Nelson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Conor Sheary out against Sharks; Remie Elie impressing

BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline winger Conor Sheary tonight against the San Jose Sharks, meaning Remi Elie will play again as the Sabres gun for their 10th consecutive victory.

Of course, Sabres coach Phil Housley might’ve kept Elie, his 13th forward much of the season, in the lineup if Sheary could play.

In his first appearance following 10 consecutive healthy scratches, Elie, 23, stood out in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win in Detroit.... Read the full article

Sabres Notes: Lawrence Pilut excited about first NHL recall

BUFFALO – Defense prospect Lawrence Pilut’s first trip to the Sabres was more about experiencing the NHL life than receiving playing time.

The Sabres recalled Pilut, the AHL’s leading scorer, for insurance before sending him back late Friday. With Marco Scandella battling a lower-body injury, they wanted to have an extra defenseman.

The Sabres have also been winning, so coach Phil Housley hasn’t tinkered much with his lineup.

So Pilut, 22, sat out ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Lawrence Pilut won’t play today; Carter Hutton to start

BUFFALO – Lawrence Pilut’s NHL debut will come at a later date. The slick Swedish defenseman, who was summoned from the AHL on Wednesday, won’t play this afternoon against the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres coach Phil Housley said.

The Sabres, however, could make one change on defense. Housley said Marco Scandella, out with a lower-body injury since blocking a shot Monday, will be a game-time decision.

Update: Scandella will play, meaning defenseman Casey Nelson is ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Nathan Beaulieu looking to build on recent success

BUFFALO – Despite sitting out two straight games as a healthy scratch, Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu returned for Wednesday’s 5-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers possessing plenty of confidence.

Beaulieu, 25, began generating offense before leaving the lineup, scoring his second goal this season before his first two-assist effort with the Sabres. The former first-round pick was also playing beside rookie Rasmus Dahlin, the first overall pick.

But after winning four straight games with Beaulieu, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nathan Beaulieu starting to showcase old form

BUFFALO – Despite sitting out the last two games as a healthy scratch, Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu will return tonight possessing plenty of confidence.

But after winning four straight games with Beaulieu, Sabres coach Phil Housley ... Read the full article

Sabres have grown close, don’t want to let each other down

BUFFALO – Early in Monday’s come-from-behind victory in Pittsburgh, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo knew he was struggling.

As the Penguins built a 4-1 lead, Okposo was on the ice for the second and third goals.

“I wasn’t having a very good game,” Okposo acknowledged Tuesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers inside KeyBank Center.

A slew of factors have contributed to the Sabres’ thrilling six-game winning streak, a run that ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back again, beat Penguins in overtime

PITTSBURGH – By now, six games into the unlikeliest of winning streaks, the scorching Buffalo Sabres expect to conquer any deficit. Three goals? No problem. A rink they haven’t triumphed in since 2013? Big deal.

“There’s a bit of confidence now because we’ve done it a few times,” Sabres captain Jack Eichel said after his goal 45 seconds into overtime clinched a 5-4 victory over the reeling Penguins inside PPG Paints Arena.

Right now, the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrik Berglund to return against Jets

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ depth this season offers them flexibility and options they did not enjoy in recent years.

So fresh off Tuesday’s 2-1 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Phil Housley plans to change his lineup for Friday’s road tilt against the Winnipeg Jets.

Patrik Berglund, a healthy scratch Tuesday, will replace Evan Rodrigues at center beside Jason Pominville and Vladimir Sobotka.

“I don’t think as a coaching ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson happy with Sabres’ plan

BUFFALO – Having grown up with a father who played pro hockey, Sabres winger Tage Thompson has a unique understanding of the dues-paying process that accompanies developing into an NHL player.

Before Thompson’s father, Brent, began his coaching career, he played 121 NHL games as a defenseman in the 1990s, mostly with the Los Angeles Kings.

Brent, like his son, shuttled between the big leagues and the minors as a youngster and probably sat out ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart ‘dominant’ late in shootout win

BUFFALO – Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel have been Sabres teammates for 263 games over the last three-plus seasons.

In that time, Reinhart, 23, has compiled 67 goals and 151 points. On two occasions, the winger enjoyed a three-goal outing. In five other games, he recorded three points.

But Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 come-from-behind shootout win against the Vancouver Canucks might’ve been Reinhart’s best performance ever, according to Eichel.

“I thought Reino played awesome,” Eichel said. ... Read the full article