WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Training Camp Edition
Mark Pysyk has missed 20 games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With a “little crack” in his foot, Sabres defenseman Mark Pysyk couldn’t do much off-ice work as he spent the last six weeks recovering.
The boot he had to wear for a bit severely limited him.
“I could ride the bike with one leg and both my arms, so that’s not fun,” Pysyk said today after practicing inside the First Niagara Center.
But Pysyk, out the last 20 games, is finally getting close ... Read the full article
Sabres captain Brian Gionta skates away from the New York Islanders’ Thomas Hickey on Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following the Sabres’ 2-1 loss Thursday, center Ryan O’Reilly wasn’t taking any solace in the improved power play they showcased against the New York Islanders.
Sure, the Sabres’ struggling power play got its first goal, an O’Reilly score, in eight games, ending a zero for 24 run. And early on, with rookie center Jack Eichel promoted to the top unit, the Sabres pumped seven shots on goal during their first chance, helping them ... Read the full article
Matt Moulson has struggled all season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Struggling Sabres winger Matt Moulson understands that after going 24 games without scoring a goal – a career-long stretch that dates back to Nov. 1 – sitting out as a healthy scratch Wednesday was probably a good thing.
“I think … maybe (it) was a good time to just get my mind right and make sure I’m playing the way I’m capable of to help this team,” Moulson said Thursday inside the First ... Read the full article
Sabres defenseman Mike Weber (6) hounds New Jersey’s Joseph Blandisi earlier this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When you sweat and bleed for an emblem for so long, Sabres defenseman Mike Weber said, it becomes a part of you.
Weber, 28, is the Sabres’ longest-tenured player by two full years. Having debuted Oct. 26, 2007, he has experienced all the highs and lows of the team’s recent tumultuous history.
The Pittsburgh native will proudly tell you he has grown up in the organization and how much he loves Buffalo.
“I ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner has played part of one game this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Robin Lehner still has no firm timeline for his return to NHL game action. Right now, the Sabres goalie just plans to keep practicing, something he did with his teammates Tuesday for the first time since suffering a high right ankle sprain Oct. 8.
Still, Lehner knows he should be back soon, and that’s a good feeling for the Swede, who has played only 32 minutes since Feb. 16, when he suffered a ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner was injured opening night. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Robin Lehner still has no firm timeline for his return to NHL game action. Right now, the Sabres goalie just plans to keep practicing, something he did with his teammates today for the first time since suffering a high right ankle sprain Oct. 8.
Still, Lehner knows he should be back soon, and that’s a good feeling for the Swede, who has played only 32 minutes since Feb. 16, when he suffered ... Read the full article
Alex Ovechkin scored his 493rd NHL goal Monday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – At some points this season, the Sabres’ power play was their backbone, generating critical goals when they couldn’t score five-on-five.
But these days, the Sabres are awful on the man advantage. After going scoreless in three opportunities in Monday’s chippy 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals before a sellout crowd of 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center, the Sabres have converted zero of their last 17 chances over the past six games.... Read the full article
Evander Kane played a strong game Monday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Evander Kane, the subject of a sex offense investigation by Buffalo police, declared his innocence Monday morning prior to playing in his team’s 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals.
“There’s not a whole lot I can say,” Kane told a throng of reporters and cameras inside the First Niagara Center. “I just want to say I’ve done nothing wrong. I look forward to clearing my name.”
In a 25-second statement, ... Read the full article
Evander Kane will play tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Evander Kane, the subject of a sex offense investigation by Buffalo police following an alleged incident at a downtown hotel Sunday morning, said today he has done nothing wrong and looks forward to clearing his name.
Kane, 24, will play tonight against the Washington Capitals and skated this morning with his teammates inside the First Niagara Center. Prior to taking the ice, Kane addressed his teammates with coach Dan Bylsma ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel had a career-high four points Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Coach Dan Bylsma isn’t sure what sparked it. Perhaps it was Jack Eichel’s secondary assist on the first goal Saturday in Boston. Or maybe it was the slick center’s tying score late in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-3 comeback win against the Bruins, the rookie’s first NHL game in his hometown.
Whatever happened, for the first time in a while, Bylsma said, Eichel simply enjoyed playing and “not carrying the weight of having to ... Read the full article