'Rather than gaining ground in the playoff chase, the Sabres saw their two-game win streak snapped because of turnovers, poor defensive play and a glaring mistake by Luukkonen when he was beaten by Michael Bunting’s short-side shot for the Maple Leafs’ fourth goal in a span of 8:18.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Another brutal stretch of play dooms Sabres in loss to Maple Leafs
Archives for February 22, 2023
Mike Harrington: A total mismatch of a first period took all the vigor out of Sabres-Leafs rivalry renewal
'It was one team you can tell is bent on snapping its first-round malaise on the road to a Stanley Cup. And another that has had lots of good moments this year coming up woefully small in a big spotlight.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: A total mismatch of a first period took all the vigor out of Sabres-Leafs rivalry renewal
Ryan O'Reilly gets a chance to see Sabres-Leafs rivalry from a different side
'On the Sabres improvement: "It's very different, for sure. It's a very exciting team. You see the dynamic, the way they create the speed, too. They're generating stuff so much that it's a little different. There's tons of talent and speed, and they use it very well."' … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Reilly gets a chance to see Sabres-Leafs rivalry from a different side
Maple Leafs throttle Sabres early in victory: ‘Horrendous start’
'“Horrendous start,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said. “Back on our heels, just mistakes, and that’s … an offensive super team. They’ve got a lot of star power over there. You’re going to make defensive mistakes, you’re going to allow time and space, they’re going to capitalize on it.”' … [Read more...] about Maple Leafs throttle Sabres early in victory: ‘Horrendous start’
Ryan O’Reilly happy with Maple Leafs, impressed by Tage Thompson, Sabres
'“Tage has been, this year, unbelievable,” O’Reilly said. “I feel like every time you turn on the TV it’s another highlight reel, something he’s doing. Even today, watching video of how skilled he is and dynamic he is, it’s very tough to play against him. I think, yeah, the trade has definitely worked out for both sides.”' … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Reilly happy with Maple Leafs, impressed by Tage Thompson, Sabres
Wednesday's Toronto Coverage
O'Reilly hat trick, Marner's five assists too much for Sabres in Maple Leafs victory (Toronto Sun) Acciari values off-ice assist from wife following trade to Maple Leafs ... O'Reilly's smarts a factor (Toronto Sun) Ryan O’Reilly nets hat-trick as Leafs’ new-look second line breaks out in a big way (Toronto Star) ‘Gave me a chill’: Ryan O’Reilly’s line erupts for 13 points in … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Toronto Coverage
New addition O’Reilly sparks Leafs in 6-3 win over Sabres
'“We got to forget about this one. Yup, we can’t play like that in the first 10 minutes,” said Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who was also bothered by seeing so many Maple Leafs fans celebrating O’Reilly’s third goal by littering the ice with hats.' … [Read more...] about New addition O’Reilly sparks Leafs in 6-3 win over Sabres
O'Reilly nets hat-trick in Maple Leafs win over Sabres
After killing off a hooking penalty by defenseman Henri Jokiharju, Jeff Skinner gave Buffalo its third goal of the period, making it a 5-3 game with 3:31 left in regulation. However, Toronto halted the late Buffalo surge, and it was O'Reilly capping off the hat-trick and the victory with an empty-net goal in the final moments of the game.' … [Read more...] about O’Reilly nets hat-trick in Maple Leafs win over Sabres
Opinion: The Sabres are a complete no show against their arch rival
'Sometimes you just don’t play well, but this team has been absolutely punked in their last three home games. I saw one player show any passion or anger and that was Alex Tuch. He got mad and played like it. The rest of them acted like they couldn’t have cared less.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres are a complete no show against their arch rival
Ryan O’Reilly leads Leafs with hat trick, Sabres continue to struggle at home
'This wasn’t O’Reilly’s first time playing in Buffalo since he was traded to St. Louis in 2018 offseason, but it was his first appearance here since joining Atlantic Division rival Toronto by traded last week.' … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Reilly leads Leafs with hat trick, Sabres continue to struggle at home
Don Granato’s 69th win gives him most by any Sabres coach since Lindy Ruff
'Dan Bylsma coaxed a bit better point percentage (.485) out of his 164 games. But Granato (.476) is rising. Entering the final third of the season, the Sabres are on pace for more than 90 points, their best total since Ruff was coach. That would get Granato close to .500, and could potentially end the NHL’s longest postseason drought in history at 11 years.' … [Read more...] about Don Granato’s 69th win gives him most by any Sabres coach since Lindy Ruff
Sabres have NHL-best 5 players with 20 goals for 1st time in 15 years
'The Sabres haven’t had this many players with this many goals in the same season since 2007-08 — Thomas Vanek (36), Derek Roy (32), Jason Pominville (27), Ales Kotalik (23), Jochen Hecht (22).' … [Read more...] about Sabres have NHL-best 5 players with 20 goals for 1st time in 15 years
O'Reilly has hat trick, assist in Maple Leafs win against Sabres
'"This was not on 'UPL' just so we're clear on that," Buffalo coach Don Granato said. "That change was made because we didn't have the start. They had jump at the start and we didn't. It was one of those nights where you could see we weren't processing things well. I thought that was the case through the entire game. We didn't look sharp. We didn't feel sharp. We had to battle … [Read more...] about O’Reilly has hat trick, assist in Maple Leafs win against Sabres
Postgame Report | Sabres' late rally falls short against Toronto
'The Sabres outshot the Maple Leafs 24-13 over the final 40 minutes but were held off the board until Quinn buried a wrist shot at 5:12 of the third period. Tage Thompson had a chance to bring the Sabres within one late in the period, but his shot from the slot deflected out of play.' … [Read more...] about Postgame Report | Sabres’ late rally falls short against Toronto