Pittsburgh faces Buffalo, looks for 5th straight road win (AP)
Game Preview: 04.18.21 at BUF (PittsburghPenguins.com)
Archives for April 18, 2021
Observations: Sabres’ drought reaches historic level, but youth inspires hope
‘“It’s very, very important for the young players to take ownership in the situations we’re in but the situation that everybody’s in,” said interim coach Don Granato. “You’re going to need everybody to be successful as a franchise. It’s not just your star players and your top players. It’s depth. Teams that win around the league have depth.”‘
Mike Harrington: Don Granato is looking like the right choice for Sabres
‘”And so we’ve flipped that and said, ‘We’re not trying to survive here. We’re going to try to get better. And certainly we’re going to focus on giving you ways that we can win this hockey game. But get better, hang on to the puck, make a play, don’t just feel pressure and throw it (away).’ So I think the guys find enjoyment in that.”‘
The Wraparound: Sabres finish strong, still fall to Penguins, 3-2
‘Though the setback exposed some possible weaknesses, one game does not spoil what’s been a strong turnaround under interim coach Don Granato. Buffalo is 5-3-3 over its last 11 games and almost completed another comeback.’
Inside the NHL: Sabres have to be wary about deadline impact on current and future rivals
‘So while that topic will have to be addressed in the coming months, there’s no doubt teams out of the race like the Sabres have paid particular attention to what’s gone on in their current division but have also noted what’s gone on in their normal one. You have to be concerned on both fronts.’
Tage Thompson, Sabres’ other young players grab starring roles
‘Earlier this season, Mittelstadt and Thompson struggled to earn spots in the lineup. Now, with several veterans injured, they’ve taken leading roles under Granato, playing the best hockey of their young careers.’
Kyle Okposo undergoes season-ending surgery; Sabres make recalls
‘“He’s such a great communicator to us, to the teammates,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to this afternoon’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. “Everybody looks up to him. So we definitely lose a big portion of that. He’s a guy that’s around all the time and I’m sure he’ll still be helping us in many respects.’
Sunday’s Pittsburgh Coverage (Part I)
Jeff Carter’s line gets on the scoreboard as Penguins beat Sabres yet again (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Porous penalty kill leaves unit near bottom of league in April (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Penguins hold off Sabres, move into second place (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Penguins notes: Forward Jared McCann scores from a bad angle (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Empty Thoughts: Penguins 3, Sabres 2 (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Photo gallery (NHL.com)
“This Is Something Bigger Than Hockey” (PittsburghPenguins.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)
Penguins jump into 2nd in East with 3-2 win over Sabres
‘Having been out of contention for much of the past month, the Sabres focused on how much better they’ve been playing in going 5-3-2 since ending an 18-game winless skid.’
Sabres Okposo to miss rest of season with broken cheekbone
‘Okposo joins a growing list of injuries for the last-place team that is one loss from being mathematically eliminated from contention for the Stanley Cup playoffs and matching an NHL record 10-year playoff drought. The Sabres are already minus captain Jack Eichel, starting goalie Linus Ullmark and defenseman Jake McCabe.’