Buffalo Sabres Daily: Sam Reinhart, McEichel

By Melissa Kania | Apr 10, 2015

Good morning, Buffalo Sabres fans! We’re nearly at the tail-end of this difficult season, as the NHL wraps up its 2014-2015 season this weekend.

While some question marks still remaining heading into the final weekend, other questions have been answered. All eight playoff spots in the Western Conference have been locked up, with the Los Angeles Kings as the odd man out. The St. Louis Blues clinched the Central Division title, and the Winnipeg Jets franchise returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

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In addition, one playoff matchup in the Western Conference is already set, as the Vancouver Canucks will face the Calgary Flames in a battle of Western Canada.

As it stands right now, five Canadian teams will make the NHL playoffs this year. That could drop to four if the Ottawa Senators fall out of a wildcard spot, but either way, it’s significantly more than the ONE Canadian team that made the postseason last year (Montreal).

While the West is locked up, the East still has a little wiggle room, with Boston, Ottawa and Pittsburgh all fighting for the final two spots. It’s crazy to think that, depending on what happens Friday night, Saturday’s Buffalo Sabres game against the Pens could make all the difference in the world.

First up in Buffalo Sabres news this morning, the team has officially sent forward Sam Reinhart to the AHL’s Rochester Americans. Reinhart’s season with the WHL’s Kootenay Ice just wrapped up, and he’ll now report to the Amerks for the team’s final stretch of games.

The Amerks are not in a playoff position; their next game is tonight against the Toronto Marlies.

Meanwhile, Jack Eichel and Boston University are tearing things up and will play for the NCAA championship on Saturday against Providence College. [BU Today]

Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters have begun their second round of the OHL playoffs, defeating the London Knights by a score of 5-2 on Thursday. Erie outshot London 46-18 and scored five unanswered goals.

Finally, the AHL and ECHL announced their respective all-star teams.

In the AHL, no Rochester Americans made the final cut for either the first- or second- team, but guys like Andy Miele, Jacob Markstrom and Shane Prince did. The winner of the Eddie Shore Award for outstanding defenseman will be announced today.

The ECHL also announced its all-star teams, which includes former Buffalo Sabres prospect Shawn Szydlowski. Szydlowski put up 73 points (38-35) in 55 games with the Fort Wayne Komets.

Some positive, touching news to finish things off this morning: the Buffalo Sabres, in conjunction with their partners, have created a scholarship fund in Steve Montador‘s memory. For more information, including how to donate to the fund, visit this link.

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