Surging Sabres show signs of blossoming in late-season run
One year and one day later, Sabres coach Don Granato still reflects on the encouraging text message forward Kyle Okposo sent following what stands as one of the lowest moments in franchise history. “We will win,” Granato said, recalling Okposo’s text shortly after Buffalo squandered a 3-0 third-period lead in a 4-3 overtime loss to Philadelphia that extended the Sabres' losing streak to 0-15-3, matching the NHL’s 18th-longest skid. “That message will stick with me forever,” Granato said Wednesday.
news.yahoo.comSenators-Kraken becomes 92nd NHL game postponed this season
Senators Maple Leafs Hockey Ottawa Senators goaltender Matt Murray turns to face a bank of empty seats at the Scotiabank Arena during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) (Chris Young)The NHL on Monday postponed the Seattle Kraken’s home game scheduled for Thursday against Ottawa because of COVID-19 problems with the Senators. It’s the 92nd NHL game to be postponed for coronavirus-related reasons this season. The Buffalo Sabres added forward Kyle Okposo and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to the league’s COVID-19 protocol list. The Dallas Stars removed 10 players from the list and appear to be on track to resume play Thursday.
wftv.comCoyle gets OT winner as Bruins rally past Sabres, 4-3
Sabres Bruins Hockey Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) (Mary Schwalm)BOSTON — (AP) — Charlie Coyle scored on a wrist shot from the slot 34 seconds into overtime and Boston completed a 4-3 comeback victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday in the Bruins’ first game in 16 days. The Bruins outshot the Sabres 41-24 to snap a two-game losing streak. Alex Tuch added a power-play score and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 37 saves for the Sabres, who have lost their last three games. … Fourteen years ago, the Sabres hosted Pittsburgh in the inaugural Winter Classic at the home of the Buffalo Bills.
wftv.comNHL admits it made wrong call in disallowing Sabres' goal
Rangers Sabres Hockey Buffalo Sabres right wing Victor Olofsson (71) celebrates after his goal which was later waved off during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) (Jeffrey T. Barnes)BUFFALO, N.Y. — (AP) — The NHL announced it made the wrong call in disallowing what would have been the Buffalo Sabres’ tying goal in the final minute of a 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers. The goal was disallowed after a replay showed Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin crossed the Rangers blue line before the puck entered the zone. Because replays were inconclusive, Campbell said officials should have followed league policy in staying with the original call of a goal being scored. Without disputing the ruling following the game, Sabres coach Don Granato said he asked officials if they could further review whether Dahlin had tagged up. ___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comNHL admits it made wrong call in disallowing Sabres' goal
The NHL announced it made the wrong call in disallowing what would have been the Buffalo Sabres’ tying goal in the final minute of a 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers. In a statement released by the league on Saturday, senior executive VP Colin Campbell said Victor Olofsson’s goal scored with 57 seconds remaining Friday night should have stood because video replays could not “definitively determine” whether the Sabres were offside entering the zone. Sabres coach Don Granato shrugged off the NHL’s admission when speaking prior to Saturday night’s game against the Washington Capitals.
news.yahoo.comOffseason of dysfunction has Sabres seeking a fresh start
Jack Eichel, now stripped of his captaincy, has likely played his final game for the Sabres because of a rift with the team over how to treat a herniated disk. Forward Sam Reinhart and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen got their wish to escape Buffalo after being traded in July. Despite another offseason of headaches and negative headlines, veteran forward Kyle Okposo chose his words carefully in assessing why he believes the Sabres might be finally pointed in the right direction after spending the past decade dwelling mostly in dysfunction.
news.yahoo.comSabres hire Don Granato as coach to turn around franchise
Sabres Coach Hockey FILE - Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato gives instructions during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, in this Saturday, May 8, 2021, file photo. The Buffalo Sabres hired Don Granato as their new head coach on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Granato had been the interim head coach after replacing Ralph Krueger behind the bench at midseason. Though a first-time NHL coach, Granato brings a wealth of experience and a family name well-known in hockey circles. He won an ECHL championship in 2000 coaching Peoria, been a head coach at the AHL level, and also worked as a scout.
wftv.comSabres remove interim tag, name Don Granato head coach
Sabres Coach Hockey FILE - Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato gives instructions during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, in this Saturday, May 8, 2021, file photo. The Buffalo Sabres hired Don Granato as their new head coach on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Granato had been the interim head coach after replacing Ralph Krueger behind the bench at midseason. Granato had been the interim head coach after replacing Ralph Krueger behind the bench at midseason. Though a first-time NHL coach, Granato brings a wealth of experience and a family name well-known in hockey circles.
wftv.comSabres end 18-game skid with 6-1 win over Flyers
Buffalo Sabres celebrate a goal by center Curtis Lazar (27) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)BUFFALO, N.Y. – Embarrassment for Brandon Montour and the Buffalo Sabres turned into relief on Wednesday night. The Sabres ended their 18-game skid — the NHL’s longest in 17 years — with a resounding 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. AdThe Sabres also snapped a 0-9-2 home skid, one short of matching a franchise record set during the 1990-91 season. After Philadelphia’s Ivan Provorov scored 3:50 into the second period, Buffalo responded by closing the period with goals from Fogarty and Casey Mittelstadt.
The Latest: Sabres to have limited number of fans at 4 games
The Sabres added another option of proof of a negative antigen COVID-19 test within six hours of the doors opening. The Sabres had fans in attendance only once this season. No other players or coaches were affected by the coach’s positive test. ___Buffalo Sabres interim coach Don Granato and assistant Matt Ellis are headed back to work after being cleared from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Ad___The Michigan Wolverines are out of the NCAA Division I men's hockey tournament because of positive COVID-19 test results within the team's Tier 1 testing group.
The Latest: Sabres coaches placed in NHL COVID protocol
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Buffalo Sabres interim coach Don Granato and assistant Matt Ellis have been placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The development leaves general manager Kevyn Adams taking over behind the bench for Buffalo’s game at Pittsburgh on Thursday night. This marks the second time the Sabres have been hit by COVID-19 in two months. Buffalo’s season was paused for two weeks in early February after nine players and then-coach Ralph Krueger were placed in the protocol. The university said the team went through seven rounds of testing in the seven days leading up to its departure for Albany on Wednesday.