Bylsma's bad poker face when asked about @snipeshow98 playing vs. William. pic.twitter.com/MwIHRy5twh
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 2, 2017
If you happen to see Alex Nylander today, can you let him know that I am looking for him?
Buffalo's 2016 first round draft choice earned an assist in Saturday night's Rochester Amerks 5-3 loss to the Utica Comets.
To my knowledge, Nylander was not injured Saturday night. It's curious to me that @Snipeshow98 is not dressed for today's game with the Albany River Rats.
Where's @snipeshow98 today@ pic.twitter.com/a4ADJwBbQ5
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 2, 2017
A little voice inside my head is telling me that Nylander has been or will be called up to Buffalo for Monday night's Niagara River Battle with the hated Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nylander has been waiting with baited breath for his first NHL call up. When the Sabres signed C.J. smith earlier this week, I immediately thought of Nylander. How can Tim Murray give Smith, an NCAA free agent, his NHL debut before giving his 2016 first rounder (8th overall) his first NHL game? Smith and Nylander are both left wingers.
My guess is Murray is going to play Nylander the final four games of the 2016-17 regular season. Murray cannot leave Nylander in Rochester without giving him a taste of the NHL life this season. Doing so will create bitterness between Camp Nylander and Tim Murray. why alienate your 2016 first rounder? Bring the kid up, Tim.
The Sabres host Nylander's brother William and the hated Leafs on Monday night. The Sabres will host Montreal on Wednesday night and then will conclude the season in Florida on Saturday night and in Tampa on Sunday afternoon.
Toronto Maple Leafs center William Nylander, who led all rookies with 4-10-14 in 14 games, has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for March.
William has 58 points in 75 games played this season.
Two closer friends you will never find. The Nylander Brothers are best of friends which adds more excitement to Monday night's tilt in Buffalo. The brothers will put their friendship and admiration for one another on pause for the sixty minutes when they are locked inside the glass.hey can hug and high five after the final horn. from whistle to whistle they will have to smash and slash one another to be effective and fully engaged in the Border Battle.
Papa Michael played 920 NHL games. The elder Nylander scored 209 goals and 470 assists. His sons now will keep the Nylander NHL legacy alive.
The Boston Bruins beat the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon which makes Monday night's game at buffalo a must win for the Leafs.The Sabres and their loyal fans would love nothing more than to knock the Leafs out of playoff contention. The Leafs need two points in the worst way now that Boston have won five straight games. Ottawa and Toronto are running out of runway.
Leafs @ Sabres just got juicier pic.twitter.com/UhH4zsSFWF
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 2, 2017
In 62 games played this season, Nylander has scored 9 goals and 18 assists.
Nylander starred for his native Sweden at the recent IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Montreal where he scored 5 goals and 9 assists in 8 games played.
***
Congrats to C.J. Smith for collecting his first NHL point in his first ever NHL game.
Smith earned this apple on Evander Kane's 24th even strength goal of the season (27th total).
Such a nice play from CJ Smith in his @NHL debut. 🎠pic.twitter.com/tuxXEXmn7E
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 2, 2017
Smith (5'11", 185 lbs.) signed with the Sabres after completing his third season with the UMass Lowell River Hawks.
In 2016-17, Smith finished tied for eighth among NCAA skaters with 23 goals and ranked 12th with 51 points. Smith was also named the Hockey East Tournament MVP after leading the tournament with eight points (4G, 4A) in five games.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, and a veteran of the USHL, Smith finished his NCAA career with 125 points (56G, 69A) in 120 games. Smith was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2014-15 and was named to the league's All-Tournament Teams each of the last two seasons.