Girgensons - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres roar back, fall to Ducks in OT

BUFFALO – It would’ve been one of the Sabres’ most rewarding wins all season.

Shortly after Ryan O’Reilly’s own goal put the Anaheim Ducks up late Tuesday, the center redeemed himself, tying the contest with 15 seconds left in regulation.

But instead of seizing the momentum, the disjointed Sabres imploded again before the announced crowd of 16,788 inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Tempers erupt in Sabres’ loss to Panthers

BUFFALO – The emotion buoyed them, put the Florida Panthers back on their heels. Winger Evander Kane said the Sabres started possessing an “F-you attitude.”

Scrums and fights erupted late Thursday during a heated Atlantic Division tilt inside KeyBank Center. The Sabres even went after a head.

Of course, this all transpired after the Sabres allowed three straight goals and ended the first period trailing 3-1.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart promoted to top line with Jack Eichel

BUFFALO – In Tuesday’s 3-0 loss, Sam Reinhart’s 12th straight goalless game, the struggling Sabres winger barely skated 11 minutes.

With the Sabres down one goal, Reinhart, who was demoted to the fourth line against the Boston Bruins, played just over two minutes in the third period.

Reinhart has been struggling all month, compiling just one assist during his goal drought.

So is the next next step moving Reinhart, 22, to the press box? Nope.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian finding regular form after injury

BUFFALO – In Zach Bogosian’s first two appearances following a 25-game absence, adrenaline carried the Sabres defenseman, coach Phil Housley said.

“Those first two games he was our best defenseman,” Housley said prior to Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes inside KeyBank Center.

But after those outings earlier this month, Bogosian experienced a normal dip returning from his lower-body injury.

“The adrenaline’s not there, now you’re in the game mode and getting prepared, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan O’Reilly battling scoring slump

BUFFALO – This has been a different kind of slump for Ryan O’Reilly. When the Sabres center started the season slowly, he said he was “invisible,” contributing nothing.

O’Reilly eventually got going, scoring seven goals in 13 games. But after his last goal Nov. 17, he hit another rut. Right now, the veteran has an 12-game goal drought.

“It’s lack of confidence and lack of trusting myself again,” O’Reilly said prior to setting up ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons earns promotion after benching

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons played 301 NHL games over nearly four and a half seasons before experiencing his first benching.

Naturally, sitting twice as a healthy scratch last week felt unusual for Girgensons, who has zero goals in his last 20 outings.

“I’ve been there injured, but it was definitely different being scratched, not a good feeling,” Girgensons said this morning. “It makes you feel a little bit useless, you always want to ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Hudson Fasching wants to showcase heavy style

PITTSBURGH – Instead of battling for an NHL roster spot during training camp, Sabres prospect Hudson Fasching started slowly before Buffalo demoted him early.

As a rookie last season, Fasching’s strong camp forced the Sabres to keep him. This year, however, the winger never really contended for a spot.

“It wasn’t the camp that I wanted,” Fasching said Saturday prior to his NHL season debut, a 5-1 loss to the Penguins inside PPG Paints Arena. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons mired in scoring slump

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 Friday prior to his 300th NHL game.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons struggling at 300-game milestone

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

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