WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
November Edition
Jack Eichel has a team-high 53 points. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel’s high right ankle sprain, an injury that will sideline the Sabres center indefinitely, hit the young star in the midst of a career-best stretch.
Since early December, Eichel had been on a tear, morphing into one of the NHL’s most lethal scoring threats.
The Sabres rank 30th in a 31-team league and have scored the second-fewest goals. They could ill afford to lose their only NHL All-Star.... Read the full article
Jake McCabe (left) muscles past Boston’s Noel Acciari on Dec. 19. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With Jake McCabe out three to four weeks after undergoing thumb surgery today and Rasmus Ristolainen struggling, the Sabres’ defense corps will look much different tonight against the New York Islanders.
Casey Nelson, a recent recall quickly earning coach Phil Housley’s trust, will play with Marco Scandella, Ristolainen’s partner much of the season on the No. 1 pair. Ristolainen, meanwhile, will move back and skate with Nathan Beaulieu.... Read the full article
Robin Lehner watches the puck through snow Jan. 30. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Forget about struggling winger Evander Kane, the asset that could fetch the Sabres the greatest return before the upcoming trade deadline is goalie Robin Lehner.
Kane has been struggling for months, producing just four goals over a 32-game span, including zero in the past 13 contests. His value has dropped dramatically.
Lehner, meanwhile, has been tending some strong goal for the hapless Sabres, who have lost four straight home games. In ... Read the full article
Victor Antipin has played 29 NHL games. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – At this point, 53 games into a lost season, why not keep playing defenseman Victor Antipin? Plenty of Sabres won’t be back next year. Why not use the final 29 contests to evaluate the Russian rookie? He might have a future here.
Like any newcomer, Antipin, a KHL All-Star last season, has struggled. Still, he has showcased glimpses of becoming the slick puck-mover the Sabres envisioned when they signed him to a ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner makes a second-period stop on St. Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko on Saturday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Progress is measured differently for the 2017-18 edition of the Buffalo Sabres, the NHL’s second-worst team.
On Saturday, they lost again, falling 1-0 to the St. Louis Blues before 18,777 fans. After winning three straight road games, they’ve dropped three consecutive home contests, falling to stunning 6-15-3 at KeyBank Center.
Overall, the Sabres are a wretched 14-29-9.... Read the full article
Johan Larsson (22) and Minnesota’s Matt Dumba collide Nov. 22. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Having never been suspended in his 229-game career, Sabres center Johan Larsson figured the NHL would slap him with a one-game ban for cross-checking Florida Panthers center Vincent Trocheck in the face late in Thursday’s 4-2 loss.
“I have no history, I’m kind of surprised I got two games,” Larsson said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “The guy didn’t get hurt or anything.”
During Friday’s phone hearing, Larsson argued he tried to ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo eyes a puck in front of New Jersey goalie Keith Kinkaid on Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Now back to reality.
Fresh off three straight road wins in which they outscored their opponents 11-1, the Sabres, looked like, well, a 30th-place team at home again Tuesday, losing a 3-1 clunker to the New Jersey Devils.
Instead of showcasing what made them successful during their best road trip in years – the Sabres allowed zero even-strength goals – they reverted to their old form, dropping their 16th home game in 22 ... Read the full article
Nick Baptiste scored his fourth NHL goal Thursday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A commitment to a 200-foot game, not his scoring prowess, helped winger Nick Baptiste earn another recall to the Sabres last week.
Baptiste, a third-year pro, has learned offense starts with strong defense. That was evident when Baptiste scored his fourth NHL goal in Thursday’s 4-0 win in Vancouver.
“It was a play where we made them turn the puck over,” Baptiste said this morning after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville (29) knows Buffalo is a special place when the Sabres are winning. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jason Pominville sounded a little nostalgic recalling some special memories from his first stint here. Occasionally, when the Sabres winger watches a memorable goal on Youtube.com, the passion he sees from fans in the clips wows him.
“It’s pretty amazing how they respond,” Pominville said Monday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres reconvened following the NHL All-Star break.
Right now, the Sabres are enjoying their first three-game winning streak this season entering tonight’s ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel had a four-point game last week. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Splendid performances from center Jack Eichel and goalie Robin Lehner earned the Sabres the NHL’s second and third star for the week ending Jan. 28.
Eichel led the league with two goals and five points as the Sabres won three straight games for the first time since Feb. 14-18, 2017. The NHL All-Star scored his third career overtime winner in last Monday’s 2-1 win in Calgary. He followed up with his third career ... Read the full article