WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.
BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.
Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.
The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
On most nights, that ... Read the full article
Michael Kesselring sat out Tuesday’s game. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.
Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.
In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article
Josh Norris has missed the last 11 games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres center Josh Norris won’t return to the lineup before the Olympic break.
Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that Norris, who has missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury, will sit out tonight’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Norris began practicing again last week.... Read the full article
Owen Power has recently found a groove. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Owen Power understands his offensive numbers hardly illustrate confidence or growth. The Sabres defenseman recently ended a 24-game goal drought. At his current pace, he would produce just 25 points this season, eight lower than his career-low total.
Power, 23, doesn’t get wrapped up in his statistics. He believes he has recently enjoyed the best stretch of his four-year career.
Meanwhile, the Sabres enter tonight’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, their final ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has battled injuries throughout this season.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 17 :: Buffalo Sabres v Minnesota Wild :: January 17, 2026 in KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY, USA (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu) ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s lower-body injury will force him to miss the upcoming Olympics.
Team Finland on Tuesday named Boston Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo as Luukkonen’s replacement for the Milano Cortina Games.
Luukkonen hasn’t played since getting injured early in last Tuesday’s 7-4 road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.... Read the full article
Zach Benson took one shift after his injury but left the game again. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson left Monday’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers with an upper-body injury after crashing hard into the end boards 5:01 into the third period.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Florida following the game that Benson, who appeared to hurt his left shoulder, was being evaluated and they will see how he feels today.
The Sabres close their two-game road trip tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.... Read the full article
Isak Rosen has become one of the AHL’s elite scorers. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu. Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – These days, when the Sabres recall winger Isak Rosen, he possesses a strong belief he belongs in the NHL.
That, of course, wasn’t always the case. In his first 15 games prior to this season, he struggled to produce and find a role.
But earlier this season, the Sabres cast Rosen, 22, in scoring role, awarding him duty on a top line and the power play. He responded by registering his first ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin loves playing in games like Saturday’s. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – A high-stakes late-January game in a packed, noisy building. The Sabres have waited for what feels like forever for nights like Saturday.
“We love playing these games,” captain Rasmus Dahlin said after the Sabres’ entertaining 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens ended their five-game win streak. “These are the type of games we want to be in.”
They’re also games the Sabres, who have registered an NHL-best 20-4-1 record since Dec. 9, must ... Read the full article
Josh Norris has missed the last eight games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Right now, there’s no firm timeline for Josh Norris to return to the lineup. The oft-injured center participated in this morning’s pregame skate and plans to practice Sunday before the Sabres begin their two-game Florida road trip.
“Just keep evaluating and see where we’re at,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.
Ruff said Norris is day to day.... Read the full article
Alex Tuch celebrates his hat trick in Thursday’s win with his teammates. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Talent wasn’t the issue. The Sabres possessed loads of it.
To succeed, they needed to develop a harder, more mature style to complement a skilled roster. They needed to respond to adversity and showcase an identity night in and night out.
Well, for the last seven weeks, they’ve done all of that, joining the ranks of the NHL’s top teams during the stunning 20-3-1 run they carry into Saturday’s game against the Montreal ... Read the full article