Buffalo News

'There was so much to like as they got back to .500 at 9-9-4. For one thing, they didn't mentally crumble when an abhorrent goalie interference decision out of the NHL's Situation Room in Toronto went against them for the second time in three games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was a rock in goal (although reading his body language and interpreting his voice, it was clear he's less … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With lots of teams in range, Sabres building steam in the long climb in the East

'“Every year, you look and Alex seems to have a net someplace,” said Bliss Littler, Lyon’s coach with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League. “He’s a social climber. He continues to impress the people he’s playing for in each organization he plays in.”' … [Read more...] about ‘I never thought I would get this far, ever’: How Alex Lyon’s survival instincts brought him to Buffalo

'I'd really like to know what Pegula thinks about the rollercoaster ride both of his teams seem to be on. I bet a lot of you do, too. Alas, the billionaire owner has long ago chosen to go silent, and penny-for-his-thoughts wishes are going to go unheeded.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: What would Terry Pegula say about the last three days in Pegulaville?

'We're not here to disparage Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho, who is a five-time 30-goal scorer and enters Sunday's game in KeyBank Center against the Sabres just nine away from 300 goals in his NHL career. But there's really no way he should be in the same sentence as Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Or in the same paragraph with Mario Lemieux, Pavel Bure and Wayne … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Carolina’s Sebastian Aho is in town and Sabres have to stop him

'“Keeping things simple,” Thompson said of his line’s output. “Work ethic. I thought we were hounding pucks on the forecheck. I thought our d-zone was great, which led to a lot of offense for us, off the rush, and great middle-lane drive on entries, which opened up a lot of space once we entered the blue line. We were able to establish the o-zone and tire them out.”' … [Read more...] about ‘You saw a full 60 for the first time, in a while’: Sabres get productive in 9-3 win against Chicago

'Zucker didn’t want to be too much of a reminder or a pest in his absence, but if the wins – or the lack thereof – in the last eight games say anything, it’s that the Sabres needed that veteran voice to remind them of their possibilities and their shortcomings.' … [Read more...] about ‘He’ll drag everyone into the fight’: How Jason Zucker’s return will impact Sabres lineup

'Say this for the current edition of the Buffalo Sabres: This is one of the most confusing groups we've had the misfortune of watching. Injuries or not, there's zero excuse for this club to be 7-9-4 and at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Both because of the makeup of the roster and some of the performances we've actually seen this season.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Stinker vs. lowly Flames yet another example of Sabres’ longstanding immaturity

'"It's obviously a blast, good to get back out there. So it was fun," Benson said, failing to suppress his laughter as the room exploded when he dropped "blast." "It's just day to day. We'll see how it goes. Felt pretty good today."' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Zach Benson has his say as return to the lineup looms

'The word around the league, however, is Tuch and his reps are looking for something that starts with a 10. Only Buffalo can give him an eight-year deal and while the sides agreed a couple weeks back to put this on the back burner, you wonder if that flame is going to get lit again now that Kempe has signed.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Lots of good feelings suddenly surround Sabres. Signing Alex Tuch would add to them

'A waiver pickup from St. Louis at the end of training camp who was an ECHL player as recently as two years ago, Ellis is 3-1 with a 2.76 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in his first four career NHL games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Colten Ellis bursts on the scene with back-to-back wins in net

'Since being recalled from Rochester of the American Hockey League on Nov. 4, Ostlund has played primarily on the Sabres’ second and third lines in the last six games. The center from Stockholm, Sweden, scored two goals, the first multi-goal game of his career, playing on the fourth line Monday night, for the first time this season.' … [Read more...] about ‘Try to be as aggressive as we can’: Noah Ostlund’s youthful moments lift Sabres to win against Edmonton

'Forwards Jason Zucker and Josh Norris were on the ice Monday morning at KeyBank Center, ahead of a 7 p.m. faceoff against the Edmonton Oilers. But Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Monday that defenseman Michael Kesselring will be further evaluated after he sustained a lower-body injury in the Sabres’ 5-4 overtime win Saturday at Detroit.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Michael Kesselring out; Josh Norris, Jason Zucker skate with team ahead of game vs. Edmonton

'The homestand opens with a toughie at 7 p.m. Monday against the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. Calgary, which is last overall, is here Wednesday followed by improving Chicago on Friday and Carolina for a matinee on Sunday.' … [Read more...] about Oilers are a tough challenge as Sabres look to grab momentum in 4-game homestand

'"It's an attitude. It's got to be everybody in the room. It can't be one or two guys. In between periods, we all just said enough's enough. It can't just be words. It has to be actions."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Out of nowhere, Sabres pulled out a win in Detroit. Is it a blip or can it spark something?

'They are 0-10-2 the last two seasons in games Dahlin has been absent. Dahlin left the club last Friday.' … [Read more...] about Captain Rasmus Dahlin rejoins Sabres, will be in lineup in Detroit