Buffalo News

'The Sabres' 45 shots on goal were a franchise record for a game in which they were shut out. They earned several chances to tie the score during a second period in which they had a 17-6 edge in shots on goal. But they were reminded that the margin for error is razor thin against the defending Eastern Conference champion Panthers (35-15-4). Two early mistakes by inexperienced, … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres unable to overcome early mistakes in 4-0 loss to Panthers

'“They come back to training camp with a belief in what they’re doing,” coach Paul Maurice said of his team Thursday. “It all sounds like we did a nice job coaching, but the fact of the matter is our players came back to training camp this year and pushed themselves harder than the coaches did."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: There are lessons to be learned as Panthers have taken steps Sabres have failed to make

'Bryson’s defending was particularly impressive given the circumstances. He’s been a healthy scratch for most of his time in the NHL this season and appeared in 10 games with the Rochester Americans after clearing waivers in December. It was only his third game with the Sabres since early November and he hadn’t skated more than 14:12 in any of his previous five appearances for … [Read more...] about Connor Clifton, Jacob Bryson step up on Sabres’ defense in Owen Power’s absence

'“It can get frustrating, absolutely,” said winger Jordan Greenway, a beast down low against the Kings who needs to again play large against the Panthers. “We’ve got to start somewhere, be happy, be excited, be confident about what we did. Just expect this out of ourselves day in and day out and I think if we stick to that game plan, we can string a lot of wins together.”' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The Panthers are next. Which version of the Sabres will we see?

'“We did a lot of good things tonight," said Greenway. "We played at a great pace that I just don’t think that they could keep up with. It paid off for us early and, yeah, I think if we stick to that game and commit to playing it every night, we can beat some good teams. That’s a good team we just beat there, so we just got to repeat it."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ offense finally breaks through, UPL earns another shutout in 7-0 win

'“It definitely helps you not think about hockey,” said Olofsson, describing fatherhood as a “perfect” escape during an interview with The Buffalo News. “That’s a big key. A lot of times, especially when you’re struggling a little bit, it can be tough to get home and think about hockey all day. She definitely helps me think about other stuff.”' … [Read more...] about Victor Olofsson remaining patient while awaiting possible trade from Sabres

'“It’s going to be week to week,” Granato said after Tuesday’s optional morning skate. “We’ll have a better idea of how long and what a return would look like at that point. The hope in the short end would be a couple of weeks.”' … [Read more...] about Injury will keep Owen Power out of Sabres’ lineup for a couple of weeks

'“Obviously we’re not happy at all with where we’re at and there is a lot of frustration right now,” admitted center Dylan Cozens. “There’s two ways you can take it. You can just keep it going, whine, start pointing fingers and complaining, or you can use that frustration as fuel and drive and use it to take your game to the next level."' … [Read more...] about Sabres try to forge through the frustration as their reality sets in

'“These business owners are going to be able to understand what it’s like to be able to engage with an audience of this magnitude, and what it will take for them to someday be able to be considered for the future in our new stadium,” Baskin said from the floor of KeyBank Center on Monday.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres giving small, minority-owned businesses a hand up

'Unwatchable. That’s a real problem.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: There is bad and there is boring. In KeyBank Center, it’s a brutal combination for Sabres

'It seems that the Sabres have lost touch with their identity as a team. The Sabres have sputtered while trying to evolve from a stubborn, inexperienced group into a disciplined, playoff-ready contender. Their 22-25-4 record is among the worst in the Eastern Conference and seemingly any improvement in one area is met by regression or struggles in another.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Another low-scoring loss magnifies Sabres need for a top-six forward

'“I look at them and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, there’s some great talent. I’m just not sure they’re as good as they think they are but there’s some good talent there,’” MacLean said. “I think Donnie (Granato) is a pretty good coach ... He’s a superb guy. I just think Buffalo is a team that is in a world of hurt. This will be 13 years in a row without making the playoffs.”' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Doug MacLean reveals 2020 interview with Sabres on Toronto radio show

'“I don’t pay attention to rumors or social media during the season. I just tune it all out and focus on playing,” Johnson told The Buffalo News this week. “I assumed where we’re at (in the standings) my name would be out there, just with my experience. But really, my focus is here, and I don’t want to leave. I don’t really want to abandon the guys midseason. I care about these … [Read more...] about With trade deadline looming, ace penalty killer Erik Johnson not looking to move on from Sabres

'“He’s not looked like himself; he’s looked like a better version of himself at any point in his career, really, just in the last month,” Sabres coach Don Granato said after Cozens totaled eight shots and 13 shot attempts against Dallas. “All the different things in life that were presented to him at the start of the year, he’s a different, more mature hockey player right now. … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Dylan Cozens goes back on the attack to try to reach another level

'Failing to convert cost the Sabres their first three-game winning streak since April and spoiled one of their better performances of the season. They outshot the Stars 16-8 in the first period, 16-4 in the second and totaled 83 shot attempts for the game.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres produce 48 shots, only 1 goal in ‘frustrating’ loss to Stars