Skinner - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres make struggling Victor Olofsson healthy scratch against Maple Leafs

TORONTO – As the Buffalo Sabres split into two groups and began working on their power play hours before Monday’s 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs, winger Victor Olofsson took a knee and watched the units from the bench area.

It was an ominous sign that Olofsson, a staple of the power play for years, would be a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

With winger Alex Tuch returning from a lower-body ... Read the full article

As Alex Tuch nears return, Sabres lose top D Mattias Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin to injuries

BUFFALO – Following a rough week in which they lost four straight games and their top two defensemen, the Sabres sorely needed a boost like the return of high-scoring winger Alex Tuch.

The Sabres have struggled without Tuch, losing six of the eight games he has missed recovering from a lower-body injury. They’re in danger of falling out of the playoff race, and now Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin have each suffered upper-body injuries.

So ... Read the full article

Sabres end critical week with OT loss to Rangers: ‘We need to play that way’

BUFFALO – The Sabres ended the most critical week of their season having lost all four games and earned just a single point.

With barely a month left, they’ve dropped seven points behind out of a wild card spot and have two other teams ahead of them. Right now, the chances of them roaring up the standings and ending their 11-year playoff drought are slim.

Still, fresh off Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime loss, a game ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, implode late in ugly loss to Stars: ‘A little bit lifeless’

BUFFALO – About that playoff race and those meaningful late-season games. If the Sabres don’t snap out of their funk soon and tighten up defensively, they’re going to be in familiar territory playing out the string.

The Sabres looked downright awful throughout Thursday’s embarrassing 10-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, their third straight setback and fifth in the last six games.

As the season progresses and the stakes get higher, defenses usually stiffen. Well, Thursday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jordan Greenway moves to top line; Riley Stillman returns

BUFFALO – In moving gritty newcomer Jordan Greenway up to right wing beside center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner, coach Don Granato has given the Sabres’ No. 1 line an intriguing new physical element.

The 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway, 26, can wear down opposing defensemen. The Dallas Stars, Thursday’s opponent, know him well, having faced him regularly for years when he played for the Minnesota Wild.

“They’re well aware of who Jordan Greenway is, finishing hits ... Read the full article

Sabres to utilize Jordan Greenway with Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner

The 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway, 26, can wear down opposing defensemen. The Dallas Stars, tonight’s opponent, know him well, having faced him regularly for years when he played for the Minnesota Wild.

“They’re well aware of who Jordan Greenway is, finishing hits ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie in midst of unusual winning streak

BUFFALO – Eric Comrie’s unusual four-game winning streak began 15 games and 42 days ago, when the Sabres awarded him a rare start Jan. 26 against the Winnipeg Jets.

The goalie had been used sparingly following his return from a lower-body injury that sidelined him seven weeks. After playing Jan. 10, he sat out eight straight games before earning the nod against his old team. He stopped 19 shots that night, helping the Sabres extend ... Read the full article

Connor McDavid burns Sabres for two goals in Oilers’ win

BUFFALO – Connor McDavid and the high-octane Edmonton Oilers rolled into town Monday, and as expected, fans got their money’s worth.

The superstar continued perhaps the most dynamic NHL season this century, scoring two goals, including the third-period winner, in the Oilers’ entertaining 3-2 win over the Sabres before a crowd of 17,634 at KeyBank Center.

McDavid’s wraparound goal opened the scoring 7:21 into the contest, then he put the Oilers up 3-2 3:23 into ... Read the full article

Sabres maintain focus, bounce back by beating Lightning: ‘We needed that’

BUFFALO – Just over halfway into Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 5-3 win, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin appeared to have Anthony Cirelli lined up for an open-ice hit before both players suddenly moved.

Dahlin and Cirelli got tangled, and the Tampa Bay Lightning center quickly chased down his opponent, igniting a melee as the Sabres led 2-1. As Cirelli kept Dahlin pinned on the ice, Sabres winger Jeff Skinner zoomed in to help.

Skinner and Cirelli each ... Read the full article

Riley Stillman ‘ecstatic’ about trade to Sabres, sees something special building

BUFFALO – Watching the Sabres as an opponent over the past two seasons, newcomer Riley Stillman said he noticed something special in the group.

Beyond the talent they possessed – “They’re a team that we didn’t want to play against,” he said – the defenseman saw players who were buying in and showcasing a desire to win for each other.

“You look down the bench from the visiting team and a guy scores (and) they’re ... Read the full article