Pominville - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jack Eichel scoring points, not worried about goals

BUFFALO – It’s hard to quibble with Jack Eichel’s torrid start. In the last eight games, the slick Sabres captain has compiled a hefty 12 points. Right now, he’s pivoting perhaps the NHL’s best line between scorching wingers Jeff Skinner and Jason Pominville.

Through the first 15 contests, Eichel has scored a team-leading 17 points. At his current pace, he would have 93 points over a full season, the most since Daniel Briere had ... Read the full article

Sabres generating offense, showcasing maturity in recent weeks

BUFFALO – In Sunday’s 3-1 road loss, the Sabres thoroughly outplayed the New York Rangers, outshooting them a whopping 40-21.

Other than a 19-second span in which the Rangers scored twice, the Sabres held them in check, staying on the offensive and peppering goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

While the Sabres lost for the fourth time in five outings (1-2-2), the game illustrates how much they’ve grown this season. If they keep performing like they did Sunday ... Read the full article

Sabres honor Jason Pominville for 1,000th game, annihilate Senators

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’ Jason Pominville still thriving at 1,000-game mark

BUFFALO – Shortly before winger Jason Pominville started his milestone 1,000th NHL game Thursday, coach Phil Housley finished addressing the Sabres and briefly left the dressing room.

“Phil did his pregame speech and he’s like, ‘Wait, I forgot something,’” Pominville said Friday inside KeyBank Center.

When Housley returned, he brought Pominville’s wife, Kim, and two children, Jayden and Kaylee Rose, with him.

“When I saw them in the room, I almost had tears in my ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jason Pominville experienced unique road to 1,000 games

BUFFALO – Of all the places it could’ve been played, it turns out Jason Pominville will hit the prestigious 1,000-game mark tonight in Ottawa, the site of the winger’s signature moment, the dynamic short-handed overtime goal against the powerhouse Senators that pushed the underdog Sabres into the 2006 Eastern Conference final.

“(I) had some great, great moments there, probably my best moment as a player there,” Pominville said earlier this week inside KeyBank Center. “The ... Read the full article

Sabres waste goalie Carter Hutton’s strong effort in overtime loss

BUFFALO – Carter Hutton’s grip on the starting job isn’t exactly firm. Following a strong start, the Sabres goalie had cooled off a bit in recent outings before Tuesday’s stellar effort in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames.

While Hutton, 32, has handled the load early, playing nine of the first 12 games, he has competition from backup Linus Ullmark, who has looked impressive in limited action.

Hutton began Tuesday sporting an ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Nathan Beaulieu returns feeling confident

BUFFALO – The sample size was small – just seven games before Nathan Beaulieu left the Sabres lineup. Still, in the first two weeks of 2018-19, the defenseman looked rejuvenated following a miserable season, showcasing a much calmer style.

“When I was playing, I thought I was playing with a lot more confidence,” Beaulieu said prior to returning for Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. “I wasn’t really worried about making mistakes. I ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Rasmus Dahlin has new partner; Tage Thompson to play again

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

Sabres’ Jake McCabe feeling confident, building offensive game

BUFFALO – With just under seven minutes left in Thursday’s 4-3 win, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe made eye contact with winger Conor Sheary and took off for the left circle.

As Sheary skated back to the right point, he dished the puck through traffic to a streaking McCabe, who corralled the pass and quickly fed winger Sam Reinhart for the tying goal against the Montreal Canadiens.

The aggressiveness McCabe, 25, showcased on that play ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back, beat Canadiens

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, the Sabres would’ve wilted in a game like Thursday’s wild 4-3 comeback victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

The upstart Sabres fell behind by one goal three times, including just 77 seconds into the tilt and again early in the third period. Each time, however, they rallied, refusing to deviate from their game plan.

“You just stay calm, composed, collected and good things happen,” said winger Kyle Okposo, whose power-play ... Read the full article