WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
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
Phil Housley’s team went 6-4-2 in October. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – If you had told Phil Housley prior to the season the Sabres would finish October a solid 6-4-2, the second-year coach said he would’ve been pretty happy.
The Sabres, of course, hardly enjoyed a perfect month. They suffered some blowout losses. Right now, they’ve lost two straight games in overtime.
Still, the Sabres have a five-game point streak (3-0-2) entering Thursday’s tilt in Ottawa. They’re clearly a much better team than last season, ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin has already had a few defense partners. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If you’re counting, Sabres veteran Rasmus Ristolainen will become rookie Rasmus Dahlin’s third defense partner in just his 12th NHL appearance.
Dahlin, 18, started with Jake McCabe before moving beside Casey Nelson, acquitting himself well with both.
So why move Dahlin for tonight’s tilt against the Calgary Flames? Wouldn’t some stability benefit the first overall pick?
Sabres coach Phil Housley said he partnered Dahlin with Ristolainen to give the talented neophyte “more of ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has scored a goal in three straight games. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In his 12-year career, Kyle Okposo has never played so little over a four-game stretch. The Sabres winger hasn’t even cracked the 12-minute mark.
Okposo, 30, received more minutes as a teenage rookie in 2007-08 and in 2012-13, when he struggled so badly he scored just four goals in the lockout-shortened season.
Of course, Okposo’s recent ice time hasn’t hurt his production. In fact, he’s producing more.
Despite averaging only 11 minutes, 13 ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner is pointless in four games this season. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The tenacity Sabres winger Jeff Skinner has showcased early this season impresses coach Phil Housley.
“I really like the way he’s working, his forechecking,” Housley said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “He steals pucks and he strips pucks. (I like) the way he’s coming back into our zone. There’s just nothing evolving from that point.”
Skinner, 26, is pointless in first four outings with the Sabres. So Housley moved the left winger, an ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt knows he must evolve. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt has produced goals and points at every level of hockey. So right now, 10 games into his NHL career, the rookie said he isn’t worried about his offense.
“I’m sure the offense will come, it usually does,” Mittelstadt said prior to Thursday’s 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche inside KeyBank Center. “I’m pretty good with that.”
Mittelstadt, 19, has been an offensive stud wherever he plays. Last season, he ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has always been a scorer. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt has produced goals and points at every level of hockey. So right now, nine games into his NHL career, the rookie said he isn’t worried about his offense.
“I’m sure the offense will come, it usually does,” Mittelstadt said this morning after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Colorado Avalanche inside KeyBank Center. “I’m pretty good with that.”
Mittelstadt, 19, has been an offensive stud wherever he ... Read the full article
A lower-body injury sidelined Johan Larsson. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – In his brief time with the Sabres, center Casey Mittelstadt has never even practiced beside Johan Larsson, who will return from a lower-body injury tonight.
While the Sabres used the same lineup in two straight wins, coach Phil Housley wants to give Larsson, 26, a look. So the Swede, who usually plays center, will skate at left wing beside Mittelstadt and Tage Thompson tonight against the Colorado Avalanche inside KeyBank Center.
Larsson, ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has a stronger supporting cast this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Depth means coach Phil Housley can utilize his so-called fourth line for critical defensive zone faceoffs. It means the Sabres can replace former center Ryan O’Reilly’s minutes by committee. It means it can often be hard to distinguish between the first and fourth trios.
Right now, for the first time in years, the 2-1 Sabres possess depth up front and the ability to roll four lines.
“We’ve been rolling them pretty good,” center ... Read the full article