Archives for December 3, 2011

‘As he likes to joke: “Vin Scully doesn’t go east of the Mississippi and Jeanneret doesn’t go west … they’ll never meet.”‘

Preview: Predators vs. Buffalo Sabres (Nashville Tennessean)
Buffalo (13-11-1) at Nashville (12-9-4) (AP)
Buffalo Sabres (13-11-1) at Nashville Predators (12-9-4) (The Sports Network)
Predators return home to host struggling Sabres (NHL.com)
Saturday night in Smashville: Preds host Sabres (NashvillePredators.com)

‘The two teams looked miles apart Friday.’

‘Today, however, the Sabres are reeling. With losses in five of six and seven of 10, they’re officially a team in crisis. Their latest setback, a 4-1 loss in which the scorching Detroit Red Wings outclassed them early, proved how far the Sabres must climb to hang with the NHL’s elite.’

‘“I’ve had some time look at the habits of other guys and get my body stronger,” Ennis said. “I’ve just been able to kind of focus on how I’m going to play when I come back. I’m ready to do that now. It’s a fresh start almost. I’m real excited. I feel good. I feel healthy.”’

‘This small-market team splurged big-time in the free-agent market and even has a bigger payroll (right at the $64.3 million salary cap) than the Red Wings ($58.6 million). But Buffalo isn’t getting its money’s worth from a lot of players, as its 13-10-1 record shows.’

‘“It’s fun that I’ve gotten to play against him,” said Drew Miller, who has faced his older brother just three times in the NHL. “And it’s always fun for our parents and family and friends to come and watch. I think it’s great for both of us being brothers and as close as we are. There’s not a lot of that happening in the NHL.”’

Wings sink Sabres after three-goal first period (Detroit News)
Wings on quest for road mastery (Detroit News)
Red Wings win seventh straight (Detroit Free Press)
Red Wings recall Chris Conner to help spark offense (Detroit Free Press)
Red Wings notes from win over Sabres (Detroit Free Press)
Photo gallery (Detroit Free Press)
Strong start, another solid defensive effort gives Red Wings seventh win in a row (Grand Rapids Press)
Sabres still waiting for former Red Wing Ville Leino to pay dividends after big-money deal (Grand Rapids Press)
Red Wings’ Justin Abdelkader says he’s fine after hit; Sabres Nathan Gerbe cut in face by skate (Grand Rapids Press)
Monkey’s off back as Kindl scores (DetroitRedWings.com)
Miller brothers cherish family bond (DetroitRedWings.com)
Photo gallery (DetroitRedWings.com)
Photo gallery (Sabres.com)
Photo gallery (AP)
Photo gallery (WGRZ-TV)

‘Kassian worked over the summer months with Sabres assistant coach and former Toronto Maple Leafs centre Kevyn Adams, and at the start of the current season in the AHL with Rochester assistant coach Chris Taylor. “A lot of skill stuff,” is what Kassian listed as his off-season to-do list.’

‘“That first period showed how a top team plays in the NHL,” Sabres defenseman Robyn Regehr said. “We have to be a lot sharper right off the bat. We have to work much harder and be harder on the pucks. Once (Detroit) gets the puck, they make very disciplined decisions.”’