WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Colin Miller has been a healthy scratch 14 times. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In Vegas, Colin Miller spent two seasons as one of the Golden Knights’ top defensemen, eating up minutes and piling up points.
But Miller, who will return tonight against his old team after sitting out two straight games, hasn’t secured a regular spot with the Sabres. Their biggest offseason acquisition – they traded Vegas two draft picks – has been a healthy scratch 14 times.
When Miller has played, he has often ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart (23) celebrates his second-period goal Saturday afternoon. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Long before he developed into a terrific net-front presence in the NHL, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart operated from the circle on the power play.
“It’s a pretty normal spot,” Reinhart said after scoring a power-play goal from the left circle in Saturday afternoon’s 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks inside KeyBank Center.
After moving back there earlier this month, Reinhart has looked comfortable, scoring on two one-timers.
Those goals, believe it or not, ... Read the full article
Jimmy Vesey has scored five goals this season. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After enduring a 20-game goal drought to start his Sabres career, winger Jimmy Vesey has scored five times in his last 21 outings.
“Which is about where I want to be,” Vesey said Friday after practicing on the top line beside center Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart.
Having averaged 17 goals over his first three NHL seasons with the New York Rangers, Vesey’s recent numbers are in line with his normal production.
“The ... Read the full article
Scott Wilson broke his right ankle last season. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After winger Scott Wilson broke his right ankle in training camp last season and missed the first three months, he spent five weeks in the minors.
While Wilson, 27, made it back to the NHL – he played 15 late-season games with the Sabres – his recovery was far from over.
“Really dealing with that ankle was a full-year thing for me,” said Wilson, who was injured Sept. 30, 2018.
So when the ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson (68) was injured Thursday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Winger Victor Olofsson’s absence for the next five to six weeks could extinguish the Sabres’ playoff hopes. From the get-go, they’ve relied on the Swedish rookie to score goals.
Now, the lower-body injury he suffered in Thursday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers could sideline him until mid-February, the Sabres announced Friday.
Having scored 16 goals and 35 points in 42 games, including six power-play goals in the first seven contests, Olofsson ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson (68) hobbles off the ice Thursday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – A lower-body injury will sideline rookie winger Victor Olofsson, the Sabres’ second-leading scorer, five to six weeks, the team announced today.
His loss is a massive blow to a team fighting for a playoff spot. He ranks second in goals and points on the Sabres, trailing only captain Jack Eichel, his center.
Olofsson has scored 14 goals and 35 points in 42 games this season. He has been a threat from the ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel beats Edmonton goalie Mike Smith on a penalty shot in overtime Thursday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – For 10 seconds during the first minute of Thursday’s overtime, Sabres captain Jack Eichel stood behind his own net to recharge as his teammates changed.
Possession is critical in three-on-three overtime, especially with Edmonton Oilers superstars Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lurking nearby.
So Eichel wasn’t about to give the puck up. The center waited and waited and waited before the capacity crowd of 19,070 inside KeyBank Center.
At that point, Eichel had ... Read the full article
Curtis Lazar enjoys playing center. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Curtis Lazar loves playing center. After thriving back at his natural position a year ago with the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate, he talked to the Sabres during free agency about remaining there.
“All my conversations during the summer said I’d be down the middle, and then I come to camp and played strictly wing,” said Lazar, who signed a one-year, $700,000 contract July 1. “I’m honestly fine with whatever. I ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner could be sidelined around a month. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Forget that Jeff Skinner hadn’t scored in 11 games before suffering an upper-body injury Friday. Forget that after enjoying his first 40-goal campaign, the Sabres winger has only produced 11 goals in 39 contests this season.
Skinner, who will be sidelined three to four weeks, the Sabres announced Saturday, can be a lethal scorer. In his last few outings, he channeled his 2018-19 form, showcasing the tenacious style that helped make him ... Read the full article
Marcus Johansson is frustrated by his play. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Even during the opening weeks of the season, as Marcus Johansson scored goals and solidified himself as the Sabres’ No. 2 center, his play irked him.
“I didn’t feel like myself with the puck and stuff like that,” said Johansson, who scored four goals and seven points in the first nine games. “I mean, sometimes you still get points and the team wins. You kind of don’t think about it as much.”
These ... Read the full article
