Ice Time

Buffalo News hockey writers Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington are here for their first playoff shift on Ice Time to preview the Sabres' first-round series against the Boston Bruins, which gets underway Sunday at KeyBank Center.

Take in the moment - the Sabres are actually in the playoffs. Rachel and Mike cover the schedule delay, what to expect from Bruins vs. Sabres and a preview of Buffalo News exclusive playoff coverage!

Plus, Mike and Rachel give their predictions for the Sabres-Bruins series — and for the eventual Stanley Cup winner.

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

Rachel and Mike hop the boards this week for the latest shift on Ice Time to take stock of the Buffalo Sabres and their quest to claim the Atlantic Division in the final week of the regular season.

Our writers take a look at the Sabres' shot at home ice in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, as well as their potential first-round opponents. Next, some thoughtful discussion about NHL awards. And how about Colten Ellis? Starting for the first time since Feb. 3, all Ellis did Thursday was post a shutout in the Sabres' 5-0 win over Columbus in Game No. 80 of the regular season. Lastly, a look at the Sabres' final two games of the regular season: on Monday in Chicago and the finale Wednesday at home against Dallas.

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

Rachel Lenzi and Mike Harrington are back for another shift on Ice Time, The Buffalo News' hockey podcast, to discuss the Sabres' path to a 100-point season and ... yes. Believe it. Say it: THE PLAYOFFS.

Mike and Rachel set up shop Thursday as the Sabres were on the cusp of formally clinching their first postseason berth since 2011, and with that in mind, it's time to start discussing potential first-round opponents.

Boston? The last time the Bruins came to KeyBank Center, they gave Sabres fans cause for concern. Columbus? The Blue Jackets always seem to give Buffalo a tough time. Montreal? Well, have fun heading into a raucous Bell Centre. And the New York Islanders? Who knows which version of them shows up. No matter which opponent the Sabres get in the first round, consider this: Buffalo will be the favorite.

An update on Sam Carrick. The good news: He'll be back at some point. The bad news: We don't know when, and in the meantime, the Sabres have lost a great veteran presence in the dressing room, one who's proven to have been a great fourth-line center who wins faceoffs.

Plus, take a peek ahead to Monday night's game with Tampa Bay — not only a rematch of the game of the year, but potentially the decisive game in the Atlantic Division. Mike also strolls down Memory Lane, offering his thoughts on this long playoff drought and his recollections of that long-ago 2011 postseason.

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

On this shift of Ice Time, Mike and Rachel discuss the Sabres' home games against the Red Wings, Kraken and Islanders, who all have fewer points in the standings but, in their view, are likely to be tough outs. (The Red Wings, a desperate team trying to make the playoffs, as Rachel notes, and the Kraken have a surprisingly strong record against the Sabres, as Mike notes.)

Next, where the Sabres' last two games went "wrong" (remember, they're not going to win every game, and they still picked up a point apiece against Anaheim and Boston). And the crew also takes a sneak peak at the Stanley Cup playoffs and potential first-round opponents for the Sabres, including Boston, Columbus and Ottawa, which has been on something of a heater of late. (Another one to watch: Pittsburgh.)

Plus a fun topic: When was the last time we were talking about the Sabres and their magic numbers?

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

Mike Harrington welcomes sports editor Perryn Keys for a guest shift on the latest episode of Ice Time to discuss the Buffalo Sabres, who simply show no signs of slowing down as March winds down and the playoffs approach.

Mike takes note of the Sabres' 32-6-2 record over the past 40 games — the fourth-hottest 40-game stretch in the history of the NHL and the hottest run since the Detroit Red Wings in 1996 (that's 30 years ago, in case you were counting). The guys also discuss the Sabres' road dominance — 19 wins in their last 22 road games heading into Saturday's matinee against the L.A. Kings.

A big part of this run: goaltending. What looked like a weakness at the start of the season has turned into a strength, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon coming off back-to-back shutouts and Colten Ellis serving as a dependable third option. Plus, Lindy Ruff's chances at the Jack Adams Award (they're getting better) and the nearly immediate impact of two late arrivals, Sam Carrick and Logan Stanley.

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.

Rachel Lenzi reports from Pittsburgh to let us know where the Sabres stand going into the trade deadline at 3pm Eastern Friday.

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.

Beat writer Rachel Lenzi and columnist Mike Harrington hop the boards for their latest shift on Ice Time to discuss the blazing-hot Buffalo Sabres, who aren't just chasing a postseason berth, but perhaps an Atlantic Division title.

Rachel and Mike talk Alex Lyon, who has blossomed from late signee into the hottest goalie in the NHL – and how the Sabres' three-goalie problem has turned into a three-goalie solution. They also revisit Rasmus Dahlin's five-point night in Toronto, which came as he and his fiancee continue to openly discuss the major obstacles in their personal lives over the past year.

Plus, the Sabres' seven-year commitment to Josh Doan with a $6.95 million AAV; what it means (or doesn't mean) for discussions with Alex Tuch; the Sabres' final stretch before the Olympic break; and a look ahead to the final three months of the regular season.

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.