Archives for January 2011

'The gruesome numbers in 159 games combined from the four players who lined up in the middle during practice Wednesday: 17 goals and 58 points, minus-18.' … [Read more...] about Centers off target for Sabres

'"It is a relief," Ruff said after practice in HSBC Arena. "He's walking fine, and his strength is pretty good. It all bodes well for coming back quickly."' … [Read more...] about Quick recovery expected for Stafford

Sabres thumbnails (Boston Globe) Buffalo (20-20-5) at Boston (26-13-7) (AP) Buffalo Sabres (20-20-5) at Boston Bruins (26-13-7) (The Sports Network) First-place Bruins battle Northeast-rival Sabres (NHL.com) B's Look to Tame Buffalo (BostonBruins.com) Pregame Notebook (BostonBruins.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Boston Coverage

'This is the first recall of the season for Gragnani (6’2”, 200 lbs., 3/11/1987), who is second on the Pirates in scoring with 30 points (7+23) in 38 games. His 23 assists are tied for the team lead, and he equaled a Portland franchise record on January 15 when he collected five assists in an 8-3 win over Worcester.' … [Read more...] about Gragnani recalled from Portland

This time, lousy start does in Pirates, 5-3 (Portland Press Herald) Pirates fall short in comeback (Maine Hockey Journal) Old friends bring back bite for Sharks (Worcester Telegram and Gazette) Recent Additions Lead Sharks Past Pirates (PortlandPirates.com) Sharks Hold off Portland 5-3 (SharksAHL.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Portland Coverage

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)