11-13: Phil Housley on WGR (13:00)
#Sabres head coach Phil Housley joins Howard and Jeremy next on WGR for his weekly Tuesday segment! Tune in:
Housley - Saturday was an important game for us. It was against a very good opponent, and you can understand why the Canucks are leading their division. We had to stay the course against them. We broke in the second period a bit, but we stuck it out until the very end. #Sabres
Housley - You have to go with your top players in the shootout. Casey Mittelstadt's goal, you can see his high-end talent. Carter Hutton made some great saves, especially on the third attempt. It was great to win the first shootout of the year and get a big two points. #Sabres
Housley - I like where Casey Mittelstadt's development has gone this season. He is a student of the game. His game is moving in the right direction. #Sabres
Housley - We've had to tinker with the lines a little bit. It's all about how things are going with the four lines. You have to try and make some combinations work and find a spark. We've had some good combinations, it's up to the players and who wants to step up. #Sabres
Housley - Eichel-Skinner-Pominville had a great run. On Saturday, we were down 3-1 and I just felt Reinhart was playing really well. At that point, you go back to who has had good chemistry in the past. (1/2) #Sabres
Housley - The other lines you try to find balance. It mostly goes by zone starts and who's contributing that night. (2/2) #Sabres
Housley - We want guys to use their instincts and creativity while playing 3-on-3, but if nothing is developing, we want guys to come back and re-group. I think we've done a pretty good job. We got the big win in Montreal, even though it wasn't all that pretty. #Sabres
Housley - we've always wanted our defensemen up in the attack. Once we get in the offensive zone, they're a big part of our attack. When our forwards go to the net and make things hard for the opponent's goalies, it helps out the defensemen and their chances of scoring. #Sabres
Housley - I think it's a great opportunity. We're playing some real good competition against the teams we're facing in the next seven games. Tonight, we can't overlook the Lightning. They've played some terrific hockey, they;re good on the road. (1/2) #Sabres
Housley - I know we've got a tough schedule ahead, but we're going to focus on Tampa Bay tonight. (2/2) #Sabres