'The Sabres failed to score first for the ninth time in 12 games, as they allowed two goals in the first period and failed to mount a comeback in a 3-0 loss in KeyBank Center. The Sabres fell to 4-6-2 and have scored only one goal in their past two games. They also own a negative-8 goal differential in the first period this season and are 0-6-1 when trailing after two.' … [Read more...] about Sabres observations: Another slow start proves to be a ‘tough hill to climb’
Archives for February 17, 2021
Mike Harrington: With offense in crisis, Sabres have taken turn for the worse
'After a promising six-game start to the season, this team has suddenly become utterly unwatchable for large stretches of games.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With offense in crisis, Sabres have taken turn for the worse
Wraparound: Sabres shut out by Islanders after third-period goal overturned
'Most of the five Islanders on the ice clogged the middle of the ice, daring the Sabres to force a pass to the slot or settle for a shot from the perimeter. There was no need to focus on offense after seizing another early lead in KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Wraparound: Sabres shut out by Islanders after third-period goal overturned
Sabres notebook: Up from taxi squad, Will Borgen, Brandon Davidson give defense a lift
'They both had 47% Corsi ratings in the game, but the Sabres had 60% of the shots on goal when the pair was on the ice, with the Islanders managing just four in the game against them. Borgen played 14:43, had a key shot block on a penalty kill and was second on the team with three hits. Davidson played 11:36. Neither was on the ice for a goal against in the 3-1 loss.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Up from taxi squad, Will Borgen, Brandon Davidson give defense a lift
Sabres can’t exploit rookie goalie, get blanked by Islanders
'“It’s been a struggle for me, personally,” Hall said on a Zoom call following the Sabres’ 3-0 loss. “I know I’d love to have four or five goals right now. I feel like I’ve had some bad luck a bit. But at the same time, when you’re not scoring, you got to change something, you got to find whatever is in your game that’s not allowing you to put the puck in the net."' … [Read more...] about Sabres can’t exploit rookie goalie, get blanked by Islanders
Sabres’ Brandon Davidson grateful for nomadic NHL life: ‘It’s been a wild ride’
'“It’s been a wild ride for me,” Davidson said on a Zoom call prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders. “I know I’ve played on a lot of different hockey teams. I’ve gone into a lot of different locker rooms and had to learn a lot of different systems and new faces. It’s honestly just been a blast.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Brandon Davidson grateful for nomadic NHL life: ‘It’s been a wild ride’
Wednesday's New York Coverage
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin gets first NHL victory in shutout win over Sabres (Newsday) Anthony Beauvillier activated by Islanders after missing nine games with injury (Newsday) Photo gallery (NHL.com) 5 Takeaways: Sorokin Shutout Highlights 3-0 Over Sabres (NewYorkIslanders.com) Photo gallery (Buffalo News) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s New York Coverage
Sorokin stops 20 shots for 1st NHL win; Isles blank Sabres
'Though the Sabres showed more jump in closing with eight shots on net over the final 20 minutes, the outcome was all too familiar.' … [Read more...] about Sorokin stops 20 shots for 1st NHL win; Isles blank Sabres
Sabres blanked on home ice by Islanders
'The closest Buffalo came to busting up the clean sheet for Sorokin was when Victor Olofsson seemed to extend his powerplay streak and point streak all in one with a goal on the man advantage. Unfortunately for the blue and gold the goal was wiped out by a successful Islanders' offsides challenge. Jack Eichel was found to be offsides earlier in the possession.' … [Read more...] about Sabres blanked on home ice by Islanders
Opinion: Three observations: Sabres' fail to score five-on-five again in 3-0 loss
'The line of Sabres forwards Rasmus Asplund, Riley Sheahan and Tage Thompson were arguably the Sabres most effective forward line on Tuesday night, with generating a 75% high danger scoring chance percentage. Tage Thompson was shifted up to Jack Eichel's line later in the game, with Jeff Skinner slotting in with Asplund and Sheahan. Ultimately, no line was able to convert any … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Sabres’ fail to score five-on-five again in 3-0 loss
Opinion: The Sabres play their sixth straight bad game at home losing 3-0 to the Islanders
'In the second period it was sickening to see Sam Reinhart rip a shot that Ilya Sorokin stopped but left a huge rebound. Instead of stopping at the net, Eric Staal and Taylor Hall skated by the net. That is inexcusable. That was one of three Buffalo shots in the period.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres play their sixth straight bad game at home losing 3-0 to the Islanders
Sabres fall 3-0 to Islanders, drop third straight game
'For the second straight night, the Sabres found themselves in a 2-0 hole after one period of play. This has been an ongoing issue for the Sabres who have fallen behind several times this season. In fact, their opponents have scored the first goal in nine of their 12 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fall 3-0 to Islanders, drop third straight game
Slow start sinks Sabres for second straight night
'Head coach Ralph Krueger spoke Tuesday morning about the importance of not falling behind against a good defensive team like the New York Islanders. For the second night in a row, Buffalo fell into a hole it couldn’t dig out of as the Isles used two first period goals to get a lead and hold on to top the Sabres, 3-0.' … [Read more...] about Slow start sinks Sabres for second straight night
Buffalo Sabres down to one player on NHL's COVID-19 protocol list
'That leaves only forward Casey Mittelstadt, the eighth of nine Sabres added to the list on Feb. 7, in protocol.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres down to one player on NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list
NHL announces dates and times for Sabres games postponed against Washington
'Those games were rescheduled on Tuesday and are now split between two months. Washington will play its first rescheduled game in Buffalo on Mon., March 15 at 7 p.m., giving the Sabres three straight home games following two matchups with the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about NHL announces dates and times for Sabres games postponed against Washington