In the words of a very famous rabbit, thats all folks. The push for the playoffs came to an end for the Buffalo Sabres last night in Philadelphia after a 2-1 loss to the Flyers. If the Panthers had managed to come back and beat the Capitals last night, there would be very different conversations floating around right now.

It was heartbreaking, to say the least. The Sabres took an early lead on Ville Leino‘s 8th goal of the year, yep thats right people I said EIGHT… Either way, Leino scored late in the second period and it looked like the Sabres were going to pull off another miracle. This team is normally very strong when carrying a lead into the third, but this time they just couldn’t hold on.

Marc-Andre Bourdon tied it up on a booming shot from the blue line that found its way through a screen and past Ryan Miller. That was just around the 6 minute mark of the third period, meaning that should have been plenty of time to pull together and get something done, considering this game meant EVERYTHING for the season to continue. The Flyers responded with physical play that left the Sabres scrambling. Matt Read iced the game with his 24th of the year with 4 minutes remaining in the period.

» Continue reading “Buffalo Sabres Eliminated From Playoff Contention”

Many of the Buffalo Sabres faithful were probably hoping for better news on the injury front than what was presented today. Tyler Myers, who was injured after blocking a shot in a home loss to Pittsburgh, will miss “a while” according to Lindy Ruff. Many Sabres fans were hoping to see Myers on the ice again before the regular season finale on Saturday, but that doesn’t look likely. Many are speculating he has a broken foot, but the team is (of course) mum on the nature of the injury.

The questions now circulating involve how the Sabres will fare without two of their biggest pieces for the remainder of the season, as well as the post season (if they manage to squeak in). If last night is any indication, we’re in for a few nail biters folks!

» Continue reading “Buffalo Sabres: Myers To Miss More Time Than Expected”

So lets be realistic for a moment, shall we? Our chances of making the playoffs were slim to none just a few months ago, but then the Buffalo Sabres managed to battle back on the strong play of Ryan Miller and Co. Now, the Sabres find themselves sitting just two points out of the eighth and final playoff spot with a game in hand on the Washington Capitals. Now before we all go getting our hopes crazy high, a lot still has to go right for the Sabres to squeak their way in and a win tonight will certainly help matters.

The Capitals, or should I say the Tampa Bay Lightning (cough, Steven Stamkos), gave the Sabres a little boost with their regulation loss, or win depending on which side you are looking at this from. Tonight presents yet another opportunity to pull even and stay on pace with the Caps.

However, the Sabres will still be without defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Myers, which normally equals bad news bears for this team. Ehrhoff was injured in a 5-1 win against the Caps a week ago. The news on the Hoff is not very promising and he has already been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, if not longer. Myers is suffering from a foot injury, the result of absorbing a hard shot during the 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Myers’ return is possible before the regular season finale in Boston on Saturday.

» Continue reading “Buffalo Sabres: Lets Go Rake Up Some Leafs”

Sabres defensive prospect Brayden McNabb has been suspended for one game of the Memorial Cup after receiving a a major penalty, as well as a game misconduct for an elbow to the head of Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack.  McNabb will miss Kootenay’s next game against the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.

McNabb was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and is by far the most highly touted defensive prospective since the leaning tower of Tyler came onto the scene.  After signing an entry level contract with the Sabres last week many Sabres fans expect McNabb to be competing for a roster spot next season.  He currently serves as the captain of Kootenay, was second in scoring for defensemen in the WHL with 72 points, 22 of which were goals, and has 27 points so far in postseason play.