Buffalo News

'The Sabres will continue to monitor Carrick. Ruff, like most coaches, gets tighter on injury updates later into the season and would only say the veteran has an arm injury. And although timetables for injured players essentially disappear in the playoffs, Ruff made it clear the Sabres have not ruled out Carrick's return during the postseason.' … [Read more...] about Week-to-week loss of Sam Carrick is a blow to Sabres’ fourth line

'I have joyous childhood memories of watching games. It was a family event. Friday nights were the best. I was able to stay up late, eat pizza and watch the game. We’d gather around the kitchen table with the black and white TV, while repeatedly adjusting the antenna for the best picture. Helmets weren’t required, and the glass on the boards was so short, except behind the net, … [Read more...] about My View: The only way to do fandom is with perseverance and loyalty

'One more win to push all those memories of tanking and 18-game losing streaks and visiting fans chuckling their way to victories in the seats of KeyBank Center back into the recesses of our minds.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: After all this time, Sabres are finally on precipice of playoffs

'The Sabres selected Strbak in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, at No. 42, out of Sioux Falls of the United States Hockey League. Strbak is a native of Kosice, Slovakia, who grew up in Finland, and he has played the last three seasons at Michigan State. He scored eight goals with 38 assists and was a plus-33 in 102 games for the Spartans.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign Michigan State defenseman Maxim Strbak to entry-level contract

'“That’s a credit to the fans in Buffalo,” Guelli told The Buffalo News this week at the NFL’s annual league meeting in Phoenix. “This is a hockey market and the way they’re responding is significant. I haven’t been in any situation where I’ve seen fans come back as quickly as these fans have. They were hungry. You heard a lot of anecdotal noise that if you guys build it, we’ll … [Read more...] about Pete Guelli on Sabres’ season ticket numbers, Lindy Ruff’s contract, NHL draft

'"We didn't get flustered," Norris said. "It's been like that the whole year. Something happens, who cares? Move on. Stuff's going to happen, especially late in the year. Games are tight. Mistakes happen. Weird bounces happen. But it's how quickly you can respond and get back to your game, and deal with what you can control."' … [Read more...] about Sabres hold off feisty Islanders, in position to clinch playoff berth Thursday at Ottawa

'Luukkonen has found a positive in the rotation: It has kept him fresh. It’s easier on the body and the mind, rather than bearing the physical and psychological weight of playing the bulk of a team’s games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres approach a decision in goal, but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen isn’t about to change

'“It doesn’t happen a lot,” Sabres right wing Josh Doan said. “You look around at how many teams have 100 points in the playoff s, every year, and there’s usually five or six, and to be one of those teams is exciting.”' … [Read more...] about The Buffalo Sabres need two points to join the NHL’s century club. What’s gotten them this close to 100 points in a season?

'The Sabres have outscored their opponents by an astonishing count of 23-2 when Metsa has been on the ice at 5 on 5 this season. Their goalies have a .989 save percentage when he's on the ice. The team has a 14.7% shooting percentage.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres have messed with their ‘D’ enough. Time for Zach Metsa to return

'“Resilience,” Thompson said. “We were in this spot, pretty much the exact same situation, more or less, last night against Detroit, being down a couple goals, and, obviously, came out on the right side tonight. The league’s too good. There’s no way you’re going to sleep through a game and get a win. We knew that. We lost three in a row and it all had to start with our work.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres rally to beat Kraken in shootout, avoid fourth consecutive loss

'The sense from this view is no real panic in the dressing room and lots of it from the fanbase. Understandable. You've probably forgot what it's like for this team to lose but you're also squirming with talk of magic numbers to end the playoff drought too.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres have hit the overdue road bump, and it’s time to patch things up

'Where do I stand on potential first-round opponents? Here's some groupings...' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Lots to weigh when you ponder Sabres’ best and worst choices for playoff foe

'“When you get down by a couple and you start chasing the game, it makes it hard, because teams this time of year are going to go into prevent (defense), make sure they have people back, and we left a lot of opportunities out there,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.' … [Read more...] about ‘It’s unacceptable’: Sabres vow a turnaround after third loss in three games

'Metsa’s move to Rochester is about getting ice time, given the Sabres won’t practice again until Monday morning. The Amerks were set to host the Toronto Marlies on Friday in Rochester, play Saturday at Syracuse, then host Syracuse on Sunday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Zach Metsa heads to Rochester, Ostlund returns for morning skate

'The Western New York wagon has fallen a little flat in dropping the last two games in overtime, Sunday's 6-5 thriller in Anaheim and Wednesday's 4-3 grinder against Boston in KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Big weekend looms as Sabres seek to again avoid a slump damaging their résumé