Casey Mittelstadt scores the shootout-winning goal Sunday on Carolina goalie Spencer Martin. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Casey Mittelstadt, UPL lead Sabres to emotional win over Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt smiled and laughed. You see, he stole the slick move he utilized to score the shootout winner in Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 victory from teammate Owen Power.

As luck would have it, Power, who tied the game late in regulation, went ahead of him. In stopping the defenseman and two other Sabres, Mittelstadt noticed Carolina Hurricanes goalie Spencer Martin kept coming out of the crease to challenge shooters.

So armed ... Read the full article

Devon Levi has played 10 games for Rochester. ©2024, Micheline Veluolu, Rochester Americans

After assignment by Sabres, Devon Levi thriving in Rochester: ‘It’s been great’

ROCHESTER – In the minors, far away from the glaring lights of the NHL, goalie Devon Levi can simply focus on his development.

What’s going on in Buffalo, sure, he cares and pays attention. But his feet are here with the Americans. He’ll worry about winning games for the Sabres when his next opportunity materializes.

“The pressure situation is different here from there,” Levi told the Times Herald after making 32 saves in Wednesday’s 4-1 ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) skates by former teammate Ilya Lyubushkin on Monday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres can’t put Ducks away in awful loss: ‘Gave them free chances’

BUFFALO – Almost halfway through Monday afternoon’s embarrassing 4-3 loss, the Sabres had the Anaheim Ducks on the ropes.

At that point, the Sabres had dominated the Ducks, outshooting them by about 20 as they generated a slew of prime scoring chances, including some breakaways.

Fourteen seconds after center Tage Thompson’s power-play goal put the Sabres’ up 2-1, the Ducks took another penalty.... Read the full article

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

Sabres believe Peyton Krebs ready for offensive role; UPL set to return

BUFFALO – The confidence Sabres center Peyton Krebs displayed in grabbing the puck in his own zone, roaring up the ice and undressing a defender at the blue line has taken years to develop.

In junior hockey, sure, Krebs’ skill would allow him take over a game like he did in the second period of Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers. But in the NHL, Sabres coach Don Granato explained, he has been “building ... Read the full article

Kale Clague spent much of last season in Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres recall defenseman, send goalie to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning recalled defenseman Kale Clague from the Rochester Americans and assigned goalie Dustin Tokarski to their AHL affiliate.

Sending Tokarski back likely means goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who missed Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury, will be ready for Saturday afternoon’s road game against the Minnesota Wild. The Sabres have said Luukkonen’s day to day.

Update: Luukkonen said following today’s practice he’s ready to play.... Read the full article

Buffalo goalie Eric Comrie tries to stop Florida’s Evan Rodrigues on Thursday.

Sabres generate offense again, still lose to Panthers; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could return from injury soon

BUFFALO – Remember that recent seven-goal outburst by the Sabres? As suspected, it turned out to be an anomaly.

On Thursday, they reverted back to their regular form, generating plenty of offense but showcasing a stunning lack of finish in their 4-0 loss to the heavyweight Florida Panthers before a crowd of 14,277 fans in KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Tuesday’s 7-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings, the Sabres pumped 45 shots on Anthony Stolarz, ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen began this season as Buffalo’s second or third goalie. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen out with injury; Sabres recall goalie

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will miss tonight’s game against the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury and is day to day, the team announced late this afternoon.

Luukkonen, 24, participated in this morning’s pregame skate and did not appear to be injured. He has started four straight games and 10 of the last 11.

The Finn has been one of the NHL’s hottest goalies, compiling a 7-5-0 record with a 1.60 goals-against average ... Read the full article

Buffalo’s Jordan Greenway (12) and his teammates celebrate his first Tuesday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres dismantle Kings as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen joins elite company with fourth shutout

BUFFALO – Perhaps the most of emphatic of the Sabres’ 23 victories this disappointing season served as another reminder of just how dynamically they’re capable of performing.

On Tuesday, the Sabres annihilated the reeling Los Angeles Kings before an excited crowd of 13,292 fans in KeyBank Center, pouncing on them early and never letting up.

They imposed their will on the Kings, embarrassing them all night.... Read the full article

Eric Comrie has played seven games this season for Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

After recall, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie confident, happy in backup role

BUFFALO – During his four-game stint in the minors, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie decided to let go of everything.

Good game? Great, now get ready for the next one. Bad outing? Put it away and move on.

Before the Sabres waived him Dec. 31 and assigned him to the Rochester Americans, he said he would “try to force it” during his sporadic action serving as the backup or No. 3 goalie.

In the AHL, Comrie’s ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt has a team-high 42 points. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Amid trade speculation, Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt thriving: ‘I love it here’

BUFFALO – Center Casey Mittelstadt understands the trade speculation. The Sabres, after all, are mired in 14th place, a distant 12 points out of the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot. Changes will inevitably come.

“I mean, it’s a business, right?” he said of his future being discussed.

In the midst of a disappointing year, Mittelstadt, 25, has emerged as the Sabres’ leading scorer and perhaps their most consistent forward. As a restricted free agent ... Read the full article