Girgensons - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Eichel’s ‘moment of brilliance’ helps Sabres beat Golden Knights

BUFFALO – For two periods, the Vegas Golden Knights stymied Sabres captain Jack Eichel, keeping one of the NHL’s most dynamic stars in check.

In the opening 40 minutes Tuesday, Eichel registered zero shots on goal and committed an uncharacteristic gaffe, telegraphing an ill-advised pass from deep in his own.

“I definitely made some bad turnovers,” Eichel said after scoring a scintillating game-winning goal late in the Sabres’ 4-2 victory inside KeyBank Center.

While the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons scoring goals, feeling confident on top line

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons occasionally flashes some of the skills that helped make him the 14th overall pick in 2012.

In Sunday’s 5-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings, Girgensons utilized his soft hands to score on a short-handed breakaway. In Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, he tipped linemate Kyle Okposo’s laser in, briefly tying the game.

In 46 games this season, Girgensons has compiled eight goals, his highest total since ... Read the full article

Sabres fall apart late to Canucks, can’t help Carter Hutton: ‘A lot of it’s on us’

BUFFALO – It can be easy to feel sorry for Carter Hutton these days.

Three months ago, Hutton ranked among the NHL’s best goalies. His superb netminding – he began the campaign 6-0-0 – helped buoy the Sabres’ terrific October.

But Hutton’s season started falling apart months ago. Incredibly, he hasn’t won a game since Oct. 22.

Saturday afternoon’s 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks dropped Hutton’s record to 0-7-4 in his last 11 starts.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe expected to return against Canucks

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe, who missed Thursday’s 5-1 road loss to the St. Louis Blues with an upper-body injury, will likely play Saturday afternoon against the Vancouver Canucks.

McCabe, 26, practiced this afternoon beside Rasmus Ristolainen inside KeyBank Center.

“Just going to assess this practice with him now,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said of McCabe’s status. “It looks like he’ll be part of the mix.”

McCabe said: “It’s a coach’s decision, but I ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evan Rodrigues on trade request: ‘I just want to play hockey’

“I have all the confidence in my ability, I have all the confidence in my defensive ability, I have all the confidence in my speed and my skill to play with everyone in this league.”

– Evan Rodrigues, Sept. 23, 2019

BUFFALO – Barely three months ago, Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues was brimming with confidence.

Fresh off a season in which he set career highs and showcased his versatility by playing 11 of the 12 ... Read the full article

With Jeff Skinner injured, Sabres revamp lines to generate offense

BUFFALO – Forget that Jeff Skinner hadn’t scored in 11 games before suffering an upper-body injury Friday. Forget that after enjoying his first 40-goal campaign, the Sabres winger has only produced 11 goals in 39 contests this season.

Skinner, who will be sidelined three to four weeks, the Sabres announced Saturday, can be a lethal scorer. In his last few outings, he channeled his 2018-19 form, showcasing the tenacious style that helped make him ... Read the full article

After years of scoring, Sabres’ Kyle Okposo thriving in new checking role

BUFFALO – It’s pretty easy to tell when Kyle Okposo’s thriving. At his best, the Sabres winger is in the thick of the action, bumping bodies and aggressively pursuing and moving the puck.

“I love the grind,” said Okposo, whose Sabres host the Boston Bruins tonight at KeyBank Center following a three-day Christmas break. “I love just being hard on pucks down low, taking pucks to the net, fighting for every inch, hunting pucks down, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Bogosian feels good in return after healthy scratches

BUFFALO – For Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, sitting out four straight games, the first healthy scratches of his 12-year NHL career, wasn’t easy.

“Anytime you don’t get a chance to be in there to be a part of the team and do what you want to do and do what you love, I mean, it’s tough,” Bogosian said after skating just over 18 minutes in his return in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson scoring, having fun: ‘He has an offensive upside’

BUFFALO – This is new, you know. Not only is Sabres center Johan Larsson piling up points, he’s also having fun and smiling.

“He wasn’t ‘Angry Larry’ last night,” Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said of his linemate’s nickname. “He’s having a blast. I think you can see it in his face.”

Right now, having compiled two goals and nine points in the last seven games, Larsson is enjoying a career-best stretch entering tonight’s home game ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel comes up clutch in win over Blues, Sabres jump into second place

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel grabbed the puck behind the net, surveyed the action in front of him and started creeping out.

Late in third period of a tie game, the St. Louis Blues should’ve been shadowing Eichel everywhere. But they inexplicably gave the NHL’s hottest scorer all the time and space he needed.

So Eichel skated out front and, without any Blues nearby, beat goalie Jake Allen from the bottom of the ... Read the full article