Archives for April 1, 2016

‘“They always talk about their mom being the most happy and the most aware of the situation,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said, “so it was mentioned during the game, ‘Mom’s going to be happy with that one.’”’

‘All the “backup goaltender” has done is play 43 games and counting, and win a career-high 20. At age 29, Johnson is adamant he can be a No. 1 man in the NHL. He has a 2.38 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage, and is set up as perhaps one of the top three choices in net among unrestricted free agents.’

‘“You deal with a high-ankle sprain for months after you come back … the last two weeks for Robin, he probably had a tweak in a game that was a little more significant than the ones he’s been feeling,” Bylsma said. “He came back and had the same feeling seven days later and that’s when you go back for a week of rehab and get an evaluation from the doctor.”’

‘Leafs jerseys were prevalent in the crowd of 18,873, but the folks wearing them didn’t get many chances to make noise. The Leafs’ last victory in Buffalo was a 4-3 overtime decision Jan. 29, 2013. Toronto hasn’t won in regulation in Buffalo since Feb. 16, 2011.’

‘“I just hit it perfectly there,” Cal said about his 16th NHL goal. “It wasn’t spinning.”’

‘“It’s kind of one thing after another,” Fasching said Thursday prior to the Sabres’ 4-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “Doing stuff on the road’s never fun. But you get it done. It’s not too stressful.”’

‘For Buffalo (32-35-11 overall, 75 points), Cal O’Reilly and Johan Larsson each netted a pair of goals. Cal O’Reilly’s first came off an assist from brother Ryan O’Reilly. Notching the win for the Sabres was Chad Johnson (25 saves), his 20th win of the season, a career high.’

Lindberg passes Babcock’s test in first game as Leaf (Toronto Sun)
Andrew Campbell gets a chance with Maple Leafs (Toronto Sun)
Sabres continue to own Maple Leafs in Buffalo (Toronto Star)
What happened on Sabres’ double no-goal review against Maple Leafs? (Sportsnet)
Five Takeaways from Maple Leafs vs. Sabres (MapleLeafs.com)
Postgame Quotes: March 31, 2016 (MapleLeafs.com)
Photo gallery (MapleLeafs.com)
Photo gallery (Sabres.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

‘”You never think growing up playing on the backyard rink against each other and beating each other up, that at this level you’ll get an opportunity to play together,” said the 25-year-old Ryan O’Reilly, the Sabres top-paid player. “Just to watch him have success tonight, it’s awesome.”‘

‘Kane appeared to hurt his left hand while battling for a puck in a 3-2 loss at Detroit on Monday. He ranks third on the team with 20 goals and fourth with 35 points in 65 games this year.’