BUFFALO – The desperation began as soon as Sabres center Josh Norris broke his stick in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins and lasted about 10 seconds.
As the Bruins buzzed around the Buffalo zone early in the second period, a stickless Norris immediately sacrificed his body, dropping to the ice to thwart his opponent and keep the puck out of his net.
When the puck went down low, he dove next the crease to try to get his glove on it. When it moved back out, he got on his feet, skated into the left circle and stuck out his left skate to block the shot.
“Just did everything in my power to make sure we didn’t get scored on, really,” Norris told the Times Herald following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “I think at that point, you’re just trying not to get scored on. And then once the play kind of died down a little bit, I just tried to get back to the bench as quick as I could.”
As the Sabres have started rattling off victories – they carry an eight-game win streak into tonight’s road contest against the St. Louis Blues – those type of max-effort plays have run through the lineup.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Norris’ battle illustrates “the desperation and willingness to do what it takes to win a game from anybody.”
Of course, Norris, who has battled injuries over the years, is known for his scoring prowess.
“(We’re the) kind of team that whatever it takes to win a game, we’re going to do it, and it doesn’t matter who you are,” Ruff said. “I think that’s really what sums it up, and when you start feeling good about winning, you get a lot of buy-in from a lot of different places.”
Josh Norris cares #LetsGoBuffalo #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/tZubzPxYxv
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 28, 2025