Buffalo News

'"It's tough," Mittelstadt said following the morning skate. "You never want to be watching, but I think it's a good learning experience for me. How many guys go their whole career without getting hurt? It's something to learn. Learn the whole rehab situation and getting back at it."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Casey Mittelstadt out again but ‘close’ to return

'The Sabres allowed two goals in an eight-second span to the Rangers late in the third period, and New York added an empty-netter with 57 seconds remaining. Linus Ullmark made only 23 saves for the Sabres. Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev made 12 saves in the third period, including two on Tage Thompson shots from the slot.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Rangers 6, Sabres 2

'“I don’t think about it at all really,” Skinner said. “For us, we have enough things to think about here. We’re in the thick of the hunt right now. As a player, you can only sort of control a small number of things in spurts, and for me I think you just try and focus on those as much as you can. For us right now, that’s moving on to (Friday’s) game and getting ready for that … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Jack Eichel on Jeff Skinner: ‘We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him’

'"I would say I'm quirky, unique," Ullmark said, unabashedly, in KeyBank Center following practice last week. "I would rather be unique than normal. That’s how I see it. I don’t have any issues with me being me and people seeing me as quirky or fun or whatever they say. I try to be me every day, every week. Try to enjoy life as much as possible."' … [Read more...] about Linus Ullmark: Meet the man behind the Minions mask, quirks and all

'"It’s not flashy hockey, but it’s that time of year," Jason Pominville, who scored his 13th goal of the season on one of the Sabres' 22 shots, said. "It’s that time of year you need to defend to win games. I think everyone is starting to realize that."' … [Read more...] about Sabres use patience, persistence to grind out 3-1 win over Islanders

'"That's all it was. It wasn't pretty hockey out there, that's for sure," said Kyle Okposo. "In the last three games, we've taken a good step in how we need to play defensively. Everybody on the bench knows when we get scrambly for a little bit, we're saying the right things. We're going, 'sort it out'. We stuck with it."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres’ buy-in to defensive grind keeps them in the hunt

'Mittelstadt, a 20-year-old rookie center, was a game time decision because of a “little bang,” according to coach Phil Housley, and did not participate in pregame warm-up ahead of puck drop. In his place, winger C.J. Smith moved back into the lineup and Evan Rodrigues centered the second line.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Casey Mittelstadt out with lower-body injury

'Jason Pominville and Jeff Skinner had goals for the Sabres, who led 2-1 after two periods despite having only 10 shots on goal. Buffalo finished with only 22 shots, and Johan Larsson provided an insurance goal with 2:25 remaining in regulation.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sabres 3, Islanders 1

'The Islanders are 33-16-6, two victories shy of last season's totals with 27 games still to play. They have a three-point lead over defending Stanley Cup champion Washington after the Caps' 6-4 win Monday against Los Angeles. They are second in the Eastern Conference and fifth overall in the NHL standing.' … [Read more...] about Islanders continue division drive as Sabres look to gain in wild-card race

'"You came to the rink and there was sheer disbelief," former Sabres captain Craig Rivet recalled last week. "How did this happen? To us in our community? You hear bad things on the news but you never think it would happen to you. Hockey was so minimal. The emotions in our dressing room were tough. Many of our guys were a quarter of a mile away from where that was."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: After Flight 3407 crash, emotional Sabres victory helped the healing

'"I don't know how many times we can take the moral victory anymore," Jack Eichel, whose 18th goal of the season tied the score in the second period, lamented. "I mean, we're 55 games into the year. ... Other teams are getting points, moving up in the standings. We're not."' … [Read more...] about Not interested in ‘moral victory,’ Sabres allow late goal in loss to Jets

'There are 27 games left. The Sabres are two points out of the playoffs. Two. Not 10. Not 20. Two. And every one of you would have taken that in October if I told you this was going to be the scenario in mid-February.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The frustration is because Sabres are finally in a playoff race

'"He was very steady," Sabres coach Phil Housley said of Hunwick. "His gaps were good. He was good in the defensive zone. He was strong on the puck. I liked the way he was passing the puck on the outlet. He looked like his normal self out there: very steady."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Matt Hunwick fills in for injured defenseman Zach Bogosian

'Carter Hutton made 26 saves in his fourth start in 11 games for the Sabres, who had 36 shots on goal. Jack Eichel’s 18th goal of the season tied the score in the second period, but Buffalo failed to convert on five power-play chances.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Jets 3, Sabres 1

'Bailey joined the Flyers for practice Sunday morning, however, interim coach Scott Gordon told reporters that Bailey will not play Monday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Instead, Bailey was recalled as a precaution and this gives him an opportunity to learn the team's system.' … [Read more...] about Williamsville product Justin Bailey back in the NHL with Philadelphia