'The Sabres may be a rare instance of the eight players and one goalie option being a more favorable course of action. There are too many defensemen and not enough forwards.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: What do the Sabres do with the expansion draft coming?
Archives for March 2021
Granato: We have to be ready and willing to compete
'"I felt our team was confused and anxious, at times. I've never felt the effort wasn't there, the commitment wasn't there. There's been nothing like this season. All of that said, we have had trouble scoring. ... We know the importance of defense - that can hurt your confidence if you're a team that can't defend itself and defend well. Not spoken often is offense and the … [Read more...] about Granato: We have to be ready and willing to compete
Sabres' goaltending situation dire, with Hutton leaving road trip
'Granato said Tokarski is expected to start on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, and will be backed up by Michael Houser, who the Sabres signed to a one-year contract on Friday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ goaltending situation dire, with Hutton leaving road trip
Ullmark returns to practice while Hutton undergoes further evaluations
'Sabres interim coach Don Granato said he expects Ullmark to need more days of practice before a decision can be made on a potential return to the lineup. The team is also without goaltender Carter Hutton, who traveled back to Buffalo for further evaluation after sustaining an injury on Monday.' … [Read more...] about Ullmark returns to practice while Hutton undergoes further evaluations
Sabres reassign Luukkonen to taxi squad
'Sabres interim coach Don Granato said after practice on Tuesday that the team plans to dress Dustin Tokarski and Michael Houser as its two goaltenders against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Teams are required to carry at least one goaltender on their taxi squad this season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres reassign Luukkonen to taxi squad
Wednesday's Rochester Coverage
Wednesday's game in Utica postponed (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Rochester Coverage
Observations: Hutton injury exacerbates goaltending crisis as Sabres' streak hits 14
'Interim coach Don Granato had no update on Hutton's status after the game in Madison Square Garden, and said none would come until Tuesday at the earliest. But there was an unmistakably grim manner in Granato's lack of information. Hutton was escorted from the ice, not putting any weight on the leg.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Hutton injury exacerbates goaltending crisis as Sabres’ streak hits 14
The Wraparound: Sabres winless streak hits 14 after 5-3 loss to Rangers
'Buffalo gave up three second-period goals and fell behind 3-1 through 40 minutes. Entering the game with an 0-17-1 record when trailing through two periods, a comeback didn't seem in the offing, but the Sabres battled back to tie on goals by Dylan Cozens at 1:09 of the third and Jeff Skinner at 4:22.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres winless streak hits 14 after 5-3 loss to Rangers
Goalie Dustin Tokarski shines in relief of injured Carter Hutton, Sabres still lose
'“I got to say it was a lot of fun,” Tokarski said following the Sabres’ 14th consecutive loss, which ties a franchise record. “It’s been a little while, I’ve had some ups and downs the in the last four, five years. But it’s a been a good few years. I’m excited to be a part of Buffalo and get the opportunity to play in a game.”' … [Read more...] about Goalie Dustin Tokarski shines in relief of injured Carter Hutton, Sabres still lose
Tuesday's New York Coverage
Rangers offense continues to click in win over Sabres (New York Post) ‘Unbelievable’ Rangers star Adam Fox worth the price of admission (New York Post) Kaapo Kakko takes advantage of big Rangers chance (New York Post) Rangers break out in third period to top Sabres at MSG (Newsday) Postgame takeaways: Adam Fox, Kaapo Kakko push NY Rangers past lowly Sabres (White Plains … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s New York Coverage
Kreider helps Rangers hand Sabres 14th straight loss, 5-3
'“They came out and didn’t hang their heads,” Granato said. “Even to the end they believed. They kept a pace that showed you they believed. ... The body language was great and needs to continue.”' … [Read more...] about Kreider helps Rangers hand Sabres 14th straight loss, 5-3
Sabres still searching for win column, lose to Rangers
'Hutton had to be helped off the ice and escorted to the training room, leaving the duties to 31-year-old journeyman Dustin Tokarski. To say it has been awhile since Tokarski took the ice in an NHL game would be an understatement.' … [Read more...] about Sabres still searching for win column, lose to Rangers
Opinion: Three observations: Sabres make things interesting in defeat to Rangers
'The Sabres were the team that struck first in this match-up, but it was the Rangers who controlled the game pretty much from the outset.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Sabres make things interesting in defeat to Rangers
Opinion: Sabres couldn't keep up pace, winless in 14 games
'Buffalo had just two shots 12 minutes into the third and they both went in. Don Granato praised his team for improvement and yes, there were pockets of pace, but you can’t be happy when you get very little offensive zone time and give up 40 shots while having only 42 shot attempts of your own. I just can’t sit here and say they played well when they were outshot 40-19. By … [Read more...] about Opinion: Sabres couldn’t keep up pace, winless in 14 games
5 Observations: Sabres fall to Rangers 5-3, winless in their last 14 games
'The Sabres can etch their names into the history books for all the wrong reasons with a loss to the Penguins on Wednesday.' … [Read more...] about 5 Observations: Sabres fall to Rangers 5-3, winless in their last 14 games