Buffalo News

'"Special teams are such a big part of the game these days," winger Zemgus Girgensons said. "If you have good penalty killing, you can win a lot of games. You really need to pay attention when we have those meetings about the other team. We have guys who are on the same page all the time."' … [Read more...] about Sabres using subtle changes, goaltending to shut down power plays

'"I can imagine it will be positive," Kane said when asked if he expects a positive response from Sabres fans. "I’m sure they’re excited. I’m sure there will be a few more people in the stands than there have been in the past with how well they’re playing and the win streak. Looking forward to the competition tomorrow."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Evander Kane expects ‘few more people in the stands’ during return

'"Just kind of feeling the game out, really," McCabe explained. "Played the game long enough now where you know your spots when you can step up and to play, try to be physical or whatever it may be. It takes time in reading scenarios. We've had really good back pressure from our forwards to allow us to stay up, so it's been good."' … [Read more...] about Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe learning to be more aggressive

'Through all their mistakes -- and their were many against the Red Wings -- the Sabres insisted there was little doubt this would end with a win. Ullmark, starting in place of Carter Hutton, had to stop two breakaways, including one by Dylan Larkin six minutes into the third period when Eichel committed a turnover near the blue line, and made 35 saves through overtime.' … [Read more...] about Reinhart’s shootout winner saves Sabres, extends winning streak to nine

'With the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators both idle, the Sabres, now 16-6-2, lead the NHL with 34 points. They've earned points in nine straight for the first time since 2012 and are 10-0-2 when scoring first. Again, the streak was in doubt.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres 3, Red Wings 2, SO

'Eichel was also dominant in the third period and overtime, assisting on the game-winner with one whack on Rasmus Dahlin's shot from the right circle. However, it was Skinner who powerfully illustrated how far this team has come.' … [Read more...] about Skinner caps another comeback with overtime goal, sending Sabres to eighth straight win

'The blueliners set up all three goals in Friday's they-did-it-again, 3-2 overtime win over Montreal that extended Buffalo's winning streak to eight games. That's 12 goals, 39 assists and 51 points in 23 games for a group of six that was beaten up on the ice and in the court of public opinion last season, but got Rasmus Dahlin added this season.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres’ defense keeps adding offense

'His 11 wins rank second in the NHL behind the Toronto Maple Leafs' Frederik Anderson, while his .919 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average ranked seventh and fifth, respectively, among goalies with at least 15 games played before Friday night.' … [Read more...] about Hutton’s stop on Gallagher makes Sabres’ overtime win possible

'The Sabres outshot the Canadiens, 12-8, in the first period — no small feat considering Montreal's fast starts this season — however, that was followed by another second-period letdown. This time, Buffalo couldn't capitalize on two power-play opportunities, as its scoring chances ended with shots missing the net or Canadiens goalie Antti Niemi making a save.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres 3, Canadiens 2, OT

'Pilut's skill set is an ideal fit for Housley's system, where defensemen need to join the offensive rush. Pilut was tied for the AHL lead with 22 points, including 19 assists, with a plus-16 rating in 15 games. He played in almost every situation, paired with Zach Redmond.' … [Read more...] about Defenseman Lawrence Pilut hoping to help Sabres extend winning streak

'The Sabres' seventh straight victory had a 13.8 rating in Buffalo, which was more than 40 percent higher than the 9.7 rating for the Sabres’ exciting, come-from-behind 5-4 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday that had tied the team’s season-high rating up to that point.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres get huge local TV rating for win over Philadelphia Flyers

'Carter Hutton had to bail out Buffalo again and careless passes could have turned that storybook start into a nightmarish ending. However, the Sabres accomplished what no team in franchise history has in over a decade. Sam Reinhart's empty-net goal with 1:38 remaining clinched a 5-2 win over the Flyers and the team's first seven-game winning streak since 2006-07.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fend off Flyers for seventh straight win

'"I figured with the 7:30 game and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving they might have a couple alcoholic beverages in them so they were going to be a little rowdy," a smiling defenseman Jake McCabe said of the team's fans after the 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. "We definitely built off that early, were pumped up to get out there. We rallied around their energy and it … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Fans delivered from the opening faceoff too

'"In my mind, I kind of liken it to a game of cards," Smith said. "If you’re playing poker, if you have a pair of aces, you go for it. If you have a three and a two, you stay back. You try and select your opportunities wisely and try to put yourself in position for success. Even the times where you set yourself up for success, it’s not always going to work out in your favor, … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Defensemen finally contributing to offense

'Buffalo is now 7-2-1 at home this season, on pace for its best mark since 1982-83, and 9-0-2 when scoring first. The Sabres will wake up on Thanksgiving with a 14-6-2 record after they didn't win their 14th game until Jan. 25 last season. Phil Housley's players found themselves in an unfamiliar position this time, though. After three third-period comebacks in their previous … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres 5, Flyers 2