Red Wings’ coach Mike Babcock said. “He made some great saves early, but we stayed patient and were able to get the win.”' … [Read more...] about Samuelsson&#8217s late goal lifts Wings 3-1 over Sabres

'Derek Roy had the lone tally while Ryan Miller was charged with three goals on 48 shots for the Sabres, who had a four-game winning streak stopped.' … [Read more...] about Detroit 3, Buffalo 1

'One man can only do so much.' … [Read more...] about Red Wings Top Sabres 3-1

Pirates show some signs of progress (Portland Press Herald) Springfield Falcons lose to Portland (Springfield Republican) A much-needed win for the Pirates (Maine Hockey Journal) Pirates Pour Offense All Over Falcons (PortlandPirates.com) Falcons fall to Pirates 5-2 (FalconsAHL.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Portland Coverage

Buffalo (21-15-5) at Detroit (28-7-5) (AP) Red Wings, Sabres looking to extend winning streaks (Sportsticker) Buffalo Sabres (21-15-5) at Detroit Red Wings (28-7-5) (The Sports Network) Game Notes: Sabres vs. Wings (DetroitRedWings.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Detroit Coverage

'"Anytime you get two points, you're happy," captain Craig Rivet said. "We ended really strong."' … [Read more...] about The Sabres’ saving grace

'Are they back? We'll see, but they certainly wouldn't be battling for a playoff spot had it not been for Miller's play over the past four games.' … [Read more...] about Miller paying dividends for Sabres during streak

'Kotalik's goal against Steve Valiquette on the first attempt of the shootout eventually became his ninth career game-winner -- tying Boston's Phil Kessel, Atlanta's Slava Kozlov and Washington's Viktor Kozlov for the lead since the shootout was born in 2005.' … [Read more...] about Kotalik ties NHL mark with shootout goal

'"We had one player going for the first 30 minutes of the game and thank God for that," said defenseman Craig Rivet, speaking of Miller who made up for the shoddy play of his team during the first half of the game. He stood on his head and gave us a chance to win, and that's all you can ask from your goaltender."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres score big home win over Rangers

Sabres stop Rangers in shootout (New York Daily News) Defense pays off with a point for Rangers (New York Newsday) Rangers Dubinsky, Staal on Young Stars team (New York Newsday) Rangers in denial (Bergen Record) 'Another road game' (Bergen Record) Rangers make a point, but fall to Sabres in shootout (NewYorkRangers.com) Photo gallery (Sabres.com) Photo gallery (Buffalo … [Read more...] about Saturday’s New York Coverage

'“Both were good,” said Rangers captain Chris Drury, a former Buffalo star. “Ryan’s one of the best in the league. You could tell right from the start he was locked in pretty good. It was a heck of a game by him.”' … [Read more...] about Miller leads Sabres to shootout win

'Kotalik was the first shooter in the extra segment and with a quick release drilled a shot that beat Steve Valiquette on the glove side. Ryan Miller turned aside all three Ranger bids, including a stop on former Sabres co- captain Chris Drury to seal the win.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 2, NY Rangers 1 (SO)