Buffalo News

'One of the noticeable things from Monday night’s game was that the depth issues that have paralyzed this team for a couple of years now reared its ugly head. Outside of the Jack Eichel line and the Colin Miller pairing, most Sabres skaters looked like they were skating in concrete. That was most noticeable with Buffalo’s bottom six, where the Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo and … [Read more...] about Sabres’ depth issues being masked by high shooting percentages

'The loss was not the direct result of Mittelstadt's bad puck luck, though. The Sabres (9-2-2) blew a two-goal, first-period lead for the second time this season, failed to kill a penalty on the tying goal and were out-shot, 30-15, over the final 40 minutes of regulation. They didn't record a shot on goal in overtime despite controlling the puck for most of the five minutes.' … [Read more...] about Sabres ‘hit a bit of a wall,’ blow two-goal lead in shootout loss

'Still, you wonder.' … [Read more...] about It was a super first month for Sabres and now we find out if it lasts

'Nick Schmaltz scored the winning goal in the second shootout round for Arizona. The Sabres (9-2-2) lost their first home game of the season and failed to match the 1975-76 team’s franchise record for the best start to the home schedule. The Coyotes (7-3-1), meanwhile, won three of four games during their road trip.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Coyotes 3, Sabres 2 (SO)

'"It’s just one of those things, it’s part of the business," Housley said. "I understand that. In hindsight there are a lot of things you probably could have changed, but that’s the part of being a first-time head coach and you learn from that. I think if you asked any coach that has been relieved they’d have a lot of thoughts – what could they have done differently. But that’s … [Read more...] about Phil Housley returns to Buffalo, reflects on lessons learned from coaching Sabres

'Montour, after all, had a career-high 35 points in 82 games between Anaheim and Buffalo last season. He can give the Sabres a significant boost at 5 on 5 and the power play. Yet Montour stepped onto the ice shortly after the team announced that defenseman Marco Scandella will miss two to three weeks with a lower-body injury, and winger Jimmy Vesey is listed on the injury … [Read more...] about Defenseman Brandon Montour rejoins Sabres following hand injury

'"I felt confidence. I've been with this club day to day and I just felt really good," Gilmour said after making his Buffalo debut during the 2-0 win over the Red Wings in Little Caesars Arena. "I was confident jumping in."' … [Read more...] about After an 11-game wait, John Gilmour seizes opportunity to crack Sabres’ lineup

'Olofsson uses a Bauer Supreme 2S stick with an 82 flex, a measurement of how many pounds of force are required to bend the stick's shaft one inch. The higher the flex, the stiffer the stick, and the stiffer the stick, the more powerful the shot. Olofsson describes his stick as "soft," meaning it bends more easily.' … [Read more...] about Victor Olofsson using ‘whippy’ stick to transform Sabres’ power play

'"He's in a fight for his life," former Calgary captain Lanny McDonald, now the chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, said of Hawerchuk. "I spoke to Dale two weeks ago and reminded him of being knocked down by Jamie, encouraged him that, even though he's been knocked down many times in his life, this is one fight that he'll find a way to get back up and win all over again."' … [Read more...] about Dale Hawerchuk’s cancer battle on the minds of alums prior to Heritage Classic

'"We always have the mentality you don't want to lose two in a row. That's an obvious thing for us," said Ullmark, who posted his third career shutout and first of the season. "You want to get on the winning track right away. You don't want to get those second and third and fourth losses. You want to keep the train rolling at all times."' … [Read more...] about Sabres keep the bad feelings from festering, bounce back to blank Red Wings

'Ullmark was particularly sharp in the first period as Detroit had 12 of the game's first 15 shots on goal.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres 2, Red Wings 0

'"It was a very strange game," said coach Ralph Krueger. "First of all, we put ourselves in the hole for sure with the puck management or lack of. But there were so many moments where you felt you were getting back into it."' … [Read more...] about Sabres glad to escape from New York after a dud of a night

'"Even for the last 4-5 games, I've felt better and better," Vesey said prior to the game in Madison Square Garden. "It feels like our line is starting to click. It seems like in California and on Tuesday (at home against San Jose), we're in the offensive zone every time we're out there. It's good for me to hold on to some pucks and make some plays. I feel like I'm knocking on … [Read more...] about Vesey’s return to New York comes as he finds comfort in Buffalo

'New York took a 3-0 lead through 20 minutes in a rare offensive outburst. The Rangers had scored just five goals in the first period in their first seven games -- and had not scored more than twice in any of their previous five games as they went 0-4-1.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Rangers 6, Sabres 2

'"Oh, he’s the best," Thornton said of Krueger while pulling off his jersey following the Sharks' morning skate Tuesday. "The best. Just a fantastic guy. A fantastic guy."' … [Read more...] about Swiss spot isn’t only offseason connection for Sabres coach and Sharks’ Joe Thornton