Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Yes, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen can be a lot better, but don’t blame all of the Sabres’ problems on him

Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will likely earn a breather this week and take a backseat to Colten Ellis for one of the Buffalo Sabres’ three games in California.

Coach Lindy Ruff hinted at it last week, saying once Luukkonen, who has started five straight games and played in the last six contests, reaches a certain threshold, someone else must take his turn.

The Finn, 27, has morphed into the Sabres’ workhorse, playing nine of their first ... Read the full article

Connor Hellebuyck is in New Jersey, but Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen knows he can still be traded

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen knows all about the trade rumors involving his name. Not that the Sabres goalie goes out of his way to read them. But these days, he knows you can’t escape the outside noise.

If he stays off social media, a friend will inevitably inform him.

“I think anybody who says that they don’t see it or they don’t read it, they’re lying,” said Luukkonen, whose name has been bandied about for ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich injured in practice, status for road trip uncertain

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich was seeing the doctor this afternoon after a puck hit him in the face during a power-play drill early in today’s practice, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“It didn’t look good, but I don’t have an update,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.

Kulich, 22, left a pool of blood in the slot after staying down for several moments and being helped off the ice.... Read the full article

Sabres fall to Flyers in Jason Zucker’s return; Owen Power loses cool after phantom high-stick

BUFFALO – Forget that the Philadelphia Flyers entered the night on a two-game win streak and advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.

Having started the season a stunning 0-6-3 before finally notching a win in their 10th try, they’ve endured a brutal three-week stretch.

Prior to Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Sabres in KeyBank Center, the Flyers were 0-4-1 on the road.

At home before a capacity crowd of ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Josh Norris scoring after slow start, showcasing grit

BUFFALO – Following a freak collision with Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in overtime last Thursday, Sabres center Josh Norris said he did not want to leave the game.

But Norris, 27, had no choice. So as his teammates finished off their come-from-behind 5-4 victory in Toronto, he was in concussion protocol.

“It was just a small thing,” Norris told the Times Herald prior to Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article

Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finding groove for Sabres

BUFFALO – After splitting time with Colten Ellis earlier this month, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start his fourth consecutive game tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.

While Luukkonen hasn’t recaptured the stellar form he showcased most of last season, he has been coach Lindy Ruff’s best option, often making big saves.

Since replacing a struggling Ellis on Oct. 12, the Finn has compiled a 2-0-2 record with a 3.25 goals-against average and an ... Read the full article

Despite having zero goals, Zach Benson off to strong start, displaying chemistry with Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund

BUFFALO – Zero goals? Don’t sweat it, kid. Keep doing what you’re doing.

That’s a not a direct quote, but some words that seem to convey Sabres coach Lindy Ruff’s feelings about Zach Benson’s interesting start this season.

Through nine games, Benson, 21, has been one of Ruff’s best players, generating offense, causing chaos around the net and agitating opponents.

The diminutive winger has a spot on the Sabres’ hottest line alongside center Noah Ostlund ... Read the full article

Injury updates on Sabres’ Sam Carrick, Alex Lyon and Conor Timmins

BUFFALO – Add one more name to the Sabres’ injury list.

Forward Sam Carrick missed Tuesday’s practice with a mid-body injury and is day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter.

He said Carrick’s injury might be related to the left arm injury he suffered in a fight late last season.... Read the full article

Despite Rasmus Dahlin injury and some early struggles, Sabres off to solid start, in playoff spot

BUFFALO – Through nine games this season, the Sabres sport an underwhelming but intriguing 4-3-2 record.

The team that ended last season on a torrid 39-9-5 run has stumbled out of the gate a bit, often falling behind multiple goals before roaring back.

Incredibly, the Sabres have held a lead just 60:32 this season, barely the equivalent of one game. Only two teams – the hapless Calgary Flames (39:21) and Los Angeles Kings (32:59) – ... Read the full article

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