Latest news with #JamesReimer
National Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Game 7 fates far too unkind to Toronto goaltenders through the years
Article content Ah, Game 7, the witching hour for the Maple Leafs in six series. Article content Article content Perhaps the seventh time in 12 years will be a lucky charm. While a lack of scoring from star power is a big factor, it's the crease where the curse has been most painful. Article content Joseph Woll will try and reverse that Sunday night against the Florida Panthers, his work a huge part of Friday's win that extended Toronto's lifeline. Article content A look at how Leaf goalies fared in recent Game 7s: Article content May 13, 2013 at Boston Article content GOALIE: James Reimer Article content FINAL SCORE: 5-4, Bruins Article content WHAT HAPPENED: After winning twice by 2-1 scores to go the distance, the Leafs were up 4-1 with 11 minutes to play. Then the Causeway Street Collapse ensued. Nathan Horton scored, Matt Frattin was stopped by Tuukka Rask on a breakaway (Rask a former Leaf pick), while the big save eluded Reimer as Boston scored twice in 31 ticks with Rask on the bench. Boston out-shot Toronto 17-6 in the period, while Patrice Bergeron, who'd tied it, jumped on a Jake Gardiner giveaway in overtime, assisted by a young Brad Marchand. Article content That's definitely in the top five lows of your life,' Reimer said. Article content April 25, 2018 at Boston Article content FINAL SCORE: 7-4, Bruins Article content WHAT HAPPENED: Patrick Marleau scored twice as Toronto took a one-goal lead into the third while Andersen and Rask duelled. But the B's struck early and eventually put in four on 11 shots, including Marchand's empty-netter. It was the first time that season Toronto had allowed four markers in a final period, but the post-game spotlight also fell on defenceman Gardiner's minus 5. Article content April 23, 2019 at Boston Article content FINAL SCORE: 5-1, Bruins Article content WHAT HAPPENED: Lesser lights led the way for Boston's Joakim Nordstrom and Marcus Johansson with first period goals. Nordstrom's came from the short side along the goal line through Andersen's pads, a real groaner. The Leafs blocked only four shots for Andersen to Boston's 17 for Rask, with John Tavares getting the only goal. Gardiner had another rough Game 7 in his Leaf swansong, and while Andersen stayed another year, he was under worse criticism when Toronto lost the COVID-19 bubble series in a deciding fifth game to Columbus. Article content May 31, 2021 at Toronto
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should Sabres Hang Onto Veteran Goalie Next Season?
The Buffalo Sabres had problems with their defense this season -- and part of the blame for that is the play of their goalies. We've wrote recently about the need for the netminding to improve, but one question that hasn't been addressed yet is the future of veteran goalie James Reimer. The 37-year-old was Buffalo's best goalie late in the season, but he's a UFA this summer and could choose to retire. If he doesn't, though, Reimer could get some interest from a team seeking goaltending depth -- and that team could be the Sabres. Reimer's 10-8-2 record, .899 save percentage and 2.90 Goals-Against Average this season weren't bad at all when you consider how poor Buffalo's defensive efforts were in front of him. If he does return to the NHL next year, Reimer isn't going to break the bank with his salary. He earned an even $1-million this season, and he may come back on the veteran's minimum salary -- if he thought he was joining a team that gave him a good chance to make the playoffs. Is that team the Sabres? It's obviously good that Reimer knows Buffalo's organization and coaching staff, but the Sabres might be competing for Reimer's services, and that means they'd need to give Reimer an honest chance to earn playing time. Reimer is renowned as a great teammate and calming influence, and on a Sabres team that will have all sorts of pressure to improve next year, having Reimer around might make as much sense for the dressing room as it does for the ice. Goaltending Improvement Must Be Key For Sabres Next Season It's no secret that, as is true in many sports, defense wins championships in hockey, but it underscores the importance of goaltending when it comes to which teams succeed in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And a quick look at a couple key numbers only confirms it in the current post-season. Reimer's experience -- he's played 525 regular-season games -- is valuable for any team that wants a low-cost veteran voice on the roster. He may choose to finish his career with the Sabres, but if he doesn't, don't be surprHiised to see him sign on with another NHL team. His pedigree makes him a viable choice for a team seeking depth and veteran knowhow, and in a thin UFA goalie market, Reimer could move on from Buffalo and land in a different NHL city.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Goaltending Improvement Must Be Key For Sabres Next Season
It's no secret that, as is true in many sports, defense wins championships in hockey, but it underscores the importance of goaltending when it comes to which teams succeed in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And a quick look at a couple key numbers only confirms it in the current post-season. To wit: of the eight teams still playing this year, seven of them were in the top-10 in goals-against average. The Edmonton Oilers were the only anomaly, as they were 14th-overall in G.A.A. at 2.87. But otherwise, the teams that have lasted longest also had a well-above-average overall defense. And what we're seeing in the playoffs is similar, as the top four playoff G.A.A.s are owned by four teams -- the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs and (tied for fourth) the Florida Panthers -- who are still playing. That's not by accident. Thus, this is why the Buffalo Sabres have to have a better overall defense, but they also need improvement in