[Incomplete Title] Sabres (21-12-5) & NHL 2018-19 - Game 39 (MSG-B) vs. BOS (20-14-4) at 7 PM ET on 12/29

[Kelly the Dog]

Two sweet looking goals. Nice period overall. Let's see if they can keep it up.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

 

 

[K-9]

Workmanlike. Nice.

 

Coyotes are much better than their record indicates. They play teams the full 60. Well earned win for the good guys tonight.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

FINAL: Coyotes 1 - Sabres 3

 

Buffalo defeats Arizona to wrap up the four-game homestand.

• Full Play By Play
• Sabres Ice Time

Post-Game Report: 12/13 vs. Arizona

 

Final Score

	1st	2nd	3rd	OT	SO	Final	SOG
Coyotes   (13-15-2)	1	0	0	–	–	1	26
Sabres   (19-9-4)	2	0	1	–	–	3	33

 

Game Summary

Event Summary

 

Top Notes

• Tonight’s win improved the Sabres to 11-3-2 (.750) at home and 8-2-1 against the Pacific Division this season. They are now 14-3-1 in their last 18 games against the Coyotes, including a 9-2-1 record since the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
  • The team’s .750 points percentage at home puts the Sabres on pace for their fifth-best home record ever, and the best since the 1979-80 season (27-5-8, .775).
• Carter Hutton stopped 25 of 26 shots (.962) to earn his sixth consecutive win at home. On the season, he’s 9-2-1 at home with a .928 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average.
• With his 22nd goal of the season, Jeff Skinner extended his point streak to four games (2+2). Jack Eichel’s assist on the goal also extended his point streak to four games (5+2).
  • Skinner has now totaled eight points (4+4) in his last seven games against the Coyotes.
• Sam Reinhart’s assist on Skinner’s goal extended his career-best point streak to eight games (5+6). It is the Sabres’ longest streak of the season and the third-longest active streak in the NHL.
  • Reinhart now has 24 points (8+16) in his last 24 games.
• With their points tonight, Evan Rodrigues and Conor Sheary each have a goal and two assists in their last three games against the Coyotes.

Tonight’s Goaltenders

 

Tonight’s Stats
Team	Goaltender	Decision	SV%	GAA
Coyotes	Kuemper	L	.909	3.15
Sabres	Hutton	W	.962	1.00

Updated Season Stats
Team	Goaltender	Record	SV%	GAA
Coyotes	Kuemper	4-7-2	.909	2.85
Sabres	Hutton	13-8-1	.919	2.53

 

Post-Game Audio

Sabres head coach Phil Housley

Sabres forward Jack Eichel

Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues

Sabres goaltender Carter Hutton

Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet

Coyotes forward Christian Fischer

Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski

Coyotes defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson

[26CornerBlitz]

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[JohnC]

This game wasn't especially entertaining but it was a good workmanlike game. The Sabres played a tight game. 

 

As with almost every game we received solid goaltending. 

 

The pass from Reinhart to Jack to Skinner for the score was a beauty to behold. Few players could make that saucer pass to start the scoring play. Getting Skinner to finish plays was a bonanza for this team and for Jack. 

 

Bogo is a tough player. He plays a hard and rugged game. But it shouldn't be forgotten that he can skate and pass so he really fits in well with Housley's defensive scheme. 

 

Mittlestadt has recently struggled but in this game he and his line played well. Okoposo was really feisty in this game. If this line could click a little more on offense it would give this team a boost.

 

Tage shows glimpses of how much offensive talent he has. He can skate and shoot. He is also putting in the effort to play a solid defensive game. In or year or two when this young guy  physically matures from having a lanky body to a more muscular body he is going to be a very good player for us. He's only 20 yrs old so the future is bright. 

 

I don't see Pilut going back down to Rochester even when McCabe and Scandella return. He's really impressive and very poised. Our defensive unit with Risto, Dahlin, Bogo, Pilut and McCabe form a very good unit. Housley has a group that fits in with the style of play he wants to install. And don't forget about Guhle in Rochester. 

[shrader]

John, you’re comment on bogosian really sticks out to me. He has been something I’ve been wanting to comment on for a while. I’m not one to get superstitious, but at the same time, I can’t convince myself to say a single word about his game. I love watching him out there, but this is the most I dare to say about him. 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[eball]

Those were a couple of big wins this week...and nice to see some secondary scoring come forward as well.  Would love to squeeze two points out of the weekend games at WAS and BOS.

