Cozens - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Frustrations mounting for Sabres’ Dylan Cozens: ‘I’ve lacked a little bit of confidence

BUFFALO – In the third period of Sunday’s 2-1 loss, Sabres center Dylan Cozens carried the puck into the Nashville zone, dished it off and made a beeline toward Predators goalie Juuse Saros.

A second later, Cozens grabbed a pass from linemate JJ Peterka and quickly tried to stuff it in the net. Only Saros’ left pad prevented his seventh and final shot of the night from tying the game.

Cozens, who has struggled to ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres lose game to Predators, Alex Tuch to injury

BUFFALO – Things keep getting worse for the Sabres. Not only did they lose again Sunday, their third straight setback and fourth in the last five games, winger Alex Tuch appeared to suffer a hamstring injury chasing down Filip Forsberg on a breakaway.

Tuch departed the 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators about 7:34 into the third period and did not return. As Forsberg zoomed in on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tuch grabbed his hamstring and ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Team Canada wants Zach Benson; Buffalo had interest in signing Patrick Kane

BUFFALO – In Monday’s 5-1 road win over the New York Rangers, the NHL’s best team, Sabres rookie Zach Benson played a career-high 18 minutes, 28 seconds.

Benson, 18, spent the night skating left wing on the second line alongside center Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka and on the second power-play unit.

“In a game like that against a top team in Madison Square Garden, he was calm, he made a lot of plays, he ... Read the full article

Mature style, skill help Sabres rookie Zach Benson earn spot in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Forget, for a moment, about the dynamic goal Sabres winger Zach Benson scored Wednesday.

Seconds before Benson, 18, utilized a scintillating between-the-legs backhand to beat Washington Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper for his first NHL goal, he made two subtle plays that belied his age.

The maturity the rookie showcased – coach Don Granato called the plays “significant” – helps illustrate why the Sabres have chosen to keep him, at least for now.

Benson, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch returns from injury, should play against Jets

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch thought his upper-body injury would heal a bit faster. The Sabres winger never anticipated missing three contests, including captain Kyle Okposo’s 1,000th NHL game.

“It was something that we didn’t want to flare up again,” Tuch said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “We just wanted to make sure to keep it under control. … Just wanted to be 100 percent. It was really tough on me to miss Okie’s 1,000th ... Read the full article

With Sabres’ Tage Thompson injured, centers Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens have chance to step up

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence last season, Casey Mittelstadt filled in superbly as the No. 1 center, helping the Sabres’ top line remain one of the NHL’s most lethal.

Still, Thompson, having established himself as one of the NHL’s elite scorers, can’t be replaced. He scored 47 goals and 94 points last season. He had five goals and 11 points during a nine-game stretch before blocking a shot with his left hand or wrist ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Bruins, star Tage Thompson to injury that will sideline him ‘significant time’

BUFFALO – The game, a 5-2 shellacking from the heavyweight Boston Bruins after the Sabres celebrated captain Kyle Okposo’s 1,000th NHL appearance, was bad enough.

But they also lost top center Tage Thompson on Tuesday to an upper-body injury coach Don Granato said will probably sideline their most dynamic scorer “significant time.”

Thompson, 26, left the game just over 11 minutes into the second period after blocking Charlie McAvoy’s shot with his left hand or ... Read the full article

Sabres display skill, not enough work, in loss; Peyton Krebs scratched

PITTSBURGH – On the surface, pumping 35 shots on goal looks good, like the Buffalo Sabres created enough offense to win. Perhaps they just ran into a hot goalie.

While Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry played well in Saturday’s 4-0 win, he hardly stood on his head. The Sabres simply made it too easy for him in front of the 18,429 fans in PPG Paints Arena.

“We used our skill to create stuff but we didn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Injured Alex Tuch misses game; Buffalo could make roster move

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. He missed Friday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Sabres coach Don Granato said prior to the game. “It’s gotten better.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch still battling injury; Matt Savoie to make NHL debut

BUFFALO – As the Sabres convened for their optional morning skate, winger Alex Tuch emerged from the tunnel and joined his teammates on the ice.

But before the session started, Tuch, who’s battling an upper-body injury, left the ice. Coach Don Granato said he’s questionable for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild in KeyBank Center.

“He’s dealing with some soreness that we’re hoping resolves sooner than later,” Granato said this morning. “It’s gotten better.”

Granato ... Read the full article