WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
Evan Rodrigues winces in pain in front of Anaheim goalie Ryan Miller on Feb. 6. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Evan Rodrigues won’t deny the drought is on his mind. While it might not be eating the affable Sabres center up, he’s aware he hasn’t scored a goal yet this season.
“Second game of the year I get robbed on an unbelievable save,” Rodrigues said Friday inside KeyBank Center. “It seems like I can’t get a break since. It’s going to go in one of these days.”
If New York Rangers goalie Henrik ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has sat out four straight games. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Technically, Sabres winger Tage Thompson is a game-time decision for Saturday afternoon’s home tilt, coach Phil Housley said.
Still, it seems like Thompson, a healthy scratch the last four games, could return against the Vancouver Canucks. Thompson practiced at right wing beside center Johan Larsson and Patrik Berglund this afternoon. Meanwhile, Zemgus Girgensons, a regular on the fourth line, rotated in.
Thompson, 21, a scratch seven times this season, hasn’t played since ... 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
Rookie Rasmus Dahlin has certainly helped the Sabres generate more shots. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – How rare is the Sabres’ current streak of 40 or more shots on goal in three straight games? Well, before pumping 40 on New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist in Sunday’s 3-1 road loss, they hadn’t done it since March 2009.
Prior to Sunday, they generated 41 shots in Saturday afternoon’s 9-2 win against the Ottawa Senators and a season-high 48 in last Thursday’s 4-2 loss in Ottawa.
So in Thursday’s road tilt ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo said the Sabres started changing in training camp. ©2018, Hickling Images
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
Phil Housley’s wife, Karin, is the Republican nominee for a Minnesota Senate seat. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Phil Housley’s wife, Karin, is probably the coach’s biggest fan. Just check her Twitter account, which is filled with support for her husband and the Sabres.
But today, election day, is “her day,” Phil Housley said. Karin Housley is running as the Republican nominee in the Minnesota Senate race.
“She’s fought the good fight,” Phil Housley said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “She’s ran a really good, strong campaign. She’s worked tremendously hard ... 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
Linus Ullmark has started three games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark will start this afternoon’s tilt against the Ottawa Senators, his first nod at home this season.
In three appearances, Ullmark is 2-0-1 with a 2.00 goals against average, a .935 save percentage and one shutout. The Swede hasn’t played since making 32 saves in last Saturday’s 5-4 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I think he’s just been very comfortable in the net,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said ... 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