Hudson Fasching hasn’t played in the NHL this season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Hudson Fasching for spark

PITTSBURGH – After Friday’s embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Penguins, the third straight game the Buffalo Sabres have been blanked, a roster move seemed imminent before tonight’s tilt.

Sure enough, the Sabres recalled winger Hudson Fasching from the Rochester Americans this morning. Fasching, 22, will likely play tonight against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel (15) battles for space with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby on Friday. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Reeling Sabres blanked again, set franchise record for futility

BUFFALO – The Sabres haven’t scored a goal in almost 181 minutes, have lost 10 of their last 11 outings and get booed off the ice following every period.

How bad are things right now?

In Friday’s 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the NHL’s worst team possibly hit the lowest point in its 47-year history. Seriously.

For the first time ever, the hapless Sabres have been shut out in three consecutive games.... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons has a 17-game point drought. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons struggling at 300-game milestone

BUFFALO – The most vivid memory of Zemgus Girgensons’ NHL debut isn’t the goal he scored in Detroit’s historic Joe Louis Arena. No, something far less exciting stands out to the Sabres winger.

On Girgensons’ first shifts Oct. 2, 2013, he said star Pavel Datsyuk’s line kept hemming the Sabres in their own zone.

“I definitely remember that more than I scored a goal,” Girgensons said this morning prior to his 300th NHL game.... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian (47) celebrates a goal March 27. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres have played Penguins tough; Zach Bogosian set to debut

BUFFALO – In their last meeting Nov. 14 in Pittsburgh, the Sabres held two early two-goal leads before the Penguins roared back to beat them 5-4 in overtime.

On March 5 in Pittsburgh, the Sabres went up 3-0 in the first period before imploding and losing 4-3.

The Sabres have played the Penguins, winners of the last two Stanley Cups, tough during some recent meetings. They just can’t close out games.... Read the full article

The Sabres hired Jason Botterill in May. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Despite struggles, GM Jason Botterill confident Sabres on right path

BUFFALO – Barely one-quarter into Jason Botterill’s first season as general manager, the Sabres are a mess, tied for the NHL’s lowest point total with a measly 16.

A team expected to improve and showcase an exciting style under new coach Phil Housley has regressed and averaged a league-low 2.2 goals through its first 25 games. Slick center Jack Eichel, who signed an $80 million contract extension in October, has struggled along with many ... Read the full article

Matt Tennyson played 14 NHL games earlier this season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

With Zach Bogosian close to return, Sabres waive Matt Tennyson

BUFFALO – Nearly two months into the season, the Sabres could have their six regular defensemen play together for the first time tonight.

Zach Bogosian, out since suffering a lower-body injury in the preseason finale, could return in this weekend’s home-and-home series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“I’ve had a couple good days of practice,” Bogosian said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt inside KeyBank Center. “I feel ready. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart had three points Tuesday. ©2017, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald

Sabres blow late lead, lose to Penguins in OT

PITTSBURGH – Center Jack Eichel said the Sabres played scared to lose. Winger Sam Reinhart said they sat on their lead late. Goalie Robin Lehner said they let the potent Penguins keep attacking them.

The sound bites following Tuesday’s wild 5-4 overtime loss to the Penguins sounded familiar, like throwbacks to last season, when the Sabres often imploded late.

While the Sabres have changed coaches and much of their personnel this season, they haven’t still ... Read the full article

Justin Falk has been playing big minutes. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Justin Falk earning keep on top defense tandem

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres veteran Justin Falk has carved out a solid 229-game NHL career by showcasing a gritty, no-frills style.

The 6-foot-5, 223-pound Falk is a defensive defenseman.

“In this league, I’ve always been pretty conservative as far as where I go on the offensive side and the rush and skating and all that,” Falk said prior to Tuesday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Penguins inside PPG Paints Arena.

But Sabres coach Phil Housley ... Read the full article

Sidney Crosby has started slowly this season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sidney Crosby, Penguins struggling entering tilt with Sabres

PITTSBURGH – Right now, superstar Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, look nothing like their normal selves.

Crosby, 30, has scored zero goals in the last 11 games. If the slick center doesn’t score tonight against the Buffalo Sabres, a team he has dominated over the years, it would equal a career-long goal drought.

Incredibly, the most prolific scorer of his generation hasn’t created much, either, mustering only three assists ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel has four goals and 14 points in 17 games this season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel struggling to meet high expectations

PITTSBURGH – As the one-quarter mark of Jack Eichel’s third NHL season approaches, the Buffalo Sabres center possesses some pretty underwhelming statistics.

Seventeen games into another trying campaign, the slumping Eichel has four goals and 14 points. Over an 82-game season, that equals 19 goals and 68 points.

Those numbers would be fabulous for most NHL players. A Sabre hasn’t compiled 70 points since winger Jason Pominville in 2011-12.... Read the full article