JJ Peterka skates away Saturday after Montreal’s Cayden Primeau stopped his shootout attempt. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Despite missed chances, Sabres keep forging identity in loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – The final result, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, stings. The Sabres squandered opportunities all night, pumping a season-high 48 shots on goal and failing to convert six power plays, including one that carried into overtime.

In Saturday’s shootout, they needed one stop to secure back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

Still, in losing for the sixth time in eight outings (2-5-1), the Sabres at least carried over ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) and Jeff Skinner try to score on Detroit goalie Alex Lyon on Thursday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres fall behind early again, lose to Red Wings: ‘I didn’t like our game’

BUFFALO – Well, it’s hard to say the Sabres lack consistency. Their win-one, lose-one start feels like a distant memory. These days, count on them falling behind early and losing.

In Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, their fourth straight setback and fifth in the last six games, the reeling Sabres trailed 2-0 by the 8:25 mark.

If you’re keeping track, opponents have outscored the Sabres an astounding 13-1 in the first period ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson skates during Tuesday’s first period. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson returns from injury; Alex Tuch could play soon

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson said he originally expected the left hand injury he suffered on Nov. 14 would sideline him four to six weeks.

“Things progressed a little quicker,” Thompson said prior to recording an assist in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in KeyBank Center. “X-rays came back good.”

Thompson’s injury healed so quickly that he returned in just three weeks. Despite the layoff, he played after participating in just ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has missed nine games. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Tage Thompson ready to return from injury; Sabres to make roster moves

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson said he originally expected the left hand injury he suffered on Nov. 14 would sideline him four to six weeks.

“Things progressed a little quicker,” Thompson said after skating with his teammates this morning in KeyBank Center. “X-rays came back good.”

Thompson’s injury healed so quickly that he will return ahead of schedule for tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.

“Happily surprised,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “We ... Read the full article

Zach Benson has played six games this season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Next three games will decide rookie Zach Benson’s future with Sabres

BUFFALO – As the roster spot he earned out of training camp illustrates, the Sabres feel comfortable awarding rookie winger Zach Benson NHL action.

Still, Benson, 18, has essentially been on a trial run. He can play nine games before the first year of his entry-level contract kicks in. So far, he has dressed for six contests.

Benson, the 13th overall pick this year, has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury.... Read the full article

Alex Tuch has missed three games. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Alex Tuch returns from injury, should play against Jets

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch thought his upper-body injury would heal a bit faster. The Sabres winger never anticipated missing three contests, including captain Kyle Okposo’s 1,000th NHL game.

“It was something that we didn’t want to flare up again,” Tuch said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “We just wanted to make sure to keep it under control. … Just wanted to be 100 percent. It was really tough on me to miss Okie’s 1,000th ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt (left) and Dylan Cozens give Buffalo terrific center depth. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

With Sabres’ Tage Thompson injured, centers Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens have chance to step up

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence last season, Casey Mittelstadt filled in superbly as the No. 1 center, helping the Sabres’ top line remain one of the NHL’s most lethal.

Still, Thompson, having established himself as one of the NHL’s elite scorers, can’t be replaced. He scored 47 goals and 94 points last season. He had five goals and 11 points during a nine-game stretch before blocking a shot with his left hand or wrist ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson was injured twice Tuesday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres lose game to Bruins, star Tage Thompson to injury that will sideline him ‘significant time’

BUFFALO – The game, a 5-2 shellacking from the heavyweight Boston Bruins after the Sabres celebrated captain Kyle Okposo’s 1,000th NHL appearance, was bad enough.

But they also lost top center Tage Thompson on Tuesday to an upper-body injury coach Don Granato said will probably sideline their most dynamic scorer “significant time.”

Thompson, 26, left the game just over 11 minutes into the second period after blocking Charlie McAvoy’s shot with his left hand or ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started his third straight game Friday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres fall behind early in loss to Flyers; Mattias Samuelsson leaves with injury

BUFFALO – The final result, an ugly 5-1 loss, stings enough. The Sabres began Friday on a short roll, having won two straight games and three of their last four.

After a disappointing start this season, the Sabres appeared to have finally found a bit of a groove.

Ninety-one seconds into Friday’s game, they trailed 2-0. The Flyers had two shots on goal.

About five minutes later, Mattias Samuelsson, the Sabres’ sturdiest defenseman, departed the ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt has been on a tear since late last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt showing star qualities, realizing potential

BUFFALO – It took about five years, an eternity for an eighth overall pick, for Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt to reach this level.

On his way to becoming a top point producer, he endured a surprising demotion to the minors, a position switch, stints on the taxi squad and an injury-riddled season.

Mittelstadt, 24, needed time – a commodity not often given to top prospects thrust into the NHL as teenagers – to figure things ... Read the full article