'Sirius XM NHL Network Radio in Toronto played "Sabres Bingo" on its morning show, predicting the date of the next Buffalo victory. Veteran NHL Network host E.J. Hradek predicted later in the day that the club's winless streak could stretch to 20 games before it ends. Hockey Heaven, that is not.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Ralph Krueger’s status shakier than ever after loss to Devils
Archives for March 17, 2021
The Wraparound: Winless streak hits 12 as Sabres are bedeviled in New Jersey
'The Sabres have lost four in a row in regulation and are 0-10-2 since their last win, a 4-1 triumph over the Devils in Newark on Feb. 23. They fell to 6-18-4 overall, remaining last in the NHL, and the winless streak is two shy of the franchise mark set in 2015.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Winless streak hits 12 as Sabres are bedeviled in New Jersey
After three cases, Amerks coach hopes Covid outbreak is contained
'"Our players have been nothing but exemplary in their on-ice work ethic and competitiveness but also in their off-ice decision making and habits that they've lived their life," Appert said. "So it's an unfortunate situation, it happened at no fault of our players. We made decisions that we made in terms of postponing games out of abundance of caution, and to avoid a situation … [Read more...] about After three cases, Amerks coach hopes Covid outbreak is contained
Alan Pergament: Sabres TV ratings are decent, but will hate watching be a thing?
'But surprisingly, TV viewership appears to be only down about 20-25 percent from last year’s disappointing season that ended prematurely because the Sabres didn’t qualify for the Stanley Cup tournament after the Covid-19 outbreak.' … [Read more...] about Alan Pergament: Sabres TV ratings are decent, but will hate watching be a thing?
Changes could be coming to Sabres: ‘Guys expect something’
'General manager Kevyn Adams hasn’t fired or traded anyone or done anything notable as the Sabres keep unraveling. But something has to give, right?' … [Read more...] about Changes could be coming to Sabres: ‘Guys expect something’
Sabres recall Henri Jokiharju from taxi squad, make other moves
'Krueger believes Jokiharju, who often initiated the attack last season, has been overthinking or trying too hard.' … [Read more...] about Sabres recall Henri Jokiharju from taxi squad, make other moves
Wednesday's New Jersey Coverage
Devils clip Sabres to snap ugly home skid (New York Post) With Mackenzie Blackwood finding groove in win over Sabres, can the Devils turn a corner? (Bergen Record) Nico Hischier out of NJ Devils lineup even longer after surgery to repair sinus fracture (Bergen Record) Photo gallery (NHL.com) Game Story: Devils 3, Sabres 2 (NewJerseyDevils.com) Release: Devils Provide … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s New Jersey Coverage
Devils end long home skid, hand Sabres 12th straight defeat
'“It was an excellent effort but we are not rewarded for effort, we are rewarded for results,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said. “Very painful at the moment. Frustrating. Opportunity was there. … We came here to win, and we didn’t get it.”' … [Read more...] about Devils end long home skid, hand Sabres 12th straight defeat
Krueger: Sabres in 'deep, dark place' in 'ruthless' East Division
'“I have one job here, and that’s to work with the players that are on our roster and the players that are here on our taxi squad, and this is what we will do again (Tuesday),” Krueger said.' … [Read more...] about Krueger: Sabres in ‘deep, dark place’ in ‘ruthless’ East Division
31 Thoughts: No easy answers for addressing Sabres' messy situation
'But that philosophy will bleed into 2021–22, when teams are hoping to begin their pandemic recoveries. Buffalo is one of the NHL’s great markets — a passionate fan base, and a true driver of league business and interest. Starting Saturday, a limited number of fans will be allowed in KeyBank Center for games, but multiple reports indicate interest is soft — a decade of futility … [Read more...] about 31 Thoughts: No easy answers for addressing Sabres’ messy situation
Maybe the Sabres Actually Are Tanking This Season
'But seriously, the Sabres could very well be tanking. Not the players or the coach, because that is simply not in their DNA. They’re really just that bad for whatever reason. Tanking has to happen at the managerial level. And owners Kim and Terry Pegula and first-year Sabres GM Kevyn Adams have done nothing to dispel the notion that their plan is to add more gasoline to this … [Read more...] about Maybe the Sabres Actually Are Tanking This Season
Sabres' winless streak reaches a dozen
'The Sabres had a response in the second period, as the team scored twice in a span of 57 seconds to tie and claim their first lead of the night. Tobias Rieder's fifth goal of the season evened the score, before Jeff Skinner turned the tides and made it 2-1 with his second of the campaign.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ winless streak reaches a dozen
Opinion: The good effort doesn't matter. The Sabres still haven't won in 12 games
'Skinner scored a nice goal and was feisty and getting under the other team’s skin. To me, that had been missing during his slump and it’s a big part of his game, to get the opponent to concentrate on getting him back and not him scoring.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The good effort doesn’t matter. The Sabres still haven’t won in 12 games
Opinion: Three observations: Sabres show fight but push winless streak to twelve games
'The Sabres were at the top of the league in power play percentage eleven games ago, but as of today, Buffalo has fallen to 9th in the NHL with a 26% conversion rate. The Sabres are 0-for-18 on the power play in their last eleven games.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Sabres show fight but push winless streak to twelve games
Sabres fall to Devils 3-2, extend winless streak to 12
'Down 1-0 in the 2nd period, the Sabres tied things up after Tobias Rieder scored his # of the season. Later on, Jeff Skinner found the net for his second goal of the season, giving the Sabres their first lead since March 9th. The Devils responded with two goals to seal the win.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fall to Devils 3-2, extend winless streak to 12