WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Anders Nilsson tries to stop the New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider on Dec. 1. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Very quietly, after years of ineptitude on home ice, the Sabres have recently morphed into a strong team at KeyBank Center, winning four straight games.
Of course, four consecutive home victories isn’t overly impressive. But for the Sabres, who haven’t finished above .500 at home since 2012-13, the streak represents progress.
It also gives them some hope. With each loss, their slim playoff chances decrease. But tonight’s tilt against the New York Rangers ... Read the full article
Sabres goalie Robin Lehner tracks the puck in front of Toronto’s Auston Matthews on Tuesday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner was livid, looking for someone or something to take his anger out on following a wretched 10-minute stretch.
So after getting yanked from Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Swede yelled at his own bench as he skated off the ice. Lehner then slammed his mask to the ground, looked down the bench and threw his glove off.
The Sabres have a lot of demoralizing ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis has missed 30 games following groin surgery. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When goalie Robin Lehner spent a few days at home recovering from the flu last week, the young veteran developed a different perspective on the Sabres’ struggles watching two road losses from his couch.
“Playing the game or being on the bench, it’s one thing,” Lehner said Sunday inside KeyBank Center. “But when you sit down on the couch and you turn on the TV, you kind of get a little perspective on ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis has played only 35 games in a season and a half. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – While there is still no official word, winger Tyler Ennis’ 69-day wait to return to the Sabres lineup following groin surgery could be over.
“We’ll see about that,” coach Dan Bylsma said when asked if the Sabres’ longest-tenured player could return for Monday afternoon’s tilt against Dallas.
But strong signs point to Ennis, 27, playing his first game since Nov. 7. Ennis’ full practice today inside KeyBank Center included regular work beside top ... Read the full article
Anders Nilsson makes one of his 39 saves Tuesday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With about 10 minutes left in Tuesday’s 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, as the Sabres closed out an impressive start-to-finish effort, center Ryan O’Reilly said he felt differently.
For one of the few times this season, the Sabres were in total control late, cruising to a victory instead of trying to eke one out or overcome a deficit.
“It’s been a while since we kind of had that feeling, last 10 minutes ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis has missed 27 games. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Before Tyler Ennis can return from a groin injury that has sidelined him 27 games, the Sabres must put the shifty winger through difficult practices featuring rough battle drills and bumping from heavy bodies.
Ennis, who underwent surgery Nov. 10, responded well to the arduous session today inside KeyBank Center. So, could the Sabres’ longest-tenured player be close to returning?
“We’re getting close, just need a few more sessions like that,” Ennis said.... Read the full article
The Sabres traded Drew Stafford in 2015. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Drew Stafford’s season started ominously. In a Winnipeg Jets preseason game, the former Sabres winger suffered two injuries from one hit.
At first, Stafford thought the thump from Ottawa’s Michael Blunden had only hurt his shoulder.
“I also didn’t realize it at the time – I felt like I was OK – but I had some concussion symptoms early on then, because I hit my head and my shoulder into the boards,” Stafford ... Read the full article
Three out of four points doesn’t satisfy Jack Eichel. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Considering the Sabres earned three out of four points against two NHL heavyweights, the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, their short road trip was successful, right?
Well, not entirely, according to center Jack Eichel. Yes, they soundly beat the Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday. But they blew a late lead in Thursday’s 4-3 loss, allowing the tying goal with 2:04 left before Patrick Kane scored 56 seconds into overtime.
Eichel doesn’t care ... Read the full article
Johan Larrson (left) shoves the New York Islanders’ Travis Hamonic on Dec. 16. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres center Johan Larsson has undergone surgery for his dislocated elbow and wrist is out indefinitely, coach Dan Bylsma said.
Larsson, who was injured when Adam McQuaid hit him early in Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Bruins, flew back from Boston today.
Update: According to The Buffalo News, Larsson told Gotland Newspapers in his homeland of Sweden through a text message his season is over.
The Swede’s absence leaves the Sabres woefully ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel isn’t used to losing so much. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel walked back into the dressing room Sunday looking sullen. His hood was pulled tightly over his head and the normally affable youngster didn’t smile.
A day after his reeling team’s sixth loss in seven games, an embarrassing 3-1 setback that made Eichel lose his cool, the second-year star was still ticked off.
“As a whole team, everyone needs to look in the mirror and we all need to get ... Read the full article
