Ice Time

Mike and Rachel hop the boards to discuss a busy road trip ahead for the Sabres. WIth 6 games on the road, can they rectify their cold streak?

Plus, the Sabres need to pick two goalies and Mike gives Rachel the inside scoop on the “Calgary Catwalk” as she prepares for her first trip to the Saddledome.

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.

Buffalo News writers Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington hop the boards for another Ice Time to discuss the Sabres' difficult schedule ahead, their difficult luck with injuries and the all-too-difficult Eastern Conference. 

Mike and Rachel first take a look at the Sabres' road trip, which began Wednesday in Utah and hardly gets easier from there. They pay a visit to Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche, then head to Detroit before a four-game homestand.

From there, it's the all-too-frequent topic of injuries. Mike and Rachel discuss Jiri Kulich's unfortunate-but-scary blood-clot issue and how it affects the Sabres' center situation. What does Lindy Ruff want from his centers? What about Buffalo's face-off percentage ... which, in case you hadn't seen, ranks 32nd in the NHL. There's also the matter of Jason Zucker's potential timeline to return.

Finally, Mike and Rachel also discuss their most surprising teams in the all-too-tough Eastern Conference, as well as the tall tasks the Sabres face when they do come — Edmonton, Calgary, Chicago and Carolina.

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.

Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington hop the boards for the latest episode of Ice Time as the Buffalo Sabres get set to take on the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals in their next two games. 

So, with 10 points after 10 games, why was Lindy Ruff in a fairly good mood? Our writers think Lindy has several reasons. This Sabres team looks closer to being a complete team than the one that took the ice last season. He had to like the competitiveness shown in their latest overtime loss, as well as the self-awareness about sluggish starts and presence in front of the net.

Plus, why the Sabres continue to carry three goaltenders, Wednesday's game at Boston and potential NHL history at KeyBank Center on Saturday, when Alex Ovechkin could go for his 900th career goal.

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.

Mike Harrington and Rachel Lenzi hop the boards for the latest edition of Ice Time, now that the NHL draft, the big wave of free agency has passed and Sabres development camp is over.

Mike and Rachel take a moment to discuss the news of the Sabres going into salary arbitration with Bowen Byram, which first broke Sunday night. They discuss what it means and what comes next.

Then it's on to the NHL draft and the flurry of NHL offseason moves — in particular, the two biggest headliners: the Mitch Marner trade to Vegas and Nikolaj Ehlers' move to Carolina, among others (what is Boston doing?).

Finally, they give their takeaways on players who made impressions during the Sabres' development camp, which wrapped up last week, as well as a final prediction on what happens with Byram.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington hop the boards for this week's edition of the Ice Time podcast to review the Stanley Cup Finals and brace themselves for a busy offseason of Sabres madness. 

To start, we welcome Rachel to the beat with some Sabres connections from her past and thoughts on the Florida Panthers dominant finals streak. The Panthers keep their players, while the Sabres struggle to figure out what to do with their young guys like JJ Peterka and Bowen Byram.

We also discuss the future of Alex Tuch, who’s comments about his contract extension seemed up in the air. Rachel reminds us that these negotiations take time, so don’t panic (yet). As NHL Draft week approaches, will the Sabres keep their number nine pick or trade it off? All this and more coverage to come on this newest season of Ice Time.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington hop the boards for this week's edition of Ice Time to take stock of the Sabres' season and potential changes that lay ahead.

First things first, perhaps the surprise of the Sabres' end-of-season news conferences was that Kevyn Adams gave little assurance that he'll be back as general manager. Will he be gone? Will he take on another role? Will he stay put? It's all unclear. (Adams, to his credit, took ownership of the Sabres' shortcomings of late.)

Lance and Mike also look at how the Sabres evolved and improved, albeit too late, under Lindy Ruff (for more, read Lance's story on how they bridged their disconnect.) And more on the team's leadership corps, how it might change next season and which of the Sabres' restricted free agents might stay or go.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington hop the boards for this week's edition of Ice Time on the day of the Buffalo Sabres' less-than-grand finale. First things first: The Sabres' season is obviously a disappointment (again), but let's drill down on that. More than anything, it's a major missed opportunity. In a year in which the Bruins, Red Wings, Penguins, Rangers and Islanders will all miss the playoffs, the Sabres had a great chance to move upward in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

That didn't happen. Mike and Lance discuss (again) the reasons — suspect defense and goaltending, front-office inactivity during that 13-game winless streak, etc. — for why Buffalo is now playing the woulda-coulda-shoulda game.

