Buffalo News

'Halfway through an eight-season, $72 million contract, Skinner has 13 goals and 32 points in 27 games. He’s one-third of a game-changing line that also includes Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. And the Sabres will be without Skinner again Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Kings, who have scored only three fewer goals than Buffalo, then Thursday in Colorado against the … [Read more...] about Sabres press on with different lineup as Jeff Skinner awaits end of suspension

'By scoring five goals, including four in the first 16:40 of the first period in Columbus, Thompson became only the second player in franchise history to reach that mark in a single game. He finished with five goals and an assist with nine shots on goal in only 13:56 of ice time. Dave Andreychuk scored five for the Sabres in an 8-6 win in Boston on Feb. 6, 1986.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Tage Thompson named NHL’s second star of the week

'Kyle Okposo, their captain, said: “We just talked about stepping up before the game, and we have to be able to withstand injuries. It’s part of the league. It’s part of the NHL. It ’s part of being a good team."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres earn opportunities, fail to capitalize in 3-1 loss to Penguins

'"It is important to note that this isn’t the case of a stick riding up unintentionally as players battle for position in front of net or come together naturally during the course of play," George Parros, director of the NHL's department of player safety, said in a video explaining the ruling. "Skinner initiates an altercation here that ends with him aggressively and … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Jeff Skinner suspended three games for cross-checking Penguins’ Jake Guentzel

'The three-game suspension Skinner received Saturday was appropriate. Skinner engaged Guentzel when the Penguins' winger foolishly tapped Craig Anderson's glove after the Buffalo goalie had frozen the puck, but things escalated by the boards as Skinner chased down Guentzel and they exchanged slashes. Guentzel started to go to the ice and that's when Skinner's high stick hit … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Jeff Skinner went too far in the moment, but he had the right idea

'The Sabres say they wanted to create something unique and dynamic, and with the evolution of the game, including more of a focus on player safety, they thought it might be prudent to stop highlighting the biggest hit of the game.' … [Read more...] about Why there’s no more ‘collision of the game’ on Sabres broadcasts

'The Sabres (12-13-2) saw their comeback halted by a retaliation penalty. They tied the score twice, capped by Kyle Okposo’s power-play goal as the extra attacker with 1:30 left in regulation. Skinner’s goal late in the second period, his 13th of the season, gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead, which it held until Pittsburgh scored twice in the third.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Jeff Skinner’s match penalty costs Sabres in OT loss to Penguins

'Anderson played well most of the night. He made several key stops, and a 10-beller on Evgeni Malkin late in the second period prevented the Sabres from falling into a 2-0 hole. Instead, it set the stage for Victor Olofsson and Skinner to score in a 67-second span late in the frame to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: It was a crazy finish for Craig Anderson, who needs to get more action in Sabres’ net

'"I think the main goal is you want to win, right? It's a team sport," Thompson said Thursday as reporters swarmed his locker for extended chat in the dressing room. "We're playing good hockey lately. I think we still have a long ways to go and we can continue to get better as a group and there's still things ... we can continue to do to help our team, whether it's being better … [Read more...] about On the day after, Tage Thompson reflects on historic night but focuses more on what’s next for Sabres

'In a statement to the News on Thursday, Lara Pritchard, the senior director for Northeast communications for Charter Communications, wrote, "We had a signal disruption, originating out of the Carolinas, due to recent weather events in that area. Our engineers worked quickly to resolve and we sincerely apologize for the service interruption."' … [Read more...] about Why screen was frozen for start of Sabres game, Tage Thompson’s heroics

'Thompson is the leading scorer on the top offensive team in the NHL. As of late Wednesday night, his 21 goals ranked third in the NHL, only two fewer than Dallas’ Jason Robertson, and his 40 points in 26 games were fourth. This performance, broadcast nationally on television, showcased the skill and remarkable right-handed shot that earned Thompson a seven-year, $50 million … [Read more...] about Observations: Tage Thompson makes history again, scores 5 goals in rout

'“We went on a bit of a heater when it was Krebsy’s turn,” Okposo said with a laugh. “I think we just did it one day and, like anything, you get a little superstitious because you win and all right, let’s do it again and then it becomes a thing.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Reading of the starting lineup a way to ‘freshen things up’

'Sunday's game against San Jose was another poor showing. On a night when the team scored six goals, had 38 shots on goal and 62 shot attempts, Mittelstadt and similarly struggling linemate Victor Olofsson were both minus-2 and had no shots on goal. Mittelstadt played 10:29 and didn't even have a single shot attempt. Olofsson played 11:05 and had two attempts.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: As Sabres snap out of their funk, Casey Mittelstadt is still trying to escape his struggles

'"He deserves it," said coach Don Granato. "He's done a great job last few games and a great job for a long time. All that hard work has started to pay off. So I was very excited to hear that he was awarded that and even more excited to know that he's earned it and deserved it."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Dylan Cozens’ NHL Second Star award shines focus on his offensive surge

'Cozens is the catalyst. At 21 years old, and amid his third NHL season, he has emerged as a dynamic center. He is using his elite speed to create time and space for his rookie linemates. His 24 points in 25 games ranked second among all players drafted in 2019, only five behind No. 1 pick Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, entering Monday.' … [Read more...] about ‘Kid Line’ showing ‘swagger,’ maturity while solidifying Sabres’ top six