Archives for 2016

'So, put him on the ice to start the game. I know you probably had meetings about how you wanted to match up with McDavid and that job was going to go to Johan Larsson. Fine, I get it. You're a coach and coaches coach so coach away. Is it too much to ask to at least wait until after the first shift of the first game of their NHL careers against each other?' … [Read more...] about C’mon coach

'"It's deserved," Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. "I'm real happy for him. He's a young player coming into his own this year. He's stepped from being a younger player to being a full-time legitimate NHL player and I think it shows in his selection."' … [Read more...] about For Ristolainen, playing for Finland is always a pleasure

Amerks hoping for consistency after blockbuster trade (Sabres.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Rochester Coverage

'“Anytime you can score an overtime goal, it feels good,” McDavid said. “I keep saying this game was a big deal for me because it was in front of friends and family. It just feels good to get the win in front of them.”' … [Read more...] about Oilers’ McDavid makes his mark with early, OT goals to beat Sabres

'With that latter scenario playing out, Tuesday’s matchup between the 26th- and 29th-place teams in the NHL got a shot of Red Bull. McDavid and Eichel did their best to downplay their first meeting as professionals (McDavid missed Edmonton’s game against Buffalo in December due to injury), but there was an undeniable, playoff-like buzz leading up to the game.' … [Read more...] about McDavid calls the shots in 2-1 win over Sabres

'“I thought 15 and 97 were probably the two best players on the ice tonight,” he said. “They didn’t disappoint.”' … [Read more...] about First McEichel Bowl means little to some, more to others

'“I’ve played with him quite a bit,” Reinhart said. “We know each other pretty well.”' … [Read more...] about The eyes have it for Reinhart, O’Reilly on lone goal

'The "other" rookie shines: Sam Reinhart prevented the Sabres from being shut out for the third time in four games with 10:54 remaining. Reinhart spun with the puck in the left circle, then slid a no-look pass to Cal O'Reilly on the right side of the net to make it 1-1. The goal was O'Reilly's first in the NHL since Dec. 21, 2011.' … [Read more...] about Quick hits: Oilers 2, Sabres 1 (OT)

'The game almost played out like it had been scripted, with McDavid, the phenom Sabres fans coveted before the Oilers won the NHL Draft Lottery last year, scoring the slick winner with 1:12 left, his second goal of the night.' … [Read more...] about Connor McDavid steals show in Oilers’ overtime win against Sabres

'“They’re great players,” he said in the same breath. “We want to watch them both play. I’m curious to see how Jack does, how Connor does. I don’t think there’s a head-to-head matchup that’s going on."' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid won’t buy into hype

'Despite the goal, the game went into overtime. Seconds into the extra period, McDavid had the puck behind the Sabres net and drew two Buffalo players behind the net, Brian Gionta and Rasmus Ristolainen. With a no-look pass, McDavid found Taylor Hall alone in the slot but breaking up the play at the last second was Eichel.' … [Read more...] about McDavid ousts Eichel, Sabres 2-1

'McDavid and Eichel are at different stages of their transition to the NHL game. Eichel has played 64 games in Buffalo, and has encountered the ups and downs of a long season with a rebuilding club. McDavid said he remains a work in progress.' … [Read more...] about McDavid scores winner in OT, lifts Oilers over Eichel, Sabres

McDavid double gives Edmonton Oilers the win over Sabres in overtime (Edmonton Journal) McDavid tops Eichel right now & 4 more lessons out of Oilers win (Edmonton Journal) McDavid decisively wins showdown with Eichel as Oilers edge Sabres (Edmonton Journal) Edmonton Oilers rookie Connor McDavid scores both goals in a 2-1 overtime win over Buffalo (Edmonton Sun) Injured … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Edmonton Coverage

'As Eichel and McDavid prepared to face off for the first time against each other at the National Hockey League level in the inaugural McEichel Bowl Tuesday night, you almost get the impression that they were more than happy that the American television spotlight had shifted off them.' … [Read more...] about Budding Eichel-McDavid ‘rivalry’ still dwarfed by Ovechkin-Crosby

'“I think everybody was hoping the Sabres would get McDavid, but Eichel is not really much of a step down,” Matt Licata Jr. said as he sat wearing his Eichel jersey in (716), a Buffalo sports bar where a goal light flashes each time the home-town team scores. “Hopefully, we won a prize. We’ve got the next 10 years to see.”' … [Read more...] about Rivalry between McDavid and Eichel is built on hype, but still stirs the crowd