The guys also discuss some of the Sabres' wild splits (22-15-3 at home, 13-24-4 away) and some players who particularly struggled away from the KeyBank Center.

Finally, Lance and Mike discuss Owen Power's apparently serious lower-body injury and what they'd like to see and hear from Lindy Ruff and Kevyn Adams, who will speak Saturday as the players clean out their lockers.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington are back for another shift on Ice Time, The Buffalo News' hockey podcast, to discuss the Sabres' late-season surge — and why it's a good thing, not a bad thing.

Yes, the Sabres are officially out of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Yes, they've beaten some of the NHL's best teams this year, only to be undone by that 13-game winless streak, not to mention losses to ... well, Montreal, Philadelphia, Seattle, you name it.

But Lance and Mike are here to argue that, first and foremost, you still play to win the game. The Sabres clearly haven't packed it in — and even if they were tanking for a draft pick, history shows that's not always wise.

Also, the guys argue: This time feels a little different. The Sabres are playing with some structure and smarts. One other thing: They've got some players.

Don't look now, but Tage Thompson has his 40-plus goals for the second time in the past three seasons (As Lance notes, Thompson is doing something no one in the NHL has done at least since 2007.) Bowen Byram and Rasmus Dahlin are legit. So, too, are players like Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka.

Speaking of which ...What should the Sabres do with Tuch and Peterka? What will it take to re-sign them, and which of the two should get a deal first? Lance and Mike discuss that and much more.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington go on another shift for this week's edition of Ice Time — just hours after the Buffalo Sabres dispatched another playoff-bound team with a season sweep of the Ottawa Senators.

What to make of this too-late-too-little surge from the Sabres? Mike and Lance agree on this much: It's better than a late-season swoon. They discuss what it means for the future, if anything. The Sabres need to make the most of Alex Tuch and 39-goal Tage Thompson as they enter their prime years, and it's been nice to see Jack Quinn come on strong in March and April, as well.

But then there's the goaltending issue. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is supposed to be the No. 1, but his confidence appears to be shot. And although James Reimer has sparkled of late, he'll soon turn 38 and isn't likely to be a 40-to-45-game goalie next season.

The guys also discuss finding a long-searched-for right-handed partner for Owen Power on the blue line and a look at the wild race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference — which, of course, could've included the Sabres, if not for that 13-game winless streak.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington hop the boards for the latest Ice Time podcast, discussing Lindy Ruff's first year back, the Sabres' goaltending issues and Jack Quinn's curious season.

The guys conclude that in their dealings with Ruff as of late, it's clear to them that the coach, who just earned his 600th win with the franchise, is still motivated to mold the Sabres into a winner. (Yet again: If it weren't for that 13-game winless streak ...) Lance and Mike, however, wonder what changes might be coming to Ruff's coaching staff in the offseason.

The guys then discuss the Sabres' goaltending issues — James Reimer started in net again Thursday, and the well-paid Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a 3.60 goals-against average since the 4 Nations break — as well as Jack Quinn's disappointing season.

Finally, there's the small matter of Alex Ovechkin, his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, the Capitals' turnaround and the Sabres' visit to Washington next week.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

From a new NHL destination, Mike Harrington joins Lance Lysowski to discuss the Utah Hockey Club, the Sabres' latest contract extension and potential NHL expansion cities.

The guys take stock of the Sabres' extension with Jacob Bryson and take a moment to discuss the rest of the defensemen when Mike brings up an interesting question: Is Owen Power, at the ripe old age of 22, really that far off at this point from where Rasmus Dahlin was two years ago?

Mike and Lance also take a longer look at one offseason move that certainly paid off — the addition of Ryan McLeod — while others didn't pan out as well as they should have. Plus: Dylan Cozens enjoying his new surroundings in Ottawa while Josh Norris sits out the Sabres' game in Utah.

Finally, a fun topic: What is the NHL's next logical destination? Atlanta? Phoenix? Houston? Quebec City?

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

On this installment of Ice Time, Mike Harrington and Lance Lysowski offer insight on the rumors around Rasmus Dahlin and what they saw after the Dylan Cozens trade. 

Plus, how Josh Norris can make an impact with the Sabres, the Atlantic Division at large and playing against Jack Eichel this Sunday.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

From the addition of Josh Norris to Kevyn Adams’ introspection, Mike Harrington reports from Fort Lauderdale to give you his instant takeaways on how the Sabres dealt with the NHL trade deadline in this mini episode of Ice Time. 

