Buffalo News

'This team needs a massive jolt of something.' … [Read more...] about Observations: As Devon Levi Watch continues, Sabres are no-shows vs. Bruins

'Take a look on the ice at KeyBank Center on Sunday afternoon. See what David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy do with the NHL-leading Boston Bruins in town for a 1 p.m. matinee. Most nights, they're Boston's top guys. That's how things have to be.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Top players simply haven’t carried their weight of late for Sabres

'Buffalo (33-29-6) trailed 4-0 at the second intermission after allowing three goals during a second period in which they made critical mistakes around goalie Craig Anderson.' … [Read more...] about Observations: A big day for the Sabres ends with bitter loss that hurts playoff hopes

'“For us, we thought it was really important to have Devon integrate right away into our team,” said Adams. “I want to make sure that we get him comfortable. Obviously, he's gonna go through the immigration and once he gets there, then get into practices, start to feel part of the team and with the guys. … We'll kind of take it day by day, but we just thought for his … [Read more...] about ‘Special’ college career earned Devon Levi a spot with Sabres after contract signing

'"I always thought we had super high IQ on that team," winger Thomas Vanek said in January while in town for Ryan Miller's jersey retirement. "I remember I was a young kid and Chris Drury would talk to me just like I had played 10 years in the league. Same with Mike Grier, same with Teppo Numminen. I loved talking hockey, I loved talking new faceoff plays, ideas, it was just … [Read more...] about Daniel Briere makes it a trio of NHL GMs from 2000s-era Sabres who still are making a mark in hockey

'Peterka has been a bright spot for the Sabres over the past two weeks. He has two goals and seven points with 19 shots on goal over his last eight games. No forward on Buffalo’s roster has been on the ice for more high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 than Peterka over the past four games. He’s using his speed to earn time and space in the offensive zone, posing a threat to … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: JJ Peterka proving that a rookie can learn fast in a playoff race

'“We had a real good start and we got away from our game,” said Sabres coach Don Granato. “We played way too relaxed after that. It was as if we felt it was going to be an easier night than what it was. We generated scoring chances, but we didn’t score. We thought that would just keep happening and we would be fine. So, we just dropped the level of focus and intensity, and it … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ playoff chances take another hit with shootout loss to Capitals

'Alex Ovechkin has tortured Sabres fans throughout his storied career, scoring 40 goals in 61 games. The Capitals aren’t as talented as their Cup-winning roster that handed Tuch and the Golden Knights a loss in the 2018 final, but they have enough around Ovechkin to make the Sabres pay for mistakes. Overchkin, however, missed Tuesday’s game against the Rangers with a lower-body … [Read more...] about Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals are next obstacle for Sabres during their playoff push

'"There was no emotion, no wasted energy anywhere," said Sabres coach Don Granato, referring to the 2-0 deficit in the second period. "They were dialed in. … This group knows they can score, so we’re tryin' to sell the other side to them and believe in that confidence. Obviously, it came through tonight."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Alex Tuch scores twice in return to propel Sabres’ comeback win

'Samuelsson blocked a shot in the arm/shoulder area in the first period of Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers and immediately left the ice. He hardly missed any time, however, and finished the game having played 22 minutes, 17 seconds.' … [Read more...] about Just as they get Alex Tuch back, Sabres will be without Mattias Samuelsson

'Comrie, who signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract with the Sabres in free agency last July, has suffered two major injuries this season. The first came when he was bowled over during a Nov. 16 game in Ottawa and endured a knee injury that cost him nearly two months.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Week-to-week injury is another blow to Eric Comrie’s season

'This was one of the Sabres' best defensive performances of the season. They limited the Rangers to only 18 even-strength shots and, according to Natural Stat Trick, only five high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres ‘buckle down’ defensively, fall to Rangers in overtime

'Any way you slice it, it sure feels like the Buffalo Sabres are toast. And that's a shame because this is a season that has already been filled with more good moments than most of the last five years combined.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: After a tough-luck effort, it feels like Sabres’ playoff chase is toast

'"It's not a lack of work ethic or a lack of character or anything like that in our room," Thompson said. "What's gonna get us out of this is the group of guys we've got in this room ... You have a couple games like that, you look across the room and you realize you're letting your teammates down, me in particular the way I've been playing. It's one of those things where you've … [Read more...] about On the day after Dallas disaster, Tage Thompson reflects on big dropoff in Sabres’ play

'The Sabres entered the game only five points out of a playoff spot, yet you’d never know by watching their careless decisions with the puck and leisure coverage in the defensive zone against one of the top teams in the Western Conference.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres again witness that impatience is a recipe for disaster in 10-4 loss