Buffalo News

'"It's frustrating, pretty wide-open hockey," said goalie Carter Hutton, who made seven of his 41 saves in a wild overtime period. "I don't know if we want to exchange chances with a team like that. We get in the habit of doing that and we don't fare too well."' … [Read more...] about Sabres do a lot, but just not enough to win

'"I think that kind of speaks to how close it is," said Hawks star and South Buffalo native Patrick Kane. "Obviously some teams that we were right there with us went on winning streaks so that didn't help us much. You can look at it that by losing a couple games you get yourself out of it pretty quick. But also if we win a few games and go on a run like we did earlier, we'll … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Hawks slip back in race, Casey Mittelstadt returns to site of draft

'The Sabres lost their ninth in a row here (0-6-3) and continue to be winless since Jan. 10, 2007, their longest drought in any NHL arena. It was the third straight year Buffalo has lost in the building past regulation.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Blackhawks 5, Sabres 4 (SO)

'"He’s a special player, a special person," Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, an alternate captain, said following practice Wednesday. "He’s done a lot of really good things for this city and this organization. People tend to forget he’s only 22. He’s got a lot on his plate, a lot on his shoulders for a young guy. He’s handled it well. I think at times it’s been tough, but he … [Read more...] about Burden of captaincy, Sabres’ struggles not slowing Jack Eichel’s play

'"It goes back to simplifying our game and playing a simple road game," Housley said following the Sabres' practice Wednesday in KeyBank Center. "Sometimes that’s just relieving pressure out of our defensive zone and getting pucks out. Managing pucks through the neutral zone and getting pucks in, trying to establish our forecheck and I think the simplification of our game. … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Phil Housley seeks ‘simple’ game to end road woes

'Ristolainen has lapses with decision-making and awareness. He has lost too many one-on-one puck battles along the boards, continues to turn the puck over in his own zone and commits the same mistakes in defensive-zone coverage, despite having played 412 NHL games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ slide, defensive struggles ‘weighing’ on Rasmus Ristolainen

'They received a roar from the home crowd after scoring three consecutive first-period goals, only to hear boos as they left for their dressing room after the game. A myriad of mistakes allowed the Oilers to score three goals in a span of three minutes, 26 seconds during the second period, quickly obliterating Buffalo's momentum.' … [Read more...] about Marred by inconsistency, sinking Sabres unravel again in ‘unacceptable’ loss

'That's seven times in 10 games Buffalo has given up four goals or more. All teams drop coverage and give up scoring chances at times. Even Tampa Bay. Once in a while you need a save from your goalie. Or three or four of them.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: As frustration goes away for Connor McDavid, it just keeps growing for Sabres

'He was on pace for a career year until an upper-body injury forced him to miss nine games from Nov. 30 through Dec. 18. McCabe had two goals among 10 points with a plus-2 rating in his first 25 games, but he had two goals among four points with a minus-9 rating in his final 30 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe’s season likely over because of upper-body injury

'The Sabres (30-27-8) have lost eight of their last 10 – and have won only 13 of their last 41 since their 10-game win streak in November – and remain nine points back of the second wild-card playoff spot. Linus Ullmark was pulled after allowing four goals on 20 shots through two periods.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Edmonton Oilers 4, Buffalo Sabres 3

'Draisaitl, and not McDavid, actually leads the Oilers in goals with 40. That's seven more than McDavid, who had 41 last year, and gives Edmonton a 40-goal man in two straight years for the first time since Mark Messier had 45 in 1989-90 and Petr Klima had 40 in 1990-91.' … [Read more...] about Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl also bear watching in Sabres-Oilers matchup

'The major inquiry is this one: Will either of these teams ever win again?' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: In rising cities, Sabres and Oilers suffer falls from grace

'"I’m not going to beat around the bush: it’s disappointing that we didn’t get the result," Housley lamented. "We didn’t meet our standard tonight. ... These guys have fought and battled together, and fought for each other in the third period. We get one goal it changes the complexion of the game, but the bottom line is we didn’t get the result at this time of the year."' … [Read more...] about ‘Simple’ mistakes slow Sabres in another loss to the Maple Leafs

'The Sabres can excuse-monger all they want. But the fact remains this season has been an embarrassment for more than three months. They're nine points out of the playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: They kept teasing us but this loss is the end for the Sabres

'"It always changes game to game," Housley said Saturday in Scotiabank Arena when asked of the difference between the two challenges. "I just thought Rasmus had possession coming into the zone. He was making a hockey move and it was right on to his tape, so that to me is possession at that point in the overtime."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Rasmus Dahlin maintained possession before OT goal vs. Penguins