WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Matt Hunwick has only played three games this season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – A lower-body injury will force Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian to miss this afternoon’s tilt against the Winnipeg Jets, meaning Matt Hunwick will move in for just the fourth time this season.
Sabres coach Phil Housley said Bogosian, 28, is day-to-day.
Hunwick, 33, missed the first two and half months this season recovering from a neck injury. The veteran has been a healthy scratch 18 of the last 19 contests.
Still, Hunwick’s one ... Read the full article
Conor Sheary endured a long slump. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Barely a minute into Saturday afternoon’s second period, Sabres winger Conor Sheary intercepted Justin Abdelkader’s weak backhand pass outside the opposing blue line and zoomed into the slot before beating goalie Jimmy Howard.
The slick goal, just Sheary’s third in the last 34 outings, served as another reminder the diminutive UMass product ranks among the Sabres’ most talented forwards.
“Once I got the turnover, I think I just tried to attack quick,” Sheary ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson also sat out earlier in the season. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – This is probably only a temporary benching. Sabres coach Phil Housley plans to give winger Tage Thompson another opportunity soon.
But for the first time since Nov. 8 and the eighth time this season, Thompson, 21, sat out as a healthy scratch Thursday.
Center Johan Larsson replaced him for the Sabres’6-5 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Thompson, a big piece of the Ryan O’Reilly trade with the St. Louis Blues, had played ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno is in his second season with the Wild. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – This trip was more relaxing. A year ago, Marcus Foligno said he experienced “a lot of nerves” visiting here as an opponent.
“Now it’s just another road game,” said the Buffalo-born Foligno, who’s in his second season with the Minnesota Wild after spending six years with the Sabres.
He added: “It’s always special to come back to Buffalo. You get a little bit excited.”
Foligno, 27, has settled in nicely with the Wild, ... Read the full article
C.J. Smith has compiled 41 points in 41 AHL games this season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sooner or later, coach Phil Housley had to make some significant changes, right? The Sabres have fallen from first overall to three points out of a playoff spot.
Having compiled an awful 8-14-4 mark in their last 26 games, their marathon slump has surpassed the two-month mark. In their last 10 outings, they’re 3-7.
In recent games, the Sabres have shown little interest in playing defense and struggled to score goals. Their power ... Read the full article
The Sabres claimed Remi Elie off waivers in October. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres waived winger Remi Elie this morning.
Elie, 23, isn’t practicing with his teammate inside HarborCenter, meaning if he clears, he could be bound for the Rochester Americans.
Sunday update: Elie has cleared, according to reports.
The Sabres claimed Elie from the Dallas Stars in October. The former second-round pick has played 16 games this season, including the last two, compiling one assist.... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has strong chemistry with his linemates. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – One of the best stretches of Casey Mittelstadt’s 57-game NHL career – two goals and four points over seven recent contests – hasn’t boosted the Sabres rookie’s confidence.
“I don’t think I’m more confident or anything,” Mittelstadt said prior to Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks inside KeyBank Center. “I don’t struggle in that department.”
Mittelstadt, 20, doesn’t lack confidence.
“I know what I’m capable of doing,” the slick center said.... Read the full article
Lawrence Pilut hasn’t played since Jan. 18. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Rejoice, Sabres fans. Rookie defenseman Lawrence Pilut will return tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks after sitting out two straight games as a healthy scratch.
Sabres coach Phil Housley changed his blue line the last two contests, inserting Matt Hunwick and Nathan Beaulieu while Pilut, 23, watched.
While Housley said he liked what the veterans showcased, Pilut, a slick youngster fans have been clamoring to see, will play his first game since Jan. 18.... Read the full article
Goalie Carter Hutton could see plenty of action during the Sabres’ home stand. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – For a struggling team that must rattle off wins if it hopes to snag a playoff spot for the first time since 2011, this is a gift. Starting tonight, the Sabres play their next seven games at home.
How rare is a seven-game home stand? It’s the longest in franchise history, tying a stretch from Jan. 20 to Feb. 2, 1997.
The Sabres’ season hinges on this 15-day stretch. Realistically, they need to ... Read the full article
Matt Hunwick hasn’t played since Dec. 18. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Doing extra work on and off the ice to stay sharp for your next opportunity is the easy part for healthy scratches.
“It’s not so much my body, my hands, my legs,” said Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, who has been scratched 12 out of the last 15 games. “It’s more the mental part of it. The game’s really fast. You step in the position you’re in, a lot is on the line, ... Read the full article
