Buffalo News

'“There’s a lot of pucks just laying there,” he said. “We were around the crease all night. It was just kind of bad puck luck, a couple bad bounces off skates, and for whatever reason, didn’t connect. I thought we were doing the right things, and that’s what I talk about, is, when you’re doing the right things, you’re getting looks and it’s not going in, don’t change it.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres put season-high 42 shots on goal but get blanked by New Jersey

'Blocking shots isn’t just an art or a science. It’s an impulse, the immediate product of reading a play and reacting on defense. It is also strategic, particularly for Timmins and Samuelsson, who have combined to block 103 shots in the Sabres first 23 games, 52 for Timmins and 51 for Samuelsson.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo block party: Sabres defensemen Conor Timmins, Mattias Samuelsson ready to get in the way

'The Sabres lost despite putting 19 shots on goal in the third period, an eye-popping stat, especially considering they had four shots on goal in the first and eight in the second. But consider this: The Sabres put only two shots on goal in the first 14:22 of the second period, a combination of strategy by the Penguins and a lack of urgency from the Sabres at the top of the … [Read more...] about Sabres’ offense stalls, yet again, in loss at Pittsburgh

'“You’re never going to be in perfect shape until you start playing games,” Benson, a left wing with the Sabres, said. “That’s the biggest thing. Puck touches all over, getting back to speed. Sometimes that takes a couple games, but hopefully it’s a little quicker.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Sabres left wing Zach Benson quickly finding stride upon return from injury

'He returned to the ice with the team on Nov. 17, for the morning skate ahead of a 5-1 win against Edmonton, but no initial timetable was given for his return. However, Norris skated Tuesday in practice on a line with Zach Benson and Noah Ostlund and worked with the Sabres’ top power-play unit in practice.' … [Read more...] about Sabres plan for but won’t rush Josh Norris’ return to lineup

'“It’s part of the job,” Luukkonen said. “When your name gets called, you have to be ready for it, and I think the team has been playing well in front of me. It feels good to help the team, too, and it’s not always optimal but sometimes you have to work through that. And being with two other good goalies (Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis), we’ve been playing well, too, so you just … [Read more...] about Patience, preparation pay for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Sabres’ win against Carolina

'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