net. Because this season, the team G.A.A. was not only well below-average, but it was the pits, as their 3.50 G.A.A was third-worst in the league. That means workhorse Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has to be better. His 3.20 G.A.A. this year wasn't great, and his save percentage of .887 also left much to be desired. Greybeard James Reimer likely won't be back, and youngster Devon Levi's brief (nine-game) stint also didn't look good (.872 SP, 4.12 G.A.A.). Certainly, the Sabres' defense in front of the goalies has to be better as well. We're not here to tell you it's solely the goalies' fault. But there's no question Buffalo's overall presence in their own zone has to be stronger, and the goalies have to own their role in that challenge. Another free agent depth signing in net could be crucial for the Sabres if things don't go well defense-wise out of the gate for them next fall. Buffalo's offense can only do so much, if the guy between the pipes can't do their part. So the pressure will be on Sabres goaltending until further notice -- and if it doesn't go as hoped, bigger changes might be on the horizon for the team's goalie picture.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres eliminated from playoffs while on 5-game win streak
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — On the 14th anniversary of the last time the Sabres clinched a playoff spot, their postseason famine was fated to last at least another year. While extending their longest winning streak in two seasons to five games with a 3-0 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center, the Sabres were eliminated from playoff contention moments after the victory when the Montreal Canadiens won 4-1 against the Detroit Red Wings. Advertisement Buffalo's 14-year playoff drought is the longest in NHL history. With a 35-36-6 record and five games left on the schedule, the Sabres can finish with no more than 86 points in the standings. Montreal currently holds the final wild card spot with 87 points. 'We know where we're at,' Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. 'I'm disappointed where we're at and we can't do anything with that, but we can work on our game and we're going to continue to work on our game until it's over.' James Reimer made 33 saves in his first shutout victory of the year, Tage Thompson scored his 44th goal, Alex Tuch recorded his NHL-best sixth shorthanded tally on his 34th goal, and JJ Peterka also scored in the Sabres' fifth consecutive victory. Advertisement 'It's mixed emotions, for sure,' Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said. 'We started to play good now. It's too late. But also, it's good we can see that we can play good hockey, and we can beat any team in this league.' The win streak is Buffalo's longest since December 2022, and seven straight wins on home ice are the most the Sabres have had since 1999. Reimer, reclaimed earlier this season after being waived by the Sabres, has won his past seven starts, the longest streak of his 15 NHL seasons. Buffalo begins a three-game road trip Thursday in Columbus. After games at Florida and Tampa Bay, before closing the season with home games against Toronto on April 15 and Philadelphia on April 17. Advertisement *** Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buffalo Sabres extend their NHL-record postseason drought to 14 seasons
Buffalo Sabres' goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save on a Winnipeg Jets shot during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday March 23, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP) Buffalo Sabres goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, left, chases the puck past Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, left, chases the puck past Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Buffalo Sabres' goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save on a Winnipeg Jets shot during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sunday March 23, 2025. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press via AP) Buffalo Sabres goaltender James Reimer (47) makes a save during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, left, chases the puck past Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (38) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres were officially eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoffs contention for the 14th straight season on Tuesday night. The Sabres extended their playoff drought, which is the longest in NHL history and ties them with the NFL's New York Jets for the longest current run of seasons since qualifying for the postseason. Advertisement Buffalo initially set the record after the 2021-2022 season when they missed the postseason for the 11th straight time. 'We know where we're at,' Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. 'I'm disappointed where we're at and we can't do anything with that, but we can work on our game and we're going to continue to work on our game until it's over.' Ruff is in his second stint as coach of the Sabres. He was hired in May when he replaced Don Granato. Ruff was the last person to coach Buffalo to the playoffs in 2011 before he was fired in 2013. The Sabres beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Tuesday night to keep a shred of hope alive, but the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 win at home against the Detroit Red Wings left them 11 points behind with five games remaining. Advertisement 'It's mixed emotions, for sure,' Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said. 'I mean, (ticked) that we started to play good now. It's too late. But also, it's good we can see that we can play good hockey, and we can beat any team in this league.' The Sabres were able to stave off elimination until their 77th game thanks to winning 10 of their last 13 games including five straight. However, a staggering 13-game losing streak in November and December in which they went 0-10-3 doomed the season. ___ AP NHL:
