WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Carter Hutton has missed one game. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – After an upper-body injury forced him to miss Saturday afternoon’s 6-2 home loss to Philadelphia, Sabres goalie Carter Hutton was back practicing this morning inside HarborCenter.
Coach Phil Housley said he “definitely” expects his No. 1 netminder to return this week. The Sabres host Los Angeles on Tuesday and Arizona on Thursday before playing road games Saturday and Sunday.
“It was good to see him back battling,” Housley said inside KeyBank Center. “He ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has changed his game. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Earlier this season, as Sabres winger Tage Thompson struggled offensively, the thought of producing points consumed him.
“The first couple weeks, all I’m thinking about is I’m struggling to put up points,” said Thompson, who had scored three goals in the last four games entering Tuesday’s tilt against the San Jose Sharks.
Not surprisingly, Thompson’s entire game suffered. His confidence dipped. Following seven pointless outings, coach Phil Housley yanked him from the lineup.... Read the full article
Remi Elie has been the 13th forward much of the season, ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline winger Conor Sheary tonight against the San Jose Sharks, meaning Remi Elie will play again as the Sabres gun for their 10th consecutive victory.
Of course, Sabres coach Phil Housley might’ve kept Elie, his 13th forward much of the season, in the lineup if Sheary could play.
In his first appearance following 10 consecutive healthy scratches, Elie, 23, stood out in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win in Detroit.... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner (53) scores the overtime winner Friday afternoon. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Coach Phil Housley likened the mentality slick winger Jeff Skinner utilized to secure the Sabres’ eighth straight victory to “a dog on a bone.”
Skinner scored his second goal in Friday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime triumph by digging the puck out of the crease and burying it through traffic as he fell to the ice at 3:06.
“I didn’t see it go in,” said Skinner, who also tied the game against the Montreal Canadiens ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo had two assists Monday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Early in Monday’s come-from-behind victory in Pittsburgh, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo knew he was struggling.
As the Penguins built a 4-1 lead, Okposo was on the ice for the second and third goals.
“I wasn’t having a very good game,” Okposo acknowledged Tuesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers inside KeyBank Center.
A slew of factors have contributed to the Sabres’ thrilling six-game winning streak, a run that ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel scored 45 seconds into overtime Monday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
PITTSBURGH – By now, six games into the unlikeliest of winning streaks, the scorching Buffalo Sabres expect to conquer any deficit. Three goals? No problem. A rink they haven’t triumphed in since 2013? Big deal.
“There’s a bit of confidence now because we’ve done it a few times,” Sabres captain Jack Eichel said after his goal 45 seconds into overtime clinched a 5-4 victory over the reeling Penguins inside PPG Paints Arena.
Right now, the ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart moved to the top line Saturday afternoon. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – By now, after 99 games as Sabres coach, Phil Housley knows his group well enough he’s confident making line changes.
Three weeks ago, when Housley put wingers Jeff Skinner and Jason Pominville beside top center Jack Eichel, the Sabres went on a tear. The line quickly morphed into one of the NHL’s best.
“It’s definitely an experience with the group and how they play and … realizing when they are going, to ... Read the full article
Sabres goalie Carter Hutton watches Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson try to reach the puck Saturday afternoon. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Who would’ve thought the Sabres, the NHL’s laughingstock a year ago, would suddenly become such a resilient bunch?
Just 17 games into the season, coach Phil Housley has already developed trust among his players, helping the upstart Sabres build an identity and mature.
Take, for example, Saturday afternoon’s wild 4-3, come-from-behind shootout win against the Vancouver Canucks, a game in which the Sabres rallied from a two-goal deficit in the final 2:27 of ... Read the full article
The team presented Jason Pominville a silve sabre before the game. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Celebrations like the one the Sabres threw for Jason Pominville’s 1,000-game milestone often mean a long, distinguished career is entering its final stage.
These days, with 30 being considered old by NHL standards, very few players possess longevity like Pominville’s. Even fewer keep producing offense like they’re still in their mid-20s.
But right now, Pominville, a winger who has compiled 285 goals and 710 points over his NHL seasons, looks like he’s still ... Read the full article
Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark stops Mark Stone’s breakaway Saturday afternoon. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Watching your teammates throttle an opponent and pile up goal can be a negative and positive experience, Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark said.
“It’s both boring and really fun,” Ullmark said after making 27 saves in Saturday afternoon’s 9-2 win against the Ottawa Senators. “We had some really good goals today and guys battling up front, so that’s a lot of fun for me when I’m seeing that. …
“I’m happy as long as ... Read the full article