WGR

'When your best player goes down, it’s up to others to step up. The team didn’t pay Jeff Skinner for the next eight years to play like he has recently. Where was Skinner to pick up the slack? Where was Sam Reinhart? Where was Rasmus Ristolainen, Where was Marcus Johansson? These are guys that are supposed to be leaders along with Eichel and for this game, they were no-shows … [Read more...] about With Eichel out the Sabres fold in Philadelphia

'"We dug ourselves a hole, for sure. It was disappointing because we were off our game last night from the get-go and had trouble finding the principles that make us the best possible team. We were frustrated with that. What I liked was the reaction within the room after two periods and the conversations we had, and the fight in the third where with the 6-on-4 with … [Read more...] about Krueger: We need to be a threat with more secondary scoring

'“Ralph has been a good partner of mine, call it, and in some ways a mentor, honestly, in the bandwidth of his experience,” McDermott said of Krueger. “He’s been in a lot of places and done a lot of things and accomplished a lot over the course of his career, so I try to stay in touch with him and encourage him. I’m not sure I share much that he can use, but he’s certainly … [Read more...] about Buffalo head coaches McDermott, Krueger growing a ‘natural friendship’

'The Sabres kept coming on the attack late in the third. Kyle Okposo busted into the offensive zone, and took a shot on Andersen that the netminder had trouble covering up. It stayed loose long enough for Okposo to sneak back in towards the crease, and the veteran forward banged it past Andersen to make it a one-goal game, 4-3.' … [Read more...] about Sabres drop 5-3 decision to the Maple Leafs

'The Sabres came into the game with only one regulation loss in 10 games. They probably hadn’t played that poorly since mid-November. I think the key is get back to what got you picking up 16 out of 24 points. You can't go into a 10 game swoon like November and expect to be in good position. The next game is in Philadelphia on Thursday and the Sabres must show they can build on … [Read more...] about The Sabres couldn’t complete the comeback in Toronto

'Amerks coach Chris Taylor has been instrumental in the development of Victor Olofsson, Linus Ullmark, Tage Thompson, Rasmus Asplund and others. Botterill said it will only help Mittelstadt putting him in Taylor’s hands, “To have Chris come up here and work beside Ralph, understand exactly what Ralph’s looking for in players, and also too Chris has now seen some of Casey’s best … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Botterill is confident that Mittelstadt will get the confidence he needs in Rochester

'“I’m so pleased with my communication with Sean through the year. We’ve been exchanging messages more than anything and we’re always giving each other some kind of a push and both of us are out here trying to make the Buffalo sports community proud and they’ve really done that in what they’ve achieved and we’re trying to continue to do that."' … [Read more...] about The Sabres are enjoying the Bills playoff run

'Sitting in the stands wasn’t going to help this youngster, and Amerks coach Chris Taylor has done a terrific job in the development of young players.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres send Mittelstadt to Rochester

'As advertised, the Islanders were tough as could be on the penalty kill. Mathew Barzal sat in the box in the waning minutes for roughing. Buffalo went to work in the New York zone, and with around two-minutes left Ullmark vacated his net for the extra skater to give the Sabres a 6-on-4 advantage. After a scrum in the corner, Rasmus Ristolainen emerged with the puck and got … [Read more...] about Sabres fight until the end, fall 3-2 to Islanders in OT

'I thought there were many parts of this game where the Sabres were outstanding. The style Barry Trotz plays can be very frustrating because his team plays it well and they never let up. He makes teams fight for every inch and it was a hard fought and well earned point.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres played the Islanders tough and even, but lost in overtime

'"Any conversation between myself, [general manager> Jason [Botterill] and my agent will stay with me personally," Bogosian said. "I'm going to let everything stay in house."' … [Read more...] about Bogosian not forthcoming on rumors of requesting a trade

'Far too many Sabres games have blended together these last few seasons. While the product on the ice remains primarily important, treating these games as events is a big step. I know it’s not realistic to expect the Sabres to have 41 fantastically planned theme nights per-year, but can we ask for 10? They’ve managed to dress up weekday games with the New York Islanders, New … [Read more...] about The 3-2-1

'Thursday night's back-and-forth contest rolled on into the final period of regulation, and with 8:29 gone it was Buffalo again taking a one-goal lead, 4-3. After fanning on a one-time opportunity, Victor Olofsson coralled his own rebound off the end boards and beat Saros for his 13th goal of his rookie campaign.' … [Read more...] about Sabres defeat the Predators 4-3 on ‘Aud Night’

'The Sabres went back and forth with Nashville on Thursday night, but, in my mind, they never really looked out of control.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres keep their streak going by beating Nashville

'While rocking the 1980s royal blue or white jerseys even for warmups would have made for an even better celebration, it is hard to complain with the job the organization did.' … [Read more...] about Sabres nail ‘Aud Night’ atmosphere at KeyBank Center