WGR

'Things got off to an inauspicious start, as the first shot Luukkonen saw in his career found the back of the net. It came off the stick of Steven Kampfer. The Bruins defenseman was allowed to skate down the slot off a feed from former Sabres forward Taylor Hall, before cashing in for his second goal of the season.' … [Read more...] about Reinhart’s hat-trick fuels thrilling win over Bruins

'Despite giving up four goals, I thought the 22-year-old rookie was very solid against a very good team. It started about as badly as it could. Buffalo came out and played one of their best periods of the year, but one mistake cost them. Luukkonen saw his first NHL shot 2:15 into the game and it was a goal when Steven Kampfer was wide open down the slot getting a pass from … [Read more...] about Opinion: Luukkonen wins his NHL debut over Boston

'Ristolainen has taken on a role of showing young defensemen the way. He did that with Jacob Bryson to start the season, and now Sabres head coach thinks Ristolainen can help do the same for Samuelsson.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three Observations: Third time’s the charm as Sabres hang on to beat the Bruins

'Boston pulled away from Buffalo in the final period of regulation, when forwards David Pastrnak and Nick Ritchie scored goals in quick succession. Just 66 seconds separated the tallies, from the 4:55 to the 6:01 mark of the frame.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose to Bruins again on Thursday

'Boston led 2-1 four minutes into the third period and three goals in quick order put it away. Many wanted to put this game in the effort category and I would totally disagree. This wasn’t an effort issue. The issue lies in Buffalo is 0-for-11 on the power play in the last two games and they can’t matchup at all with Patrice Bergeron’s line or David Krejci’s line.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres just can’t seem to solve the Bruins

'Since being called up from the Rochester Americans earlier this month, Sabres rookie forward Arttu Ruotsalainen has shown that he may not need to be sent back to the AHL at any point.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Sabres power play shut down; Bruins pull away in the 3rd

'"I think guys are just playing looser; making the plays with the puck, making plays coming out of our zone and not playing scared to make a mistake. I think if you mess up or turn the puck over, then just know you have to backcheck and your linemates will do the same. I feel like some of those mistakes can be fixed with hard work, and we've done a good job with that. If we … [Read more...] about Mittelstadt: ‘It’s crazy how much of a difference a few years can make’

'Quinn was supposed play junior hockey this year, but the Ontario Hockey League season was canceled, so he wound up in Rochester with the Americans.' … [Read more...] about Jack Quinn’s season is over due to hernia surgery

'Chances were there for the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, but the blue and gold went 0-for-6 on the powerplay en route to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the careless Boston Bruins inside KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Bruins blank Sabres on Tuesday

'Probably the biggest takeaway I had was Buffalo was 0-for-6 on the power play including an absolutely horrendous 1:33 6-on-3 advantage.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Thanks to an uneven game, the Sabres lost to the Bruins

'The Bruins got a lead early and it would be all they would need to take two points from their opponent. It seemed that each Sabre opportunity was met with an equally debilitating penalty. The Sabres were never able to battle back.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three Observations: Sabres struggle to get it going in loss to Bruins

'Since Granato was elevated to the top job, the team has been entertaining. They're playing a faster game, scoring more goals, playing better in their own end and winning... in regulation too!' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Sabres hockey does complete-180

'While Rousek is not the biggest of players at just 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, he plays a high-tempo game and has a knack for taking pucks to the net and create scoring chances right around the goal crease. He skates well and possesses good speed, while he's strong on and off the puck to establish good positioning.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign Lukas Rousek to two-year entry-level contract

'"You take a win any possible way you can. You need to win a game, and if you don't win a game, you damn-well better be entertaining. That means you better be working hard, competing, fighting, scratching, clawing, and have some passion. Certainly the objective is to win, but I don't like to play a boring style, and I don't think the players like playing that either. In fact, I … [Read more...] about Granato: We don’t want our players afraid to make mistakes

'With all the Sabres’ injuries in net, it's doubly impressive that Tokarski put up the numbers he did, playing four games in six nights. He'll likely continue to play the majority of the games until the Sabres get healthier.' … [Read more...] about Dustin Tokarski named ‘First Star’ of Week in NHL