Buffalo News

‘”It was a big night for us as far as really feeling the game we need to play against the top teams in the NHL,” Krueger said. “We have so much respect for Dallas and what they’ve been doing. Watching them has been a real treat for us coaches in how strong they’ve been playing and what a good team they are and how we were able to beat them at their own game tonight for the points, which is something that our group — in a much bigger learning curve at the moment — will take a lot from.”‘

‘”He brings some grit,” Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said of Lazar. “He’s been really good on faceoffs for us, something we’ve struggled at this year. He just plays a simple game. Definitely has some confidence right now. He’s making some plays, he’s taking the puck to the net, being hard and you can always use more of that.”‘

‘The Sabres (22-19-7) have won five of their last seven and have one game remaining until the All-Star break. The goal was Dahlin’s first since Dec. 14, and Buffalo improved to 18-1 when leading after two periods.’

‘What was the NHL’s second-worst power play in November and December has quickly reversed to become one of the league’s best in January. The Sabres enter Thursday’s game against the red-hot Dallas Stars at 6 for 14 over the last five games.’

‘”I’m completely shocked,” said Miller, who scored Vegas’ first goal in the Cup final. “When I was there, he was a fantastic coach, a players’ coach. Everybody loved him. So yeah. A tough day for him. Hopefully he’ll come out on top. He’s a great coach. I’m sure he’ll have another job soon. Tough to see that piece of their puzzle go.”‘

‘One of the common refrains about Olofsson is that his surprising performance is largely a byproduct of Jack Eichel. There is absolute truth to the fact that Eichel is elevating the play of his teammates, which is why on a decent team, he would be at least an outside contender for the Hart Trophy. But it’s also true to point out that Olofsson is scoring at a rate consistent with other Eichel regulars – Eichel regulars that have generally been successful top-nine forwards for years in the NHL.’

‘”The group just responds to Ralph so well and the message he delivers,” said Eichel, whose goal tied his career high for a season at 28. “Especially after games like St. Louis and Vancouver where I think we get away from our identity a little bit and we don’t do the things that make us successful, Ralph is able to hone the group in so well and get us to play the game we know we need to play to win. It starts with protecting our net and the house around our goalie. Transition well and play in their end.’

‘“It’s important that he keeps his feet moving,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said. “When he’s skating, he’s a force and he makes a difference in both directions, and that’s what we like about him is he generally is always giving it all and I cannot think of very many moments when he’s not trying as hard as (possible). If you do that as a group and make mistakes, you get away with those mistakes. If the work ethic isn’t there, you don’t. The league is too good for that.”‘

‘The Sabres tried rest and rehab for several weeks hoping to avoid surgery, but the decision was finally made to have the 6-foot-6 Thompson undergo the procedure so he would be ready for training camp in the fall. The team did not specify the nature of Thompson’s injury and is listing his recovery time as five to six months.’

‘On a 2-on-1 break with Zemgus Girgensons, Eichel cut around Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore and fooled Marc-Andre Fleury with a short chip shot when the goalie was cheating to his left to play a pass or a cut through the crease.’