Buffalo News

'“We've still got a lot of games,” said center Tage Thompson. “It's a big push here, obviously. Every game counts, and we need points, but I think when you hold on to losses and you let them kind of dictate how you're gonna play in the future, that's not something you want. And I think we’ve got a good opportunity to respond tomorrow and the rest of this road trip. So, it's … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Another practice with line changes, power-play work

'One mistake snowballed into a four-goal second period for the Kings. Special teams were again an issue for the Sabres. A turnover on the man advantage led to a shorthanded goal, and they couldn’t stop Los Angeles on two of its three power-play opportunities.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Special-teams woes continue for Sabres in fourth straight loss

'No one involved with the Sabres expected Peterka and fellow rookie winger Jack Quinn to have a seamless transition to the NHL. Both have made remarkable plays, but they’ve endured through some difficult games. Granato has sat one of the two at times throughout the season to alleviate pressure and provide a different development opportunity. The strategy has helped both as they … [Read more...] about JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn continue to ‘learn on the fly’ as rookies with the Sabres

'The drought will reach 12. The Sabres will finish with their most standings points since 2011-12 when they had 89, but it won’t be enough in a tight Eastern Conference that’s filled with playoff-hardened, veteran teams. Contenders like the Islanders are paying massive prices to win now. Adams isn’t ready to do the same. Additionally, Buffalo has one of the most difficult … [Read more...] about Sabres roundtable: Playoffs? Deadline move? MVP of second half? Dahlin’s contract

'“The issue that we had (Saturday), it's not going to be solved with strategy,” said Granato. “It's going to be solved with work ethic and that was the message before practice, that we were going to have probably our hardest practice of the year. It was right up there with it.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Don Granato pushes players through ‘hardest’ practice of season

'The Sabres gave up four goals in the second period, with three of them coming in the early going in a span of 1 minute, 47 seconds. The tiebreaking goal came from Calgary defenseman and St. Joe's product Dennis Gilbert, who blasted a slapshot from the left wing through Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at 4:04 for the second goal of his NHL career and first as a Flame.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres melt down in 7-2 loss to Flames as WNYer Dennis Gilbert gets game-winning goal

'Entering Sunday's play, the Sabres have 31 games left. There are 17 on the road and 17 remaining against teams in a playoff position at the start of Saturday. Buffalo, Washington and the New York Islanders all still have their California trip to play, with the Sabres opening theirs Monday in Los Angeles. Pittsburgh is on its sojourn now, wrapping it up Tuesday in San Jose.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: The remaining schedules tell a tall tale for Sabres’ playoff push

'We’ve seen how injuries on defense affected this team during the first half. Everyone is healthy now, but the Sabres need more consistent play from their third pairing. Ilya Lyubushkin has played much better since recovering from a bothersome lower-body injury. The team could use some insurance on the back end.' … [Read more...] about Impact of Tage Thompson, top line among Sabres storylines to watch in second half

'The literacy hub at Stanley Makowski was funded by a $35,000 donation by the Sabres Foundation, Jureller said, and similar hubs will be implemented in two more yet-to-be-determined schools in the Buffalo area by the end of the 2023. If these hubs prove successful, it's possible more schools could receive these resources, Jureller said.' … [Read more...] about With an assist from the Sabres, Buffalo literacy hub closes in on goal of reading mastery for students

'They weren’t alone, either. Rasmus Dahlin, Jacob Bryson, Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch were on the island with their significant others. The group threw a football around on the beach. They dined together. There was a pre-planned, 2-on-2 golf match – featuring matching outfits for the two teams – that had to be canceled because Dahlin replaced Thompson at All-Star Weekend in the … [Read more...] about Sabres’ bye-week fun another sign of ‘close’ team, from contract news to beach football

'Adams could not have reasonably expected this in September. The Sabres are clearly a year ahead of schedule. And while it's paramount this franchise get in the playoffs sooner rather than later given all that's gone on here the last 12 years, the GM laid out Thursday what you can expect.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres are in playoff race ahead of schedule, and Kevyn Adams is walking interesting line

'Signing Cozens five months before restricted free agency gives Adams a clearer picture of his salary cap for future seasons. Now, he can move toward signing other young players, most notably defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. And this latest contract negotiation shows that the Sabres’ young players are eager to remain in Buffalo long term, an important development nearly two years … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres: Rasmus Dahlin’s next contract with Sabres comes into focus with Dylan Cozens signed

'Cozens, taken seventh overall in the 2019 draft, has had a breakout offensive campaign this season by becoming nearly a point-a-game player and already setting career highs in goals, assists and points. He has established himself as the club's No. 2 center behind Thompson and has been between rookie wingers Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka much of the season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign Dylan Cozens to seven-year extension at $7.1 million per season

'But even the impressive 27% increase doesn’t tell the full story about how encouraging this season’s ratings are.' … [Read more...] about Alan Pergament: Sabres TV ratings up 27 percent and rising as team battles to end playoff drought

'“You’re going to ask me what those unsavory things are. That’s managing pucks. Making wise plays. Battling harder in front of their own net. Not forcing plays that aren’t there. Doing all of the little things that you saw when Colorado won the (Stanley) Cup last year and Tampa (Bay) made three straight appearances (in the Final) and won two Cups.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ commitment to doing ‘unsavory things’ to win stands out to analyst Kevin Weekes