'Last year, the Sabres went 6-3 in October but then fell apart in November with a 4-9-1 record that included an eight-game losing streak that ultimately sentenced the season to another year outside the playoffs. This November will be difficult, with 10 of the 14 games on the road and a pair of three-game road stretches.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres hope some October numbers transform to November winning streaks
Archives for October 2023
Meet Devin Cooley, the Sabres' goalie with the Slug logo painted on his mask
'Cooley was not selected in the NHL draft and signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators as a college free agent after he played three seasons at the University of Denver. With the Pioneers, Cooley had a 15-9-4 record, 1.93 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and six shutouts.' … [Read more...] about Meet Devin Cooley, the Sabres’ goalie with the Slug logo painted on his mask
Sabres notes: Maturity, newcomer Erik Johnson boost Buffalo’s penalty killing
'So far, Johnson has helped, as the Sabres have killed 89.2 percent of their penalties, which ranked sixth in the NHL entering Monday’s games. Last season, they killed just 73 percent of their penalties, which ranked 28th overall.; … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Maturity, newcomer Erik Johnson boost Buffalo’s penalty killing
Prospects Pipeline | Savoie has 3 points in 3 games during Rochester conditioning assignment
'“He’s a guy that you feel good when you call his name to put him out for a shift,” Rochester coach Seth Appert told reporters following Savoie’s season debut last Wednesday. “Because whether the shift is great or it’s just OK, he’s gonna play the right way, he’s gonna play fast, he’s gonna be competitive, he’s gonna hunt pucks and try to be an honest, winning hockey player.' … [Read more...] about Prospects Pipeline | Savoie has 3 points in 3 games during Rochester conditioning assignment
Tuesday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks sit atop division after three game winning streak (WHEC-TV) Taco Bell wrap-up: Amerks off to best start in 14 years (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Rochester Coverage
Observations: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's game-changing saves 'everything' for Sabres
'“For him to keep them off the scoreboard until we could get our legs under us and find our rhythm was everything,” Sabres coach Don Granato said after his players’ best performance of the season. “You don’t want to give that team confidence, and he denied that with some early action against him.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s game-changing saves ‘everything’ for Sabres
Mike Harrington: Sabres get a win that finally plays up to their preseason hype
'The Sabres are finding their game offensively. That’s 14 goals in the last three games in the wake of Monday’s gutpunch against Montreal that saw them score just one on 79 shot attempts.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres get a win that finally plays up to their preseason hype
Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stymies Avs, records first NHL shutout
'“I feel like that (save on Rantanen) was a big one just because we’re not going behind in the early stage of the first and we go and get the first goal of the game which is huge,” Luukkonen said after making 24 saves in his first NHL shutout. “That felt good.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stymies Avs, records first NHL shutout
Monday's Colorado Coverage
Avalanche loses again, but teammates, coach Jared Bednar not happy after “dangerous” play leads to Cale Makar injury scare (Denver Post) Avalanche vs. Sabres: 3 takeaways from the Avs' 4-0 loss to Buffalo (Colorado Springs Gazette) Avs star Cale Makar hits boards awkwardly, leaves game, returns (KKFN-FM) Gabriel Landeskog went to Buffalo, gave Erik Johnson amazing gift … [Read more...] about Monday’s Colorado Coverage
Luukkonen gets 1st career shutout as Sabres beat Avalanche 4-0
'“It’s really a confidence booster for me and I’ve been waiting for a long time,” said Luukkonen, who won for the second time in three starts.' … [Read more...] about Luukkonen gets 1st career shutout as Sabres beat Avalanche 4-0
Sabres blank Avalanche; Luukkonen earns first-career shutout
'After getting through some early chances from the Avalanche, it was JJ Peterka giving the Sabres the 1-0 lead midway through the first period as he followed up his own blocked shot and snapped home the game's first goal.' … [Read more...] about Sabres blank Avalanche; Luukkonen earns first-career shutout
Opinion: Luukkonen's first-career shutout gets Buffalo past Colorado
'Despite Sunday's win, his team broke down around him immediately with numerous bad decisions and turnovers. It took maybe five or six minutes of Luukkonen standing on his head and then the Sabres got to their game.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Luukkonen’s first-career shutout gets Buffalo past Colorado
Luukkonen earns 1st NHL shutout in Sabres win against Avalanche
'"It feels great, especially now when it's only my second start of the season and maybe in Ottawa (a 6-4 Sabres win Oct. 24) the numbers didn't reflect how good I felt in that game," Luukkonen said. "It's really a confidence booster for me and I've been waiting for a long time."' … [Read more...] about Luukkonen earns 1st NHL shutout in Sabres win against Avalanche
'A new standard' | Sabres play to identity as Luukkonen shuts out Avalanche
'“We needed to have a game like that, and it just happened to be against one of the top teams in the league,” Johnson said. "So, I think that’s a good measuring stick for us. I mean, that’s a team that knows how to win, that’s won, and it’s one of the top teams in the league. “So regardless of who we played, we needed to have a game like that but to have it against a team like … [Read more...] about ‘A new standard’ | Sabres play to identity as Luukkonen shuts out Avalanche
Sabres' Connor Clifton suspended two games for hit on Devils' Nico Hischier
'Clifton's right shoulder made contact with Hischier's head as the Sabres defenseman finished a check on the Devils center in the neutral zone. Ondrej Palat, one of Hischier's teammates, rushed to his defense and fought Clifton with four minutes left in the first period. Hischier did not skate for New Jersey in the third period as a "precaution," according to Devils coach Lindy … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Connor Clifton suspended two games for hit on Devils’ Nico Hischier