Quick Hits: Sabres at Blackhawks

The Buffalo Sabres can’t beat the Chicago Blackhawks.


The Buffalo Sabres had a stranglehold on their first win against Chicago since December 11, 2009 but then something happened.

Well, shit. I jinxed that one, eh?

Sorry, guys.

Following tonight’s game at the United Center, the Buffalo Sabres head home for the first time in 2017. On Saturday afternoon, the Buffalo Sabres play host toĀ the Winnipeg Jets at the KeyBank Center. Puck drops shortly after 1 PM and the game will broadcast locally on MSG.

I guess we go to quick hits.

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    • O’Reilly Back.

We saw the return to practice on Wednesday morning and Twitter was set ablaze – with O’Reilly’s return, as well asĀ O’ReillyĀ being flanked by Derek Grant and Brian Gionta.

The original timetable was set at 10-14 days before a return would even be thought of. It has been 11 days and O’Reilly is back tonight. Not sure if he is a cyborg but O’Reilly’s return to the lineup was not only important in Chicago but will be important in the coming weeks.

    • Standings Update.

Boston lost tonight, so did Tampa Bay – so at least Buffalo gained 1 point in the Atlantic Division.

    • World Junior Championship.

While everyone was pretending to watch the absolute snoozefest in Chicago, almost every hockey fan was watching the real game tonight – USA vs. Canada for the Gold Medal of the 2017 World Junior Championships.

Canada led 2-0 and 4-2 at separate points (obviously) but USA was able to bring this magnificent game to extras.

These games are always an absolute treat because, if you have lived under a rock, USA and Canada don’t like each other when it comes to the stickpuck proceedings.

Cooler than this game (arguably) is that the next time USA and Canada meet, it will be on December 29, 2017 at New Era Field. That is if the placeĀ survives following the impending nuclear meltdown after the Buffalo Bills’ upcoming offseason.

Hey, good on you Team USA. USA TRULY BEST.

    • Amerks Update

Great news coming out of Rochester this afternoon, as the Rochester Americans had two of their players named as team representatives at January’s AHL All-Star Classic.

Forward Cole Schneider and goaltender Linus Ullmark both head to the AHLĀ All-Star Classic for the first time in their professional careers, and the nod is well deserved for both players.

Schneider, 27 years old, has appeared in 28 games for the Americans this season and has racked up team-high 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists). ThoseĀ 34 points in 28 games lead the Americans and are good forĀ 3rd-best in the AHL.Ā Schneider is on pace to score 20 goals for the 4th straight AHL season and for the 1st time as a member of the Rochester Americans.

Ullmark, 24 years old, has appeared in 26 games for the Americans this season. In those 26 games, Ullmark has racked up a 13-12-2 record with a .907 save percentage and a 3.00 goals allowed per game. Ullmark’s save percentage and goals allowed per game are not superb, but his 13 wins have him tied for 5th in the AHL and hasĀ also played in the most games this season.

    • TweetsĀ of theĀ Game

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