'Buffalo, now 25-20-6 and still three points back of the second wild-card playoff spot, allowed three goals in the second and third periods. Despite outshooting Chicago, 43-30, Housley's players again did not follow many of the basic tenets of his coaching philosophy or a simple game plan against a struggling opponent.' … [Read more...] about Sabres open vital homestand with a thud, lose to Chicago, 7-3
Archives for 2019
Mike Harrington: Sabres have gone soft and drastic fixes are needed
'Unless Phil Housley and Jason Botterill step in and stop the insanity of trying to do the same things over and over again, the Sabres are heading back to the draft lottery.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres have gone soft and drastic fixes are needed
Matt Hunwick again on the outside of Sabres' crowded blue line
'Hunwick, who was acquired from Pittsburgh along with Conor Sheary in June, has been a healthy scratch in 15 of the past 16 games and has played only three times all season. A neck injury suffered during an off-ice, offseason workout prevented Hunwick from practicing with the Sabres until December.' … [Read more...] about Matt Hunwick again on the outside of Sabres’ crowded blue line
The Wraparound: Blackhawks 7, Sabres 3
'The Sabres allowed three goals in the second period, including one on a breakaway by Patrick Kane only 50 seconds in. Drake Caggiula, Duncan Keith, Brandon Saad and Connor Murphy also scored for Chicago (19-24-9), which is the second-worst team in the Western Conference and entered the game with a negative-34 goal differential this season.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Blackhawks 7, Sabres 3
Sabres play loose defensively in ugly loss to Blackhawks
'In their sixth loss in eight games, the Sabres, like so many other recent outings, played a one-dimensional contest, simply focusing on their offense. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, exploited seemingly every miscue, scoring five goals off turnovers.' … [Read more...] about Sabres play loose defensively in ugly loss to Blackhawks
Sabres notes: Casey Mittelstadt brimming with confidence
'“He’s got a great swagger about him,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said. “He wants to improve, he wants to be coached, he wants to learn, he wants to get better. He’s a competitive player, and throughout his process he’s done a terrific job trying to get his defensive zone reads and having a better awareness.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Casey Mittelstadt brimming with confidence
Saturday's Chicago Coverage
Patrick Kane has another happy homecoming as Blackhawks keep hope alive with 7-3 win over Sabres (Chicago Tribune) Duncan Keith won't say if he would waive his no-trade clause: 'Nobody's mentioned anything to me' (Chicago Tribune) Photo gallery (Chicago Tribune) Patrick Kane hits 900 career points in Blackhawks’ 7-3 win over Sabres (Chicago Sun Times) Blackhawks icon Duncan … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Chicago Coverage
Patrick Kane leads Blackhawks in 7-3 rout of Sabres
'“You can’t win a game giving up seven goals,” Eichel said. “I think the learning experiences are far over now. We’re 50-some odd games into the season. ... These mistakes are costing us points and that’s points in the standings that we can’t lose.”' … [Read more...] about Patrick Kane leads Blackhawks in 7-3 rout of Sabres
Celebrating Rasmus Dahlin’s brilliant rookie NHL season
'Among players to break into the NHL since I was born in 1987, Aaron Ekblad is the only defenceman who produced more points as an 18-year-old than Dahlin so far – the Panthers defender put up 29 points before he turned 19 on Feb. 7, and finished his rookie season with 39 points. Dahlin doesn’t turn 19 until April 13 and is on pace to finish with 46 points.' … [Read more...] about Celebrating Rasmus Dahlin’s brilliant rookie NHL season
Blackhawks upend Sabres 7-3
'Murphy would attone for his penalty by scoring and extending the Chicago lead to 5-3. Then with an empty net Kane recorded his fourth point of the game, and second goal of the game to make it 6-3 Blackhawks. Saad would add his second goal of the game to cap the scoring for Chicago at 7-3.' … [Read more...] about Blackhawks upend Sabres 7-3
Sabres embarrassed by the Blackhawks to start their homestand
'Friday's loss may have been the most angry that we've seen Phil Housley following a loss since the opening night of the season when the Sabres were shut out by the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Sabres embarrassed by the Blackhawks to start their homestand
From the Locker Room: Sabres-Blackhawks
'"We're far past the learning stage of this season. We're fifty-some odd games into this year and at this point the mistakes are costing up points."' … [Read more...] about From the Locker Room: Sabres-Blackhawks
Botterill - "We understand how important being in the playoff hunt is"
'The west coast trip was clearly an indication of where our team is at right now. The two games we lost, I liked how we played, I liked the puck control, I liked how we set things up. But we had some huge mistakes that ended up being in the back of our net. You can talk about goalie save percentage too, but we're leaving them out to dry too much. We're giving way too many … [Read more...] about Botterill – “We understand how important being in the playoff hunt is”
5 Observations: Blackhawks topple Sabres 7-3
'It seems like every time the Sabres make a mistake the puck ends up in their own net. Whether it's a turnover in the defensive zone or a player failing to pick up his defensive assignment the Sabres have played some sloppy hockey for the last few months.' … [Read more...] about 5 Observations: Blackhawks topple Sabres 7-3
Late push not enough as Sabres lose to Blackhawks
'They learned another tough lesson on Friday, as their comeback effort in the third period fell short, in a 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks -- who entered the night dead last in the Central Division.' … [Read more...] about Late push not enough as Sabres lose to Blackhawks