'Between travel and the schedule, there was just no time to toss in a practice and risk increasing the fatigue level of his team. Granato used the eye test, listened to sport science advice from his training staff and simply went with game day morning skates for the entirety of a stretch that got his club into the thick of the playoff race.' … [Read more...] about They’re talking about practice: The Sabres finally had one after more than two weeks
Archives for January 2023
After terrific road trip, Sabres ready for more meaningful games in February
'“We just respect whatever team we’re playing, but we don’t fear them,” defenseman Mattias Samuelsson said of the identity the Sabres have forged. “I think we go into these buildings and we know we can win, and we just try to play our game. … We have confidence in this group and play a fast, high-skilled game, and on top of the other team the whole time."' … [Read more...] about After terrific road trip, Sabres ready for more meaningful games in February
Sabres injury update: Tage Thompson day to day, others progressing
'“He’s been, like lots of players, dealing with nagging issues and they’re a little bit more from last game,” Granato said in KeyBank Center. “So it’s way better for him to just take the day. He could have skated today but way better for him to just take a day.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres injury update: Tage Thompson day to day, others progressing
Sabres finally get chance to practice Monday
'Tage Thompson watched part of practice from behind the bench on Monday. The Sabres say he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury. After practice, Sabres head coach Don Granato said it’s something he’s been playing through.' … [Read more...] about Sabres finally get chance to practice Monday
Thompson misses Sabres return to practice with 'nagging issues'
'Head coach Don Granato said Tage Thompson is day-to-day with a few "nagging issues" on Monday morning but should be able to return to practice again on Tuesday.' … [Read more...] about Thompson misses Sabres return to practice with ‘nagging issues’
Cozens, Samuelsson progressing as Sabres return to practice
'Both players feel as if they could play on Wednesday, when the Sabres welcome Carolina to KeyBank Center for their final contest before the All-Star break.' … [Read more...] about Cozens, Samuelsson progressing as Sabres return to practice
Tuesday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks Report Card for the month of January (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Rochester Coverage
Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich displaying growth with Amerks; Vinnie Hinostroza playing big minutes in Rochester
'“There’s always a risk that they go back there, they think it’s going to be easier, they don’t play at the level they should,” Amerks assistant coach Michael Peca said earlier this month. “I thought that he went there and played with a lot of pace. He still has some 18-year-old in him. It’s our job to kind of weed out as the year moves along.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich displaying growth with Amerks; Vinnie Hinostroza playing big minutes in Rochester
Observations: Sabres earn another point, end 'big road trip' with shootout loss
'“I thought we played a pretty good game,” said Thompson, who scored Buffalo’s lone shootout goal. “A little slow at first, but I thought overall we played a pretty solid game. Kept things simple for the most part. I think when we didn’t that’s when they got their chances and their offense. … It’s important to look at the positives, too."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres earn another point, end ‘big road trip’ with shootout loss
Phil Housley marveling from afar as Rasmus Dahlin ascends for Sabres
'“It’s great to see him have a great season so far, and they're knocking on the playoffs, which is great,” Housley said when reached by phone this week. “These are really meaningful games and he's going to learn this year going through that.”' … [Read more...] about Phil Housley marveling from afar as Rasmus Dahlin ascends for Sabres
Inside the NHL: Unsatisfying end to Bills' season oddly reminiscent to demise of 2006-07 Stanley Cup-favorite Sabres
'Buffalo was infinitely more talented than both of those teams but never found its 'A' game. Same with the Bills against Miami. Then came a real challenge. The Bills got clubbed at home by Cincinnati. The Sabres lost the East final to Ottawa in five games, going 0-3 at home in the series and dropping the finale on Daniel Alfredsson's overtime goal.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Unsatisfying end to Bills’ season oddly reminiscent to demise of 2006-07 Stanley Cup-favorite Sabres
Sunday's Minnesota Coverage
Minnesota Wild glide into All-Star break with shootout victory over Buffalo (Minneapolis Star Tribune) Matt Boldy's offensive prowess back in play for Wild during four-game point streak (Minneapolis Star Tribune) Wild-Buffalo game recap (Minneapolis Star Tribune) Wild close out Hockey Day Minnesota with shootout win over Sabres (Saint Paul Pioneer Press) Wild coach Dean … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Minnesota Coverage
Gaudreau secures shootout win as Wild beat Buffalo 3-2
'“Not what we wanted tonight, but to get seven out of eight points is a pretty good job by that group,” coach Don Granato said.' … [Read more...] about Gaudreau secures shootout win as Wild beat Buffalo 3-2
Sabres lose electric game in shootout to Wild
'Spurgeon's goal would be the last of its kind until the teams got ready for a shootout, as nobody was able to solve netminders Luukkonen or Fleury in the third period or the five-minute overtime period as these two teams played yet another exciting extra frame like they did a month ago in Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose electric game in shootout to Wild
Opinion: The Sabres end a successful road trip with seven out of eight points
'I was impressed that the Sabres had energy throughout this game as they wrapped up 13 games in 22 days. They really never showed much fatigue on this four-game trip and during those 22 days, they went 7-4-2.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres end a successful road trip with seven out of eight points