Archives for January 19, 2011

I’m a nerd for advanced stats, though I don’t swear by them, and I also think Andrej Sekera has been the best Sabre not named Derek Roy this season. Imagine my surprise and delight when “friend of the show” James Mirtle posted his first-half “Rod Langway Award” dedicated to NHL’s best defensive defenseman. There was “Reggie” … [Read more...] about Reggie in Full Effect: Euro bias serves Sekera foul

''Great move by coach Lindy Ruff breaking up the Tyler Myers-Andrej Sekera pairing on the blue line. The 20-year old Calder Trophy winner seems better off with a stay at home veteran as his defense partner. Ruff felt that way during training camp when he originally played Shaone Morrisonn with Myers, but a poor start by the free agent acquisition put a damper in those plans. … [Read more...] about Nasty, Gutsy, Scary = Sabres Win

'Coach Lindy Ruff listed Stafford as day to day Wednesday, a day after he was hurt in a 2-1 overtime win over Montreal. Stafford played only two shifts before leaving in the first period.' … [Read more...] about Sabres RW Stafford out with mild groin injury

'This game was a war of attrition. The Sabres lost winger Drew Stafford with a groin injury after just two shifts of the first period (his status will become clearer today), while Montreal lost Michael Cammalleri (separated shoulder), Max Pacioretty (rib) and Jeff Halpern (upper body) before the first period was halfway through.' … [Read more...] about Sabres outlast Habs in war of attrition

'All were good signs, but let's also face reality. The Sabres have won six of nine games over the past three weeks yet have made up only two points in the standings. They have 45 points in 45 games. If they win five of nine over the final 37 games this season, which is a tall order for a .500 team, it's not likely to be enough to reach the postseason.' … [Read more...] about The cold truth is victory means little

'The Sabres have converted a whopping 33 percent of their man-advantage chances at home over the last 10 games and continued that hot streak with two power-play goals in Tuesday night's 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.' … [Read more...] about Power has been restored on home ice

'Pegula's arrival will probably mark the end of the league's longest general manager-coach tandems. GM Darcy Regier and head coach Lindy Ruff have been here since 1997 and have survived ownership changes, a bankruptcy, a lockout and hard financial times. While they have earned praise for putting together competitive teams on limited budgets, some of Regier's personnel decisions … [Read more...] about Changing of guard for Sabres

Sabres beat Habs in OT (Montreal Gazette) Changing of guard for Sabres (Montreal Gazette) Gomez puts teammates in OT hole (Montreal Gazette) Photo gallery (Montreal Gazette) Injured Habs F Pacioretty travels home with team (AP) The Numbers Game - Jan. 18, 2011 (Canadiens.com) Photo gallery (Canadiens.com) Photo gallery (Sabres.com) Photo gallery (AP) Photo gallery … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Montreal Coverage

'Tyler Ennis had a goal and assist and Thomas Vanek had two assists for Buffalo, which snapped a four-game losing streak against the Canadiens, dating to last season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres beat injury-depleted Habs 2-1 in OT

'Tyler Ennis scored Buffalo's regulation goal while Ryan Miller made 29 saves for the Sabres, who have won two of their last three games and also halted a four-game skid against the Canadiens.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 2, Montreal 1 (OT)

'Drew Stafford has suffered a lower body injury according to the Sabres and will not return to the game.' … [Read more...] about Pominville, Sabres Sink Montreal in OT 2-1

'Drew Stafford left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return. He recorded 2:00 of ice time before leaving the contest. Following the game, Lindy Ruff said Stafford had suffered a groin injury and would be further evaluated on Wednesday.' … [Read more...] about The aftermath: Sabres 2, Canadiens 1 (OT)

Returning forwards give Pirates' offense a boost (Portland Press Herald) Pirates game cancelled vs. Worcester (Maine Hockey Journal) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Portland Coverage