Eichel - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons scoring goals, finding confidence

BUFFALO – Almost six minutes into the third period Saturday afternoon, Sabres forward Zemgus Girgensons kicked the puck along the boards and quickly headed to the net.

A second later, he knocked down Matt Moulson’s shot in front, skated across the crease and swept a backhander past Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the tying goal in the Sabres’ raucous 4-3 come-from-behind victory.

Then Girgensons, normally a calm presence, let loose with an emotional celebration, pumping ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis tests groin injury

BUFFALO – Before Tyler Ennis can return from a groin injury that has sidelined him 27 games, the Sabres must put the shifty winger through difficult practices featuring rough battle drills and bumping from heavy bodies.

Ennis, who underwent surgery Nov. 10, responded well to the arduous session today inside KeyBank Center. So, could the Sabres’ longest-tenured player be close to returning?

“We’re getting close, just need a few more sessions like that,” Ennis said.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel knows Sabres lost precious point

BUFFALO – Considering the Sabres earned three out of four points against two NHL heavyweights, the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, their short road trip was successful, right?

Well, not entirely, according to center Jack Eichel. Yes, they soundly beat the Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday. But they blew a late lead in Thursday’s 4-3 loss, allowing the tying goal with 2:04 left before Patrick Kane scored 56 seconds into overtime.

Eichel doesn’t care ... Read the full article

Sabres’ offense struggling to score after hot stretch

BUFFALO – As expected, Jack Eichel’s return following a 21-game absence to begin the season has boosted the Sabres’ anemic offense.

In 15 games with their slick young center, the last-place Sabres have scored 39 goals, or 2.6 an outing, a decent number. By comparison, they scored only 38 goals, just 1.8 a contest, without him.

So Eichel’s presence has meant almost an extra goal a game entering tonight’s tilt against the New York Rangers, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ woes frustrating Jack Eichel: ‘We all need to get a lot better’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel walked back into the dressing room Sunday looking sullen. His hood was pulled tightly over his head and the normally affable youngster didn’t smile.

A day after his reeling team’s sixth loss in seven games, an embarrassing 3-1 setback that made Eichel lose his cool, the second-year star was still ticked off.

“As a whole team, everyone needs to look in the mirror and we all need to get ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel on reeling Sabres: ‘Everyone needs to look in the mirror’

BUFFALO – A day after the reeling Sabres’ sixth loss in seven games, an embarrassing 3-1 setback in Boston that made Jack Eichel lose his cool, the second-year center was still ticked off.

“As a whole team, everyone needs to look in the mirror and we all need to get a lot better,” Eichel said this afternoon following practice inside KeyBank Center.

Saturday afternoon’s loss to the Bruins felt more like a 6-0 defeat than ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey ready for fresh opportunity

BUFFALO – Instead of being given a spot on a scoring line Friday, winger Justin Bailey, the AHL’s hottest scorer, mostly practiced beside center Derek Grant and Nick Deslauriers, an odd place for one of the Sabres’ top prospects.

Grant and Deslauriers have zero goals and three assists between them in 45 games this season. Incredibly, Grant hasn’t scored a goal in 71 career NHL appearances. Deslauriers has more fights (14) than goals ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Bailey could earn promotion to scoring line

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Justin Bailey, the AHL’s hottest scorer, mostly practiced on the fourth line today beside center Derek Grant and Nick Deslauriers.

Grant and Deslauriers have zero goals and three assists between them in 45 games this season. Bailey, meanwhile, has scored five goals and seven points in his last five games with the Rochester Americans.

While Bailey, who was recalled this morning, might start on the fourth line Saturday afternoon in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno fighting often

BUFFALO – In the last four games, Sabres winger Marcus Foligno has fought three times, as many scraps as the young veteran had in his previous 58 outings.

Why has Foligno, 25, been fighting so much recently?

“There’s games where I feel like we haven’t played our best, so you need a spark … you might show a little bit of frustration out there,” Foligno said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center.

Frustration and payback. In ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel refreshed for second half after short break

BUFFALO – Long after Sabres center Jack Eichel leaves the rink, his struggles still weigh heavy in his mind.

“I take it home,” Eichel said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center.

So naturally, Eichel’s frustration was visible as his career-long five-game pointless streak hit as the Sabres lost four straight contests before their Christmas break.

“You could see it in his body language,” Sabres coach Dan ... Read the full article