Offseason Edition
BUFFALO – In Anaheim, Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour couldn’t play the aggressive, exciting style he has consistently showcased in his first weeks here.
The Ducks’ conservative game constrained the speedy Montour, limiting his effectiveness.
“I got kind of caught with how they want me to play, specific areas where I was just a player on the team,” Montour said Thursday inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Coach Phil Housley likened the mentality slick winger Jeff Skinner utilized to secure the Sabres’ eighth straight victory to “a dog on a bone.”
Skinner scored his second goal in Friday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime triumph by digging the puck out of the crease and burying it through traffic as he fell to the ice at 3:06.
“I didn’t see it go in,” said Skinner, who also tied the game against the Montreal Canadiens ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Defense prospect Lawrence Pilut’s first trip to the Sabres was more about experiencing the NHL life than receiving playing time.
The Sabres recalled Pilut, the AHL’s leading scorer, for insurance before sending him back late Friday. With Marco Scandella battling a lower-body injury, they wanted to have an extra defenseman.
The Sabres have also been winning, so coach Phil Housley hasn’t tinkered much with his lineup.
So Pilut, 22, sat out ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Lawrence Pilut’s NHL debut will come at a later date. The slick Swedish defenseman, who was summoned from the AHL on Wednesday, won’t play this afternoon against the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres coach Phil Housley said.
The Sabres, however, could make one change on defense. Housley said Marco Scandella, out with a lower-body injury since blocking a shot Monday, will be a game-time decision.
Update: Scandella will play, meaning defenseman Casey Nelson is ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – After earning his 10th win this season, the scorching Sabres will likely turn to goalie Carter Hutton again for this afternoon’s tilt home tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.
Right now, having registered six victories during the Sabres’ seven-game winning streak, Hutton is enjoying a career-best stretch. In his first weeks as a regular NHL starter, the affable veteran has morphed into one of the league’s hottest netminders.
But considering the Sabres also ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – It’s hard to quibble with Jack Eichel’s torrid start. In the last eight games, the slick Sabres captain has compiled a hefty 12 points. Right now, he’s pivoting perhaps the NHL’s best line between scorching wingers Jeff Skinner and Jason Pominville.
Through the first 15 contests, Eichel has scored a team-leading 17 points. At his current pace, he would have 93 points over a full season, the most since Daniel Briere had ... Read the full article
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
BUFFALO – Points-wise, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart began Thursday’s 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens enjoying the best nine-game start of his career.
Of course, Reinhart, 22, hadn’t exactly experienced a rollicking October before his first goal this season tied Thursday’s contest at 13:07 into the third period. So far, he has six points.
Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 games, ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Points-wise, this is the best start of Sam Reinhart’s career. In his first nine outings of a season, the Sabres winger had never hit the five-point mark.
Of course, Reinhart, 22, hasn’t exactly enjoyed a rollicking October. He has zero goals and five assists entering tonight’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center.
Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 ... Read the full article
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
