The Buffalo Sabres are on the brink of allowing their playoff drought to continue into its 14th season, despite rebuild after rebuild. First, there was the “tank for Connor McDavid”, but they failed at that and ended up with Jack Eichel instead.

Dylan Cozens and Tage Thompson also scored and Jason Zucker had two assists for the Sabres, who won for the third time in four games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 35 saves. Jaccob Slavin and Martin Necas scored and Brent Burns had two assists in the Hurricanes’ second straight loss. Dustin Tokarski made 20 saves.

The six players voted to each First Team will be on the ballot for the NHL All Quarter-Century Team that will be chosen via a fan vote that will start in February. Today, the First and Second Quarter-Century Teams for the Buffalo Sabres. Players are listed in alphabetical order.

The Sabres are 16-22-5, and they have only 12 regulation wins through 43 games, while their 37 points are fourth-fewest among the NHL's 32 teams. Coach Lindy Ruff wants to see his players change their mindset.

Bob Catalde and his family watched Connor McDavid grow from a 15-year hockey phenom for the Erie Otters to become the NHL's premiere player. They're looking forward to his brief return to town.

BUFFALO -- Ryan McLeod got his first NHL hat trick in a 4-2 win for the Buffalo Sabres against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center on Wednesday. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 34 saves and Dylan Cozens scored for the Sabres (17-22-5), who are 6-3-1 since a 13-game losing streak (0-10-3).

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was honored on Friday night by his junior hockey team, the Erie Otters, Sportsnet reported.

The Colorado Avalanche came into Thursday night with a primetime matchup that everyone wanted to see. The Edmonton Oilers have all the star power in the world and are seeking to win their first Stanley Cup in the Connor McDavid era.

Pittsburgh Penguins netminder and former OHLer Alex Nedeljkovic made NHL history Friday night. History was made last night in the NHL by a former OHL netminder. Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Alex Nedeljkovic became the 19th goalie in NHL history to score a goal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is tapping the brakes on claims of success by President Biden, President-elect Trump and partners in the Middle East that a ceasefire and hostage release deal has been achieved to pause 15 months of war. Netanyahu has so far delayed a vote in Israel’s security Cabinet to accept the ceasefire…

A weekly gauge of the players who are controlling substantial buzz around the league. When a player is included on this list it may not be a good thing -- it means that they are capturing a large amount of the hockey world's attention.