Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Why did the Sabres send Zach Metsa back to the Rochester Amerks?

BUFFALO – The Sabres had the option to send rookie Zach Metsa back to the minors, so they figured what the heck, why not take it?

Instead of scratching the defenseman, by assigning him to the Rochester Americans as they did Thursday, he can play big minutes this weekend.

“He’ll play 20-plus minutes, which will be great for him,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center, where the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings tonight.... Read the full article

The Sabres have had a loaded roster since the trade deadline. How can Lindy Ruff utilize that depth?

BUFFALO – In the coaches’ room each day, the Sabres’ depth dominates the discussion.

“It’s the main topic,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said earlier this week.

Inside those walls, Ruff and his staff deliberate how to best utilize that depth and keep everyone involved.

The Sabres, having compiled a 33-6-4 record in their last 43 games entering Friday’s contest against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, have a pretty darn good thing going.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Noah Ostlund misses practice with injury; Zach Metsa sent to AHL

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund missed today’s practice and is being evaluated for an upper-body injury, according to the team.

Ostlund, 22, stayed in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins after absorbing a hit from Andrew Peek along the boards in the third period.

After beginning the year in the minors, Ostlund has enjoyed a strong season, registering 11 goals, 27 points and a plus-11 rating in 60 games while moving between ... Read the full article

As he waits for another chance, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring trying to make most of time as healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Long after most of his Sabres teammates had departed the dressing room Wednesday morning, a sweaty Michael Kesselring walked in and sat down on a plastic chair.

A surplus of healthy bodies – Kesselring is one of nine defensemen – has forced the Sabres to create a new dressing area in the middle of the room.

So Kesselring, having lost his spot on the arguably the NHL’s deepest blue line, doesn’t have a ... Read the full article

Sabres grab late lead after shaky start, lose to Bruins in OT: ‘I don’t think we were very good’

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres began their torrid run up the Eastern Conference standings in early December, they’ve played 143 periods. The first two in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins rank as their worst of the memorable stretch.

“Those first two periods are probably our poorest periods of the last three months,” coach Lindy Ruff said following the Sabres’ second consecutive overtime loss.

Fresh off a four-game road trip in which they ... Read the full article

With Conor Timmins available to play, Sabres could scratch Zach Metsa

BUFFALO – Ninety-seven days after breaking his leg, Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins is expected to play tonight against the Boston Bruins.

Timmins, who has missed the last 38 games, was one of the first six defensemen to depart this morning’s optional skate. Meanwhile, rookie Zach Metsa, who has recently enjoyed semi-regular duty, stayed on the ice for extra work.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Timmins, who began practicing March 14, is available to play ... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon forming dynamic tandem

BUFFALO – After sitting out last game, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start tonight against the Boston Bruins, his eighth nod in the last 16 contests.

Meanwhile, crease mate Alex Lyon, whose franchise-record 10-game road win streak ended Sunday, will likely get a full night off – that means not even dressing – like Luukkonen did for Sunday’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

Right now, as Luukkonen and Lyon alternate starts, ... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Gavin McCarthy to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday signed defense prospect Gavin McCarthy, who served as captain of Boston University as a junior this season, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Sabres drafted McCarthy, a Clarence native, in the third round in 2023, 86th overall.

His college career ended Saturday when the University of Connecticut defeated the Terriers 5-3 in the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinal.... Read the full article

After trades, recalls, newcomers Sam Carrick, Noah Ostlund and others play huge roles in Sabres’ success

BUFFALO – As Sabres center Sam Carrick warmed up prior to Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a placard along the glass featuring a drawing of his head grabbed his attention.

Other than the length of his hair – “I’ve had a snip since then,” the newcomer said – the portrait accurately depicted Carrick.

“Yeah, it was pretty impressive,” he told the Times Herald following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres bounce back after rare loss, beat Maple Leafs in shootout

BUFFALO – You must go back more than three months – 97 days and 38 games, to be exact – to find the last time the Sabres lost two consecutive contests in regulation.

A heck of lot has gone into their stunning 30-6-2 run that has vaulted them into first place in the Atlantic Division. They’ve excelled in essentially every facet of the game.

Their ability to quickly bounce back and handle the mental gymnastics ... Read the full article