Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres feel they can learn from blowout loss to Stars

BUFFALO – Right now, the moments are often proving to be too big for the Sabres as they pursue their first playoff spot since 2011.

A team comprised of mostly 20-somethings and neophytes enters this afternoon’s game against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center reeling, having lost three straight games and five out of the last six.

Thursday’s embarrassing 10-4 loss to the Dallas Stars ranks as one of the Sabres’ worst losses in ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, implode late in ugly loss to Stars: ‘A little bit lifeless’

BUFFALO – About that playoff race and those meaningful late-season games. If the Sabres don’t snap out of their funk soon and tighten up defensively, they’re going to be in familiar territory playing out the string.

The Sabres looked downright awful throughout Thursday’s embarrassing 10-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, their third straight setback and fifth in the last six games.

As the season progresses and the stakes get higher, defenses usually stiffen. Well, Thursday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jordan Greenway moves to top line; Riley Stillman returns

BUFFALO – In moving gritty newcomer Jordan Greenway up to right wing beside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner, coach Don Granato has given the Sabres’ No. 1 line an intriguing new physical element.

The 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway, 26, can wear down opposing defensemen. The Dallas Stars, Thursday’s opponent, know him well, having faced him regularly for years when he played for the Minnesota Wild.

“They’re well aware of who Jordan Greenway is, finishing hits ... Read the full article

Sabres to utilize Jordan Greenway with Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner

The 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway, 26, can wear down opposing defensemen. The Dallas Stars, tonight’s opponent, know him well, having faced him regularly for years when he played for the Minnesota Wild.

“They’re well aware of who Jordan Greenway is, finishing hits ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie in midst of unusual winning streak

BUFFALO – Eric Comrie’s unusual four-game winning streak began 15 games and 42 days ago, when the Sabres awarded him a rare start Jan. 26 against the Winnipeg Jets.

The goalie had been used sparingly following his return from a lower-body injury that sidelined him seven weeks. After playing Jan. 10, he sat out eight straight games before earning the nod against his old team. He stopped 19 shots that night, helping the Sabres extend ... Read the full article

Connor McDavid burns Sabres for two goals in Oilers’ win

BUFFALO – Connor McDavid and the high-octane Edmonton Oilers rolled into town Monday, and as expected, fans got their money’s worth.

The superstar continued perhaps the most dynamic NHL season this century, scoring two goals, including the third-period winner, in the Oilers’ entertaining 3-2 win over the Sabres before a crowd of 17,634 at KeyBank Center.

McDavid’s wraparound goal opened the scoring 7:21 into the contest, then he put the Oilers up 3-2 3:23 into ... Read the full article

Jordan Greenway could enjoy career-changing opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – In their first stint together almost a decade ago with Team USA, Sabres coach Don Granato said he would sometimes push winger Jordan Greenway hard.

Greenway, then a teenager with the U.S. National Team Development Program, did not always like what Granato demanded of him as a junior player. Still, Granato said, the youngster “pushed through,” developing into a terrific NHL prospect.

“We had a great relationship prior,” said Greenway, who made his ... Read the full article

Sabres maintain focus, bounce back by beating Lightning: ‘We needed that’

BUFFALO – Just over halfway into Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 5-3 win, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin appeared to have Anthony Cirelli lined up for an open-ice hit before both players suddenly moved.

Dahlin and Cirelli got tangled, and the Tampa Bay Lightning center quickly chased down his opponent, igniting a melee as the Sabres led 2-1. As Cirelli kept Dahlin pinned on the ice, Sabres winger Jeff Skinner zoomed in to help.

Skinner and Cirelli each ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Jordan Greenway can reach new levels: ‘A lot of potential’

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato and newcomer Jordan Greenway go back nearly 10 years, to their days together at the U.S. National Team Development program.

Having coached Greenway as a teenager, Granato has a unique understanding of the 6-foot-6, 231-pound winger’s skill set and potential.

“There’s lots of players in the league I’m very familiar with and coached,” Granato said of Greenway, who was acquired from the Minnesota Wild prior to Friday’s trade deadline. ... Read the full article

GM Kevyn Adams becomes emotional talking about Sabres; Trade for Jordan Greenway beefs team up

BUFFALO – Following Friday’s trade deadline, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams was talking about his excitement for the stretch run when, suddenly, he became choked up.

For the first time in years, the Sabres are playing meaningful late-season games as they fight to end an NHL-record playoff drought. In the hours before the deadline, Adams beefed up his team by trading for hulking winger Jordan Greenway. On Monday, he acquired defenseman Riley Stillman.... Read the full article