WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Dmitry Kulikov was injured in the preseason. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – These days, Sabres defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, a young veteran at just 26 years old, said he feels like an old man when he wakes up.
A lower-back bruise has been dogging the Russian for four months, forcing him out of the lineup three times and costing him 26 games.
Kulikov has dealt with the pain through a daily treatment regimen, and Thursday’s 2-1 overtime loss against New York Rangers was his fourth ... Read the full article
Dmitry Kulikov has played 23 games this season. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – These days, Sabres defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, a young veteran at just 26 years old, said he feels like an old man when he wakes up.
A lower-back bruise has been dogging the Russian for four months, forcing him out of the lineup three times and costing him 26 games.
Kulikov has dealt with the pain through a daily treatment regimen, and tonight’s tilt against New York Rangers will be his fourth straight ... Read the full article
Nick Deslauriers (44) battles Florida’s Jason Demers on Oct. 29. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Nick Deslauriers, center? Believe it. For tonight at least, the defenseman-turned-winger will pivot the Sabres’ fourth line against the New York Rangers.
To make room for Deslauriers, a healthy scratch the last two games, center Cal O’Reilly will sit.
Update: O’Reilly is on waivers, according to reports.
Deslauriers, Bylsma said, has never played center before. Still, he’s “comfortable down low, comfortable going back for pucks,” Bylsma said this morning inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
Anders Nilsson tries to stop the New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider on Dec. 1. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Very quietly, after years of ineptitude on home ice, the Sabres have recently morphed into a strong team at KeyBank Center, winning four straight games.
Of course, four consecutive home victories isn’t overly impressive. But for the Sabres, who haven’t finished above .500 at home since 2012-13, the streak represents progress.
It also gives them some hope. With each loss, their slim playoff chances decrease. But tonight’s tilt against the New York Rangers ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis (63) tries to check Montreal’s Alexander Radulov on Tuesday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Flush it. Forget about it. Just get rid of it.
“Obviously, last night’s game we have to throw out the window because it was horrendous,” winger Marcus Foligno said about Tuesday’s wretched 5-2 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens, arguably the Sabres’ worst setback all season.
Sabres coach Dan Bylsma added: “We got beat badly.”
No kidding. The Canadiens led 5-0 before the Sabres scored two late goals. The game, by any measure, ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart (23) battles Dallas’ Jiri Hudler on Jan. 16. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
In eight years in the NHL, Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane said he has never seen the standings so crunched barely halfway through the season.
Following the three-day NHL All-Star break, the Sabres start the stretch run tonight at the Montreal Canadiens in seventh place, tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the fewest points in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.
Still, with 49 points through 48 games, the Sabres, who have three contests ... Read the full article
Justin Bailey has 18 goals in the AHL. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
High-scoring Buffalo Sabres prospect Justin Bailey has been named a replacement for Monday’s AHL All-Star game in Allentown, Pa., the league announced today.
Bailey, 21, a Williamsville native, has a team-high 18 goals with the Rochester Americans, including 10 goals in his last 12 games. His recent seven-game goal-scoring streak is the AHL’s longest this season.
The winger, whose goal total ranks sixth in the league, also has 28 points in 38 AHL appearances. He ... Read the full article
Casey Nelson has played nine NHL games this season. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The Buffalo Sabres sent defenseman Casey Nelson back to the Rochester Americans today.
The rookie played for the AHL club later in the day.
Nelson, 24, played in one game during his recall, his ninth NHL appearance this season. He made the Sabres out of training camp but played sparingly before being sent down.... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian scored his first goal Saturday. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In 25 years as a professional coach and player, coach Dan Bylsma said he had never seen it before. In Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win in Montreal, the Sabres dressed five right-handed defensemen.
“Kind of an odd situation,” Bylsma said Monday inside HarborCenter after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s road tilt against the Nashville Predators.
Unlike other sports, lefties are more plentiful in hockey. According to the New York Daily News, a whopping 62 ... Read the full article
Dmitry Kulikov writhes in pain after getting hit Sept. 30. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, out the last 12 games with a lower-back bruise, practiced this morning and could return this week, coach Dan Bylsma said.
“See how he responds to that,” Bylsma said inside HarborCenter. “But it bodes well for him seeing some time this week.”
Kulikov, 26, has been dogged by the injury all season after getting knocked into an open bench door Sept. 30, his preseason debut.
The Russian has ... Read the full article
