WGR

‘“It was definitely a lot different than last year. It was kind of like a rookie year all over again,” the 21-year-old admitted during his end-of-season press conference on Sunday. “It was a big learning experience just with all the travel and all the games, and how quickly it comes at you. It was a lot to learn, and a lot that I’ll take in and make improvements over the summer.”‘

‘From March 1 on, Buffalo had a points percentage of .625, which was 13th overall. It was better than some good teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Pittsburgh Penguins.’

‘A highlight from the opening period was Buffalo Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam was introduced to KeyBank Center, as he attended Friday’s game with Josh Allen and Dawson Knox. Allen was seen firing up the crowd, as Elam was seen on the Jumbotron.’

‘I watched how he handled a game, how he prepared for a broadcast. How he handled himself around players. I learned that we are not there to become friends with the players. You respect them and try to earn their respect, and you’ll have an excellent professional relationship. If you walk into an establishment and a coach or a player is there, you leave. Our work with them is at the arena and nowhere else.’

‘Jeanneret bristles if you call him “The voice of the Sabres,” because he feels very strongly that honor belongs to the late Ted Darling. Despite that, Jeanneret has called Sabres hockey in every season except 1970. At first, he was the radio play-by-play man, but he eventually was convinced to move to TV.’

‘Up 2-0, the Bruins tacked on three more goals in the last period of regulation as they pulled away from the Sabres. Forwards David Pastrnak and Taylor Hall scored consecutive power play markers, before Bergeron finished off the hat-trick in grand fashion for his 400th career goal.’

‘If you’re talking about perseverance, Okposo has been under attack from some of the fan base because of the free agent contract that he signed. From a goals and assists standpoint, it didn’t go well, but through that and some of the serious injuries he went through, he’s come out the other side, and is probably the most well-respected player in the Buffalo locker room.’

‘“If I looked at our guys, I’m sure they would present a team that is disappointed the season is ending,” said Sabres head coach Don Granato on Tuesday during his final appearance on the “Howard and Jeremy Show” on WGR. “These guys come to work every day and enjoy the camaraderie of the team. [Monday] was the perfect example. The team was focused and working hard in practice.”’

‘Granato hired Marty Wilford to be in charge of the defensemen, but Girardi is still around the rink during home practices to do whatever Wilford needs him to do. Part of that is having 1-on-1 ice sessions after practice with guys like 19-year-old Owen Power, who has only played in six NHL games.’

‘However, Skinner staved off the Islanders’ pressure, as he chipped in a rebound goal from the side of the net, making the score 5-3 just 2:18 after the Islanders closed the deficit to just one goal.’