Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

After special season, Sabres understand success isn’t guaranteed next year

BUFFALO – The Sabres boast one of the NHL’s deepest, most talented and youngest rosters.

On paper at least, they look poised to enjoy success in the coming years following a breakout season in which they ended their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, won the Atlantic Division and came within one goal of reaching the Eastern Conference final.

“Just because you have success one year doesn’t mean that it guarantees that it translates to the next ... Read the full article

Whistle costs Beck Malenstyn, Sabres go-ahead goal: ‘A chaotic sequence’

BUFFALO – With Monday’s Game 7 tied halfway through the third period, Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram landed a shot from the point on Jakub Dobes that winger Jordan Greenway quickly poked through the goalie’s pads.

As the puck moved toward the goal line, referee Wes McCauley blew his whistle just before Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn knocked it into the net, raised his arms in celebration and the crowd erupted.

The goal did not count, and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich says he can play next season after having blood clot removed

BUFFALO – As the months passed and he remained sidelined by a blood clot, Sabres center Jiri Kulich said he kept asking himself if he would be able to play hockey again.

“It was kind of a roller coaster,” he said this afternoon during his end-of-season media availability in KeyBank Center.

Then two months ago, Kulich, 22, said he underwent a procedure at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to have the entire clot removed.... Read the full article

Memorable Sabres season ends with OT loss to Canadiens in Game 7: ‘It hurts’

BUFFALO – When the dressing room door opened after the Sabres’ gut-wrenching 3-2 overtime loss in Game 7 on Monday, winger Alex Tuch was sitting in his stall, still wearing his No. 89 jersey and pondering things following what could be his final appearance wearing the Blue and Gold.

Across the room, captain Rasmus Dahlin spoke quietly to the media, his emotion still raw barely 20 minutes after Montreal Canadiens winger Alex Newhook scored from ... Read the full article

Sabres’ depth offers options to change lineup; Tage Thompson back at wing

BUFFALO – The Sabres find strength in numbers, as in they boast some of the NHL’s best depth, giving them intriguing choices to construct their lineup and tailor it to their opponent.

To wit: in Saturday’s come-from-behind 8-3 win in Montreal, rookie defenseman Zach Metsa made his debut, becoming the 27th player to skate for the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After sitting out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch, Metsa also ... Read the full article

After pulling Alex Lyon, Lindy Ruff gave Sabres goalie words of encouragement

BUFFALO – Following perhaps the worst start of Alex Lyon’s life – a one-save outing in which he allowed three goals – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he gave the goalie a pat of the back and some words of encouragement.

Throughout the regular season, Lyon, 33, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 27, formed perhaps the NHL’s best goaltending tandem, often alternating starts. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Sabres have leaned on both netminders.

So ... Read the full article

Sabres change up home routine before Game 7 versus Canadiens, stay in hotel

BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff said he’s all for trying different things, so what the heck, he figured, why not put the Sabres in a hotel prior to Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens?

The Sabres have lost four of their six home games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including Thursday’s ugly 6-3 setback in Game 5. With the a trip to the Eastern Conference final on the line tonight at KeyBank Center, Ruff wanted ... Read the full article

For Sabres, Game 7 against Canadiens will be special: ‘We’re the better team’

BUFFALO – Having cut his teeth as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, Sabres winger Alex Tuch has experienced the craziness that often accompanies Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The memories of his first one in 2019 are seared in his mind.

“Oh yeah,” Tuch replied Sunday when asked if he has any crazy recollections of the three he has played.

Then Tuch, whose Sabres host Game 7 of their second-round series ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres rally from early deficit to stun Canadiens, force Game 7: ‘Our captain steps up’

MONTREAL – In the moment, the score meant nothing to the Buffalo Sabres. That they faced an early two-goal deficit after captain Rasmus Dahlin scored 32 seconds into the do-or-die contest, well, so be it.

If they maintained their focus on Saturday against the Canadiens, they told themselves, and kept doing the right things in the hostile Bell Centre, they would be rewarded.

“We actually liked our game to start,” winger Jason Zucker said after ... Read the full article

Sabres change lineup, mix up lines for Game 6 against Canadiens

MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres made one lineup change for tonight’s do-or-die contest against the Canadiens, inserting rookie defenseman Zach Metsa and scratching veteran Luke Schenn for Game 6 of the second-round series.

Metsa, 27, made his debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He sat out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has lauded Metsa’s decision-making ability and how he breaks the puck out.... Read the full article