WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Carter Hutton made 29 saves Tuesday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over their three-game winning streak, winger Kyle Okposo believes the Sabres have played just a period and a half of “real good” hockey.
“We’ve got some stuff to clean up,” Okposo said after scoring in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over the Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning. “Obviously, we’re getting two points and good teams find a way to win.”
Yes, believe it or not, the Sabres are finally a good team again. They improved ... 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
Sam Reinhart returned to Saturday afternoon’s game with some stitches. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel have been Sabres teammates for 263 games over the last three-plus seasons.
In that time, Reinhart, 23, has compiled 67 goals and 151 points. On two occasions, the winger enjoyed a three-goal outing. In five other games, he recorded three points.
But Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 come-from-behind shootout win against the Vancouver Canucks might’ve been Reinhart’s best performance ever, according to Eichel.
“I thought Reino played awesome,” Eichel said. ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has a team-best 17 points. ©2018, Hickling Images
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
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
Jason Pominville has been skating on the first line. ©2018, Hickling Images
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
Jason Pominville scored twice Thursday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
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
The Sabres acquired Jeff Skinner on August 2. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – For years, Sabres newcomer Jeff Skinner annoyed defenseman Jake McCabe.
Skinner constantly hounds the puck, forechecking and backchecking ferociously. The shifty winger often escapes defenders who believe they have him stymied.
When the diminutive Skinner grabs the puck, you can be sure he will beeline to the net. And after the whistle, the three-time 30-goal scorer loves talking a little trash.
“He’s just a little pest,” McCabe said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “Yeah, ... Read the full article
