Anaheim Ducks - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres can’t put Ducks away in awful loss: ‘Gave them free chances’

BUFFALO – Almost halfway through Monday afternoon’s embarrassing 4-3 loss, the Sabres had the Anaheim Ducks on the ropes.

At that point, the Sabres had dominated the Ducks, outshooting them by about 20 as they generated a slew of prime scoring chances, including some breakaways.

Fourteen seconds after center Tage Thompson’s power-play goal put the Sabres’ up 2-1, the Ducks took another penalty.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Henri Jokiharju displays offense; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – The Sabres mostly utilize defenseman Henri Jokiharju in a defensive role, meaning other than occasionally quarterbacking the second power-play unit, he rarely gets to display his offensive talent.

“Usually five-on-five through the regular 60 minutes of a game, he’s very responsible and focused so much on defense that you don’t get to see some of his offensive touch,” coach Don Granato told reporters Saturday in Minnesota after Jokiharju scored the overtime winner in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs confident scoring will come: ‘I have all the tools’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Peyton Krebs spoke confidently, explaining how once he starts scoring regularly, his game will be “lights out.”

“I think I have all the tools to be an elite – a really elite – player,” Krebs said following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.

Since joining the Sabres two years ago, Krebs, who turns 23 on Friday, has established himself as their fourth-line pivot, showcasing a high-octane style, usually between Zemgus Girgensons and ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Ilya Lyubushkin to Ducks

The Buffalo Sabres trimmed their defense corps Friday night, trading Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2025.

The Sabres had nine defensemen on one-way contracts prior to dealing Lyubushkin, who’s entering the final season of a two-year, $5.5 million contract.

While Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has said he would be comfortable having a surfeit of defensemen in training camp, it wasn’t surprising the Sabres made a move.... Read the full article

Trade deadline: Sabres acquire Jordan Greenway from Wild, swap AHL D

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon added to their forward corps shortly before the 3 p.m. trade deadline, acquiring winger Jordan Greenway from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round pick this year and a fifth-rounder in 2024.

The 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway, 26, played junior hockey for Sabres coach Don Granato at the U.S. National Team Development Program.

Greenway has endured a rough season, compiling just two goals and seven points in 45 games. ... Read the full article

After struggles, Sabres’ Victor Olofsson scoring goals, becoming star

BUFFALO – At times this season, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has battled adversity and the perception he’s too one-dimensional.

For stretches, he has struggled at even strength and lost ice time, doing little to dispel the belief he’s simply a power-play guy who possesses a lethal shot.

Still, 45 games into the campaign, Olofsson has already registered a career-high 21 goals.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan Miller on why he choose No. 30; Rasmus Dahlin joins elite company

BUFFALO – Growing up, Sabres legend Ryan Miller said he usually wore No. 30. Mike Gilmore, a Michigan State goalie he liked, sported it. So did some of the NHL’s best netminders at the time.

But when Miller reached junior hockey in 1997, an older goalie for the Soo Indians had the digits.

“There’s not a chance I’m getting that number,” Miller said Thursday after the Sabres retired his No. 30 and inducted him into ... Read the full article

Ducks score ‘Michigan’ goal in win over Sabres; Casey Mittelstadt injured

BUFFALO – After an 11-day layoff, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked sharp against the Anaheim Ducks in his first NHL action this season. The rest of the Sabres, meanwhile, clamped down, limiting chances following a slew of dreadful defensive efforts.

The end result, however, was their fifth consecutive loss. The Sabres, who have consistently been scoring goals, generated little offense for the first 40 minutes of Tuesday’s 2-0 loss.

The Ducks only needed Sonny Milano’s goal ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Offense on best scoring pace in 11 years as defense struggles

BUFFALO – Think about it, do kids grow up dreaming of scoring goals or playing defense? Hockey players develop an offensive mentality at a young age that remains with them.

“Every player in the NHL wants to play offense,” Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson said prior to Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks at KeyBank Center. “No one likes to play defense.”

Bryson, who knows he can’t shirk his defensive duties, loves the aggressive, fast-paced ... Read the full article

Sabres turn to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen; Malcolm Subban skates after injury

BUFFALO – As expected, the struggling Sabres will change goalies tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, awarding prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen his first start this season.

Having played four games late last year, Luukkonen developed a feel of the NHL. The Finn performed well, winning his debut and posting a .906 save percentage.

“The hope is when you put him in there’s an element of relaxed to him, a comfort,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following this ... Read the full article