Sheary - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Linus Ullmark blanks Ducks, Sabres head into break on high note

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark could’ve been forgiven if it took him a little time to acclimate to his new role as a backup, perhaps the NHL’s toughest job.

No. 2 netminders often go a week or more without playing. When they finally start, they often receive the second of back-to-back games.

But Ullmark, 25, has transitioned nicely into his new gig, winning eight of his first 13 appearances subbing for No. 1 goalie ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Brendan Guhle returns to NHL confident

BUFFALO – During the second intermission Saturday in Cleveland, defenseman Brendan Guhle was informed the Sabres needed his services the next day more than 600 miles away in Boston.

So instead of finishing the Rochester Americans’ 2-1 victory against the Monsters, Guhle, who scored earlier in the game, spent all of the third period and overtime watching from the bench.

“It was pretty weird,” Guhle said prior to Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe close to returning; Phil Housley mixes up centers

BUFFALO – After skating with his teammates for the first time this morning since suffering an upper-body injury Nov. 29, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe figures he can return by the weekend.

McCabe, who will miss his ninth game tonight, has skated eight of the last nine days, only taking Monday off.

While McCabe only has one team session under his belt – a light morning skate as the Sabres prepared for the Florida Panthers – ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel enjoying one of greatest seasons in Sabres history

BUFFALO – Thirty-four games into his fourth NHL campaign, Sabres captain Jack Eichel is enjoying more than just a career year; the ultra-talented center is putting together one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

Fresh off a four-goal, nine-point week, Eichel is up to 14 goals and 45 points entering tonight’s tilt against the Florida Panthers inside KeyBank Center. At his current pace, he would compile 34 goals and a whopping 109 points over ... Read the full article

Sabres pounce on Coyotes early, win second straight

BUFFALO – Less than a minute into Thursday’s 3-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes, Sabres winger Conor Sheary intercepted an ill-advised pass defenseman Alex Goligoski telegraphed up the middle of the ice.

A few seconds later, center Casey Mittelstadt scored from the slot, putting the Sabres up at the 48-second mark. Barely six minutes after the rookie registered his first goal in nine games, winger Jeff Skinner easily converted captain Jack Eichel’s pass on a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Hunwick to start rehab assignment with Amerks

BUFFALO – On April 1, defenseman Matt Hunwick made his 521st NHL appearance, skating just over 12 minutes in Pittsburgh’s 3-1 loss to Washington.

More than eight months later, Hunwick, 33, hasn’t played another game. That should, however, change Wednesday for the Sabres newcomer, who has missed the first 30 contests this season recovering from a neck injury.

Hunwick will be assigned to the Rochester Americans for an AHL rehab assignment today, Sabres coach Phil ... Read the full article

Sabres suddenly lack secondary scoring

BUFFALO – After starting slowly this season, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo found a groove around late October, scoring five goals and 12 points over an 18-game stretch.

Not surprisingly, Okposo’s production coincided with the Sabres’ surge to the top of the NHL. The veteran usually skates on the second or third line, so his offense provided some critical secondary scoring.

Then like most of the Sabres, Okposo, 30, suddenly stopped scoring. Since their 10-game winning ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton practices, should play this week

BUFFALO – After an upper-body injury forced him to miss Saturday afternoon’s 6-2 home loss to Philadelphia, Sabres goalie Carter Hutton was back practicing this morning inside HarborCenter.

Coach Phil Housley said he “definitely” expects his No. 1 netminder to return this week. The Sabres host Los Angeles on Tuesday and Arizona on Thursday before playing road games Saturday and Sunday.

“It was good to see him back battling,” Housley said inside KeyBank Center. “He ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Matt Hunwick nearing return from neck injury

BUFFALO – Right away last season, Sabres defenseman Matt Hunwick said he felt “something just didn’t click” in Pittsburgh.

“I … was just never kind of able to get my footing,” said Hunwick, who is practicing and listed as day-to-day after suffering a neck injury working out during the offseason.

Not surprisingly, Hunwick, who signed a three-year, $6.75 million contract with Pittsburgh, endured a rough campaign in 2017-18.

The Michigan product suffered a concussion six ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis happy in fourth-line role with Maple Leafs

BUFFALO – Instead of being relied upon to produce offense, ex-Sabres winger Tyler Ennis is now a fourth-liner.

Sure, Ennis, 29, skates on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ second power-play unit. The former first-round pick even started the season on the No. 1 line beside center Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau.

But Ennis is no longer the ultra-slick presence from his early days. The concussions he suffered in his final seasons with the Sabres helped stymie ... Read the full article