WGR

'Buffalo continues to dominate in the shots on goal and scoring chance categories, but it does not matter much when the score is in favor of the visitors. This stanza the shots are 13-4 in favor of the Sabres, yet they still trail by a goal.' … [Read more...] about Turnovers cost Sabres 4-2 against Islanders

'"[Smith] showed some jump, showed some niftiness. Made the nice read on stepping into the middle. Evander gave him the puck and then it turned into a 2-on-1. He made the nice play there. He showed that speed and quickness...both in the 2nd and the 3rd."' … [Read more...] about From the Locker Room: Sabres-Islanders

'Dan Bylsma’s team won two of the three games Ristolainen was out for, but the head coach said he was still missed, “He plays against the other team’s best players, power play, penalty killing and 25 to 27 minutes is a lot to miss and him coming back gives us a guy that does all those things for our team .”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Ristolainen to return from suspension

'“It’s a coach’s decision, it’s a management decision, from my aspect I would’ve rather battled with my teammates, I don’t think five minutes in the morning is going to influence my preparation for the game, but it was a team stretch and I should’ve been on time.” The situation is over and Reinhart is back on the right wing with Jack Eichel. He said he’s received plenty of … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Reinhart said he was late due to a mistake

'Many teams were interested in the UMass-Lowell junior, but he had his reasons for picking the Sabres, “It kind of fits the person I am, I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa which is a blue collar city, played in Lowell and played in Austin, Minnesota. They’re all blue collar communities and they all play blue collar hockey and I think that’s what the Buffalo Sabres are about and I … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Smith has his first day in the NHL

'The junior from Des Moines, Iowa scored 51 points in 41 games for the River Hawks this season, including a team-high 23 goals. Smith was named the most valuable player of this year's Hockey East tournament after scoring four goals and registering eight points in five games played. UMass-Lowell ended up beating Sabres prospects Casey Fitzgerald and Christopher Brown and Boston … [Read more...] about Sabres to ink college star CJ Smith

'Sam Reinhart notably did not see any ice time during the game, but sat on the bench dressed in uniform for all 60 minutes. Following the game, Dan Bylsma noted that Reinhart did not play as a result of violating team policy earlier in the day.' … [Read more...] about Blue Jackets Top Sabres 3-1

'James Reimer again looks bad, allowing a short side goal to Marcus Foligno on a weak shot from the near side face-off dot, and Reto Berra will take over in goal. Sometimes it is just not your night. Jack Eichel will also pick up an asisst on the goal.' … [Read more...] about Sabres double up Panthers 4-2

'The seating bowl has been emptying out with so many Leafs fans heading to the exits.' … [Read more...] about Eichel scores twice, Sabres thump Leafs 5-2

'“I’ve been playing with Risto for two years and he’s a pretty honest player. He had no history, he doesn’t jump, he doesn’t hit his head, it’s a broken play that he reads and he gets three games. There were other things that happened during that game that should’ve been a review too, but it just doesn’t happen, but certain teams in this league get the benefit of the doubt.”' … [Read more...] about The Sabres aren’t happy with Ristolainen’s suspension

'During practice Kulikov played with Jake McCabe while Nick Deslauriers was with Zach Bogosian. Deslauriers used to be a defenseman in the AHL, but Bylsma said he won’t start there during a game, “It would happen in a game for sure if he was playing forward and we get down to three of four defensemen. He has certainly practiced there and that’s his natural position from years … [Read more...] about Sabres get three players back to practice

'According to Article 18.12 of the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Sabres can appeal Ristolainen's suspension to the commissioner only. If the commissioner feels the appeal needs to move to a hearing, the process will move forward. If Bettman upholds the league's decision, then the suspension will stand with no further appeals available.' … [Read more...] about Ristolainen suspended three games

'“I tried to hit him, obviously he didn’t get the puck so that’s unfortunate and it’s too bad he got injured.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Ristolainen practiced before his hearing

'Ristolainen, 22, has never been fined or suspended in his four-year NHL career with the Sabres. Ristolainen leads the team with points for a defenseman (44), and is also fifth in the league in average ice-time per game at 26:42 per game. Ristolainen has yet to miss a game this season for the Sabres, and has played in 161 consecutive games since the 2014-15 season.' … [Read more...] about Ristolainen to have hearing with NHL Player Safety

'The Sabres are a defenseman down, and it is their best one as Rasmus Ristloainen is ejected from the game. He lined up Jake Guentzel for a hit and the forward was laid out by Ristolainen. The referees seem to overreact to the injury that Guentzel siffered and issue a five minute major penalty and a game misconduct to the Buffalo defenseman. I can see a minor for interference … [Read more...] about Sabres fall to Penguins 3-1