Archives for November 15, 2015

‘Though the Sabres suffered a 2-1 overtime loss, they learned another lesson in their quest to become a contender. They are at their best when they’re aggressive, and it’s something that needs to start when the game does. “If we did that earlier, a full 60 minutes, it would have been a different outcome,” Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly said.’

‘The left winger, who is in his 18th season with San Jose, has reportedly agreed to waive his no-trade clause for a move to Los Angeles, Anaheim or the New York Rangers.’

‘It was just the second victory ever in Buffalo for San Jose. The Sharks’ lone victory in their first 17 visits came Dec. 2, 2005.’

‘Mikhail Grigorenko continues to show zero ability to score at the NHL level, with no goals in 13 games and a paltry ice time average of just 8:55 per game. And Nikita Zadorov, a regular on the Buffalo defense last year, was stunningly sent to San Antonio of the AHL last week.’

‘But the upstart Sabres, who reached .500 for the first time in three seasons on Thursday, couldn’t convert a slew of strong opportunities late, including a chance slick rookie Jack Eichel generated in the waning seconds as he zoomed to the net and lost control.’

‘“What made Nick an option to take out of the lineup was just how he played away from the puck, some of the decisions that he made, responsibilities away from the puck,” Bylsma said. “He’s not hard enough to play against. That’s a big part of his game and what he’s got to bring and what’s expected of him when he gets in the lineup.”’

San Jose Sharks shake off Buffalo blues (San Jose Mercury News)
Sharks come out on top vs Sabres in OT (CSN Bay Area)
Photo gallery (SJSharks.com)
Photo gallery (Sabres.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

‘”It was a real big part of the game,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. “Any time you get a 5-on-3 for that long a period of time, you feel like it should be 100 percent cashing in. And we didn’t get a lot of looks at the net.”‘

‘”I don’t think we particularly played to our strengths,” Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma said. “We didn’t execute with the puck north, we didn’t play with speed, a little too slow with where we need and have to play.”‘

‘What a snipe by Ryan O’Reilly as he streaked down the wing. He roofed a shot past Martin Jones and into the top corner of the net to tie the game. That is the play that fans have been waiting for all night.’