Buffalo News

'Ristolainen played 23 minutes, 17 seconds in the season opener against Montreal, 26:43 in Sunday's win in Edmonton and 26:04 in Tuesday's overtime loss in Calgary. Coach Dan Bylsma said over the summer he was hoping to cut back on some of Ristolainen's minutes this season. Bylsma laughed when reminded about that Wednesday and admitted it's been no dice in that area so far.' … [Read more...] about Ristolainen’s assists adding spice to Sabres’ offense

'The Sabres fell to 1-2-1 overall and finished 1-1-1 on their sojourn through Western Canada. Still, that equals the most points they've had in these parts since they posted the same record in 1998-99.' … [Read more...] about Quick Hits: Canucks 2, Sabres 1

'"It has to be for sure," said winger Sam Reinhart, a Vancouver native making his second return home in the NHL. "Coming right from day one of training camp, two weeks before the season started, our whole roster minus a couple guys at the World Cup was ready and excited to get going. That was part of the reason why, the mentality around the room.' … [Read more...] about Sabres look for bounceback in finale of Western trip

'"As a goaltender, you feel this way probably 10 times a season," said Miller, now 36. "It's 'Oh, I'm a little tight today but tomorrow I'll have my hips and back lined up, do the right recovery and I'll feel fine.' Once you're able to get that rest, you're fine the next day. It just held on a little longer. It not an injury, it’s more a muscle that didn’t want to settle down. … [Read more...] about Banged-up Miller won’t face Sabres as Canucks go for 4-0

'Of course, the Sabres felt Monahan shouldn't have even been on the ice at that point. A few seconds before the goal, he got the puck away from Sam Reinhart by drilling the Buffalo winger from behind into the end boards. Referee Brad Meier simply stood and watched.' … [Read more...] about Sabres filled with frustration after Flames burn them in OT

'Now wearing a Calgary sweatsuit, there were hugs, handshakes and high-fives all around as the Sabres noticed their former goaltender serving as their greeter. Buffalo goaltending coach Andrew Allen stopped for several minutes as Johnson chatted with each player who walked by.' … [Read more...] about Flames Johnson on meeting Sabres: ‘This is going to be fun’

'The home team has won 17 of the last 19 meetings in the series.' … [Read more...] about Quick Hits: Flames 4, Sabres 3 (OT)

'Gionta had his first two goals of the season while Foligno and Larsson both had an assist. The three players were plus-4 in the game and combined with the line centered by Ryan O'Reilly to hold McDavid to one shot on goal in the game.' … [Read more...] about Checking line brings offense to Sabres

'"I felt good," Johnson told Calgary reporters after practice here Tuesday morning. "I think I was prepared coming into the year, my focus was where it needed to be. As a group, we got better and played a better game there even though we obviously didn't get what we wanted out of it with an extra point."' … [Read more...] about Reunion in Calgary as Chad Johnson will start for Flames

'"Seeing him in practice ever since he got here, that's a great pickup for our team," said goalie Robin Lehner, who made 31 saves in a mostly solid effort. "He gives us offense for sure but you just see how he makes the right play. When he's out there, he brings a certain calm to me as a goalie because you know he's going to do things right all over the ice."' … [Read more...] about Okposo’s debut is a key to solid Sabres win

'For his part, McLellan was particularly irate with two penalties taken late in the first period by forward Benoit Pouliot. So irate that Pouliot didn't play the last 40 minutes. Said McLellan: "We have some foundation or fabric things that we have to continue to fix as an organization. Stupidity is one of them. So don't play. Watch."' … [Read more...] about Irate Oilers coach McLellan on loss to Sabres: ‘We looked like the Bad News Bears’

'The 18,500-seat building is the centerpeice of a downtown revitalization project known as the Ice District. Already open and connected to the arena are the Rogers Community Rink, which both the Sabres and Edmonton Oilers used for practice on Saturday, and the 60,000 square-foot Gran Villa Casino. That $32 million project opened last month to join the arena as part of the first … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: New arena at forefront of Edmonton district

'O'Reilly snapped a 2-2 tie at 3:53 of the second period by bouncing a 110-foot flip shot from just behind the center red line past a surprised Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot. He had previously scored a power-play goal at 7:14 of the first on an Okposo feed to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead. Buffalo coughed up that lead but responded to adversity to pull away and even its record at … [Read more...] about Quick Hits: Sabres 6, Oilers 2

'For the last time the Bills and Sabres each scored that many points on the same day, you have to go all the way back to Nov. 23, 1975, per an analysis of data on the Pro Football Reference and Hockey Reference websites.' … [Read more...] about Big wins from Bills and Sabres give Buffalo sports fans a rare day

'The Sabres make their debut Sunday night in Edmonton’s new Rogers Place, and fans here figure to be pumped for the team’s second regular-season game in the glittering $483 million building. The Oilers are 2-0, with wins over Calgary by scores of 7-4 and 5-3.' … [Read more...] about McDavid, Oilers present big test