'The thinking behind potentially splitting up Eichel, Olofsson and Reinhart is to try to get at least two lines creating offense. Secondary scoring has plagued the Sabres during a season in which Eichel has emerged as an early Hart Trophy candidate, and losing Skinner forced Krueger to consider a different approach.' … [Read more...] about Ralph Krueger overhauls Sabres’ lineup with Jeff Skinner out 3-to-4 weeks
Archives for December 2019
With Jeff Skinner injured, Sabres revamp lines to generate offense
'Not surprisingly, Krueger overhauled his lines for Saturday’s practice inside LECOM Harborcenter, promoting Kyle Okposo to right wing on the top line with center Jack Eichel and rookie Victor Olofsson. “Those two guys have been driving our engine all year, especially Jack,” Okposo said inside KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about With Jeff Skinner injured, Sabres revamp lines to generate offense
Sunday's Boston Coverage
Bruins try for second win over Sabres in three days (Boston Globe) Bruins host the Sabres following shutout victory (AP) Bruins' Bergeron brings hot streak against Sabres (Field Level Media) Sabres at Bruins preview (NHL.com) Need to Know: Bruins vs. Sabres (BostonBruins.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Boston Coverage
Sabres forward Skinner out 3-4 weeks with upper body injury
'The team did not provide any other details in announcing the update Saturday, a day after Skinner was injured in a 3-0 loss to Boston. Skinner did not return following a collision in which he led with his right shoulder while attempting to check Bruins forward David Pastrnak in front of the Sabres bench about four minutes into the third period. Skinner was slow to get up and … [Read more...] about Sabres forward Skinner out 3-4 weeks with upper body injury
Sabres' Skinner out three-to-four weeks with upper-body injury
'Skinner has slumped in December, but so have many of his teammates. Ralph Krueger did a complete change to the lines during Saturday’s practice and he said they must move forward, “It’s definitely a setback as he was really feeling good of late too and it looked like he was on the verge of breaking out.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Skinner out three-to-four weeks with upper-body injury
Sabres forward Jeff Skinner to miss 3-4 weeks with injury
'He has scored 11 goals and added 8 assists for 19 points in 39 games this season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres forward Jeff Skinner to miss 3-4 weeks with injury
Sabres shuffle practice lines in Skinner's absence
'With Jeff Skinner sidelined three to four weeks with an upper-body injury, the Buffalo Sabres tested new forward lines during practice at LECOM Harborcenter on Saturday. Kyle Okposo skated on the right wing alongside Victor Olofsson and Jack Eichel while Johan Larsson centered a line with Marcus Johansson and Sam Reinhart.' … [Read more...] about Sabres shuffle practice lines in Skinner’s absence
Sunday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks blanked by Devils (Buffalo News) Amerks blanked by Binghamton (Amerks.com) Taylor to lead North Division All-Star team (Amerks.com) Devils blank Amerks, 2-0 (BinghamtonDevils.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Rochester Coverage
Sabres lose Jeff Skinner to upper-body injury in shutout loss to Boston
'The Sabres (17-15-7) are winless in five of their last six games and have lost each of their first two games against the Bruins (23-7-9) this season. Now, coach Ralph Krueger will await word on Skinner's availability. The absence of a 40-goal scorer could have a significant impact on an offense that has scored only five goals in its past four games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose Jeff Skinner to upper-body injury in shutout loss to Boston
At this point, it's hard to have any faith in the Sabres
'It's hard to believe one game can promote such a sense of hopelessness.' … [Read more...] about At this point, it’s hard to have any faith in the Sabres
Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen to receive 'some games' in Rochester during season's second half
'"We’re working on putting together a schedule in the second half of the season to target some games in Rochester, as long as he continues to play well, as long as he continues to work hard and as long as he stays healthy," Sexton said of Luukkonen. "We’re working through that now. We’ll have something that we’ll talk about with our coaches and with UPL in the coming weeks. … [Read more...] about Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen to receive ‘some games’ in Rochester during season’s second half
The Wraparound: Bruins 3, Sabres 0
'The Sabres had momentum until late in the period, and the Bruins scored the game's opening goal at with 22 seconds remaining on a set play off a faceoff win by Bergeron. Pastrnak faked a shot following a faceoff win and passed over to Bergeron, whose one-timer went into the open net for a 1-0 lead.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Bruins 3, Sabres 0
Bills are back in the playoffs, Sabres are back in the hunt: Buffalo sports in 2019
'GM Jason Botterill, under fire for the Ryan O'Reilly trade the previous summer and lack of movement until getting Brandon Montour at the trade deadline, went outside the box in May by hiring Ralph Krueger and giving the 59-year-old another NHL chance six years after he was fired in Edmonton. So far, so good. The Sabres started 8-1-1, slumped in November but came back in … [Read more...] about Bills are back in the playoffs, Sabres are back in the hunt: Buffalo sports in 2019
Sabres lose game to Bruins, Jeff Skinner to upper-body injury
'Skinner, who signed an eight-year, $72 million contract in June, has struggled this month. He hasn’t scored since Dec. 2, an 11-game stretch. But in his last few outings, he has performed more like his old self, playing aggressively and generating scoring chances beside center Marcus Johansson and Jimmy Vesey.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose game to Bruins, Jeff Skinner to upper-body injury
Sabres notes: Jake McCabe’s advice to Mattias Samuelsson: ‘Be yourself’
'“If anything, it should elevate his play and give him more confidence. I know that’s what it did for me. I gave myself a lot more confidence in my play and I had a great tournament.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Jake McCabe’s advice to Mattias Samuelsson: ‘Be yourself’