'They complicated what should have been a simple strategy to wear down an opponent that hadn’t played in 10 days and had four in the NHL’s Covid-19 protocol.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres appear overmatched in loss to open road trip
Archives for December 2021
Weakened Sabres don’t have answers for Islanders
'Still, when you’re missing about half your regular lineup, it’s going to bite you.' … [Read more...] about Weakened Sabres don’t have answers for Islanders
Sabres’ Ethan Prow never lost belief he would crack NHL someday
'“Definitely a special moment and night that’s Prow’s going to never forget,” said Sabres assistant Matt Ellis, who’s filling in for head coach Don Granato while he’s in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. “But the culmination of the moment and how this transpired is pretty cool. Sometimes the best scenarios are the ones you don’t have any time to think about, where you’re running on … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Ethan Prow never lost belief he would crack NHL someday
Sabres prospect Jack Quinn nears return to practice with Amerks
'“If everything goes well physically in his reacclimatization to more exercise this weekend and contact at some point next week, I think there’s a chance that maybe next weekend he’s in the lineup,” Appert told the Times Herald.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Jack Quinn nears return to practice with Amerks
Friday's New York Coverage
Kiefer Bellows propels Islanders past depleted Sabres (New York Post) Islanders get four players back from COVID list (New York Post) Islanders come off break with solid win over Sabres at UBS Arena (Newsday) Kyle Palmieri on injured reserve, no guarantees when he returns (Newsday) Rapid Recap: Islanders 4, Sabres 1 (NewYorkIslanders.com) 3 Takeaways: Isles Come Out of … [Read more...] about Friday’s New York Coverage
Islanders beat Sabres 4-1 behind strong game from Varlamov
'“We did OK in spurts. I don’t think we had everyone spinning the wheel tonight,” Okposo said. “We have a ton of new faces. It almost felt like a preseason game with so many new guys in the lineup.”' … [Read more...] about Islanders beat Sabres 4-1 behind strong game from Varlamov
Sabres can't solve Islanders on Thursday
'For the first time in the 2021-22 season, the Buffalo Sabres met the New York Islanders. Much like the 2020-21 season, it was the Islanders terrorizing the Sabres in all facets of the game. That was the case Thursday night at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, as the home team cruised to a 4-1 victory.' … [Read more...] about Sabres can’t solve Islanders on Thursday
Vinnie Hinostroza with Sabres testing Thursday morning
'Vinnie Hinostroza was with the team in New York on Thursday and did test with the team. It’s not known if he accompanied the team to Boston, where they’ll play New Year’s Day at 1 p.m. EST. General manager Kevyn Adams has said all along that Hinostroza was asymptomatic.' … [Read more...] about Vinnie Hinostroza with Sabres testing Thursday morning
Sabres fall short to Islanders 4-1 for third straight loss
'Both teams were tied after one frame; a power play goal from Kyle Okposo against his former team kept the Sabres in the contest. But a strong second period from New York saw Kieffer Bellows and Anders Lee put the Islanders up 3-1 with 20 minutes to go.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fall short to Islanders 4-1 for third straight loss
Sabres struggle vs. Islanders, fall 4-1
'Okposo scored the game-tying goal late in the first period, sending the Sabres to intermission tied 1-1 with New York. The Islanders rattled off three more unanswered goals to take the victory.' … [Read more...] about Sabres struggle vs. Islanders, fall 4-1
Barzal scores three points in return, helps Islanders defeat Sabres
'"To start the game, we were just making little mistakes that we don't usually make," Okposo said. "Our puck management, I turned one over in the middle of the ice. … So I'll take responsibility for that start to the game, and I just think we didn't manage it well enough through the neutral zone, especially, and entering their zone. Their gaps were really good. They have great … [Read more...] about Barzal scores three points in return, helps Islanders defeat Sabres
Sabres hope to take lessons from loss to Islanders
'The Islanders, off to an uncharacteristic start at 9-12-6, played to the defensively sound identity that carried them to back-to-back semifinal appearances in the past two seasons. They clogged the defensive blue line and limited the Sabres' ability to move the puck cleanly in transition. While the Sabres earned a 37-32 edge in shots, they were held to five high-danger chances … [Read more...] about Sabres hope to take lessons from loss to Islanders
At The Final Horn | Sabres close out 2021 with road loss to Islanders
'Malcolm Subban stopped 28 shots in his first start since December 17.' … [Read more...] about At The Final Horn | Sabres close out 2021 with road loss to Islanders
Thursday's New York Coverage
Islanders are still scheduled to play the Sabres on Thursday (Newsday) Buffalo visits New York after Thompson’s 2-goal game (AP) Game Preview: Islanders vs Sabres (NewYorkIslanders.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s New York Coverage
Sabres exit the break sluggish, still show promise without coach, 6 players
'"I don't think our expectations going into that game were anything other than winning," said Sabres center Tage Thompson. "We had the guys in the room to do it. ... That's kind of a good game to get our feet wet again. Get the rust off and now there's no excuses."' … [Read more...] about Sabres exit the break sluggish, still show promise without coach, 6 players