'Expectations for the Sabres are higher than any point of the 12-year playoff drought. And their season opener Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd in KeyBank Center will serve as another reminder to Granato's players that they must lean on past experiences as they try to accomplish what they couldn't in April.' … [Read more...] about Sabres unable to mount comeback, drop season opener with 5-1 loss to Rangers
Archives for October 13, 2023
Observations: Sabres' season-opening loss a reminder that 'simplifying' is key
'The Sabres needed to shoot more to force the Rangers out of their 1-3-1 defensive structure, a system that several teams deployed last season to give them fits. Granato thought that hesitation was their primary issue because a shot can create chaos, like Peterka’s goal, and an aggressive approach can send an opponent’s team defense into a scramble. Their forwards had a … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ season-opening loss a reminder that ‘simplifying’ is key
Mike Harrington: For openers, the Sabres' festivities were beautiful but you can't say the same about the game
'Under new coach Peter Laviolette, the Rangers flustered the Sabres with their 1-3-1 defensive scheme, a point that Buffalo captain Kyle Okposo acknowledged after the game. The Sabres' entire forward corps, in fact, had just seven shots on goal for the first two periods. It took 38 minutes for the Sabres to get a power play and that was largely because they didn't have the puck … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: For openers, the Sabres’ festivities were beautiful but you can’t say the same about the game
Ryan O'Halloran: Hey, Terry Pegula, follow this plan point by point in search for new Bills, Sabres leadership
'Pegula should hire two people and give them the COO titles parallel with general managers Brandon Beane (Bills) and Kevyn Adams (Sabres), meaning they only report to Pegula.' … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Halloran: Hey, Terry Pegula, follow this plan point by point in search for new Bills, Sabres leadership
Sabres fall in early hole, lose opener; Zach Benson sharp in NHL debut
'At times, Thursday’s highly anticipated season opener felt like a throwback to the Sabres’ dreary days of the not-so-distant past.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fall in early hole, lose opener; Zach Benson sharp in NHL debut
In locking up Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres put two ‘pillars in place’
'“It just helps you build everything around that,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said prior to Thursday’s 5-1 opening night loss to the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center. “And that’s why I felt it was so important to be proactive with them, make sure they understood how important they are to us and what we’re building here. Make sure that we’re aligned and that they truly … [Read more...] about In locking up Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres put two ‘pillars in place’
Sabres honor RJ before being trounced by Rangers on opening night
'The Sabres got one back with 1:30 left in the second when J.J. Peterka lit the lamp to cut the deficit to 3-1. Owen Power and Henri Jokiharju assisted on Peterka's goal, but that was all she wrote for Buffalo, which was outshot 30-24 during the opening-night defeat. Sabres fans were sent sprinting for the exits with 8:26 remaining when Kreider scored a shorthanded goal, … [Read more...] about Sabres honor RJ before being trounced by Rangers on opening night
Friday's New York Coverage
Rangers start Peter Laviolette era with dominant win over Sabres (New York Post) Rangers’ ‘excellent’ second line set tone in season-opening win (New York Post) Rangers’ special teams appear to be in midseason form in season opener (New York Post) Top Bills, Sabres execs fired over ‘brazen’ romantic relationship (New York Post) Artemi Panarin's line dominates as Rangers win … [Read more...] about Friday’s New York Coverage
Kreider scores twice in Rangers’ season-opening 5-1 win over Sabres
'“Our biggest challenge was not pulling the trigger,” Granato said, in noting how Peterka’s goal came after Owen Power’s initial shot was blocked. “We didn’t do that enough tonight. That was probably the biggest contributor to our demise.”' … [Read more...] about Kreider scores twice in Rangers’ season-opening 5-1 win over Sabres
Rangers too much for Sabres on opening night
'JJ Peterka was able to capitalize on a second chance opportunity in the offensive zone for the Sabres' first goal of the season to trim the deficit to 3-1. Peterka's goal came after Owen Power took the initial shot that was blocked and went right to the forward.' … [Read more...] about Rangers too much for Sabres on opening night
Opinion: Sabres run into shot blocking machine in Rangers
'Tage Thompson is a good example of how things went for Buffalo on Thursday. He had three shots on goal in the game, had three shot attempts blocked, and missed the net on another three shot attempts.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Sabres run into shot blocking machine in Rangers
Adams excited to lock in core pieces for long-term
'"We want to have tough decisions," said Adams on Thursday after inking Power to his new contract extension. "You're putting a puzzle together, you're planning long-term, but you also have to look short-term and how you can win hockey games now. So to have those pillars in place, foundational pieces that are here for a long time is a big help as we plan this out."' … [Read more...] about Adams excited to lock in core pieces for long-term
Sabres, City of Buffalo honor Rick Jeanneret with 'RJ Way'
'"Mr. Jeanneret and his voice are synonymous with the Buffalo Sabres. He is every bit a part of this franchise as 'The French Connection' or Dominik Hasek, or whomever else you'd like to mention," said Buffalo Common Councilman Chris Scanlon during a special ceremony Thursday. "He brought those stories to us in a way, with a voice, with a style and with a level of class that … [Read more...] about Sabres, City of Buffalo honor Rick Jeanneret with ‘RJ Way’
Sabres struggle to find offense in season opener, fall to Rangers 5-1
'In a season with sky-high expectations, the Buffalo Sabres looked flat out of the gate, falling to the New York Rangers 5-1 in their season opener.' … [Read more...] about Sabres struggle to find offense in season opener, fall to Rangers 5-1
Buffalo Sabres unveil 'RJ Way' sign outside of KeyBank Center to honor Rick Jeanneret
'Fans heading to the KeyBank center will now pass by "RJ Way" a renamed stretch of Perry Street. The team said the sign honors RJ's lifelong dedication to the Sabres organization.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres unveil ‘RJ Way’ sign outside of KeyBank Center to honor Rick Jeanneret