Archives for October 25, 2011

Coming off the first official road trip of the season, the Sabres’ brass has to be pleased with the effort and results the team produced over the four game span.

Taking 6-of-8 points on the road is outstanding, but combined with the recent trip to Europe (where the Sabres were technically the home team in Finland) to kickoff the season, the Sabres have taken 10-of-12 possible points all away from the friendly confines of ‘Hockey Heaven.’

Sitting one point behind the division leading Maple Leafs shouldn’t leave Sabres faithful too high, nor too low, especially considering the Leafs played 5-of-7 games in the comfort of the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto.

[Read more…] about No Place Like Home

‘He also explained how, in the old setup head coach Lindy Ruff kept stacks of folding chairs in his office. Players would squeeze in, grab a chair and practically sit on top of one another to meet.’

‘”I think we’ve got to get the lead,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff after Monday’s practice at First Niagara Center. “If you get the lead, it pulls them out of what they want to try to do. We had early chances that could’ve got us on the board and didn’t finish.”‘

‘”I’m not sure how long he’ll be out but he’s a good player and guys have got to step up around him, try to fill that role,” winger Nathan Gerbe said. “Everybody has to step up as a team.”‘

‘“I’ve always said it takes time,” Ruff said Monday. “There’s a lot of examples of players that step in and initially it’s tough. He’s done some good things. Obviously, he’s been uncomfortable in some situations. But I like what he’s done so far. I’d like him to have better numbers but he doesn’t.”’

Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres game preview capsule (St. Petersburg Times)
Tampa Bay (3-3-2) at Buffalo (5-2-0) (AP)
Tampa Bay Lightning (3-3-2) at Buffalo Sabres (5-2-0) (The Sports Network)
Sabres seek to salvage split with Lightning (NHL.com)
Bolts and Sabres wrap up home-and-home (TampaBayLightning.com)
Fan guide: Lightning vs. Sabres (Sabres.com)

‘With Ennis injured, Ville Leino is likely to move from center to wing.’

‘The 22-year-old Edmonton native has failed to record a point in seven games this season, after striking for 20 goals and 49 points in 82 games in his first full NHL campaign in 2010-11.’

‘“We’ll make the adjustments. We’ve got some pieces that we’re going to switch around. There’s guys that can obviously go into that role; Ville (Leino) can go over to the left side. We’re going to try some different things.”’

Amerks begin four-game road trip this week to bring October to a close (Amerks.com)