'“Donnie did the best he could with the time he had, as far as trying some different things and implementing some different things that he wanted to see,” center Eric Staal said. “Clearly, we can get better in some of the areas he’s talking about. It wasn’t good enough today.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ next step is to implement Don Granato’s vision as coach
Archives for March 19, 2021
Mike Harrington: You can't always control results, but you can control how hard you play
'That's a 13-game winless streak, one shy of the franchise record set by the 2015 tankers. But hey, at least this baker's dozen wasn't another doughnut. The Sabres got a fluke goal from Kyle Okposo – his first in over a year – to score on home ice for the first time in more than eight periods.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: You can’t always control results, but you can control how hard you play
The Wraparound: Don Granato's Sabres coaching debut ends with 4-1 loss to Bruins
'The game was a microcosm of all interim coach Don Granato will have to fix over the Sabres’ final 27 games. Their winless streak reached 13 games – Buffalo’s longest skid since it lost 14 in a row in 2014-15 – and they have scored two or fewer goals in 11 of their past 12 games.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Don Granato’s Sabres coaching debut ends with 4-1 loss to Bruins
Sadness, guilt among Taylor Hall's emotions after firing of Ralph Krueger
'"Just obviously a feeling of sadness," Hall said a couple hours before the Sabres faced off Thursday against the Boston Bruins. "I guess a little bit of guilt on the fact that we weren't able to get a job done for Ralph. Me coming here this summer, he was one of the big reasons. He was the first person to call and reach out during free agency. We still have a great … [Read more...] about Sadness, guilt among Taylor Hall’s emotions after firing of Ralph Krueger
Taylor Hall feels guilty over Ralph Krueger’s firing; Sabres lose to Bruins
'“I mean, we didn’t get a job done,” Hall said on a Zoom call prior to Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, Don Granato’s first game as interim coach. “I didn’t get a job done for him. Unfortunately, he’s out of the building now through no fault of his own. We weren’t able to win games for him and now we’re here. It was a tough day, for sure."' … [Read more...] about Taylor Hall feels guilty over Ralph Krueger’s firing; Sabres lose to Bruins
Don Granato faces challenges before first game as interim Sabres coach
'“It was challenging in the sense that there’s stuff you would have liked to have said, topics you would have liked to have discussed and there was just no time,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to Thursday’s 4-1 loss at KeyBank Center. “It was just not appropriate as we head to a game.”' … [Read more...] about Don Granato faces challenges before first game as interim Sabres coach
Friday's Boston Coverage
Bruins bank easy points in opening win of two-game set in Buffalo (Boston Globe) Bruins and Sabres cancel morning skates; Sean Kuraly and Sabres staff member in COVID protocol (Boston Globe) Bruins take care of business in Buffalo (Boston Herald) Bruins notebook: Sean Kuraly to the COVID list (Boston Herald) Bruins Win Second Straight Game As Offensive Explodes On Road Vs. … [Read more...] about Friday’s Boston Coverage
Krejci scores 700th point, Bruins extend Sabres’ skid to 13
'“The bottom line is we need to go forward,” Granato said. “We need to demand more, obviously. Push harder, all of us. Coaches, players, everybody.”' … [Read more...] about Krejci scores 700th point, Bruins extend Sabres’ skid to 13
Analyzing the Sabres' many problems and how they can be fixed
'Nothing will get better in Buffalo until the Sabres improve defensively. The amount of defensive breakdowns in their twelve-game winless streak has been alarming, to say the least. On too many occasions it has looked as though there either isn’t a clear plan, or if there is, the players have been unable to execute it.' … [Read more...] about Analyzing the Sabres’ many problems and how they can be fixed
Winless streak reaches a baker's dozen for the Sabres
'Unfortunately for Granato and the Sabres, the song remained the same. The blue and gold were defeated for the 13th-straight game as they were downed by the Bruins by a final score of 4-1. It was the first of these team's eight meetings in the shortened season.' … [Read more...] about Winless streak reaches a baker’s dozen for the Sabres
Opinion: The Don Granato era has started in Buffalo
'The Sabres are horrendous with their execution in practice. It’s something that hasn’t been lost on Granato and he said, “We will be practicing differently and there will be quite a difference there because habits do go from practice to games.” The new head coach added, “We need to demand more, push harder and practice is another opportunity to do those things.”' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Don Granato era has started in Buffalo
Opinion: Three observations: New coach doesn't lead to spark from losing Sabres
'New interim coach, same permanent results.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: New coach doesn’t lead to spark from losing Sabres
Opinion: What now?
'Ownership is the constant in all of this failure. That failure has, of course, led to all of this turnover. There are an awful lot of body bags stacked up outside. My sense is that with each failure, from Pat LaFontaine all the way to Ralph Krueger, the owners have trusted the people they hire a little bit less, and with that have become more involved in hockey decisions than … [Read more...] about Opinion: What now?
Sabres winless streak extended to 13 games after loss to Bruins
'The Bruins took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Greg McKegg about three minutes into the game. Early in the second period Kyle Okposo tied the game at 1-1 with a shorthanded goal. After Buffalo tied it, Boston added two goals in the second period and another goal in the third period for the 4-1 win.' … [Read more...] about Sabres winless streak extended to 13 games after loss to Bruins
Offensive woes continue for Sabres in 4-1 loss to Bruins
'The Sabres did have chances throughout the game, but the puck couldn’t find the back of the net. Sam Reinhart had an open opportunity at one point, but the puck missed. Tobias Rieder also had a one-on-one with the goaltender in the third period, but his shot was blocked.' … [Read more...] about Offensive woes continue for Sabres in 4-1 loss to Bruins