Archives for December 2015

Canucks Game Day: Struggling hosts to face Eichel-led Sabres (Vancouver Sun) Sabres-Canucks Preview (AP) Canucks aim to end five-game skid against Sabres (NHL.com) Game 29: Canucks vs Sabres (12.7.15) (Canucks.com) … [Read more...] about Monday’s Vancouver Coverage

'The opener of the Buffalo Sabres' Western Canada roadie was a sloppy stinker for a good 30 minutes Sunday in Rexall Place. The Sabres got worked by the speedy Edmonton Oilers in the defensive zone and fumbled away their offensive attack by turning the puck over with impunity in a disappointing 4-2 defeat.' … [Read more...] about Oilers drill Sabres with speed in road trip opener

'“I tucked my jersey in, had powder on my tape like ‘Gretz’ and my linemate was ‘Jari Kurri’ in my amateur hockey days,” a smiling Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said before the game. “I spent a lot of time watching and emulating Wayne and my linemate was called ‘Jari.’ I was a young kid, 7-8-9-10 years old. Playing in the back yard. So coming here the first time as a player was very … [Read more...] about Rexall Place houses many memories

'Buffalo finishes its Rexall days with a final record of 9-29-3 since the Oilers merged into the NHL from the World Hockey Association in 1979. Of course, not many teams had much success in Edmonton during the Wayne Gretzky years. Strangely enough, the Sabres had won three straight here until last year's 3-2 defeat. It was one of the few good runs the Sabres had in the Alberta … [Read more...] about Quick Hits: Oilers 4, Sabres 2

Oilers pull within three points of third place in Pacific Division with three-game win streak (Edmonton Journal) Game notes: Sabres at Oilers (Edmonton Journal) Cult of Hockey player grades: Giant Swedish Goalie Monster backstops Oilers to third straight win (Edmonton Journal) Edmonton Oilers defeat Buffalo Sabres 4-2 for third straight win (Edmonton Sun) Snapshots: … [Read more...] about Monday’s Edmonton Coverage

'"There was way too many turnovers," O'Reilly said. "That was the reason we lost that one. We have to be better, especially on the road.' … [Read more...] about Hall and Purcell lead Edmonton to third straight win, beat Buffalo 4-2

'"The biggest thing is when you're in tight games — one-goal games or you're down by a couple goals — knowing that you still have a chance to win, that you can still pull it out," Gionta said. "Not much separates winning teams and losing teams in this league and if you're down by a goal and you pack it in, you're going to have no chance. It's sticking with (it in) those games … [Read more...] about Sabres and Oilers try to shake off stench of losing, develop winning mentality

'"We just turned too many pucks over," he said. "We were feeding their transition. A lot of times it comes down to making plays, and we didn't make them. Turn-ups, forwards weren't supporting the D well enough, you know we missed a lot of passes that were easy that we should make."' … [Read more...] about Oilers defeat Sabres to extend winning streak

'“Right off the bat it’s the skill set. It’s high-end, and he does everything at a high pace,” Murray said of Eichel. “(Years ago) players needed more time to get stronger and up to speed. He was up to speed, and his size, his strength and his pace of play is not an issue. His only issue is experience, or lack thereof. He looks like he belongs.”' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel proving he belongs in the NHL

'Jack Eichel and Ryan O'Reilly picked up their 9th goals of the season in the loss. Chad Johnson managed 24 saves while Anders Nilsson stopped 32 shots for the Oilers, including 16 saves in the 3rd period.' … [Read more...] about Hall, Purcell Lead Oilers Past Sabres 4-2

'"For the first 30 minutes of the game, Edmonton did a great job of putting every puck behind us, putting a lot of pressure on us with their speed. They forced us in a lot of areas, by the way, the way they executed with the puck and got in there. Pretty much every opportunity was a result of that."' … [Read more...] about Sabres-Oilers: From the Locker Room

'“We didn’t start the way we wanted to,” O’Reilly said. “There were way too many turnovers. That was the reason why we lost that one and we have to be better, especially on the road.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres fall behind early in loss to Oilers

'“I’m enjoying it,” McGinn said. “I’m going to continue to work hard. I think I’ve done this before in my career once maybe, but I’m looking to continue to produce. I feel that I can do it, but it starts with work ethic. I’m going to start there.”' … [Read more...] about McGinn back in the swing of things

'The production hasn’t matched the ice time. Gionta has two goals and six assists in 23 games. According to War-On-Ice.com, Gionta’s “points per 60 minutes” of 0.71 ranked in a tie for 482nd in the NHL heading into Saturday’s schedule. The captain has the same stats as fourth-line center David Legwand, who plays just 9:36 per game.' … [Read more...] about Gionta needed on right wing now

'“We’re not where we need to be,” new coach Todd McLellan said bluntly. “We’ve got work to do as a team, work to do as an organization to get bigger, stronger, harder, physically win more battles than we lose.”' … [Read more...] about Oilers still waiting for improvement