WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Zemgus Girgensons has embraced a checking role. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Over winger Zemgus Girgensons’ first six NHL seasons, the Sabres earned an average of only 67 points, missing the playoffs every year and finishing dead last three times.
Girgensons, 25, has endured a lot of losing over his 430-game career. His only taste of big league success before this month – a 10-game winning streak last November – was fleeting, as the Sabres quickly reverted to their hapless ways.
So the Sabres’ scorching ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt’s smarts and skills helped the Sabres win Tuesday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Coach Ralph Krueger said the Sabres bench “erupted” long before captain Jack Eichel scored Tuesday’s wild overtime winner.
It started getting loud about 20 seconds earlier, when center Casey Mittelstadt put his head down and pursued San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson as he raced out of the Buffalo zone on a two-on-one.
“It was crazy,” Krueger said following Wednesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “I mean, I’m watching the entire bench cheering ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has scored three goals in the last two games. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ torrid start has created lineup stability not felt in these parts in a long time.
Through nine games, the 7-1-1 Sabres have dressed just 21 players, only making one change – Evan Rodrigues for winger Conor Sheary – when an injury forced them.
The lineup has essentially remained intact all season entering tonight’s home game against the San Jose Sharks, right down to the same lines and defense pairs.
Health, of ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton posted two shutouts last week. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – How’s this for an interesting week? Sabres goalie Carter Hutton posted two shutouts, yet he didn’t even start consecutive games.
Instead of awarding Hutton another nod, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger started Linus Ullmark both games following the veteran’s dazzling performances.
But Hutton, who earned the NHL’s third star for the week ending October 20, isn’t worried about his playing time. He knows the coaching staff must make some hard decisions.
“I don’t know ... Read the full article
Jimmy Vesey has zero points in six games. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jimmy Vesey has quickly learned to like what his new city offers, including the easy drive to work.
Vesey, who spent three seasons with the New York Rangers, already knows he can get anywhere in about 15 or 20 minutes.
“There’s a big convenience factor, I think, in terms of commuting and everything like that,” Vesey said prior to Monday afternoon’s 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars. “I’m settling in nice.”... Read the full article
Carter Hutton posted a 25-save shutout Monday afternoon. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – Few figured coach Ralph Krueger could transform the Sabres so quickly that – gasp – a playoff berth would feel possible this season.
Players need time to understand new messages and systems. Besides, Krueger inherited a hapless team that won just two games last March.
It would take time – maybe months, even a season – before the Sabres showed real progress, right?
Well, six games into Krueger’s tenure, the Sabres are still ... Read the full article
Vladimir Sobotka endured a rough season in 2018-19. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – In the first period Monday afternoon, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger tapped winger Vladimir Sobotka for two defensive-zone draws.
“He went right out there and cleanly won them and took us out of our end,” Krueger said following the Sabres’ 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars inside KeyBank Center.
Then 4:20 into the third period, Sobotka’s nifty pass past a sliding defender created linemate Jeff Skinner’s goal.
The Czech’s first point this season put ... Read the full article
Carter Huttom has played three games this season. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – Other than switching to goalie Carter Hutton this afternoon against the Dallas Stars, the Sabres will utilize the same lineup as the past two games inside KeyBank Center.
That means forward Curtis Lazar, who was recalled from Rochester Americans on Sunday, will be scratched.
Despite the Stars’ sorry 1-4-1 record, they possess a lot of talent.
“They’re a much, much better team that their record,” said coach Ralph Krueger, whose Sabres have ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin has had a strong offensive start this season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Having already produced seven points through five games, Rasmus Dahlin could be in the early stages of the greatest offensive season ever enjoyed by a Sabres defenseman.
Dahlin, of course, will likely cool off. At his current pace entering this afternoon’s home game against the Dallas Stars, he would score 115 points over an 82-game campaign.
Only five NHL defensemen have ever recorded a 100-point season. The last one, Brian Leetch, hit the ... Read the full article
Henri Jokiharju has impressed the Sabres. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – Just five games into the season, Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju and winger Victor Olofsson have earned spots in the NHL.
The Sabres have told both youngsters to leave the hotel they’ve been staying in and find something more permanent.
“They’re both out hunting for places to live,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said today inside KeyBank Center. “But, again, the competition in the league doesn’t stop. The pressure on you doesn’t stop to perform.”... Read the full article
