WGR

'It was one of those periods where I told Brian Koziol at intermission that you dominate a period like that and then let the opponent off the hook, it often comes back to haunt you and sure enough, at 2:22 of the second period, Dylan Cozens made an ill advised pass right up the middle. It got out to the point to Brendan Smith. Jacob Bryson totally screened Luukkonen and the … [Read more...] about Opinion: There were lots of chances and lots of shots, but the Sabres still lost 3-1

'With Reinhart in his contract year, you have to wonder how high his price tag can go as he continues to play big minutes as their number one center for the Sabres. He's producing and showing that he could be a great piece to keep hold of in the future for the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three Observations: Sabres can’t spoil possible Rangers’ playoff run

'Zibanejad completed the hat-trick early in the second period, as he squeaked a tough-angle shot between Tokarski and the left-post. It took the Rangers forward just 22:05 of game time to achieve the three-goal effort.' … [Read more...] about Rangers double up Sabres on Sunday

'New York is a team that is successful when it has extreme puck movement that goes north, south east and west. They certainly had that in the first period leaving the Sabres out of position, unaware and badly confused.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres tightened up after one period, but it was too late

'This one felt out of reach after just 20 or so minutes, with the Rangers going up by three goals early in the second period.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Zibanejad has his day against Sabres

'Things got off to an inauspicious start, as the first shot Luukkonen saw in his career found the back of the net. It came off the stick of Steven Kampfer. The Bruins defenseman was allowed to skate down the slot off a feed from former Sabres forward Taylor Hall, before cashing in for his second goal of the season.' … [Read more...] about Reinhart’s hat-trick fuels thrilling win over Bruins

'Despite giving up four goals, I thought the 22-year-old rookie was very solid against a very good team. It started about as badly as it could. Buffalo came out and played one of their best periods of the year, but one mistake cost them. Luukkonen saw his first NHL shot 2:15 into the game and it was a goal when Steven Kampfer was wide open down the slot getting a pass from … [Read more...] about Opinion: Luukkonen wins his NHL debut over Boston

'Ristolainen has taken on a role of showing young defensemen the way. He did that with Jacob Bryson to start the season, and now Sabres head coach thinks Ristolainen can help do the same for Samuelsson.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three Observations: Third time’s the charm as Sabres hang on to beat the Bruins

'Boston pulled away from Buffalo in the final period of regulation, when forwards David Pastrnak and Nick Ritchie scored goals in quick succession. Just 66 seconds separated the tallies, from the 4:55 to the 6:01 mark of the frame.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose to Bruins again on Thursday

'Boston led 2-1 four minutes into the third period and three goals in quick order put it away. Many wanted to put this game in the effort category and I would totally disagree. This wasn’t an effort issue. The issue lies in Buffalo is 0-for-11 on the power play in the last two games and they can’t matchup at all with Patrice Bergeron’s line or David Krejci’s line.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: The Sabres just can’t seem to solve the Bruins

'Since being called up from the Rochester Americans earlier this month, Sabres rookie forward Arttu Ruotsalainen has shown that he may not need to be sent back to the AHL at any point.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Sabres power play shut down; Bruins pull away in the 3rd

'"I think guys are just playing looser; making the plays with the puck, making plays coming out of our zone and not playing scared to make a mistake. I think if you mess up or turn the puck over, then just know you have to backcheck and your linemates will do the same. I feel like some of those mistakes can be fixed with hard work, and we've done a good job with that. If we … [Read more...] about Mittelstadt: ‘It’s crazy how much of a difference a few years can make’

'Quinn was supposed play junior hockey this year, but the Ontario Hockey League season was canceled, so he wound up in Rochester with the Americans.' … [Read more...] about Jack Quinn’s season is over due to hernia surgery

'Chances were there for the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, but the blue and gold went 0-for-6 on the powerplay en route to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the careless Boston Bruins inside KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Bruins blank Sabres on Tuesday

'Probably the biggest takeaway I had was Buffalo was 0-for-6 on the power play including an absolutely horrendous 1:33 6-on-3 advantage.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Thanks to an uneven game, the Sabres lost to the Bruins