'Considering the circumstances, it’s hard to imagine any player would look good in the Sabres lineup right now. But concerns remain over offensive consistency and the ease in which these defenses can push Mittelstadt out toward the perimeter and away from the dangerous areas of the attacking zone. Add that Mittelstadt’s never been a great individual shooter or a strong … [Read more...] about Travis Yost’s Sabre Metrics: What the numbers show about Casey Mittelstadt’s recent surge
Archives for April 2021
Sabres rookie Arttu Ruotsalainen scoring, earning keep in NHL
'“Being familiar with young players and the growth rate development, I was really excited with him,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to Sunday’s 6-3 road loss to the New York Rangers. “He’s … ultra-competitive and he has enough hockey sense.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres rookie Arttu Ruotsalainen scoring, earning keep in NHL
Tuesday's New York Coverage
New York hosts Buffalo after Zibanejad’s 3-goal game (AP) Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Sabres 04.27.21 (NYRangers.com) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s New York Coverage
Faceoff for May 8 game between Sabres and Penguins moved to 3 p.m.
'The game will be broadcast on MSG and WGR 550. Pregame coverage on MSG will begin at 2:30. The original start time for the Sabres' regular-season finale was 7 p.m.' … [Read more...] about Faceoff for May 8 game between Sabres and Penguins moved to 3 p.m.
Observations: Mistakes on defense cost Sabres in loss to open road trip
'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.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Mistakes on defense cost Sabres in loss to open road trip
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.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres’ comeback falls short after ugly first period at MSG
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.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres settle down after awful start, avert blowout against Rangers
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) … [Read more...] about Monday’s New York Coverage
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.' … [Read more...] about Zibanejad’s hat trick carries Rangers past Sabres 6-3
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.' … [Read more...] about Rangers double up Sabres on Sunday
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.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres tightened up after one period, but it was too late
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.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Zibanejad has his day against Sabres
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.' … [Read more...] about Zibanejad’s hat trick drops Sabres, 6-3
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.' … [Read more...] about Sabres can’t recover after Zibanejad hat trick; Rangers win 6-3
Zibanejad's hat trick helps Rangers top Sabres, gain in East
'"We did make some adjustments as the game went along, gave up a lot less, but obviously we couldn't make up the goal differential and that was the problem," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "We're obviously an evolving group here. I don't want to say learning, it's more evolving and adjusting. We made some adjustments in-game that slowed that tide and tipped things at least from … [Read more...] about Zibanejad’s hat trick helps Rangers top Sabres, gain in East