Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker ready to return from injuries; Justin Danforth misses practice

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, returned to practice this morning and expects to play Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I think I’ll be ready,” Dahlin said this afternoon in KeyBank Center.

The Sabres did well without Dahlin, their top defenseman, compiling a 1-0-2 record during their road trip.... Read the full article

Tage Thompson taking his place among Sabres’ all-time greats

Early in his tenure in Buffalo, the idea of Tage Thompson someday taking his place among some of the Sabres’ all-time greats seemed ludicrous.

In 104 games over his first three years, he scored just 15 goals.

But Thompson matured rapidly after former Sabres coach Don Granato switched him from wing to center five years ago.... Read the full article

Following recall, Sabres’ Dennis Gilbert scores rare goal, displays tenacity

TORONTO – Two nights earlier in Montreal, Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff pointed out, defenseman Dennis Gilbert had walked right down the slot and missed the net.

If Gilbert, 29, got another opportunity with the puck, he would surely score, right?

“They say you give Dennis a second chance, and he’ll make the other team pay,” Ruff joked Thursday after Gilbert scored his first goal at any level in nearly three years.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Josh Norris and Jiri Kulich all progressing from injuries and illness

An upper-body injury will force Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin to miss his third straight game tonight, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Friday in Montreal.

“Progressing,” Ruff said of the defenseman’s status to reporters at the Bell Centre. “He’s feeling better today than yesterday.”

After shooting the puck in Monday afternoon’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers, Dahlin reached for his lower back and left the game.... Read the full article

Jack Quinn scores, fights and looks like star in Sabres’ wild OT win; Buffalo loses Jiri Kulich, Josh Norris

TORONTO – It was only fitting that winger Jack Quinn capped the most dynamic outing in his NHL career by creating defenseman Owen Power’s overtime goal to cap another thrilling Sabres come-from-behind victory.

On a night Maple Leads winger Kirill Marchenko scored three times before the second period ended in Scotiabank Arena, Quinn was the best player on the ice in the Sabres’ 5-4 win, wreaking havoc from the get-go.

Quinn scored two goals, hit ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Owen Power skating big minutes, becoming elite defenseman

TORONTO – In his five-year career, the Buffalo Sabres have never leaned more heavily on defenseman Owen Power.

Through seven games this season entering Thursday’s contest against the Maple Leafs, Power had averaged a whopping 26 minutes, 26 seconds of ice time.

Only five players – defensemen Zach Werenski, Thomas Chabot, Quinn Hughes and Lane Hutson – had skated more per outing.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Alex Lyon endures injury setback; Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker closer to playing

TORONTO – Had he kept recovering from the left shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said goalie Alex Lyon would’ve made his season debut Tuesday in Montreal.

Instead, as his teammates lost a 4-3 shootout to the Canadiens, Lyon, having suffered a setback in practice, was back in Buffalo.

“Now we’ll just see with rehab and stuff where he ends up,” Ruff said this morning in Scotiabank Arena.... Read the full article

Following trade, speedy Olen Zellweger making fast impact with Sabres

TORONTO – In his first game subbing for injured Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, Olen Zellweger performed splendidly, enjoying perhaps his best night in the NHL.

Skating alongside defenseman Mattias Samuelsson for much of Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Zellweger set career highs by scoring two goals and playing 25 minutes, 49 seconds.

No one, of course, can truly replace Dahlin, one of the NHL’s most dynamic defensemen, as he recovers from ... Read the full article

After losing Rasmus Dahlin to injury, Sabres recall defenseman

After losing captain Rasmus Dahlin to an upper-body injury, the Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Rochester Americans.

To create a roster spot, the Sabres placed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk on injured reserve.

Dahlin, the Sabres’ top defenseman, is expected to miss tonight’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens.... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shines in relief appearance, backstops Sabres to win over Panthers

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff loves goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s ability to fight through difficult situations.

Luukkonen looked a bit wonky in his first three appearances this season, posting a .782 save percentage. While a porous defense played a part in compiling that ghastly number, he hardly stood out.

In the past week, he has lost starts to Colten Ellis, who began Monday afternoon’s game against the Florida Panthers sporting a save percentage nearly 100 ... Read the full article