Archives for April 5, 2015

'The Arizona Coyotes moved four points ahead of Buffalo with a 5-3 win late Saturday night over San Jose. Arizona and Buffalo both have three games left and the Sabres would clinch 30th with a regulation loss in their next game, Monday against Carolina in First Niagara Center.' … [Read more...] about Sabres give way to Islanders

'“It’s all in good fun,” he said. “The Leafs fans are some of the most passionate fans in the world. They’re obviously not enjoying the experience of all the losing. But if there is some benefit to the losing, they are going to get a very, very good player and whether that’s whoever, it doesn’t matter. The draft is so deep this year. So I’m sure Leaf fans are going to be pretty … [Read more...] about McDavid at heart remains a Leafs fan

'Going back through the last five full seasons, at least 75 percent of the playoff teams had been decided by New Year’s Day. Fourteen of the 16 teams remain unchanged in 2009 and 2010, 13 of 16 stayed locked in during 2012, and 12 of 16 held their positions in 2011 and 2014.' … [Read more...] about History shows good starts mean postseason

Islanders keep pace in playoff race with 3-0 win over Sabres (New York Daily News) Isles on verge of clinching playoffs after Coliseum rout (New York Post) Islanders closer to playoff berth with win over Sabres (Newsday) Cherished Islanders celebrate their history in Coliseum event (Newsday) All in the family for Islanders' Ryan Strome (Newsday) Islanders' Mikhail … [Read more...] about Sunday’s New York Coverage

'But in a season that just seems to keep ratcheting up the bizarre meter, Buffalo saw a one-goal lead flip into a one-goal loss in only 47 seconds.' … [Read more...] about Winless weekend keeps Sabres in 30th

'"I thought he played very well for his first game. He can be very proud of his first experience. He acted like a very mature young man," Sabres coach Ted Nolan said of his goaltender.' … [Read more...] about Halak, Islanders shut out Sabres 3-0

'Buffalo lost a second straight game despite getting 33 saves from Andrey Makarov in his NHL debut.' … [Read more...] about NY Islanders 3, Buffalo 0

'The Sabres (22-39-8) lost for the 14th time in their last 17 games (3-11-3) to ensure they'd remain at least two points ahead of the Arizona Coyotes in the "race" for last place in the NHL and a guaranteed top-two spot in the draft.' … [Read more...] about Shutout moves Islanders closer to playoffs

'Kyle Okposo's power play goal gave the Isles the early 1-0 lead. Okposo's shot deflected off Brian Gionta and into the Buffalo net for the 1-0 lead. Makarov kept it that way heading into the third. The Sabres netminder played well in his first action as a starter, even as New York continued to pepper him with shots, coming up with several big stops and 20 saves through the … [Read more...] about Halak, Isles Blank Sabres 3-0

'"I thought he made some really nice saves," Bogosian added. "It's never easy. The Islanders are a good team, they're fast, they throw a lot of pucks on net. I thought he played really well for us."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Makarov gets his first NHL start

'"No matter where they are in the standings … they compete hard," Islanders captain John Tavares said. "We knew this was a game we wanted to have."' … [Read more...] about Halak, Islanders shut out Sabres, inch toward playoffs

'“To be honest, I didn’t even get nervous,” Makarov said after the game. “I went into the game, simple as every one. I was more nervous waiting for that shot on net. I had to stop it.”' … [Read more...] about Makarov makes 1st start in loss to Islanders

Amerks lose fourth straight game (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Rockford IceHogs down Rochester to clinch playoff berth (Rockford Register Star) Amerks routed in Rockford, 7-2 (Amerks.com) IceHogs down Americans to clinch playoff berth (IceHogs.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Rochester Coverage