'The Sabres were outshot, 35-26, got completely outplayed on special teams and created little traffic around Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck. They had several good scoring opportunities in the first period, but most were one-and-done chances without any convergence on the puck for rebounds.' … [Read more...] about Travels lead to more travails as Sabres get grounded by Jets to finish trip 0-4
Archives for March 4, 2020
For Ralph Krueger, a trip to Winnipeg is a return home and a matchup against a close friend
'"I did meet with some family last night but it's just that the National Hockey League keeps you in a very unique space," Krueger said after the Sabres' morning meetings. "You're just taking care of your next task, getting ready for the next phase, trying to work with the lineup, trying to find something good and valuable to grow and learn from the last games. You don't really … [Read more...] about For Ralph Krueger, a trip to Winnipeg is a return home and a matchup against a close friend
Jeff Skinner's low scoring rate traces to poor play by his Sabres teammates
'The real issue is at 5-on-5. Skinner’s scoring rates here have crashed, but not because of his goal scoring. Skinner is putting the puck in the back of the net at around the same rate he has over the last five seasons. What has changed: Skinner is carrying the scoring burden for his entire line, and his teammates are scoring at the lowest rate we have seen since the 2013-14 … [Read more...] about Jeff Skinner’s low scoring rate traces to poor play by his Sabres teammates
Sabres at 50: Daniel Briere thought he would spend rest of career in Buffalo
'“I thought I was going to be a Sabre for the rest of my career, honestly, even after the season,” said Briere, who returned for “2000s Night” on Feb. 13 at KeyBank Center, part of the team’s 50th anniversary celebration. “Things happen … and I’m not trying to throw anybody under the bus. It’s done. We can’t change anything about it.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres at 50: Daniel Briere thought he would spend rest of career in Buffalo
Wednesday's Winnipeg Coverage
Jets leave them buffaloed (Winnipeg Free Press) Red-hot Connor at the next level (Winnipeg Free Press) Letestu happy to be back on the ice (Winnipeg Free Press) Connor leads the way as Jets cruise past Sabres (Winnipeg Sun) Jets Notebook: Training wheels off for Letestu after health scare (Winnipeg Sun) Photo gallery (NHL.com) Connor's three-point night pushes Jets to win … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Winnipeg Coverage
Connor registers 3-point game, Jets beat Sabres 3-1
'“It is quite unfathomable to be standing here after an 0-4 road trip like this, especially after how good we were playing going into it. We’ve just got to grab on to those small details and just keep working every single night and just keep growing this structure that (coach Ralph Krueger) has created for us here.”' … [Read more...] about Connor registers 3-point game, Jets beat Sabres 3-1
Growing pains: Krueger, Eakins and McLellan staying positive
'Of the three teams, the Sabres have shown signs of the most improvement, despite losing their last four. After winning 10 straight to match a franchise record in Nov. 2018, Buffalo proceeded to win just 16 of its remaining 57 games (16-33-8), leading to Phil Housley being fired.' … [Read more...] about Growing pains: Krueger, Eakins and McLellan staying positive
Jets fly by Sabres 3-1
'The Sabres finally broke their goose egg just past the halfway mark of the contest, when Rasmus Ristolainen muscled a puck past Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck. Ristolainen shuffled what looked to be a centering pass towards Johan Larsson in front, but the puck ended up deflecting off a defenseman in front and into the Winnipeg net, making it a 3-1 game inside Bell MTS … [Read more...] about Jets fly by Sabres 3-1
Special teams made the difference in Sabres loss to Winnipeg
'Neither team had a special team chance in the final frame. I thought Buffalo had their moments, like in all three periods, but again failed to beat the Winnipeg netminder in the defeat. After a practice Wednesday Buffalo is right back at it on Thursday when they welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Special teams made the difference in Sabres loss to Winnipeg
Should the Sabres general manager stay or should he go?
'Who knows what Terry and Kim Pegula will decide but I have one piece of advice to the Sabres owners. While you may be reluctant to fire another GM in your employ, continuity for the sake of continuity is NOT a good thing.' … [Read more...] about Should the Sabres general manager stay or should he go?
Sabres swept on West Coast road trip, fall to Jets 3-1
'With the loss, the Sabres finish their West Coast road trip winless [0-4] and now have almost no chance at making the playoffs, sitting 12 points back of the Maple Leafs for the third spot in the Atlantic Division with 16 games to play.' … [Read more...] about Sabres swept on West Coast road trip, fall to Jets 3-1
Sabres lose again on road, fall 3-1 to Jets
'The Sabres are yet to win a game since Feb 23 when they did so against the Jets at home.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose again on road, fall 3-1 to Jets
Connor scores in fourth straight game in Jets victory against Sabres
'"No points in four games, we're looking at that in the eyes," Buffalo coach Ralph Krueger said of the four-game road trip. "We're not happy with that. We're going home grumpy and upset. But we also played some really good periods, we are a group in growth with an amazing fight-back. These guys just don't quit, which I'm pleased about."' … [Read more...] about Connor scores in fourth straight game in Jets victory against Sabres
Road trip ends with loss in Winnipeg
'"We're not happy with that," Krueger said. "We're going home grumpy and upset but we also played some really good periods. We are a group in growth. We are a group with some amazing fightback. These guys just don't quit, which I'm pleased about."' … [Read more...] about Road trip ends with loss in Winnipeg
At the Horn: Sabres 1 - Jets 3
'At game's end, they found themselves 12 points behind Toronto for the third seed in the Atlantic Division and 12 points behind Columbus for the second Wild Card spot. Buffalo has 16 games remaining. Toronto is playing in San Jose tonight.' … [Read more...] about At the Horn: Sabres 1 – Jets 3