Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Jordan Greenway could enjoy career-changing opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – In their first stint together almost a decade ago with Team USA, Sabres coach Don Granato said he would sometimes push winger Jordan Greenway hard.

Greenway, then a teenager with the U.S. National Team Development Program, did not always like what Granato demanded of him as a junior player. Still, Granato said, the youngster “pushed through,” developing into a terrific NHL prospect.

“We had a great relationship prior,” said Greenway, who made his ... 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

Sabres’ home woes continue in loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We were not sharp’

BUFFALO – Call it a classic trap game. As the Sabres battle for their first playoff berth in 12 years, they have a loaded schedule in the coming days.

Contests against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, superstar Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, and the New York Islanders, a team they’re chasing, are on the horizon.

First, however, the Sabres had Tuesday’s game against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets who rank dead last in ... Read the full article

With Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin injured, Dylan Cozens dazzles in Sabres’ win

BUFFALO – Above the din of the capacity crowd, Sabres winger Jack Quinn could hear center Dylan Cozens calling for the puck as they skated through the neutral zone.

Quinn and Cozens, who have showcased terrific chemistry as linemates this season, did not play together for most of Sunday afternoon’s 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Sabres, having lost top-line winger Alex Tuch to a lower-body injury for at least a few weeks, promoted ... Read the full article

Sabres injuries: Alex Tuch out at least few weeks; Rasmus Dahlin day to day

BUFFALO – For months, the Sabres stayed remarkably healthy, especially up front, where the forward corps remained almost intact.

But now, they’ll be without first-line winger Alex Tuch for at least a few weeks after he suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 3-1 road win over the Florida Panthers. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch, 26, is week to week and he expects him to return before the end of the regular season.

To make ... Read the full article

Sabres put Alex Tuch on injured reserve

On Saturday, a day after the Buffalo Sabres moved into a wild card spot, they placed first-line winger Alex Tuch on injured reserve.

The loss of Tuch, of course, is a potentially devastating blow as the Sabres fight for their first playoff spot in 12 years. The 26-year-old has morphed into a star this season, scoring 28 goals and 62 points. Both totals rank second on the team.

It’s unclear what happened to Tuch, who ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson offers Sabres intriguing goaltending option down the stretch

BUFFALO – For five months, the Sabres have carefully managed goalie Craig Anderson’s workload, giving the NHL’s oldest player ample time to recover following his outings.

Only once this season has Anderson, 41, started back-to-back games. The Sabres have essentially limited his appearances to one per week.

Coach Don Granato often attributes Anderson’s success at such an advanced age – as of Saturday afternoon, his .920 save percentage ranked sixth among goalies with at ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato sensed Ilya Lyubushkin would score OT goal

Ilya Lyubushkin had scored zero goals in his first 41 games with the Buffalo Sabres. In his five-year NHL career, the gritty Russian defenseman had scored just three goals in 252 contests, his last coming 10 months ago.

But when Lyubushkin grabbed the puck from Lightning captain Steven Stamkos in overtime Thursday and set off on a rare short-handed breakaway, Sabres coach Don Granato knew something special was about to happen.

“It was weird in ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly happy with Maple Leafs, impressed by Tage Thompson, Sabres

BUFFALO – Four days into his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, ex-Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly has played three games and practiced zero times.

O’Reilly, 32, joined the Leafs during a dizzying stretch, so other than participating in a Tuesday’s brief optional pregame skate, he has only been on the ice with his new teammates in games.

“It’s kind of weird just jumping right into the games,” O’Reilly said prior to scoring a hat trick ... Read the full article