Buffalo News

'Because of the Amerks' postponements related to Covid-19 protocols, Quinn, a winger, has not appeared in a game since Nov. 27. He's recorded multiple points on eight occasions, including five in the last two games in which he appeared, and he's been held without a point only three times this season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Prospect Jack Quinn tests positive for mono, out until after Christmas

'Twice the Sabres hit the post in the shootout – Victor Olofsson sent it to a third round with his goal on Vitek Vanecek – and the result doesn’t spoil the fact this was the club’s most complete game in weeks. Buffalo had only eight shots on goal in the third period and overtime, but it also wore down the Capitals with a simple offensive approach and limited Washington’s … [Read more...] about Observations: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen delivers 40 saves in Sabres’ shootout loss

'In a statement, NHL Senior Executive Vice President Colin Campbell said the call on the ice that Olofsson scored with 56.2 seconds remaining in regulation should have stood. The Sabres made one final push after the goal was overturned, but they were unable to break through in a 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers inside KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about NHL admits it was wrong to overturn Victor Olofsson’s tying goal for the Sabres

'I have no idea how my father got a hold of a couple of tickets – remember they were impossible to get back then – and they were corner Reds. I don't remember the section and I don't have the ticket stub (a lifelong source of disappointment), but they were at the far end from where the teams and Zamboni entered the ice.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Memories of going to a Sabres game for the first time 50 years ago

'Sabres coach Don Granato described the reaction on the bench as a "wave of emotion." They had 31 shots on goal over the final two periods, received an encouraging performance in net from rookie goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and responded appropriately after another sluggish start. But this is the latest defeat in a difficult stretch.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ comeback falls short after replay review overturns tying goal

'What do the Sabres do now? The lineup they're putting on the ice is wafer thin. There's no need for general manager Kevyn Adams to go bargain bin shopping for some journeyman to fill a hole. He just needs to look from within.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Circumstances dictate Sabres call an audible with Peyton Krebs

'Mittelstadt was the Sabres' top player during training camp, emerging as the club's first-line center and asserting himself as a potential replacement for Jack Eichel on the first power-play unit. Mittelstadt has become a leader in the dressing room and appeared ready to provide consistent offense for Granato.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt undergoes surgery, expected to return this season

'“Tage has progressed through the season and continues to progress,” Granato said after practice Thursday. “That’s a positive. Dylan has been on a surge. … He’s been on a seven- or eight-game surge here to a new career-high level for him. It’s nice that those two are still trending very well in the right direction. You’re not going to replace Mittsy, because Mittsy’s on our … [Read more...] about Sabres to lean on Dylan Cozens, Tage Thompson at center with Casey Mittelstadt out

'“For me, the culture in the locker room that we build is really important,” Adams told The Buffalo News last week. “The young core that we’re excited about and that we’re building moving forward, they have to be guided, too. They have to have people they can turn to and, ‘OK, here’s an experience he can share with me.’ It’s really powerful. Maybe it doesn’t, right away, pay … [Read more...] about How GM Kevyn Adams’ plan for the Sabres was shaped by his time in Carolina

'Rochester winger Jack Quinn, Buffalo's No. 1 draft choice in 2020, entered the Amerks' game Wednesday against Utica tied for the AHL lead with 24 points and second in goals with 11, but sat out the game with a non-Covid illness. Winger JJ Peterka, taken in the second round last year, was just outside the top 10 with 18 points and had a team-high 14 assists. Forward Peyton … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Marquee callup is a thought if Casey Mittelstadt is out long termc

'While the Sabres’ typically fast-paced attack moved at a snail’s pace at times Tuesday night in KeyBank Center, their 22-year-old goaltender provided stability in net.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen steady in goal, Sabres still lose to Ducks

'The Sabres know where their issues are and how they're going to fix them. Alex Tuch's return is just a few weeks away. Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka and Peyton Krebs will be here next year and probably get a taste of things this season. Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson will be instant upgrades on defense whenever they arrive, too.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Don Granato’s work-in-progress season remains tough to figure

'The Sabres' goaltending situation is in tatters through a combination of injury, illness and ineffective play. Luukkonen isn't going to be any panacea for one of the NHL's most porous defenses and, in fact, might only be here for a couple of days.' … [Read more...] about With goaltending situation a mess, Sabres can get free look at Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

'Levi recorded a school-record sixth shutout of the season Friday night against Providence College and finished the back-to-back series with 71 saves on 72 shots. He’s 5-0-1 over his last six starts and, among goalies with at least 16 games played, sits atop the NCAA in two prominent statistics: goals-against average (1.32) and save percentage (.953). Levi has a 13-4-1 record … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Devon Levi’s hot streak continues with record-setting weekend

'The club’s latest loss to Carolina (16-6-1) – the Sabres are winless in 11 straight against the Hurricanes, a streak of futility dating back to March 22, 2016 – is a reminder to temper expectations and that goaltending isn’t this club’s only issue.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres cap road trip with another difficult defensive performance