Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jack Eichel practices, offers few details about upper-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel said he has been dealing with the upper-body injury that sidelined him for Thursday’s ugly 6-1 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It’s not something that came out of nowhere,” Eichel said after practicing this afternoon inside KeyBank Center.

Eichel, who’s day-to-day, according to coach Ralph Krueger, has dealt with the injury well. The slick center carried a 17-game point streak into Thursday’s game, the second-longest in franchise history.... Read the full article

After losing three centers, Sabres recall Curtis Lazar from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres, who lost three centers in about a three-hour span Thursday night, recalled forward Curtis Lazar from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Lazar, 24, has recorded one goal in six NHL games this season. This is third time the Sabres have summoned him.

The Sabres ended Thursday’s ugly 6-1 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers without captain and leading scorer Jack Eichel, Johan Larsson and Evan Rodrigues.... Read the full article

Sabres captain Jack Eichel out with upper-body injury against Flyers

Jack Eichel’s 17-game point streak ended tonight because an upper-body injury forced him to miss the Buffalo Sabres’ road contest against the Philadelphia Flyers.

After skating in the pregame warm-up, the Sabres announced their captain would miss his first game this season.

Eichel, 23, has been the NHL’s hottest scorer, compiling 16 goals and 31 points during the league’s longest point streak this season. The center was one game short of tying the franchise-record point ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Jack Eichel morphing into superstar during point streak

BUFFALO – If you ask Sabres captain Jack Eichel about his recent scoring exploits, he usually starts talking about his linemates or the rest of the team.

Eichel, 23, doesn’t want his success to overshadow the Sabres, so the ultra-talented center will heap praise on his wingers, Victor Olofsson and Sam Reinhart, and others.

“It’s tough to pinpoint one thing,” Eichel responded when asked how he has elevated his game over the last month. “The ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel extends point streak, ignites Sabres late against Maple Leafs

TORONTO – It took more than 40 minutes, but captain Jack Eichel ignited the Buffalo Sabres again Tuesday, helping them roar back late in their 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

After falling behind 3-0, Eichel assisted on defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s power-play goal 1:29 into the third period, extending his point streak to 17 games.

Then after the Leafs restored their three-goal lead, Eichel scored at 6:30, his 24th goal in only 35 games this ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Carter Hutton offering advice, support to Linus Ullmark

TORONTO – Whether he’s starting regularly or riding the bench, Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton doesn’t change his behavior, according to coach Ralph Krueger.

“That makes him really unique,” Krueger said. “Like, even on a game day, he’s always there still giving to the team and supporting, whereas often goalies will check out. … But he’s exactly the same guy. Like, you don’t notice a change at all.”

So for the last month, as Hutton ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Jack Eichel draws crowd and MVP talk in Toronto

TORONTO – When the NHL’s hottest player comes here, you can bet the media throng wants to talk to him. Sure enough, Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel drew a crowd this morning inside Scotiabank Arena.

Right now, Eichel, 23, is scorching. The slick center has a career-best 16-game point streak entering tonight’s contest against the Maple Leafs, the league’s longest this season.

Eichel has already scored 23 goals in 34 games, five off his career ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Casey Mittelstadt has right attitude to thrive with Amerks

TORONTO – On Sunday, a day off for the Buffalo Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted to the Rochester Americans.

After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the minors – “It’s always an emotional conversation,” Botterill said Monday – he asked what he must to do return to the NHL.

“He ... Read the full article

Sabres thrilled for Bills’ success: ‘They’ve just had a tremendous season’

BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger normally goes to bed long before “Sunday Night Football” ends. Still, the Sabres coach stayed up late to watch the Bills’ thrilling 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which clinched just their second playoff berth in 20 seasons.

“I cut into my sleep,” Krueger joked today inside KeyBank Center.

Of course, Krueger, who said he has become as a big a Bills fan as anybody, was happy he could enjoy such ... Read the full article

Sabres demoted Casey Mittelstadt to Amerks to play games

BUFFALO – On Sunday, a day off for the Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted.

After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the Rochester Americans for the first time, Botterill said the youngster quickly asked what he must to do return to the NHL.

“He is a mature guy, he is ... Read the full article