‘Defense remains a priority for Granato, though. Pressuring opponents is an effective way to regain possession. And while the Sabres rank last in the NHL in shots allowed per game since March 31, Granato’s preferred method of defensive-zone coverage has limited the sort of high-danger scoring chances that were common in Ralph Krueger’s final days as coach.’
Archives for April 26, 2021
The Wraparound: Sabres’ comeback falls short after ugly first period at MSG
‘The Sabres (13-29-7) could have moved out of last place in the National Hockey League with a win and New Jersey Devils regulation loss. Instead, Buffalo dropped to 7-6-2 since snapping a franchise-record 18-game winless streak March 31.’
Sabres settle down after awful start, avert blowout against Rangers
‘“Even though I don’t speak of defense a lot, it’s a cornerstone,” Granato said on a Zoom call following Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. “I’ve joked around a little bit I don’t say it, but don’t underestimate how important that is. I know how important that is.”’
Monday’s New York Coverage
Rangers’ playoff pulse keeps getting stronger (New York Post)
David Quinn explains why Rangers continue to sit Julien Gauthier (New York Post)
Mika Zibanejad’s hat trick lifts Rangers past Sabres (Newsday)
Lafreniere’s confidence growing for Rangers (NHL.com)
Photo gallery (NHL.com)
Zibanejad’s hat trick carries Rangers past Sabres 6-3
‘The Rangers outscored the Sabres 2-1 on the power play and added a short-handed goal, making them 16-3-2 this season when outscoring their opponent on special teams.’
Rangers double up Sabres on Sunday
‘Zibanejad completed the hat-trick early in the second period, as he squeaked a tough-angle shot between Tokarski and the left-post. It took the Rangers forward just 22:05 of game time to achieve the three-goal effort.’
Opinion: The Sabres tightened up after one period, but it was too late
‘New York is a team that is successful when it has extreme puck movement that goes north, south east and west. They certainly had that in the first period leaving the Sabres out of position, unaware and badly confused.’
Opinion: Three observations: Zibanejad has his day against Sabres
‘This one felt out of reach after just 20 or so minutes, with the Rangers going up by three goals early in the second period.’
Zibanejad’s hat trick drops Sabres, 6-3
‘Victor Olofsson added a goal late in the second, but Buffalo gave up a Power Play goal to bring the deficit back to three. The teams traded goals the rest of the way to make it 6-3 in favor of the Rangers.’
Sabres can’t recover after Zibanejad hat trick; Rangers win 6-3
‘Granato opted to leave in starting netminder Dustin Tokarski throughout the game instead of replacing him with top goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who picked up his first NHL win in his first game in the league on Friday night.’