Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres injuries: Alex Tuch out at least few weeks; Rasmus Dahlin day to day

BUFFALO – For months, the Sabres stayed remarkably healthy, especially up front, where the forward corps remained almost intact.

But now, they’ll be without first-line winger Alex Tuch for at least a few weeks after he suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 3-1 road win over the Florida Panthers. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch, 26, is week to week and he expects him to return before the end of the regular season.

To make ... Read the full article

Erik Cernak suspended two games for elbowing Sabres’ Kyle Okposo

The NHL has suspended Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak for two games for elbowing Sabres captain Kyle Okposo in the face late in regulation of Buffalo’s 6-5 overtime win Thursday in Tampa Bay.

As Okposo tried to enter the Tampa Bay zone, Cernak appeared to have his opponent lined up for a clean hit. Okposo, however, tried to evade Cernak and cut toward the middle of the ice.

“In danger of missing Okposo entirely, Cernak compensates ... Read the full article

Maple Leafs throttle Sabres early in victory: ‘Horrendous start’

BUFFALO – The barrage mercifully ended about 12 minutes into the first period, when the Sabres, having been torched for four goals by the Toronto Maple Leafs, settled down and started stopping their opponent.

Much of the buzz prior to Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at KeyBank Center centered on the Sabres, one of the NHL’s up-and-coming young teams, and their pursuit of a playoff spot.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres, Maple Leafs renew rivalry with biggest meeting in years; Buffalo changes goalie plan

BUFFALO – Captain Kyle Okposo understands the Toronto Maple Leafs, tonight’s opponent, are the Sabres’ biggest rival.

Of course, that’s based on geography, not anything the teams have recently done on the ice. The Atlantic Division foes haven’t made the playoffs in the same season since 2001.

“To really cement a rivalry you’ve got to play a playoff series against somebody,” Okposo said following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “That’s what kind of really ratchets ... Read the full article

GM Kevyn Adams believes strongly in Sabres, won’t compromise future

BUFFALO – The Sabres have arrived about a year ahead of schedule, moving themselves in the into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase and putting general manager Kevyn Adams in an interesting situation.

So far, his plan to reshape the Sabres through drafting and development has paid off, as they began Thursday’s slate of games three points out of the final playoff spot. They have three games in hand on the New York ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin replaces injured Tage Thompson in NHL All-Star Game

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will replace injured teammate Tage Thompson on the Atlantic Division roster for Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game, the league announced this morning.

Thompson, 25, left Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes after the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Coach Don Granato did not have an update following the game.

Of course, Dahlin, 22, is a worthy replacement for Thompson, a center whose 34 goals and ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Hurricanes, Tage Thompson to injury

BUFFALO – Forget about Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that could’ve moved the Sabres into a playoff spot. Right now, having lost No. 1 center and leading scorer Tage Thompson to an upper-body injury, they have bigger concerns.

Thompson, who’s supposed to represent the Sabres in Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida, left Wednesday’s contest after the second period and did not return.

The TNT broadcast showed Thompson wincing in ... Read the full article

After lean years, Zemgus Girgensons enjoying Sabres’ playoff push

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo said one of his teammates recently mentioned to him how interesting it would be to watch tenacious winger Zemgus Girgensons compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Like, ‘Imagine 28 in the playoffs and just how he would just run through a wall for anybody,’” Okposo said following Tuesday’s practice at KeyBank Center.

Girgensons’ aggressive, straight-ahead style is tailor-made for the rigors of gritty postseason hockey.... 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