Ice Time

Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington hop the boards for another shift of Ice Time, The Buffalo News' hockey podcast, to take stock of the Sabres' 4-3-2 start and look ahead to their next two games against the Flyers, and, of course, the big reunion with Alex Tuch in Washington. First, the return of captain Rasmus Dahlin, who missed the Sabres' games in Canada with an upper-body injury, which Dahlin himself described as not as severe as the back spasms that took him out of the lineup for seven games in December 2024. Also, the return of Jason Zucker and the Sabres' power play, which still ranks dead last in the NHL at 9.1%.  Lastly, there's the Connor Hellebuyck watch. Will the Sabres trade for him? How badly do they need him? Is it worth the risk? Would he be better in the playoffs? And by the way, what about Alex Lyon? The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Rachel Lenzi and Perryn Keys are back on Ice Time for a wrap up of training camp and the latest preseason activities. Injuries to Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger leaves the lineup uncertain going into their season opener matchup with the Blue Jackets.  Plus, an eight year contract for Noah Östlund and is the Atlantic division the toughest in the NHL?  The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.  

On this installment of Ice Time, Mike Harrington gives us a debrief on why Sunday night's game between the Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning was so legendary. The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.  

Buffalo News hockey writers Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington hop the boards for another Ice Time episode to discuss the Buffalo Sabres' blazing-hot run and their first 57 games heading into the Olympic break — and, more importantly, the 25-game sprint to the end of the regular season. What must the Sabres do over the final sprint? They won't have to play .850 hockey, Mike says, as they did for much of the past three months. But with 70 points in 57 games, they can reasonably contend for second place in the Atlantic Division. They should expect the playoffs, not just aim for them. In the meantime, what do the Sabres do at the trade deadline? (Jarmo Kekalainen might look to beef up the bottom pair, perhaps search for more consistency on special teams.) Can the Sabres count on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to return, and when? And how about Mattias Samuelsson, who has earned the right to be included in some Norris Trophy discussion (along with Rasmus Dahlin). The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Mike Harrington and Rachel Lenzi hop the boards for a heat check with the streaking Buffalo Sabres, who take their winning streak to Dallas. Our writers talk about how the Sabres went from last in the Eastern Conference to within a hair of a playoff spot. They also discuss why this winning streak has represented a big victory for Lindy Ruff, whom the players clearly did not tune out in the midst of the Sabres' front office upheaval. Rachel gives an update on the status of goaltender Alex Lyon, who turned up with a lower-body injury after their win in St. Louis. Plus, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch's chances to play in the Olympics; the Sabres' long-term prospects and a sneak peek at their January schedule. The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.  

Buffalo News writers Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington hop the boards for another Ice Time to discuss the Sabres' strange and disappointing week. After a dynamite night and a 5-1 win against Edmonton on Monday, the Sabres suffered a humiliating 6-2 defeat to Calgary, the worst team in the NHL.  Mike and Rachel first discuss the Sabres' level of effort in that loss, in which the Flames erupted for four third-period goals. They also discuss Lindy Ruff's postgame comments, which included a reference to some (unnamed) players as bystanders. Plus, the Sabres' three-goalie problem, their injured players (including Jason Zucker, whose fiery nature might've helped in that third period) and the rest of their four-game homestand, which includes the Blackhawks on Friday and the Hurricanes in a Sunday matinee. The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.  

Join our Buffalo News writers, Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington, for another shift on Ice Time as they go through the latest with the Buffalo Sabres at the start of November. Mike and Rachel give their takeaways from the Sabres' fifth straight overtime game, their first such streak in three years. But, they haven't created enough 3-on-3 scoring chances, and they appeared a little flat-footed late in Monday's overtime loss to Utah.  However, the Sabres have been strong on special teams - their PK unit is the best in the NHL so far. The bad news? Injuries, injuries, injuries as the Sabres prepare for the Blues and a four-game road trip. Plus, the wild, wild Eastern Conference, where every team is seemingly racking up points and the timeline for a Stadium Series game to return to Buffalo, perhaps in 2028. The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.  

They vowed to get off to a better start. Then they scored two goals in 180 minutes; their coach lamented their lack of "compete" in Game 3 of 82; they're off to an 0-3-0 start; and already, the Buffalo Sabres feel like they're against a wall. Other than that, things are going great. Mike Harrington and Rachel Lenzi hop the boards to discuss all that and much more in the latest edition of Ice Time.  Mike and Rachel kick around the Sabres' latest game, a 3-1 defeat in a Monday matinee against Colorado, and look ahead to their next three games against Ottawa, Florida and Montreal. They also discuss Zach Benson's (potential) return to the line up, three injured Sabres returning to practice ahead of Wednesday's game against Ottawa and the most pleasant development of the young season to date — surprise! — goaltender Alex Lyon. The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.