Buffalo News

'Peterka has been a bright spot for the Sabres over the past two weeks. He has two goals and seven points with 19 shots on goal over his last eight games. No forward on Buffalo’s roster has been on the ice for more high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5 than Peterka over the past four games. He’s using his speed to earn time and space in the offensive zone, posing a threat to … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: JJ Peterka proving that a rookie can learn fast in a playoff race

'“We had a real good start and we got away from our game,” said Sabres coach Don Granato. “We played way too relaxed after that. It was as if we felt it was going to be an easier night than what it was. We generated scoring chances, but we didn’t score. We thought that would just keep happening and we would be fine. So, we just dropped the level of focus and intensity, and it … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ playoff chances take another hit with shootout loss to Capitals

'Alex Ovechkin has tortured Sabres fans throughout his storied career, scoring 40 goals in 61 games. The Capitals aren’t as talented as their Cup-winning roster that handed Tuch and the Golden Knights a loss in the 2018 final, but they have enough around Ovechkin to make the Sabres pay for mistakes. Overchkin, however, missed Tuesday’s game against the Rangers with a lower-body … [Read more...] about Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals are next obstacle for Sabres during their playoff push

'"There was no emotion, no wasted energy anywhere," said Sabres coach Don Granato, referring to the 2-0 deficit in the second period. "They were dialed in. … This group knows they can score, so we’re tryin' to sell the other side to them and believe in that confidence. Obviously, it came through tonight."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Alex Tuch scores twice in return to propel Sabres’ comeback win

'Samuelsson blocked a shot in the arm/shoulder area in the first period of Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Rangers and immediately left the ice. He hardly missed any time, however, and finished the game having played 22 minutes, 17 seconds.' … [Read more...] about Just as they get Alex Tuch back, Sabres will be without Mattias Samuelsson

'Comrie, who signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract with the Sabres in free agency last July, has suffered two major injuries this season. The first came when he was bowled over during a Nov. 16 game in Ottawa and endured a knee injury that cost him nearly two months.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Week-to-week injury is another blow to Eric Comrie’s season

'This was one of the Sabres' best defensive performances of the season. They limited the Rangers to only 18 even-strength shots and, according to Natural Stat Trick, only five high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres ‘buckle down’ defensively, fall to Rangers in overtime

'Any way you slice it, it sure feels like the Buffalo Sabres are toast. And that's a shame because this is a season that has already been filled with more good moments than most of the last five years combined.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: After a tough-luck effort, it feels like Sabres’ playoff chase is toast

'"It's not a lack of work ethic or a lack of character or anything like that in our room," Thompson said. "What's gonna get us out of this is the group of guys we've got in this room ... You have a couple games like that, you look across the room and you realize you're letting your teammates down, me in particular the way I've been playing. It's one of those things where you've … [Read more...] about On the day after Dallas disaster, Tage Thompson reflects on big dropoff in Sabres’ play

'The Sabres entered the game only five points out of a playoff spot, yet you’d never know by watching their careless decisions with the puck and leisure coverage in the defensive zone against one of the top teams in the Western Conference.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres again witness that impatience is a recipe for disaster in 10-4 loss

'"Imagine if we can grow as much in the next two years as we've just grown in these two years. I don't think we're going to sweat anything that didn't happen yesterday. There's no reason to. And I'm actually excited. Everybody is trying to make moves and spending, spending, spending to do it, spending their future, because our future, we feel, is pretty darn bright and … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres: Meaningful games are a sign of progress since ‘brutal’ 2020-21 season

'"It happens fast in the game. But, for sure, to me it looks like a kicking motion," Luukkonen said. "But in the end, I can't say without the replay and all that. It looked like it shouldn't be a goal but in the end the ref makes the call and we have to trust it's the right one. It just kind of (stinks) that it was the winning goal."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres fall to Islanders on controversial goal in third period

'“It definitely hurts a bit to not see those go in,” said Sabres winger Casey Mittelstadt. “Overall, I think we played pretty well tonight. Obviously, a couple breakdowns against probably the best player in the world and it will cost you. Overall, I thought we played well and dictated the pace and had the better chances. It’s not the result we wanted, but there are definitely … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres rally twice to tie Oilers but drop another home game

'"It's no secret we can score goals," McDavid said. "So I think everybody knows that it's about keeping the puck out of our net. And obviously getting a guy like that to play in lots of big games and, and as strong as a defender as he is, is really big for our group."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres see how Connor McDavid is climbing new personal mountains for Oilers

'“The one thing about him was he always knew how to get the players that he had to play their best, I think,” Greenway said ahead of his Sabres debut against the Oilers. “I think he knows how to make each guy individually go and what they need. He cares about his players. It’s not always Xs and Os, you’ve got to do this and that. It’s, how do you get Jordan comfortable out … [Read more...] about Jordan Greenway ‘pumped’ for fresh start following trade to Sabres