Buffalo News

'“You learned how to stand up at the blue line, how to put players on bad angles, into a position that they’re not going to do any damage. When you go into the corner, your job essentially is you’ve got to come out with the puck. So much more: The first pass from the defenseman to the forwards and how quickly and efficiently it’s done. It keeps up the tempo of the game or you … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Mike Robitaille will never forget the impact Tim Horton made on his life and career

'It was the first time this season that Buffalo (26-27-4) won while scoring fewer than three goals, and Luukkonen’s clutch saves in the third period continued the team’s impressive play away from KeyBank Center. The Sabres have won five consecutive games on the road, which is tied for the fifth-longest streak in franchise history.' … [Read more...] about Observations: UPL makes 25 saves to help Sabres earn fifth straight road win

'“It’s great,” Skinner told The Buffalo News after the Sabres’ morning skate Friday in Columbus. “I saw him in the summer. Skated with him maybe twice, and I think, at that point, it wasn’t certain that he was going to make a comeback. He looked pretty good. It was a pretty high-level skate.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Jeff Skinner calls Cody Hodgson’s comeback goal a ‘special moment’

'“He’s a special player, for sure,” beamed defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. “Now we’re starting to use him more, and he’s so effective, especially net-front, when we’re trying to score. … He’s winning puck battles, works really hard. That’s a guy you really want on your team.”' … [Read more...] about ‘One of a kind’ Jordan Greenway making the most of opportunity with Sabres

'For the season, the Sabres are 13-11-3 on the road and just 12-16-1 at home. The only NHL team with more regulation home losses is Anaheim, which has 18 and just won in Buffalo on Monday. The poor home play is ruining a second straight season.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres hold on to beat Habs and continue road mastery

'Believed to be driving more than 100 mph, Horton crashed his De Tomaso Pantera sports car by the Lake Street exit of the Queen Elizabeth Way in St. Catharines, Ont., and was thrown from the vehicle. He died at the scene.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Tim Horton’s stunning death 50 years ago was darkest moment in Sabres history

'“Sometimes that’s just the way the schedule works. I think the way you come into a building and you’re playing well, and sometimes you get rewarded,” Skinner said. “That happens a couple of times and it becomes a story. We’ve got to focus on what we’re doing. We’ve got some good things in our game that we want to continue.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Jeff Skinner’s red-hot numbers vs. Habs fly in face of current offensive slump

'In four games without Power, the Sabres have received one point and three assists with a plus-6 rating from Jokiharju. He’s averaging 24:29 of ice time during that span, including a career-high 27:29 Monday in a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, and he will remain in a prominent role when they face the Canadiens in Montreal on Wednesday night.' … [Read more...] about Henri Jokiharju showing he ‘belongs’ on Sabres’ top pair after healthy scratches

'“We can divide that game up 50 different ways, the fact is you had more than enough opportunity to win that game just generating your scoring chances,” Granato added. “Teams that win Stanley Cups, they outscore their mistakes. It’s not that they don’t make mistakes, it’s not that they don’t feel pressure – turn pucks over, make poor decisions – they don’t score.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Second-period collapse costs Sabres in brutal loss to Ducks

'You can assume Don Granato will still be coaching the Sabres on Wednesday night in Montreal. But next October? That’s a long way off. No sure thing. You can assume Kevyn Adams will still be running this team as the general manager at the trade deadline in 2½ weeks. But draft weekend in June in Las Vegas? No way to be sure of that either. And as for players? If you’re an NHL GM … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: After getting swept by the Ducks, everything and everybody should be in play for the Sabres

'“It was nice to get back playing together, but at the same time, you look up and down our roster, we have guys that are interchangeable and can play together,” Thompson told The Buffalo News. “That being said, for sure, there is a natural connection between us three.”' … [Read more...] about Back together, Sabres’ top line looks to find previous offensive form

'“I just found the open spot in the slot and stayed there,” he said.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Henri Jokiharju’s first career game-winning goal lifts Sabres over Minnesota

'“Look, we love our fans because when this place gets going, it seriously gets going,” the player said. “And I get all the frustration of how many years it’s been. But most guys in here haven’t been here very long. Kevyn (General Manager Kevyn Adams) hasn’t been. Donny hasn’t been. You can’t put all that on them.”' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Fans have noticed Sabres’ lack of postgame salutes

'If the Sabres are going to trade Erik Johnson – which seems inevitable – then Adams needs to add another defenseman who could be part of this team’s plans next season. Otherwise, head coach Don Granato will have fewer trustworthy options on the back end. My preference would be to call Calgary about Rasmus Andersson, who has two years left on his contract with a $4.55 million … [Read more...] about Sabres Mailbag: How can GM Kevyn Adams improve the roster before next season?

'The Sabres' 45 shots on goal were a franchise record for a game in which they were shut out. They earned several chances to tie the score during a second period in which they had a 17-6 edge in shots on goal. But they were reminded that the margin for error is razor thin against the defending Eastern Conference champion Panthers (35-15-4). Two early mistakes by inexperienced, … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres unable to overcome early mistakes in 4-0 loss to Panthers