With nine regulars out of the lineup and the sting of Friday’s loss to Columbus still fresh in their minds, it wouldn’t have been inconceivable to think the Buffalo Sabres could be in for a long night against the Washington Capitals. But a trio of rookies provided just the spark they needed to handily defeat the listless Capitals 5-1 at First Niagara Center.
Luke Adam scored twice and Zack Kassian picked up his first career NHL goal to lead the way for Buffalo. Defenseman Brayden McNabb, recalled earlier in the day to replace the injured Robyn Regehr, skated 13:42 of ice time and chipped in a game-high six hits.
Adam and Jason Pominville staked Buffalo to a first period lead, then the Capitals cut that in half with a penalty shot goal by Jason Chimera 6:39 into the second. But rather than fritter away another two-goal lead, Kassian responded just 27 seconds later when he drove down the right side and fired a shot between the pads of Washington netminder Tomas Vokoun. It was a deflating goal that the Caps never recovered from.
“Obviously, anytime another team scores a goal you want to respond with either a good shift or maybe a goal or a hit or something like that,” said Kassian. “It worked out well. We just tried to throw it on net for a rebound off the pad with the middle lane driving. Lucky for me it snuck through the five-hole and it went in. It was a nice burden to get off my back and now I can focus on playing.
Lindy Ruff agreed that Kassian’s goal took the wind out of Washington’s sails for the rest of the night.
“I thought [the Kassian goal] was really a momentum killer for them. That could have taken them a long ways the other direction. I thought us answering right away put out a little of their drive.”
Playing in his second NHL game, Kassian also provided a big physical presence tonight with five hits. A glass-rattling check on Jeff Schultz early in the game seemed to set his tone for the night.
“It’s important. Part of Zack’s game has to be physical,” said Ruff. “Combined with the skill he’s got, [his physical game] should be a great weapon.”
Paul Szczechura, also recalled from Rochester today, assisted on both of Adam’s goals. Jochen Hecht scored his first goal of the year on a shorthanded breakway late in the third period to cap the Buffalo scoring. It was Hecht’s first goal since March 12 of last season in Toronto.
Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin was a non-factor in the game, finishing minus-4 and taking just two shots.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Buffalo Sabres defeat Carolina Hurricanes 1-0
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth got a chance to make up for a bad game right away.
With Ryan Miller out following a concussion, Enroth got the start even after he gave up five goals 2 days earlier. Enroth made up for it and then some - making 34 saves for his first shutout of the season, helping the Sabres beat the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 Friday night.
Jason Pominville scored for Buffalo, which won its seventh road game. "We've been a pretty good road team," Pominville said. "We're happy with the way we play on the road."
Carolina has lost seven of its last eight games to sink to the bottom of the Southeast Division standings and prompt speculation about the job security of coach Paul Maurice. The Hurricanes have only scored nine goals in their last seven losses and have been shut out in back-to-back games after losing 4-0 in Montreal on Wednesday.
"The zero on our side tonight and the zero on our side against Montreal are two completely different animals," Maurice said. "We had maybe some chances in Montreal but gave up 10 to get each one we got."
Back-up goalie Brian Boucher made 19 saves for the Hurricanes while starting in place of Cam Ward. Boucher has yet to post a win this season.
Pominville extended his point streak to six games midway through the first period. With the Sabres on the power play, Pominville finished a scramble in front of Boucher by smacking a rebound into the top-right corner of the net. Pominville has three goals and five assists during his streak. Thomas Vanek got an assist on the play for his eighth point (three goals, five assists) in his last six games. Vanek and Pominville have combined on a goal 19 times this season.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Cowboys Kill Buffalo 44-7
The 5-4 Buffalo Bills dropped their second straight game with a 44-7 loss to the 5-4 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a tough time getting the ball out in the contest, as he completed 20 out of 31 passes for 146 yards for one touchdown and three interceptions. On the ground, Fred Jackson ran 13 times for 114 yards and had one fumble lost.
It was an ugly performance by the Bills, who got killed by Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray. Romo went 23 for 26 with 270 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. The game was over for all intensive purposes in the first half. Romo did not even throw a pass in the 4th quarter. Murray was sensational, rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills season is not over, but they may now have to finish the season 5-2 in their last 7 games to make the playoffs. They will meet the 2-7 Miami Dolphins next week in Miami.
It was an ugly performance by the Bills, who got killed by Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray. Romo went 23 for 26 with 270 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. The game was over for all intensive purposes in the first half. Romo did not even throw a pass in the 4th quarter. Murray was sensational, rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills season is not over, but they may now have to finish the season 5-2 in their last 7 games to make the playoffs. They will meet the 2-7 Miami Dolphins next week in Miami.