[26CornerBlitz]

15 minutes ago, eball said:

Those were a couple of big wins this week...and nice to see some secondary scoring come forward as well.  Would love to squeeze two points out of the weekend games at WAS and BOS.

 

The 1st opponent the two big road tests this weekend.

[Cripple Creek]

9 hours ago, JohnC said:

This game wasn't especially entertaining but it was a good workmanlike game. The Sabres played a tight game. 

 

As with almost every game we received solid goaltending. 

Workmanlike it may have been, but (if you care to) compare the chances last night vs. last year or any of the prior few years.  The passing is crisp and the chances are there.  This is a really fun team to watch, even when the provide a workmanlike performance.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[JohnC]

8 hours ago, shrader said:

John, you’re comment on bogosian really sticks out to me. He has been something I’ve been wanting to comment on for a while. I’m not one to get superstitious, but at the same time, I can’t convince myself to say a single word about his game. I love watching him out there, but this is the most I dare to say about him. 

I always have this fear about him when I watch him play: Getting hurt. He's a tough guy and an enforcer. However, I don't want him to get in fights and increase his risk for getting hurt. 

 

I said this in a prior post but with the return of Bogo, the drafting of Dahlin and the addition of Pilut added to McCabe and Risto you can see a good unit forming. And if you consider that Guhle is in the short pipeline then that back unit is starting to emerge.  

10 minutes ago, Cripple Creek said:

Workmanlike it may have been, but (if you care to) compare the chances last night vs. last year or any of the prior few years.  The passing is crisp and the chances are there.  This is a really fun team to watch, even when the provide a workmanlike performance.

You make an excellent observation about the passing. Paul Hamilton from WGR has often stated in prior years that this team was the worst passing team in the league. He pointed out that it was a reflection of the lack of talent. This team certainly can pass. In my opinion the two best passers are Dahlin and Reinhart. Reinhart's saucer pass to Jack for the Skinner score was exquisite. 

 

As you pointed out last year's team was unwatchable. I stopped watching them last year. It was gruesome to consume. This year for the most part the games are entertaining. What makes them watching is that players like Jack, Skinner, Dahlin, etc make top shelf plays that are to be admired and enjoyed. 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Edited December 14, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Edited December 14, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[Big Gun]

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

12-14: ESPN's Greg Wyshynski with Bulldog & Sal on WGR (23:11)

 

Get your #Sabres & hockey fix now with @wyshynski who joins Bulldog & Sal!

 

Wyshynski - If you're looking at who might be the next Blackhawks, tank a little, get it going, become a great team, Buffalo is at the top of the list. #Sabres

 

Wyshynski - I would argue Buffalo has always been a critical market for the NHL. When the ratings come in, Buffalo is always at the top of the list even when the #Sabres are horrible.

 

Wyshynski - Not always about the size of the city. The party that occurred in Nashville & Winnipeg in the playoffs became the star of the show.

 

Wyshynski - They're top heavy! Two guys in double digits with goals & they play together. They're further proving that you only really need one great line. Colorado did the same thing last year. #Sabres

 

Wyshynski - One thing I definitely got wrong is I thought Mittelstadt could be what Matt Barzal was for the Isles last year. But, bright future. What it takes to challenge for Cups is two great centers. #Sabres

 

Wyshynski - The math checks out. The #Sabres would have to go into a pretty decent skid or someone would have to get super super hot for them to miss.

 

Wyshynski - All It Takes Is One Good Line to Power the Rest of Your Roster
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski Joined Bulldog and Sal on Friday to Talk More on the Resurgent Sabres

 

 

The Buffalo Sabres have become one of the NHL's more pleasant surprises this season with 42 points and a 19-9-4 record. Center Jack Eichel is tenth in the league with 39 points, while winger Jeff Skinner is second in the league in goals with 22 on the year. 

 

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski joined Bulldog and Sal to talk more about the rejuvenated Sabres, their potential for long-term success, the Buffalo market's importance to the NHL and much more around the league. 

