Buffalo News

'When fans were admitted to the Buffalo Bills' two playoff games last month in Bills Stadium, they were directed to a central testing site. Testing cost $63 per person, with cost reduced thanks to an agreement with the NFL's testing partner. The Sabres are still formulating how testing will work for their games and potential costs. That was a key reason that their first game … [Read more...] about Sabres to admit fans to select games, starting March 20

'Some analysts would say this team has too many holes to contend. I disagree. This version of the Sabres is underachieving. Injuries and Covid-19 have derailed them in many ways, but there is a strong foundation to build a winner. Hitting reset again would be catastrophic.' … [Read more...] about Sabres mailbag: Taylor Hall’s future, Jeff Skinner’s benching and what’s the plan?

'Then, the Sabres found their legs about halfway through the first period and never lost their edge. In a solid 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, they looked like the team with a lot more energy.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres refuse to take excuses in solid win over Devils

'After going 0-4 in the second game of a set played on consecutive days, the Sabres got the job done Tuesday in Prudential Center. Victor Olofsson opened the scoring with yet another power-play goal and Linus Ullmark made 41 saves as the Sabres beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres solve back-to-back dilemma, run past Devils

'One day after the Sabres got the news they expected that veteran Jake McCabe's season was over due to a serious knee injury, the team was stunned to learn that rookie Will Borgen will be out 6-8 weeks after surgery for a fractured forearm suffered here Saturday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Borgen joins McCabe on injured list, Bryson debuts

'The Sabres dominated the shots on goal count at 36-23 – and the Islanders only had five in the game's first 34 minutes. The shots attempted were 59-48, also in Buffalo's favor. Quite a departure from last week's two losses to the Islanders at home. Same result.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ forward shuffle produces lots of chances, still not enough goals

'The Sabres outshot the Islanders 36-23 in the game and held them to just five shots on goal over the first 34 minutes of play, but Semyon Varlamov made many key saves to keep the Islanders in range.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres sunk by late power-play goal, fall to 0-3 against Isles

'Of bigger importance is the fact this was the final year of McCabe's contract and he is heading into unrestricted free agency this summer. McCabe likely was looking at a decent raise from his current $2.85 million salary and a good market for his services on a multi-year contract. Given the severity of his injury, McCabe won't be able to cash in this summer.' … [Read more...] about Sabres defense stalwart Jake McCabe out for the season with major knee damage

'The conclusion is clear: Unless coach Ralph Krueger has a sudden change of heart, Skinner is joining Thompson in the scratch brigade for Monday's game against the New York Islanders in Nassau Coliseum.' … [Read more...] about Still stuck at no goals, Jeff Skinner may take a seat as Sabres meet Isles

'"He's one of the main guys in the locker room and a main guy on the ice, so it's going to be a huge loss," Rasmus Dahlin said of McCabe. "Risto is gone, too. We just have to make the best out of it and try to compete. ... It's not fun for sure when those type of things happen."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Jake McCabe’s injury could be season-ending

'Forget Stanley Cups. These days, the Sabres can barely score a goal. Now, they get full marks for Saturday's 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils -- a game that saw them take their first lead in more than 255 minutes of play. They looked great well into the third period, making you wonder why they can't do that a lot more of the time. It's to the point where if they lay an egg … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: A nice win but the big picture under Terry Pegula remains cloudy

'The Sabres outskated the Devils all afternoon and finally started causing traffic around the net with regularity to build a 3-0 lead through two periods. The defense was crisp, and faceoff wins by Eric Staal and Jack Eichel directly led to the first two Buffalo goals.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Reinhart scores twice, McCabe hurt as Sabres run past Devils

'“That helped me to realize it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight, to be a really good professional player,” Luukkonen, now a 21-year-old Sabres prospect, said during a phone interview with The Buffalo News. “It’s a long road. Getting to that environment early was eye-opening for me.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen making strides during ‘long road’ to NHL

'"One of my biggest takes out of that game yesterday was the fragile psychological state of the team right now," Krueger admitted after practice here Friday in Prudential Center. "And managing that properly so that there is an edge, but that the edge doesn't go over to being too tight – which is exactly what is our biggest enemy at the moment. Everybody's trying to play within … [Read more...] about Ralph Krueger admits he’s coaching a fragile team as Sabres’ funk continues

'Ristolainen, who co-hosts a fitness podcast and documents his intense offseason workout regimens on social media, was playing some of the best hockey of his career. The former first-round draft pick paired with Jake McCabe to form one of the top defense pairs in the NHL. Ristolainen’s performance amid his eighth season in Buffalo was one of the bright spots in a disappointing … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen endured intense chest pain during bout with Covid-19