Eichel - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart enjoys first hat trick in Buffalo

BUFFALO – On the first of his three goals Saturday afternoon, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart showcased a little flash.

After grabbing center Evan Rodrigues’ nifty one-handed pass, Reinhart unleashed a wicked wrist shot from the right circle, beating Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby over the right shoulder 12:51 into the 5-2 win.

Later in the contest, Reinhart put the Sabres up two goals again, sealing the game by tipping defenseman Matt Hunwick’s shot in front ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner might’ve found long-term home in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Three-quarters into the season, Jeff Skinner hasn’t shown many signs of cooling off. Having scored a team-high 36 goals through 60 games, the slick winger could become the first Sabre to hit the prestigious 50-goal mark in 26 years.

Entering this afternoon’s home game against the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, Skinner is scoring at a torrid 49-goal pace over his first season with the Sabres.

While Skinner, 26, hasn’t scored in the ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Danny O’Regan, Scott Wilson, send Lawrence Pilut down

BUFFALO – The Sabres added two forwards this afternoon, recalling Danny O’Regan and Scott Wilson from the Rochester Americans.

They also sent defenseman Lawrence Pilut back to the AHL and placed winger Kyle Okposo, who has a concussion, on injured reserve.

The Sabres host the Washington Capitals on Saturday, their last game before Monday’s trade deadline.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Evan Rodrigues grew under Rangers’ David Quinn

BUFFALO – Sabres center Evan Rodrigues figured David Quinn would stay put at Boston University until the coach guided the Terriers to a national championship.

Quinn’s success at the NCAA level, of course, generated plenty of interest from the NHL. Still, Rodrigues, whose dynamic exploits nearly helped BU win a title in 2015, enjoys a close relationship with Quinn.

“You can always go into his office and talk about anything to him,” Rodrigues said prior ... Read the full article

Jason Pominville moving up among Sabres’ all-time leaders

BUFFALO – It has become a regular occurence this season, Jason Pominville’s 14th in the NHL and 10th with the Sabres. Every few weeks or so, the popular winger seems to reach a new milestone or move up among the franchise’s all-time leaders.

Pominville, whose focus has been a huge asset over his splendid 1,037-game career, hasn’t paid much attention to any of it.

“I try to just enjoy the moment, live in the moment,” ... Read the full article

Timely goals, strong defense help Sabres down Islanders

BUFFALO – Suddenly, after weeks of regularly shirking their duties and allowing four or five goals a game, the Sabres have started clamping down defensively.

The results? Two wins over a three-game stretch while giving up just five goals. Following some downright awful defensive displays earlier in their seven-game home stand, the Sabres have finally started showcasing structure again.

Tuesday’s 3-1 victory against the New York Islanders doesn’t rank among their most exciting triumphs this ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel earning more ice time than ever

BUFFALO – In his four-year NHL career, center Jack Eichel has never consistently earned more ice time than in the past three weeks. The Sabres’ most meaningful games in seven seasons have prominently featured their captain.

Other than Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 win, a game the Sabres controlled, allowing Phil Housley to rest Eichel a bit for Sunday’s game, the coach has utilized his leading scorer a lot. Eichel has skated at least 20 minutes, ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel takes no moral victory from Sabres’ solid performance in loss

BUFFALO – Yes, the Sabres played pretty well against the Winnipeg Jets, hanging with the heavyweight club until the waning seconds Sunday afternoon.

Still, the Sabres shouldn’t take much solace in putting together a solid effort. They lost 3-1, missing a splendid chance to climb past the Carolina Hurricanes, who fell 3-2 in New Jersey, into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

“I don’t know how many times you can take the moral victory anymore,” ... Read the full article

Sabres growing frustrated after overtime loss to Hurricanes

BUFFALO – So what do the reeling Sabres do now?

While their roaring third-period comeback helped them earn a point Thursday, they still lost 6-5 in overtime, allowing the Carolina Hurricanes to pass them in the standings.

Having lost seven of the last 10 games, the Sabres have dropped to 10th in the Eastern Conference and five points out of the final playoff spot. The same team that ranked first overall in late November could ... Read the full article

Sabres hope to build streak by beating pesky Hurricanes

BUFFALO – The Sabres, who enjoyed a 10-game winning streak in November, haven’t won consecutive tilts since Dec. 11-13.

Fresh off Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild, the Sabres have an opportunity to build something again. Of course, to get a streak going, the Sabres must knock off the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday’s opponent at KeyBank Center.

The Hurricanes, who have as many points, 58, as the Sabres, have beaten the Sabres seven straight ... Read the full article