Archives for March 2015

'“If you’re any kind of competitive soul or competitive spirit, if you don’t get up for any kind of competition, you’re in the wrong line of business,” the coach said. “Do something else. In this line of business, you have to be competitive. Sometimes when you don’t do it, that’s when your stomach turns at nighttime wondering why."' … [Read more...] about Nolan has team staying competitive

'“I know how hard it is in this league,” said Lindback, who will likely start his fifth straight game tonight against the New Jersey Devils. “There’s only so many spots. You don’t get dealt chances. It’s only happening so often. I’m just happy for this opportunity. It’s only six games. We only won one.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie Anders Lindback knows hot streak means little

'“It’s just how it reacts to battle drills and divots and all that sort of stuff,” Kaleta said Thursday after his first full practice. “I have more mobility in my knee now, so it’s building up the strength and getting the movements down. Once you start doing things that you’re not used to doing, it gets a little bit swollen and sore. So I just got to keep an eye on that.”' … [Read more...] about Patrick Kaleta nearing return; Zach Bogosian out against Devils

Devils-Sabres Preview (AP) New Jersey Devils (30-29-11) at Buffalo Sabres (20-43-7) (The Sports Network) Devils' Cammalleri sick, questionable against Sabres (NHL.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s New Jersey Coverage

'Traditionalists like me hate the shootout, but Ennis said what the fans like matters, “Absolutely, tradition’s important, but I think change is important as well. The game always needs to grow, it needs to get better, you look at the NFL, they make changes a lot, the NFL’s growing, it’s getting more and more popular and the NHL is similar, we need to adapt to what the fans … [Read more...] about Many of the Sabres like the proposed 3-on-3 OT

'“I only care about winning. That’s why you play hockey,” he said after practice Thursday at First Niagara Center. “You can have the worst save percentage, [but] if you’re winning and you’re playing on a winning team, that’s all that matters, really. Sometimes it’s just about making the right saves at key moments.' … [Read more...] about Lindback relishing opportunity to prove himself

Long and winding road to the Amerks for new defenseman (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Amerks sign defenseman Curtis Leonard (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Rochester Coverage

'Most don’t see it as disloyal, but rather merely rooting for a greater good ... as if McDavid and Eichel are guaranteed to be NHL stars and capable of lifting the current godawful roster to playoff contention anytime soon.' … [Read more...] about Sabres players, unlike fans, are not tanking

'Buffalo’s best shot at prying young veterans from teams in exchange for draft picks is to have a plethora of cap-strapped teams. Even a modest $2 million bump would allow some organizations to avoid purging themselves of players and salaries.' … [Read more...] about Rising cap could limit Murray’s dealing

'“You know what it did to him?” McGill said. “It just absolutely solidified the fact that his mental toughness is absolutely at the highest level it can ever be at, because you’re in Canada, you’re expected to win, and every game he and his teammates got better and better.' … [Read more...] about Top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart perfecting game back in junior

'"There's no or something about it. That's exactly it. Instead of finishing 30th they finish 29th and they don't get to draft the great player."' … [Read more...] about Screen Play

'Lindback is just 1-3-2 but now has a 2.41 goals-against average and a tank-busting .934 save percentage for the Sabres. Incredibly, he’s at .957 the last three games, stopping 110 of 115 shots on goal thrown at him by the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Bruins. That’s not like dealing with, say, the Oilers, Coyotes or Toronto Maple Leafs.' … [Read more...] about Stalwart Lindback gets Sabres a win

'The Sabres have gone to overtime 15 times this year – but only three of the games have been decided with a goal. Buffalo is 1-2 in those games, and 7-5 in shootouts. The league’s goal is to cut back on the number of games decided in the skills competition.' … [Read more...] about GMs looking at 3-on-3 for overtime

Bruins stunned by Sabres in shootout (Boston Globe) Bruins’ best wasn’t quite good enough vs. Sabres (Boston Globe) Bruins’ Krejci might play this weekend (Boston Globe) Bruins miss point of game (Boston Herald) Killer instinct missing (Boston Herald) Julien mum on where Krejci will slot back in (Boston Herald) Scoring drought costs Bruins dearly (Quincy Patriot … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Boston Coverage

'"They work extremely hard in practice," Nolan said. "He's not your typical goaltender who takes a few shots and gets off. He wants a lot of shots and he stays in for some breakaway shots. Players love that and when they love that, they usually play hard for you."' … [Read more...] about Lindback, Sabres beat Bruins 2-1 in shootout