Zach Benson has scored four goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Mature game helping Sabres rookie Zach Benson earn keep in NHL

BUFFALO – Zach Benson, the new left winger on the Sabres’ second line alongside center Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, hasn’t recorded a point in his last 11 outings. The rookie scored his last goal back on Dec. 15, 18 games ago.

Benson, 18, has compiled four goals in 38 games this season, one less than Jack Quinn, the player he’s replacing, has scored in 17 contests.

Still, after Quinn suffered a lower-body injury Jan. ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson was injured Jan. 23. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres lose Mattias Samuelsson for the rest of the season; Jack Quinn’s injury emotional for his teammates

BUFFALO – Losing defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to a season-ending injury and winger Jack Quinn for six to eight weeks could extinguish the Sabres’ faint playoff hopes.

The Sabres, who practiced Sunday in KeyBank Center following their bye week and NHL All-Star break, must erase a 10-point deficit without two of their top talents.

But forget, for a moment, about their on-ice contributions. Suddenly losing two popular teammates could rattle the Sabres’ psyche.

Watching Quinn, 22, ... Read the full article

Eric Comrie has played three games for Rochester this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

After roster move by Sabres, goalie Eric Comrie seizing chance in Rochester

ROCHESTER – For almost a year, Eric Comrie never felt comfortable in net. Every game, the goalie said, felt like a tryout for the Buffalo Sabres. He wondered if a bad goal allowed would cost him playing time or lead to a demotion.

“I always felt like I was the odd man out in that (three-goalie) situation, where if I had the bad game, it was like, ‘Well, you’re not going to see it for ... Read the full article

Peyton Krebs has scored three goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

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

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks for the puck Thursday between Ryan Johnson (33) and Reese Johnson (52). ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posts another shutout win, Sabres stay hot: ‘Playing with mojo right now’

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar goaltending is just one part of the Sabres’ improved defense.

Right now, Luukkonen, 24, is the NHL’s hottest goalie, having posted back-to-back shutouts after making 19 saves in Thursday’s 3-0 win over the hapless Chicago Blackhawks.

The Finn’s current shutout streak of 157:55 is the longest by a Sabres netminder since Ryan Miller blanked opponents for 161:35 from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7, 2010. Only five goalies in franchise history ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka has scored 13 goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

JJ Peterka establishing himself as one of Sabres’ top scorers in second year

BUFFALO – When winger JJ Peterka’s rookie season ended nine months ago, the Sabres challenged the youngster, telling him “you got to be better.”

He contributed 12 goals and 32 points in 2022-23, strong signs he belonged in the NHL. Still, as his minus-15 rating and long offensive droughts illustrated, he was a raw work in progress.

Peterka was pretty good, but hardly good enough.

... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson went into concussion protocol Saturday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres generate offense, still lose to Canucks; Mattias Samuelsson leaves game with head injury

BUFFALO – In the second period of Saturday afternoon’s 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, the Sabres had just three defensemen available, so they utilized winger Zemgus Girgensons on the back end for a few shifts.

The Sabres, of course, started the game with six defensemen. But 13 seconds into the second period, Filip Hronek elbowed Mattias Samuelsson in the head, knocking him into concussion protocol out of the contest. At 4:02, J.T. Miller elbowed ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch has a three-game point streak. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Alex Tuch earning respect as leader, starting to heat up offensively

BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said the Sabres had discussed temporarily awarding winger Alex Tuch a letter before he gutted out more than 16 minutes of ice time and registered two assists battling illness.

The affable Tuch, a heart-and-soul player who’s also a top scorer, checks so many of the boxes the Sabres desire in a leader.

“There are lots of guys in the locker room that look up to Alex and that was probably ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 40 saves Saturday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stars in win over Penguins: ‘Stood on his head’

PITTSBURGH – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen calmly faced each breakaway, patiently waiting in position in his crease as Penguins roared toward him. Each time, the Buffalo Sabres goalie stymied his opponent, barely moving and making the stops look easy.

In Saturday’s first period, shortly after Sabres winger Alex Tuch scored 2:53 into the game, superstar Sidney Crosby became Luukkonen’s first victim. In the second period, the Finn thwarted Rickard Rackell’s attempt. Later in the second, he stoned ... Read the full article

Victor Olofsson has scored four goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson evolving in new role: ‘He’s become a better player’

PITTSBURGH – When you think of Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson scoring a goal, coach Don Granato said, you have a certain picture.

For much of the past five years, Olofsson has utilized his ultra-quick release and lethal shot, often from the circle area.

“You think of a certain spot on the ice where he opens up and it’s a one-timer,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “It’s a shift slightly into the ... Read the full article