Buffalo News

'“Not accepting that’s good enough,” Ruff said, describing how he is pushing his team to play its best for an entire game. “Not accepting that we’ve done a lot of good things. We’ve got to win games. That’s the key. Raise the standard, raise the expectation. We talked again about the standard, about playing quicker, about don’t accept what went on in Detroit as OK. OK hockey is … [Read more...] about How the Sabres are trying to rally from 3-game skid: ‘OK hockey isn’t good enough’

'The value of the team is estimated to be $1.13 billion – a number that’s doubled over the past three years, according to sports business website Sportico. The team’s value continues to climb along with the National Hockey League as a whole, but the Sabres remain close to the bottom of the league in franchise rankings.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres’ franchise value reaches more than $1 billion

'The Sabres’ power play and penalty kill rank 31st and 28th in the NHL, respectively. The latter is a startling regression from last season, when Buffalo improved to 13th.' … [Read more...] about ‘Unacceptable’ mistakes on penalty kill drop Sabres to last in Atlantic Division

'The New York Islanders hit town on a three-game losing streak that was absurdly ugly. All they needed to feel better was a night against the Buffalo Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Sabres takeaways: Baffling mistakes give Isles spark to leave town with a victory

'In the East, the biggest surprise has been Washington’s 7-2 start under sneaky good coach Spencer Carbery. But the Caps have still played only three road games so the jury remains out. Columbus is 5-3-1 and playing hard for the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, scoring six goals apiece in home wins over the Sabres, Toronto and Edmonton.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Sabres among the group staying in playoff range in season’s opening month

'Cozens is expected to play right wing Friday night when the Sabres host the New York Islanders in KeyBank Center. He hasn’t played the position on a full-time basis since 2020-21, when former coach Ralph Kreuger used Cozens with Eric Staal and Taylor Hall, but Ruff wants to get Cozens scoring again. He has zero goals and three assists through 10 games.' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens shifts to the wing as Lindy Ruff tries to unlock Sabres’ offense

'“It’s simplicity, shooting pucks. I think we’ve had a shooting mentality,” Zucker said. “If you look at our goal (Saturday against Detroit), I think we had six or seven shots or opportunities with puck recoveries. (Monday), it started off of a shot after JJ (Peterka) had a great jump off the faceoff. We lose that faceoff, but he does a heck of a job getting that puck back for … [Read more...] about Sabres’ power play still languishing last in the NHL, but is finally on a goal streak

'“I still want to be better,” said Tuch. “I still want to continue to have better puck touches, a little bit better offensive instincts. I think I’m still coming into my game a little more, too. Throwing out (the loss Monday night), I’ve gotten more opportunities and scoring chances. I’m finding myself in the right spots and finding my teammates a little more. Those are good … [Read more...] about Alex Tuch is off to a strong start for the Sabres, but wants to reach another level

'“We’ve got some good stuff that’s starting to happen,” Ruff said after the Sabres’ three-game win streak ended. “We had a chance to beat a good team. It was right there, and we just weren’t good enough to get it done.”' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin’s ‘tough’ penalty costs Sabres: 5 takeaways from 5-2 loss to Panthers

'Since this franchise was born in 1970, only 12 goalies have won 50 games. And while first glance might make you sneer in amazement at that fact, you have to consider that Ryan Miller, Dominik Hasek and Don Edwards combined to win 674 games, which is 35% of the all-time win total wrapped up in three goalies.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is providing Sabres’ best stability since Ryan Miller

'The Sabres’ current three-game win streak matched their longest of 2023-24, which they were unable to do until their 58th game on Feb. 25, and features several examples that support the players’ comments that this team is different from the one that finished with 84 points in April.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Are the Sabres actually learning? It sure seems that way.

'Nicolas Aube-Kubel is cleared to play after missing the past eight games with a knee sprain that he suffered during the second period of the season opener in Prague earlier this month.' … [Read more...] about Sabres expecting Nicolas Aube-Kubel to return while Owen Power deals with illness

'Everyone in the dressing room understood what was at stake Saturday in KeyBank Center. It was only the Sabres’ ninth game, but they couldn’t afford to hand two points to the Red Wings (4-4), who finished higher in the division last season and had won three straight entering their latest matchup. Alex Tuch referred to this as a “four-point game,” and his line played with the … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson’s line leads Sabres to win in ‘big game’ against divisional foe

'And after they play the Sabres for the second time in October on Monday night in KeyBank Center, they’ll head more than 4,100 miles east to Helsinki, Finland, to prep for next weekend’s Global Series games in Tampere against Dallas.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Panthers coach Paul Maurice on another Cup run, going home and Lindy Ruff’s return

'“The way the league has become, all those divisional matchups are so important,” Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton said. “You get your two points, and you steal two points from someone who’s going to be near you towards the end. You just saw how the wild card was last season with 20 games left. Anyone could have taken those spots, which is crazy. That’s how the league is going. … [Read more...] about Sabres know ahead of first matchup with Red Wings that ‘every point matters’ in division