Archives for January 2009

Matchup: Buffalo Sabres at Chicago Blackhawks (Chicago Tribune) Sabre day no holiday for Campbell, Kane (Chicago Sun Times) Kane ready to dazzle (Arlington Heights Daily Herald) Buffalo (21-16-5) at Chicago (23-10-7) (AP) Blackhawks seek more success at home vs. Sabres (Sportsticker) Buffalo Sabres (21-16-5) at Chicago Blackhawks (23-10-7) (The Sports Network) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Chicago Coverage

Pirates Announce Forecaster Poster Series (PortlandPirates.com) Gritty's Introduces Salty Pete Porter (PortlandPirates.com) Meet Gerbe, Kennedy at Shaw's Wednesday (PortlandPirates.com) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Portland Coverage

'The Sabres' 2-1 shoot-out victory over the New York Rangers marked the half way point of the season. Following the contest the Sabres sat 7th in the East Conference with a 21-15-5 record and are fighting for one of the last playoff spots as predicted. While the current placement is probably not a surprise, the journey to this point has been a rollercoaster.' … [Read more...] about The Good – What Went Right

'On defense the most disappointing player this season has been Hank Tallinder. A few years ago, Hank was arguably the Sabres best defender. However, a series of leg injuries over the last few seasons seems to have robbed Tallinder of some of his quickness. Although he has played inspired hockey at some points to this year, he was recently benched in favor of rookie Chris … [Read more...] about The Bad and The Ugly – What Went Wrong

'With 40 games remaining in the season, the Sabres must do more then play Ruff's style. For the team to truly succeed the roster needs some significant adjustment. A lack of playmakers in the middle and a physical presence on D has plagued the Sabres the entire season. Long-term injuries to Timmy Connolly and Craig Rivet are only partially responsible for the problem in … [Read more...] about Bolstering the Lineup

'Ruff and Regier should know what a couple of key additions can do to a team on the playoff bubble. In 1998-99, Regier acquired Stu Barnes, Joe Juneau and Rhett Warrener at the deadline to bolster a marginal playoff team. Warrener and Juneau's inspired play helped Dominic Hasek and Miroslav Satan lead the 7th seeded Sabres to the Stanley Cup finals against Dallas. What more … [Read more...] about Will the Sabres be players at the trade deadline?

“There’s no sneaking down,” Ruff said Monday after the Sabres went through a tough 100-minute workout at HSBC Arena. “The only option is really letting Butler go back down and play. That’s the only option you’ve got.”' … [Read more...] about Butler makes a case to stay with Sabres

'“I looked at the schedule. Chicago is an added incentive for him,” Head Coach Lindy Ruff said. “I think it’s a good place to drop him in.”' … [Read more...] about Lalime to start against Chicago

'“We want to play real solid, tight, stingy defensive hockey and look for opportunities offensively,” Rivet said. “That’s been our mentality playing on the road. It’s kind of worked for us so far. [The Red Wings] kept on coming in waves and when we did have the puck, it always seemed like they had four or five guys back defending. We tried our best … [Read more...] about Sabres to log frequent flier miles

'The Sabres have a history of keeping players for too long (see: Afinogenov, Maxim) and need to get something for Tallinder while they can. He’s still valuable enough to get the Sabres a decent return, perhaps a young forward or second- round draft pick.' … [Read more...] about Sabres face quandry on blue line

'“Butler has played well enough to warrant staying in the lineup,” Ruff said. “I don’t want to start this vicious circle of plucking too many guys in and out. . . . At the same time, if Butler is going to be here, he’s going to play.”' … [Read more...] about Butler forcing Ruff into a rotation

'“Today was our last hard practice day,” Head Coach Lindy Ruff said. “We wanted to get a real good one in. It was probably as tough as you can make it but I thought we accomplished what we want to get done.”' … [Read more...] about Road preparation

Pirates can't build momentum (Portland Press Herald) Springfield Falcons take to the road, sinking Portland Pirates (Springfield Republican) Power play faulters in Pirates loss (Maine Hockey Journal) Falcons Claw Past Pirates (PortlandPirates.com) Falcons beat Pirates 4-1 (FalconsAHL.com) … [Read more...] about Monday’s Portland Coverage

'"Everybody's disappointed in this room," Sabres captain Craig Rivet said. "As much as you can say we were right there throughout the game, we lost. That's the bottom line. To give up a goal with 2 1/2 minutes left against arguably the best team in the league, it's frustrating."' … [Read more...] about Opportunity slips away from Sabres

'"Right now I want to use those seven guys," Ruff said. "That isn't an easy decision. It's tough for Hank. We may look at trying to get a little bit of a rotation, but I think the fact that Butler has played so well, he's got to go back in. If we're going to keep him here, he's got to play. At the same time, I can't lose the other guys in the process."' … [Read more...] about Butler back in lineup as Tallinder sits