'The hip injury that kept Afinogenov out of the last four games has healed. The right winger showed no problems during or after the Sabres' workouts Sunday and Monday at the Thrashers' practice facility. "I'm ready," Afinogenov said. "It's healthy. It doesn't bother me anymore. It feels good."' … [Read more...] about Kovalchuk emerging as Thrashers' top gun
SabresBeat
Sabres vs. Thrashers
'The Thrashers snapped a nine-game winless skid (0-7-1-1) with Sunday's 5-2 victory over Carolina.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Thrashers
Paille sparkles in victory
'Paille said he was unaware that the Buffalo brass -- including Director of Player Personnel Don Luce -- were in the stands. The Welland native was a first-round pick of the Sabres in the 2002 NHL entry draft but remains unsigned...Paille had hoped to have signed an NHL contract before the OHL playoffs started. The Sabres and his agent have had some discussions, but … [Read more...] about Paille sparkles in victory
Scouting report: Thrashers vs. Sabres
'The Thrashers are 9-7-1-0 all-time against the Sabres, including 5-2-1-0 at home.' … [Read more...] about Scouting report: Thrashers vs. Sabres
Ray: It's not something I planned
'"At first I was just wearing a loose sweater with the idea that I could get my arm out of it and then the guy I was going against couldn't grab my arm and hold it down," Ray said. "After awhile the sweater started coming off all together, and then it was my shoulder pads and it kind of went on from there."' … [Read more...] about Ray: It's not something I planned
Local boy makes good in Buffalo
'"He earned a spot on this team," stated Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. "He worked hard last season. He did everything that was asked of him. Rory is not flashy. He plays a stay-at-home style defense. He takes care of his end.'' … [Read more...] about Local boy makes good in Buffalo
Power Plays Costly In Sabres Loss
'In what Buffalo Head Coach Lindy Ruff said was a “must win game” the Sabres came out with a less than stellar effort. The New York Islanders used three power play goals to gain the early lead and never looked back in defeating the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 at the Nassau Coliseum.' … [Read more...] about Power Plays Costly In Sabres Loss
Sabres' trip off to bad start
'"Our skill guys didn't get it done, and I don't think they worked hard enough at it on the power play," he said. "I didn't like the emotion of some of our skill guys."' … [Read more...] about Sabres' trip off to bad start
Being on injured list for third time this season frustrates McKee
'The Buffalo Sabres played their 47th game Saturday. Jay McKee missed his 20th.' … [Read more...] about Being on injured list for third time this season frustrates McKee
Improved Sabres still not good enough to make playoffs
'It's just a tease. The Sabres' current lineup simply isn't good enough, or deep enough, to maintain the pace they'll need to reach the postseason. Remember, the 14 points they picked up over the previous 12 games marked their best stretch in years. Now they need to do it almost three more times - over the next 35 games - just to have a shot.' … [Read more...] about Improved Sabres still not good enough to make playoffs
Novotny's offense gives Amerks spark
'The entire scouting staff of the Buffalo Sabres gathered at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial the past two nights to watch their prospects play. They left town knowing the player they drafted in the first round in 2001, center Jiri Novotny, indeed has a future.' … [Read more...] about Novotny's offense gives Amerks spark
Hall of Famer Bowman was sold on Housley right away
'Still, Bowman was worried. The Sabres had the No. 6 pick overall, and Bowman was concerned that someone else would choose Housley, particularly Philadelphia, which picked No. 4 that year. But Philadelphia chose Ron Sutter, allowing the Sabres to grab Housley.' … [Read more...] about Hall of Famer Bowman was sold on Housley right away
Power-Play Specialists
'The Sabres entered the game 6-4-3 in their past 13 and had closed to within three points of the Islanders in the conference standings. But they looked relatively flat against an Islanders team that skated hard from start to finish and never looked back after the quick two-goal lead.' … [Read more...] about Power-Play Specialists
Polite Islanders Rookie Has Not Had Rude Welcome
'In breaking a three-game slide without a victory, the Islanders (21-19-4-1) jumped into a tie with the Rangers for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. "The biggest thing is, we feel we're headed in the right direction," said Ronning, who made his Islanders home debut after signing as a free agent Jan. 9.' … [Read more...] about Polite Islanders Rookie Has Not Had Rude Welcome
Islanders finally turn on the power, stop Sabres
'"I don't think too many guys are looking backwards. We're looking upwards," Kenny Jonsson said. "We have to keep looking forward instead of behind us."' … [Read more...] about Islanders finally turn on the power, stop Sabres