Jacob Bryson scored for the first time in nearly a year. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres throttle Maple Leafs, end losing streak: ‘They got rewarded’

TORONTO – Prior to Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over the Maple Leafs, the Buffalo Sabres had been mired in a season-worst rut, losing six straight games in regulation. For all the optimism they’ve generated at times this year, the cold reality they’re a rebuilding team destined for another lottery pick has been hitting home.

It hardly felt like they’d snap of their funk against the Leafs, one of the NHL’s hottest and most potent teams. The ... Read the full article

Cody Eakin ended a 33-game goal drought Sunday afternoon. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Slow start dooms Sabres in loss to Stars: ‘Have to keep plowing ahead’

At this point, as the losses pile up – Sunday afternoon’s 4-2 setback was the Buffalo Sabres’ sixth straight in regulation – they need to find positives and signs of development within their games.

In Friday’s 5-3 loss in St. Louis, the Sabres could take some solace in the tenacity they showcased while arguably outplaying the Blues, one of the NHL’s heavyweights.

What about Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Arena?

Well, ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens created a penalty shot for Montreal on Tuesday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres look awful early, lose to surging Canadiens: ‘We were sloppy’

It took time for the Montreal Canadiens to experience the surge that often accompanies a coaching change. Martin St. Louis lost the first three games of an interim gig that increasingly looks like it will become permanent.

Wednesday’s 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres was the Canadiens’ fourth straight triumph. They had just eight victories all season before beating the St. Louis Blues last Thursday.

The Sabres annihilated the Canadiens earlier this season, outscoring them ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has already scored a career-high 15 goals. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch forming lethal line for Sabres

BUFFALO – The idea of Sabres forwards Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson someday comprising two-thirds of one of the NHL’s hottest lines would’ve seemed ludicrous a year ago.

Twelve months ago, Skinner was about to become a healthy scratch as his career-worst season hit its nadir. Meanwhile, Thompson was moving in and out of the lineup and skating short minutes as a winger when he managed to play.

Today, Skinner, having scored four times in ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner hit the 20-goal mark Sunday afternoon. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Dynamic four-goal game shows Sabres’ Jeff Skinner back as elite scorer

In the two seasons following his scintillating 40-goal campaign in 2018-19, it appeared Sabres winger Jeff Skinner would never recapture the scoring prowess he possessed throughout that career year.

Skinner, who enjoyed a dynamic afternoon in Sunday’s 5-3 win, scoring a career-high four goals and adding an assist, looked finished as an elite NHL scorer.

Last season, Skinner scored just seven times in 53 games and was scratched three times. In 2019-20, he recorded 11 ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin’s second-period goal ignited Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres blow late lead to Blue Jackets, lose in OT: ‘We started changing’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ blueprint for success is no secret. For about 20 minutes against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they played confidently and loosely, opening up what felt like a commanding two-goal lead early in the third period.

“We got that 3-1 lead, we had a couple of good shifts afterward and then we started changing the way we were playing,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said following Thursday’s 4-3 loss, a game Jakub Voracek clinched ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner has scored 16 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

After rough season, rejuvenated Jeff Skinner again one of Sabres’ top threats

BUFFALO – It took time for Jeff Skinner to recapture his scoring prowess after enduring a miserable, career-worst season. The Sabres winger scored just once in the first eight games of what has become a terrific comeback year.

But from the get-go this season, Sabres coach Don Granato saw Skinner, 29, possessed confidence he would resolve his problems and was hellbent on becoming a go-to guy again.

Granato said Skinner began practicing and playing with ... Read the full article

Newcomer Alex Tuch is off to one of the best starts in Buffalo’s history. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Alex Tuch responding to new challenges, piling up points

BUFFALO – In Vegas, Sabres newcomer Alex Tuch played a supporting role on one of the NHL’s deepest teams. The Golden Knights possess high-end talent in Jonathan Marchessault, Max Pacioretty, Alex Pietrangelo, Mark Stone and others.

Tuch, 25, could blend in as a second- or third-liner for the Golden Knights, a team built to win the Stanley Cup right now.

“All the pressure that’s on that team to win and go for the Cup, ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo was injured last Tuesday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt set to return from injury; Kyle Okposo practices

BUFFALO – Sabres forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Zemgus Girgensons practiced this morning and will likely return for Tuesday’s road game against the Ottawa Senators.

“Zemgus is back, full, and so is Mittsy,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following the session.

Mittelstadt, out with an upper-body injury the last 16 games, centered Peyton Krebs and Anders Bjork during the practice inside LECOM Harborcenter. Meanwhile, Girgensons, out the last five games with a lower-body injury, skated at ... Read the full article

Peyton Krebs enjoyed a terrific outing Saturday afternoon. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs scores first NHL goals in win: ‘A pretty special talent’

BUFFALO – The play in Saturday afternoon’s 6-3 win that illustrates the special talent the Sabres possess in center Peyton Kresbs wasn’t the goal he scored 18 minutes into the game, the first of his NHL career, or his nifty breakaway score minutes later.

Of course, in scoring twice in a span of 4 minutes, 24 seconds, Krebs, 20, displayed the supreme hockey sense and terrific skill set that make him such a coveted young ... Read the full article