McCabe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Scorching Sabres rank among NHL’s early-season elite

PITTSBURGH – You have to go back nine years to find the last time the Buffalo Sabres ranked among the NHL’s heavyweights like they do right now.

The upstart Sabres haven’t roared out of the gate this fast since the 2009-10 season, when they also earned 26 points in their first 20 outings, their second-best 20-game start of the overtime era.

Entering tonight’s tilt against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, the Sabres are enjoying ... Read the full article

Sabres generating offense, showcasing maturity in recent weeks

BUFFALO – In Sunday’s 3-1 road loss, the Sabres thoroughly outplayed the New York Rangers, outshooting them a whopping 40-21.

Other than a 19-second span in which the Rangers scored twice, the Sabres held them in check, staying on the offensive and peppering goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

While the Sabres lost for the fourth time in five outings (1-2-2), the game illustrates how much they’ve grown this season. If they keep performing like they did Sunday ... Read the full article

Sabres finish October in solid spot

BUFFALO – If you had told Phil Housley prior to the season the Sabres would finish October a solid 6-4-2, the second-year coach said he would’ve been pretty happy.

The Sabres, of course, hardly enjoyed a perfect month. They suffered some blowout losses. Right now, they’ve lost two straight games in overtime.

Still, the Sabres have a five-game point streak (3-0-2) entering Thursday’s tilt in Ottawa. They’re clearly a much better team than last season, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Nathan Beaulieu returns feeling confident

BUFFALO – The sample size was small – just seven games before Nathan Beaulieu left the Sabres lineup. Still, in the first two weeks of 2018-19, the defenseman looked rejuvenated following a miserable season, showcasing a much calmer style.

“When I was playing, I thought I was playing with a lot more confidence,” Beaulieu said prior to returning for Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. “I wasn’t really worried about making mistakes. I ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe day-to-day with upper-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe is day-to-day after suffering an upper-body injury in Saturday’s 5-4 overtime road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, coach Phil Housley said.

With McCabe absent from this morning’s practice inside HarborCenter, rookie defenseman Rasmus Dahlin skated in his spot beside Rasmus Ristolainen.

Housley said McCabe’s status for Tuesday’s home tilt against the Calgary Flames won’t be decided until later.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe feeling confident, building offensive game

BUFFALO – With just under seven minutes left in Thursday’s 4-3 win, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe made eye contact with winger Conor Sheary and took off for the left circle.

As Sheary skated back to the right point, he dished the puck through traffic to a streaking McCabe, who corralled the pass and quickly fed winger Sam Reinhart for the tying goal against the Montreal Canadiens.

The aggressiveness McCabe, 25, showcased on that play ... Read the full article

Sabres aim to extend winning streak to four games

BUFFALO – It has been a really long time since the Sabres won four consecutive games. Exactly how long? Try December 2014.

Back then, in the midst of a wretched 23-win, 54-point season, the Sabres suddenly emerged, rattling off four straight victories from Dec. 9 to 15.

Incredibly, the Sabres earned 17 percent of their 2014-15 win total over a seven-day stretch. Shortly after the hot streak, they lost 14 consecutive games in regulation, cementing ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back, beat Canadiens

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, the Sabres would’ve wilted in a game like Thursday’s wild 4-3 comeback victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

The upstart Sabres fell behind by one goal three times, including just 77 seconds into the tilt and again early in the third period. Each time, however, they rallied, refusing to deviate from their game plan.

“You just stay calm, composed, collected and good things happen,” said winger Kyle Okposo, whose power-play ... Read the full article

‘Little pest’ Jeff Skinner scoring, feeling comfortable with Sabres

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres newcomer Jeff Skinner annoyed defenseman Jake McCabe.

Skinner constantly hounds the puck, forechecking and backchecking ferociously. The shifty winger often escapes defenders who believe they have him stymied.

When the diminutive Skinner grabs the puck, you can be sure he will beeline to the net. And after the whistle, the three-time 30-goal scorer loves talking a little trash.

“He’s just a little pest,” McCabe said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “Yeah, ... Read the full article

Sabres must showcase speed against upstart Canadiens

BUFFALO – Early in this morning’s practice, the Sabres’ first full session since winning two road games over the weekend, coach Phil Housley did not like his team’s pace.

So Housley, who rarely raises his voice, briefly ripped into the Sabres as they prepared for Thursday’s home tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

“We’re too (expletive) slow right now!” Housley shouted on the HarborCenter ice. “We got to attack with speed!”... Read the full article