After killing off a hooking penalty by defenseman Henri Jokiharju, Jeff Skinner gave Buffalo its third goal of the period, making it a 5-3 game with 3:31 left in regulation. However, Toronto halted the late Buffalo surge, and it was O'Reilly capping off the hat-trick and the victory with an empty-net goal in the final moments of the game.' … [Read more...] about O’Reilly nets hat-trick in Maple Leafs win over Sabres
Archives for February 2023
Opinion: The Sabres are a complete no show against their arch rival
'Sometimes you just don’t play well, but this team has been absolutely punked in their last three home games. I saw one player show any passion or anger and that was Alex Tuch. He got mad and played like it. The rest of them acted like they couldn’t have cared less.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres are a complete no show against their arch rival
Ryan O’Reilly leads Leafs with hat trick, Sabres continue to struggle at home
'This wasn’t O’Reilly’s first time playing in Buffalo since he was traded to St. Louis in 2018 offseason, but it was his first appearance here since joining Atlantic Division rival Toronto by traded last week.' … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Reilly leads Leafs with hat trick, Sabres continue to struggle at home
Don Granato’s 69th win gives him most by any Sabres coach since Lindy Ruff
'Dan Bylsma coaxed a bit better point percentage (.485) out of his 164 games. But Granato (.476) is rising. Entering the final third of the season, the Sabres are on pace for more than 90 points, their best total since Ruff was coach. That would get Granato close to .500, and could potentially end the NHL’s longest postseason drought in history at 11 years.' … [Read more...] about Don Granato’s 69th win gives him most by any Sabres coach since Lindy Ruff
Sabres have NHL-best 5 players with 20 goals for 1st time in 15 years
'The Sabres haven’t had this many players with this many goals in the same season since 2007-08 — Thomas Vanek (36), Derek Roy (32), Jason Pominville (27), Ales Kotalik (23), Jochen Hecht (22).' … [Read more...] about Sabres have NHL-best 5 players with 20 goals for 1st time in 15 years
O'Reilly has hat trick, assist in Maple Leafs win against Sabres
'"This was not on 'UPL' just so we're clear on that," Buffalo coach Don Granato said. "That change was made because we didn't have the start. They had jump at the start and we didn't. It was one of those nights where you could see we weren't processing things well. I thought that was the case through the entire game. We didn't look sharp. We didn't feel sharp. We had to battle … [Read more...] about O’Reilly has hat trick, assist in Maple Leafs win against Sabres
Postgame Report | Sabres' late rally falls short against Toronto
'The Sabres outshot the Maple Leafs 24-13 over the final 40 minutes but were held off the board until Quinn buried a wrist shot at 5:12 of the third period. Tage Thompson had a chance to bring the Sabres within one late in the period, but his shot from the slot deflected out of play.' … [Read more...] about Postgame Report | Sabres’ late rally falls short against Toronto
How Tage Thompson's time with Auston Matthews influenced the Sabres star's rise
'“I think you could just see it with his hands, how skilled and gifted he was,” the Ducks' Terry, who was in a bottom-six role with Thompson, told The Buffalo News recently ahead of his second All-Star Game in Sunrise, Fla. “And I think, at that time, learning to play with how big he was, his game was something he was still kind of working through and figuring out. You don't … [Read more...] about How Tage Thompson’s time with Auston Matthews influenced the Sabres star’s rise
Sabres, Maple Leafs renew rivalry with biggest meeting in years; Buffalo changes goalie plan
'“To really cement a rivalry you’ve got to play a playoff series against somebody,” Okposo said following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “That’s what kind of really ratchets everything up. We have long memories. It’s our closest opponent, but, yeah, rivalry, you need a playoff series.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Maple Leafs renew rivalry with biggest meeting in years; Buffalo changes goalie plan
Sabres defencemen are good enough to rekindle the QEW rivalry
'But the strength of the Sabres is clearly on the blue line, where they boast two defencemen under age 23 with Norris Trophy-calibre potential — fellow No. 1 draft picks Rasmus Dahlin, 22, and Owen Power, 20. Dahlin, second among NHL defencemen in scoring this season, is already among the favourites to be runner-up to the award’s presumptive winner, the resurgent Erik Karlsson … [Read more...] about Sabres defencemen are good enough to rekindle the QEW rivalry
Tuesday's Toronto Coverage
Sabres defencemen are good enough to rekindle the QEW rivalry (Toronto Star) Atlantic Division opponents meet when Sabres host the Maple Leafs (AP) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Toronto Coverage
Sabres play better when shooting more
'“When you have a team in their defensive structure, they cover pass options, and when a puck goes to the net, they break coverage. So you force the opposition out of coverage,” said Granato on Monday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres play better when shooting more
Opinion: Sabres Week in Review: Buffalo succeeds on West Coast once again
'The Sabres' struggles continue on the power play over this past week by scoring on only three of their 14 chances in four games.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Sabres Week in Review: Buffalo succeeds on West Coast once again
No second thoughts for Thompson against O'Reilly
'Thompson was struggling with his game early on during his time with the Sabres organization, while O'Reilly went on to win a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe trophy in his first season with the Blues. "So many people actually bashed him over... the span before he really emerged in," Sabres coach Don Granato said about his superstar center.' … [Read more...] about No second thoughts for Thompson against O’Reilly
Sabres return home in preparation for visit from Leafs
'"I think we're confident," Mittelstadt said. "I think we're a confident group no matter what. We've seen what we can do and we know what we can do. Obviously tomorrow's a big test and we're going to have to bring our A game, but at the same time I think just come out and play, work hard, and things should fall into place."' … [Read more...] about Sabres return home in preparation for visit from Leafs