Buffalo Sabres defeat Winnipeg Jets in overtime
The Buffalo Sabres made the Winnipeg Jets pay the price for their constant parade to the penalty box. The Sabres scored 4 powerplay goals, including the game winner with less than 30 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Sabres a 6-5 victory. The Sabres overcome four deficits to win for the third consecutive game.
Vanek's tip-in of a shot by Jason Pominville was the Sabres' fourth power-play goal of the night -- on their 12th advantage. It came with Blake Wheeler in the penalty box for hooking. The Sabres worked the puck around to Pominville in the left circle, where he ripped a shot that Vanek tipped past goalie Ondrej Pavelec. The goal was Vanek's second of the game and 10th of the season.
Vanek's tip-in of a shot by Jason Pominville was the Sabres' fourth power-play goal of the night -- on their 12th advantage. It came with Blake Wheeler in the penalty box for hooking. The Sabres worked the puck around to Pominville in the left circle, where he ripped a shot that Vanek tipped past goalie Ondrej Pavelec. The goal was Vanek's second of the game and 10th of the season.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Mark Sanchez scared to death of Drayton Florence
Mark Sanchez had a very nice game passing the football against the Buffalo Bills sunday in the Jets 27-11 victory. However, late in the game when the Jets were looking to run out the clock, a funny play happened. Drayton Florence jumped at Sanchez causing him to jump away in fright. It's unfortunate that the Bills could not have put that fear into Sanchez before the game started.
Jets get victory in first matchup of season against Bills
Mark Sanchez threw a touchdown to Santonio Holmes, and the New York Jets' sturdy defense forced three turnovers in a 27-11 win over the Buffalo Bills in a key AFC East midseason showdown Sunday.
Sanchez's 8-yard pass to Holmes with 3:27 left in the third quarter helped blow open the game as the Jets (5-3) won their third straight - and first on the road - to move into a tie with the Bills (5-3). LaDainian Tomlinson also scored on a 1-yard dive in the second half, three plays after Jim Leonhard recovered Fred Jackson's fumble.
The Jets' defense sealed the win in the first minute of the fourth quarter when Calvin Pace and Bart Scott combined to stop Jackson on fourth-and-inches at the New York 15.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions before adding a mean-nothing touchdown with 3:14 left in Buffalo's first home loss.
Jets defeat Bills 27-11
Sanchez's 8-yard pass to Holmes with 3:27 left in the third quarter helped blow open the game as the Jets (5-3) won their third straight - and first on the road - to move into a tie with the Bills (5-3). LaDainian Tomlinson also scored on a 1-yard dive in the second half, three plays after Jim Leonhard recovered Fred Jackson's fumble.
The Jets' defense sealed the win in the first minute of the fourth quarter when Calvin Pace and Bart Scott combined to stop Jackson on fourth-and-inches at the New York 15.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions before adding a mean-nothing touchdown with 3:14 left in Buffalo's first home loss.
Jets defeat Bills 27-11
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Buffalo Sabres Updates
The Buffalo Sabres have only had 1 goaltender since the spring of 2007. Ryan Miller is Buffalo's franchise goalie and "the guy". Recently though, Jhonas Enroth's solid play has had fans asking for the backup to see more action, especially when Miller has struggled. Enroth is 2-0 this season, and while Miller has stolen a game in Montreal, he is 4-4 and has given up bad goals in clutch situations, most recently against the Panthers at home. Miller is the guy, but Enroth is looming. After Miller got pulled against the Philadelphia Flyers after giving up 3 goals on 11 shots and Enroth pitching a 15 shot shutout, the thought is that Ruff may bring Enroth back for another start this weekend.
Also, it looks as though Mike Weber, as I think he should be, will get in the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. Gragnani was taken off the powerplay at practice and replaced with Derek Roy. The Sabres will be going up against a physical team in the Flyers, and after blowing several late leads, I think the Sabres should get Weber his first action of the season. Also, Ville Leino will now he centering Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Upon the poor start by the Sabres, Ruff put the lines back to what they were, with Adam on the Vanek and Pominville line and Gerbe on the Gaustad and Kaleta line. It will be interesting to see what happens with Tyler Ennis when he comes back, as they have not played well since he has gone out of the lineup.
Also, it looks as though Mike Weber, as I think he should be, will get in the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday. Gragnani was taken off the powerplay at practice and replaced with Derek Roy. The Sabres will be going up against a physical team in the Flyers, and after blowing several late leads, I think the Sabres should get Weber his first action of the season. Also, Ville Leino will now he centering Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Upon the poor start by the Sabres, Ruff put the lines back to what they were, with Adam on the Vanek and Pominville line and Gerbe on the Gaustad and Kaleta line. It will be interesting to see what happens with Tyler Ennis when he comes back, as they have not played well since he has gone out of the lineup.
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