Buffalo News

'"We wanted to be aggressive, as aggressive as we could be," Skinner said after practice Thursday afternoon downtown. "I think when you’re playing a team with that much skill, you want to try and take away their time and space as much as you can. So in order to do that, you have to be aggressive and sort of have to hound the puck. I thought we did a good job of that.”' … [Read more...] about By hounding the puck and using speed, Sabres’ Jeff Skinner looks for more rewards

'There was no slow start for the Sabres. Playing for the first time since a difficult February that featured only two wins in 11 games, Buffalo issued another reminder that it can execute its up-tempo, stretch-the-ice style of play well enough to threaten the NHL’s elite teams that win with speed and skin, rather than strength and grit.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres silence Toronto fans by outworking Leafs in 5-1 win

'With their first full house since Dec. 11 and a chance to take over first place in the Atlantic Division theirs for the taking, the Leafs laid an egg. But for the Sabres, the 5-1 victory in their first trip to Toronto since Dec. 17, 2019, rates as a signature road win on their season.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Good to finally get across the border – and see Sabres’ strong effort

'"It's a rivalry that's gone back a ways now," Tuch said. "It's right over the border, and they have a really good team over there, so we're going to have to give our best and come out and have a really good start to the game. Try to make them play in the defensive zone as much as possible because they've got a lot of offensive weapons over there. I'm really excited for the … [Read more...] about Key question for Sabres vs. Leafs: Will their top line produce at both ends of the ice?

'"That would be my goal in my head I think, to play this weekend," Quinn said. "It's up to the doctors and staff to see if they're on the same page as me."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Jack Quinn back at practice, will return to Rochester

'“Obviously, the results aren't what we want, but I feel like we're piecing things together right now and we’ve just got to find a way to have consistency,” Thompson said after the 4-2 loss in Dallas on Sunday. “It's gotta be that next step for us.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres gearing up for busy March that includes Heritage Classic, trade deadline

'It became clear last summer when General Manager Kevyn Adams traded Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart that this season would be measured by progress of the young players, not wins. In a business where everyone is measured by results, a swath of the fan base isn’t willing to settle for silver linings, although the last two stops on this three-game road trip included a few of … [Read more...] about Observations: Fending off frustration part of Sabres’ challenge after another loss

'Prices in KeyBank Center will go up an average of only 1% for next season in notices being sent to customers on Monday. But prices of many seats are going down or staying flat, and even customers whose seats are scheduled to see an increase can retain their current price for next season if they renew their seats by March 18 as part of a promotion the team is dubbing "Ice Your … [Read more...] about As Sabres unveil new initiatives for season tickets, they’re mostly holding line on prices

'“Obviously, I’m at my best when I’m aggressive and physically engaged,” Samuelsson told The Buffalo News. “I think it’s been a learning curve on when you can and can’t in the NHL because obviously you don’t want to get caught running around and stuff like that. The good players in this league will take advantage of that. I’m really starting to figure out how aggressive I can … [Read more...] about Mattias Samuelsson learning how to be a consistent physical presence for Sabres

'• The Sabres are averaging just 8,657 tickets sold per game in the 19,070-seat arena for their 26 home games thus far, and in-house crowds have been far fewer than that some games. That's last in the NHL by nearly 3,000 tickets a game among U.S. teams, who have not had Covid-19-related attendance restrictions placed on them, as their Canadian counterparts have.' … [Read more...] about In midst of woeful season at the gate, Sabres have no choice but to look ahead

'Consistency is a major missing piece of the puzzle, though. While the Sabres have played tough against several of the NHL’s best – most notably St. Louis, Colorado, Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers – there have been recent let-down losses to Montreal and Ottawa. And this time, turnovers were the reason why Buffalo couldn't snap its skid.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres play another Cup contender tough, fall in 5-3 loss

'The plane never started that night. The team bused 40 minutes to the airport, only to turn around over an hour later for another night in a hotel. Another problem the next morning sent them back on the bus for a longer journey. Nearly 24 hours after puck drop against the Canadiens, the Sabres arrived in icy St. Louis, where there was only time and energy for dinner before a … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres’ unusual journey from Montreal to St. Louis

'Olofsson seemed like a long-term fixture in Buffalo after his 20-goal rookie season in 2019-20, but he’s a restricted free agent this summer. As DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli noted recently, Olofsson’s career production – 42 goals in 158 games – could earn him a $4.5 million award in arbitration this summer. This led Seravalli to include Olofsson on a list of NHL players who … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Victor Olofsson could answer plenty of questions with strong second half

'When Phil Esposito scored 76 goals in 1970-71 to set the NHL record for most goals in a single season, some Boston Bruins fans altered bumper stickers: “Jesus saves – but Espo scores on the rebound.” In 1982, on the night when Wayne Gretzky broke Esposito’s record at Memorial Auditorium, organist Norm Wullen one-upped that gag by greeting Gretzky with the opening bars of … [Read more...] about Erik Brady: The night Gretzky broke the goals record in Buffalo, and the organ played on

'This one was all about the Sabres' sloppy play in their own zone, especially in the first period. Passes were misfiring all over the ice and there were turnovers aplenty. Buffalo forwards weren't able to find open spots to give their defense outlets and the Sabres stayed bottled up.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Streaking Canadiens look sharp in handing Sabres fourth straight loss