Ristolainen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Former Sabres Dmitry Kulikov, Tyler Myers happy with Jets

BUFFALO – In training camp, Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice figured what the heck, why not throw defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Tyler Myers, two of his biggest question marks, together?

These days, the former Sabres form the upstart Jets’ strong No. 2 defense pair. But four months ago, no one knew what to expect from the 27-year-old veterans.

Kulikov was coming off a miserable season in which a lower-back bruise he suffered in his ... Read the full article

Winter Classic experience gives Sabres taste of big time

NEW YORK – For a few days at least, the Winter Classic allowed the last-place Buffalo Sabres to experience the NHL’s grand stage.

Everything about the outdoor game, the league’s signature non-playoff event, is big. The Sabres, seven years removed from their last playoff appearance, haven’t been in the spotlight for a long time.

So the Sabres’ time here, which culminated with Monday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers before a packed ... Read the full article

Sabres Winter Classic notes: Sam Reinhart scores huge goal

NEW YORK – In his NHL and major junior career, winger Sam Reinhart has scored 166 goals, including 46 with the Buffalo Sabres.

Reinhart’s power-play goal in Monday afternoon’s Winter Classic, his first score in 17 games dating back to Nov. 22, might’ve been the biggest of his career.

Fifty-three seconds into the second period, Reinhart potted a loose puck beside New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist as he fell down, capitalizing after Kyle Okposo ... Read the full article

Winter Classic offers Sabres’ Jack Eichel national showcase

NEW YORK – Jack Eichel offered little explanation for his recent hot streak. The Buffalo Sabres center joked he took some vegetables out of his pregame meal.

Come on, Jack. Something clearly ignited you during the last month.

“I don’t really think I’ve changed too much,” Eichel said Sunday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s Winter Classic against the New York Rangers at Citi Field.... Read the full article

Sabres have become tight-knit group

BUFFALO – During Wednesday’s practice, Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian experienced what he called a “Bogo moment.”

“I fell on the ice and everyone started laughing,” Bogosian said Thursday. “We always give each other a hard time.”

Actually, it was a little funnier than a simple spill.

“Bogo went headfirst into the boards,” Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said. “I was cracking up.”

The affable Bogosian, who always seems to be smiling, said he enjoyed the post-tumble ... Read the full article

Sabres defense contributing goals

BUFFALO – Zero goals scored by a defense corps over a two-month stretch would be surprising for any NHL team, but one coached by Phil Housley, how could that happen?

Housley, of course, is a Hall of Famer who scored 338 goals, the fourth-highest total among defensemen in NHL history. The Sabres coach once scored 31 times in a season.

But Housley’s defense has produced just two goals this season entering tonight’s tilt against the ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres blanked again, set franchise record for futility

BUFFALO – The Sabres haven’t scored a goal in almost 181 minutes, have lost 10 of their last 11 outings and get booed off the ice following every period.

How bad are things right now?

In Friday’s 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the NHL’s worst team possibly hit the lowest point in its 47-year history. Seriously.

For the first time ever, the hapless Sabres have been shut out in three consecutive games.... Read the full article

Sabres have played Penguins tough; Zach Bogosian set to debut

BUFFALO – In their last meeting Nov. 14 in Pittsburgh, the Sabres held two early two-goal leads before the Penguins roared back to beat them 5-4 in overtime.

On March 5 in Pittsburgh, the Sabres went up 3-0 in the first period before imploding and losing 4-3.

The Sabres have played the Penguins, winners of the last two Stanley Cups, tough during some recent meetings. They just can’t close out games.... Read the full article

Sabres promote Jordan Nolan to scoring line

BUFFALO – To ignite the NHL’s worst offense, Sabres coach Phil Housley has been changing lines almost every day, moving players up and down the lineup.

So it wasn’t shocking to see winger Jordan Nolan, who has scored 22 times in 315 career NHL games, at left wing on a “scoring” line beside center Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Okposo during this morning’s practice.

When you’ve been blanked in two straight games, promoting a fourth-liner ... Read the full article

Sabres blanked again by Lightning

BUFFALO – Winger Evander Kane paused for a moment following the Sabres’ second straight shutout loss. The veteran wanted to collect his thoughts, not mince any words.

With Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lighting, the Sabres have been blanked in back-to-back games for the first time since Oct. 17 and 18, 2014, some of the franchise’s darkest days.

Back then, the Sabres fielded the NHL’s weakest lineup. Winning wasn’t a priority.

These days, ... Read the full article