The Sabres are 3-0 with Cody Hodgson in their lineup. He's certainly been their good luck charm on their tour of the wild, wild West.
Without him in their lineup, the Sabres were playing well.
With him, they are Hodger Than Hell.
Personally, I don't mind one bit that Hodgson hasn't scored yet. The kid has seamlessly into the heart of the Sabres lineup. He's been a treat to watch while burning all over the 200 by 85 with his new linies, Ennis and Stafford. He's been full value on the PP, and has also chipped in on the PK.
I'm feeling a break out game for Hodgson in Winnipeg.
A recap of last night's thrilling 5-3 Sabres win is aside, but for now, the Canucks players and coach themselves share their thoughts on the game.
Roberto Luongo was ejected from his net just 5:10 into the game after surrendering three goals on seven shots.
thanks, canucks.com
Henrik Sedin, his brother Daniel and the rest of their team mates were frustrated by the Sabres and their in-your-face, sixty minute attack.
Zack Kassian was voted the game's first star. and rightly so. He scored a goal, added and assist. He also hit every player in a blue and gold sweater. The big man was full value.
Alain Vigneault blames the slow start, and Ryan Miller for his team's failures.
11-3-3 in their last 17 games, the Sabres stabbed westward looking for more points. If I were Winnipeg, i would be worried. The Sabres will play in The peg on Monday night.
Eighth place will be on the line.
thanks, cbc.ca
The Sabres pulled to within four points of eighth place Winnipeg after their Californication tour. They are now two points behind the Jets after an impressive 5-3 win over the Canucks.
In the first game at Rogers Arena between Vancouver's Roberto Luongo and Buffalo's Ryan Miller since their Olympic gold medal showdown in 2010 was over quickly, with the Sabres chasing Luongo after scoring three goals on seven shots in just 5:10.
Ville Leino was full value and picked his team up when they needed it the most. Leino has assumed the shut-down centre assignment in the past three game. Paul Gaustad was traded last Monday, and some wondered which Sabres would slide between Gerbe and Kaleta and fill the former big man's skates.
Ever since signing his 6 year, $27-million deal, Leino has struggled mightily with only 20 points in 60 games.
Saturday was perhaps his best game as a Sabre.
"I told Ville after the game he's a better shutdown guy than he is a scorer," said Ruff. "Ever since we've put him in a shutdown line, he's played well. I thought Ville played a great game. .... He deserved what he got."
Leino has been outstanding in all three zone for his team on this Western trip and he's playing his best hockey of the season.
After the game, Leino spoke:
"It's been a tough season," he said. Leino had gone 14 games without a goal beofre he potted two in Couver. Talk about a sense of relief. "It hasn't gone my way and it hasn't gone the team's way. But there's still a chance to make the playoffs and have fun here at the end. These are the games you want to play, when things count. And obviously every game counts now."
Judging by the first five and change of the game, you would not have known that this was Buffalo's third game in four nights. Back to back shutouts in Anaheim and San Jose gave way to an emotional game vs. the same Vancouver team that Buffalo had traded with earlier in the week at the trade deadline.
Cody Hodgson and Alex Sulzer became Buffalo Sabres, with Zack Kassian and Marc Andre Gragnani moving to VanCity.
Ville Leino and Brad Boyes wasted little time getting the party started in Vancouver.
A three goal first period staked the Sabres to a 3-0 lead in the early stages of the game.
Leino scored twice. Boyes added a single. before you knew it, Roberto Luongo was in the shower after surrendering 3 goals on 7 shots. Alain Vigneault summoned Corey Schneider to the Cover crease and the comeback was on.
Leino scored twice. Boyes added a single. before you knew it, Roberto Luongo was in the shower after surrendering 3 goals on 7 shots. Alain Vigneault summoned Corey Schneider to the Cover crease and the comeback was on.
David Booth broke on through to the other side. 3-1 Sabres
Ehrhoff bombed one home for a decisive 4-1 lead....
Then, Booth scored 4-2 Sabres
Kassian adds one more to make it interesting 4-3.....
Tyler Ennis scored the empty netter to seal the deal.
Check out these beauties by Miller
5-3 Sabres win.
With 68 points, Buffalo now trail Winnipeg by two points.
Earlier in the night, Toronto beat Montreal in regulation and Tampa beat Carolina in OT.
Former Sabres, Paul Gaustad did the Sabres a solid by playing well for the Preds in Florida on Saturday night. He had a key assist, and this nice body blow on Erik Gudbranson.
Join the Discussion:
»