 

Here are some quotes from Wyshynski with Bulldog and Sal on Friday afternoon:

Edited December 15, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[26CornerBlitz]

 

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Game Preview: 12/15/18 at Washington

 

GAME-DAY RESOURCES

 

Game Notes

NHL Stats

 

LAST GAME
Thursday, December 13
Arizona 1 at Buffalo 3
Goals: Mittelstadt, Skinner, Rodrigues
Goalie: Hutton (25 saves/26 shots)
PP: 0/1; PK: 2/2; Shots: Buffalo 33 – Arizona 26

 

CURRENT INJURIES – (Man Games Lost: 125)
Player (injury, first game missed) – total games missed
Matt Hunwick (neck, Oct. 4; injured reserve) – 32 games
Scott Wilson (ankle, Oct. 4; injured reserve) – 32 games
Marco Scandella (upper body, Nov. 27; injured reserve) – 8 games
Jake McCabe (upper body, Nov. 29; injured reserve) – 6 games
Casey Nelson (upper body, Dec. 8; injured reserve) – 3 games
Patrik Berglund (illness, Dec. 11) – 2 games

 

TRANSACTIONS IN PAST 7 DAYS
12/12: Assigned D Matt Hunwick to Rochester (AHL) on a conditioning loan

 

UPCOMING GAMES
Sunday, Dec. 16: Buffalo at Boston, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 18: Florida at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 21: Buffalo at Washington, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 22: Anaheim at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 27: Buffalo at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

 

TONIGHT’S GAME
SABRES at CAPITALS

• This is the first of three meetings between the Sabres and Capitals this season.
• Last meeting: Washington defeated Buffalo 5-1 in Washington on Feb. 24
• Next meeting: Friday, Dec. 21 in Washington
• The Sabres are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games vs. the Capitals; 3-6-1 on the road.
• This is the 159th game all-time between Buffalo and Washington; Buffalo has an 88-50-20 series record.
• The Sabres are 41-27-11 on the road against the Capitals all-time.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

 

[BillsFan4]

https://theathletic.com/714803/2018/12/15/the-making-of-a-captain-how-jack-eichel-swiftly-changed-the-sabres-culture-and-the-feeling-in-a-city-that-deserves-a-winning-team/

 

nice article about Eichel becoming captain on the athletic, for those with subscriptions. 

 

Quote

He has the courage to call out other players and the elite skill to live up to the same demands.

 

“What you’re seeing this year is what I saw a lot of in our one year at BU,” said Sabres forward and former Boston University teammate Evan Rodrigues. “His will to win is unlike anyone else. That’s all he wants is to win. That’s what drives him.

“Now that we’re doing that, he’s pushing more than ever.”

 

Losing was acceptable in Buffalo for a long time, an apathy that’s been banished this season. After a recent stretch in which the Sabres won 10 straight and earned points in 12 of 14, the Sabres fell on their face with a 6-2 loss to the Flyers. There was a team meeting the next day.

 

“We were dog *****, and he wasn’t shy to go up and say something,” defenseman Nathan Beaulieu said. “He’s got a lot of guys that are a lot older than him and have more experience than him, but he doesn’t back down from having that captaincy. He’s very stern, and he believes in the message he’s sending.”

 

Quote

What stands out most is how hungry he is,” left wing Tage Thompson said. “He’s wanting the best out of everyone in the room. He holds everyone in here accountable, and at the same time when you hold people accountable, you’ve got to be able to back it up yourself. Obviously, he can do that and has done that.”

 

Eichel’s insistence on excellence may make him sound like a tyrant, but the list of players who have more fun in the dressing room is short.

 

“He’s not clowning around or anything like that, but he’s a funny guy,” goalie Linus Ullmark said. “He jokes around with all the boys.”

 

“Between periods, he’s making sure the locker room’s not quiet,” Rodrigues added. “When teams are down it gets really quiet in intermissions. He’s not letting that happen. Even if it’s not yelling at guys or telling guys to wake up, he’s always vocal, always going.

 

“When you’re more upbeat, you have more success, you play better, you have more jump in your step. I think he’s done a great job of doing that.”

 

[plenzmd1]

9 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

 

that can't be good..

 

arrested?

pissed he sits?

canoodling with a PSE employee?

 

I mean we need answers!!!

[LikeIGiveADarn]

31 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

that can't be good..

 

arrested?

pissed he sits?

canoodling with a PSE employee?

 

I mean we need answers!!!

 

Sounds like a playing time issue. But more importantly, we might be able to get out of that contract!!

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Edited December 15, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

John Vogl‏Verified account @BuffaloVogl

 

Patrik Berglund has two goals, two assists in 23 games while skating 13:02 per night, often on the fourth line. He was not happy about getting benched/scratched just seven games into the season, though he was struggling defensively.

7:18 AM - 15 Dec 2018

Edited December 15, 2018 by OldTimeAFLGuy

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[eball]

So did Berglund just pull a Vontae Davis?

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 minute ago, eball said:

So did Berglund just pull a Vontae Davis?

 

......puck both of them............

[Pete]

3 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

......puck both of them............

motherpuckers!

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[26CornerBlitz]