Archives for January 11, 2012

'The Sabres lost Thomas Vanek to an upper-body injury, food poisoning or the flu, with the team's top goal scorer able to play just the opening 20 minutes. The Sabres have struggled to find the net with the dependable sniper in the lineup. They had little chance without him.' … [Read more...] about Vanek leaves with illness as Sabres shut out in Toronto

'Check the standings, and Buffalo is suddenly eight points behind Toronto and staring down the barrel of a 10-point deficit to the Leafs heading into the rematch Friday night in First Niagara Center. The past few weeks have been hideous enough, but now it's starting to get uglier by the game -- Ugly Betty ugly and approaching Joan Rivers-ugly.' … [Read more...] about Sabres giving off bad vibrations

'Stafford failed to convert one of the Sabres' best scoring chances of the night early in the first period and his delay of game penalty a couple of minutes later led to the only goal the Toronto Maple Leafs would need in their 2-0 victory.' … [Read more...] about Mishaps leave Stafford frustrated

'Their wretched play Tuesday overshadowed any empty words.' … [Read more...] about Sabres awful in road loss to Leafs

'“Brayden’s got a lot of what Tallinder had when they played together, more of a stay-at-home, good defender, got some offense on the other side of it,” Ruff said. “As well as Brayden has been going, I just felt that when we put (Robyn) Regehr and (Jordan) Leopold together, a veteran pair, we’ve got a younger pair that can get some offense for us.”' … [Read more...] about McNabb-Myers tandem showing some promise

Make that four in a row for Leafs! (Toronto Sun) Monster scary good (Toronto Sun) Kulemin breaks out in win over Buffalo (Toronto Star) Red-hot Monster making all the right moves for Leafs (Toronto Star) Five answers following Leafs’ win over Sabres (Toronto Star) Photo gallery (Toronto Star) Leafs stay perfect in 2012 as the Monster shuts out Sabres (Toronto Globe and … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Toronto Coverage

'Ruff must also be worried about his team's playoff chances. Last season, the Sabres had an identical 18-19-5 record after game No. 42 and then with new owner Terry Pegula aboard they went on a terrific 25-10-5 run to make the post-season. But there are no signs that the Sabres are about to turn it around like they did last year.' … [Read more...] about Sabres long way from last year’s 2nd-half success

'"We give up a lot of home run plays in games so we've got to tighten up defensively, and that's all five guys on the ice. We've got to work for each other and play hard."' … [Read more...] about Sabres seeking identity to salvage season

'Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller has enjoyed a tremendous amount of his success against the Leafs during his career, but has struggled against them the past two seasons. Fans at the Air Canada Centre derisively chanted “Miller! Miller!” as he fell to 1-5 against Toronto in his last six starts.' … [Read more...] about Gustavsson shines again in Leafs victory

'"Right now it feels different. I've seen stretches. This might be my toughest stretch as a coach where pucks won't go in the net," said Ruff after Buffalo's 2-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night. The Sabres have just two wins in their last 11 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ struggles continue after loss to Leafs

'Ryan Miller was tagged with both goals on 28 shots in defeat for the Sabres, who have lost three straight games.' … [Read more...] about Toronto 2, Buffalo 0

'From there, the Leafs controlled play and Gustavsson was perfect in net, turning aside 32 shots.' … [Read more...] about Leafs Blank Listless Sabres 2-0

'Those troubles have been well documented and in no particular order they feature inconsistent goaltending, career worst when it comes to Ryan Miller and a lack of consistent scoring outside of Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. In addition it isn’t like the Sabres are rock solid at home but have to find their road game or vice versa. They’re mediocre on whatever ice surface … [Read more...] about Inside The Numbers

'This loss was Buffalo’s seventh in a row on the road, and the sixth straight road game where they have scored two goals or fewer. The Sabres also dropped to 2-6-2 in their last 10 games, and have only scored one goal or less in five of the 10 games.' … [Read more...] about Unlucky seventh