Kyle Okposo grew up loving the NBA. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo hit hard by Kobe Bryant’s death: ‘He was a titan’

BUFFALO – Kyle Okposo grew up a rabid basketball fan in the 1990s and said he played the sport “way before” he took up hockey. The Sabres winger still loves talking about the NBA of his youth and its stars.

So the death of 41-year-old basketball legend Kobe Bryant has impacted Okposo. He sounded emotional this afternoon discussing Bryant, who died in helicopter crash Sunday in Los Angeles with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner has missed 10 games. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Jeff Skinner close to playing with make-or-break stretch ahead for Sabres

BUFFALO – This upcoming stretch will likely decide the Sabres’ season. They play nine of their first 10 games following the NHL All-Star break at KeyBank Center, where they’ve compiled a terrific 14-6-3 mark this season.

The odds, of course, are slim the Sabres, who trail the Florida Panthers by 10 points for the Atlantic Division’s final playoff spot, can roar back into the race.

But given their upcoming slate of home games and winger ... Read the full article

Rasmus Asplund returned to Rochester during the Sabres’ break. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Prospect Rasmus Asplund could return to Sabres soon

BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans on Sunday after the NHL All-Star break ended.

But what about forward Rasmus Asplund, who was sent to the Amerks with Pilut and winger Scott Wilson when the Sabres started their bye last week?

Coach Ralph Krueger said winger Jeff Skinner’s status for Tuesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators and whether the Sabres use seven defensemen will determine if the ... Read the full article

Curtis Lazar has enjoyed regular duty. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Curtis Lazar earning keep with Sabres: ‘I am an NHL player’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, Sabres center Curtis Lazar couldn’t get off the ice.

Lazar’s marathon shift began with 2:18 left in the third period and the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead. Following an icing and a timeout, the play kept going and going as the Golden Knights pressed with the extra attacker.

“We knew what we had to do,” Lazar said following Wednesday’s ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen had an assist Tuesday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen impressing in front of net on power play

BUFFALO – Over the last four seasons, Rasmus Ristolainen has averaged 36 assists. No one should be surprised the Sabres defenseman can pass the puck well.

Still, seeing Ristolainen help create winger Sam Reinhart’s power-play goal in Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights looked unusual.

Ristolainen dished the puck from the front of the net, his new position on the power play.

“I feel everyone was kind of joking and surprised I can ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel beats Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury on Tuesday. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Jack Eichel’s ‘moment of brilliance’ helps Sabres beat Golden Knights

BUFFALO – For two periods, the Vegas Golden Knights stymied Sabres captain Jack Eichel, keeping one of the NHL’s most dynamic stars in check.

In the opening 40 minutes Tuesday, Eichel registered zero shots on goal and committed an uncharacteristic gaffe, telegraphing an ill-advised pass from deep in his own.

“I definitely made some bad turnovers,” Eichel said after scoring a scintillating game-winning goal late in the Sabres’ 4-2 victory inside KeyBank Center.

While the ... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons has been producing offense. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons scoring goals, feeling confident on top line

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons occasionally flashes some of the skills that helped make him the 14th overall pick in 2012.

In Sunday’s 5-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings, Girgensons utilized his soft hands to score on a short-handed breakaway. In Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, he tipped linemate Kyle Okposo’s laser in, briefly tying the game.

In 46 games this season, Girgensons has compiled eight goals, his highest total since ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson started the season in Rochester. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres’ Tage Thompson undergoes shoulder surgery, out five to six months

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson’s season is over.

The Sabres announced this afternoon Thompson, 22, has undergone successful surgery on his right shoulder and will be sidelined five to six months.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Thompson, one of the Sabres’ top forward prospects, was injured in the waning minutes of his season debut Nov. 17, a 4-1 road loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.... Read the full article

Colin Miller has been a healthy scratch 14 times. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Colin Miller struggling to adjust, earn playing time with Sabres

BUFFALO – In Vegas, Colin Miller spent two seasons as one of the Golden Knights’ top defensemen, eating up minutes and piling up points.

But Miller, who will return tonight against his old team after sitting out two straight games, hasn’t secured a regular spot with the Sabres. Their biggest offseason acquisition – they traded Vegas two draft picks – has been a healthy scratch 14 times.

When Miller has played, he has often ... Read the full article

Carter Hutton has lost 11 straight games. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres fall apart late to Canucks, can’t help Carter Hutton: ‘A lot of it’s on us’

BUFFALO – It can be easy to feel sorry for Carter Hutton these days.

Three months ago, Hutton ranked among the NHL’s best goalies. His superb netminding – he began the campaign 6-0-0 – helped buoy the Sabres’ terrific October.

But Hutton’s season started falling apart months ago. Incredibly, he hasn’t won a game since Oct. 22.

Saturday afternoon’s 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks dropped Hutton’s record to 0-7-4 in his last 11 starts.... Read the full article