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington team up for the latest Ice Time podcast to discuss the Sabres' incoming contract extension with Jordan Greenway and what might happen as the trade deadline approaches.

The guys first discuss Greenway, who has proven to be a good fit with his skill and muscle, before moving on to a more difficult, nuanced topic: Jason Zucker.

Zucker is the best forward free-agent signing in two decades — a player who's been better this season than he was last season in Arizona and Nashville. Can the Sabres re-sign him for two or three years? Does he hit the trade market? Do they deal Alex Tuch, or is it wiser to keep a player who wants to be in Buffalo? Do they send some of their middle-of-the-pack players elsewhere?

Lance then asks a tough question: Of the following four players — J.J. Peterka, Ryan McLeod, Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram — whom would you prioritize re-signing first? And after 14 years of regular-season failure, the big question remains: Will the Sabres make major changes in the front office?

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Team USA came up short in the 4 Nations championship, but our own gold medalists, Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington, are here to discuss the runaway success of the new tournament. Rasmus Dahlin and many others had insisted that NHL players would take this moment seriously — and they did. This is just the beginning, too: The 2026 Winter Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey will be on deck.

Plus, the guys cover whether the NHL should adopt the 3-2-1 points format; how general manager Bill Guerin (and assistant GM Chris Drury, our old friend) fell short in selecting players for Team USA; and finally, that small matter of the final two months of the NHL season. 

Lindy Ruff's message to the Sabres for the final 28 games: This is your playoff push. Their goal, he said, should be to earn seven standings points in every five games. Can they do it? The odds are, shall we say, not on their side. But we're about to find out.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

The Sabres are on a break, but Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington are not. The guys discuss the beginning of the 4 Nations Face-Off; whether the Sabres should entertain trade proposals for Dylan Cozens; the Sabres' final 28 games of a (mostly ugly) season; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net; and even potential changes on Lindy Ruff's coaching staff.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Give the Buffalo Sabres this much: It's rarely dull. Who would've guessed that if they'd put together their first four-game winning streak in two years, it would be the No. 2 or No. 3 discussion topic?

Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington discuss all that, of course, and they briefly look ahead to the Sabres' shot at a five-game winning streak Saturday in Nashville before the NHL breaks for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

But the topics du jour, naturally, are the fight that wasn't and the fight that was. Lance and Mike break down the bizarre no-punches-thrown episode Saturday between the Sabres and Devils; the team meeting that followed; and the, uh, surprising lineup and game-opening fight between Buffalo's Dennis Gilbert and Columbus' Mathieu Olivier on Tuesday.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows

Buffalo News hockey writers Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington connect for the latest episode of Ice Time. 

The guys kick around the Sabres' best surprises (yes, there are a few) and greatest disappointments (yes, there are ... a few) as the NHL moves past its midway point en route to the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

Lance and Mike also discuss next year's salary cap, which bumps to $95.5 million for 2025-26 and $104 million for 2026-27, and what it might mean for the Sabres this offseason.

We also discuss potential Sabres trades as the NHL deadline looms, ticket prices for 4 Nations (here's a hint: They're high!) and much more.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Buffalo News writers Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington discuss the start of the Sabres' swing through Seattle and Western Canada — including Lindy Ruff's early wakeup call and practice session before their game against the Vancouver Canucks. 

Now comes an even tougher question: Will that "wake up and play focused" message resonate through their next games at Calgary and Edmonton?

Mike and Lance also discuss the strong play of Jiri Kulich since his move to center, the Sabres' good break in missing Connor McDavid, who's suspended for Saturday's game, and what lies between now and the NHL's break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

The Sabres’ win against the Carolina Hurricanes wasn’t pretty. Lance Lysowski and Mike Harrington dissect the collapse in the second and third periods, question the Sabres’ leadership style, and call for more consistency from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Plus, Mike Harrington shares his thoughts on the Dylan Cozens trade speculation. 

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Mike Harrington and Lance Lysowski report from the Buffalo News studio today on all things Sabres. Despite their wild inconsistency this season, the Sabres are only 6 points away from a playoff spot.

Plus, discussion of the Atlantic Division at large, who’s upped their game and which key players Kevyn Adams should try to keep happy on this roster.

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.

Buffalo News hockey reporters Mike Harrington and Lance Lysowski take a look at what's happening with the Buffalo Sabres.

Despite winning three straight games, concerns for the future still remain. Mike and Lance discuss the promise of Yuri Kulich after his time in Rochester. Plus, we check back in with some former Sabres and discuss the tough upcoming schedule. 

The Buffalo News Ice Time Podcast is sponsored by Express Windows.