Archives for December 2015

'“I think we’re learning about everything,” O’Reilly said. “The team last year had a losing mentality and we’re still trying to find that constant thing, having no casual moments. Teams that consistently make playoffs, there’s never casual moments. They’re on every night. We have to find that. These last two games weren’t consistent enough. It’s a big lesson that if we want to … [Read more...] about O’Reilly takes charge as team slips

'“It really started becoming part of my game when I played with Hal Gill who is maybe the best I’ve ever seen at it, I learned a lot.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Gorges knows blocked shots

'Rasmus Ristolainen has emerged (from the previous emergings) into a top flight defenseman. Can he become the dominant #1 that the Sabres will need him to be? It certainly looks like he’s on the track.' … [Read more...] about State of the Sabres

'Where Buffalo really seems to be missing Ennis is when it comes to entries into the offensive zone, particularly on the power play. The Edmonton native’s willingness and ability to use his speed and tenacity in playing the puck in behind the oppositions' defense is something this team is missing. That point was reaffirmed to me in a conversation I had with assistant coach Dave … [Read more...] about Sabres missing skills sets of Ennis, Pysyk on road trip

Amerks' Dupuy painting a pretty on-ice picture (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Rochester Coverage

'“Just take a deep breath and get back to being there for each other,” O’Reilly said when asked what his message was. “You could tell to a man we were so frustrated and didn’t know what to do. We needed to change something. I felt we came out in the third period with the right mentality and started to get some momentum. Penalties did kill us tonight. We have to improve all … [Read more...] about O’Reilly pep talk may help Sabres reverse fortunes after 5-2 loss to Canucks

'“I think you’re energized when you go back home for games, whether you’re young or old,” said coach Dan Bylsma. “I don’t think I’m going to be too attentive to it. I’ll give him a chance to be out there and perform early on in this game. It’s a good thing, should be an exciting thing for him.”' … [Read more...] about Reinhart makes hometown appearance in Vancouver

'For the second time in two nights, the Sabres scored first but got no traction from their early lead. The Vancouver Canucks, the subject of plenty of ridicule from their home fans and media, found their game midway through the first period and pulled away for a 5-2 win over Buffalo in Rogers Arena.' … [Read more...] about Vrbata, Canucks come alive

Some encouraging signs of life as Canucks rattle Sabres (Vancouver Province) Canucks play with pace and purpose to beat Sabres (Vancouver Province) Hats off to Vrbata, Bertuzzi helps remove Prust rust, Miller likes the view (Vancouver Province) Photo gallery (Vancouver Province) Vrbata notches hat trick as Canucks snap streak with win over Sabres (Vancouver Sun) Game … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Vancouver Coverage

'"We want better within this room," said Gionta. "We know we're capable of that so that's why it's so disappointing."' … [Read more...] about Vrbata scores three times as Canucks down Sabres to snap five-game losing streak

'"We ended up taking too many penalties," Buffalo coach Dan Bylsma said. "They were real dominant with their power play, and we gave them too many opportunities to do it. They got momentum and carried the play because of it."' … [Read more...] about Vrbata’s hat trick helps Canucks end 5-game skid

'Brian Gionta and Sam Reinhart scored for Buffalo. Linus Ullmark took the loss, surrendering five goals on 31 shots.' … [Read more...] about Vrbata’s Hat Trick Leads Canucks to 5-2 Win

'"I think the guys realize we gotta change something. We gotta stick together. It's just a matter of going out and doing it and getting better now."' … [Read more...] about Sabres-Canucks: From the Locker Room

'"We want better within this room and we know we are capable of that, so that's why it's so disappointing," Gionta said. "We gotta find ways not to shoot ourselves in the foot and right now we're doing that, whether it's too many men on the ice or a bad penalty at a bad time, not getting power play momentum, things like that are hurting us."' … [Read more...] about Vrbata’s hat trick leads Canucks past Sabres

'“It’s real disappointing,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. “You look at a tough road trip out west … [we] looked at Edmonton and Vancouver and going into Calgary talking about winning hockey games. We’ve missed out on the opportunity.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres can’t overcome penalties in loss to Vancouver