WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
March Edition
(From left) Brett Crompton, Tage Thompson, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin hold up an American flag Thursday during a ceremony to honor their gold medal at the Olympics. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – During their brief time together here, Sabres center Tage Thompson said he looked up to Jack Eichel.
Thompson, 28, is just a year younger than Eichel, who’s now starring for the Vegas Golden Knights. Still, in 2018-19, their only full season as teammates, Eichel was a budding superstar and the face of the franchise. Thompson, meanwhile, was a neophyte simply trying to stick in the NHL.
As a developing power forward, Thompson said ... Read the full article
Jason Zucker scores early in Tuesday’s win. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – For the first 26 minutes of Tuesday’s tight 3-2 victory, the Sabres rode the energy created by an emotional pregame ceremony honoring Sabres center Tage Thompson and other members of Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad.
Winger Jason Zucker scored barely four minutes into the contest, igniting the capacity crowd of 19,070 fans in noisy KeyBank Center.
When Thompson’s wicked wrist shot from the right circle extended their lead to 3-0 5:44 into the ... Read the full article
Noah Ostlund stood up for his teammate Saturday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund saw his captain, Rasmus Dahlin, down on the ice and the referee’s arm up, instinct took over.
“I thought it was something ugly,” Ostlund said of Brayden Point’s slash on Dahlin early in the second period of Saturday’s 6-2 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
So the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Ostlund, who did not see the slash, immediately went after Point, hoping to cross-check him.... Read the full article
Tage Thompson believes Buffalo made a statement Saturday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over the past three months, as the Sabres have morphed into a heavyweight that appears capable of wreaking havoc in the postseason, coach Lindy Ruff has contemplated his team’s unique transformation.
The Sabres haven’t infused talent through a trade, big or small, or altered the roster in any significant fashion.
Every player who will face the Vegas Golden Knights tonight at KeyBank Center had a roster spot opening night or began the season ... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich hasn’t played since Nov. 1. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich, who hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of blood clot issues, will undergo another test today to determine if he can “resume a higher level of fitness,” coach Lindy Ruff said.
“I don’t know what that level will be, whether that involves contact,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “We’ll find out what that means. The doctors will make that decision.”
Kulich, 21, recently resumed skating ... Read the full article
Anton Wahlberg did not play for Buffalo during his recall. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon activated winger Zach Benson from injured reserve and sent rookie center Anton Wahlberg back to the Rochester Americans.
Benson, who missed the last four games, is expected to play tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning as the Sabres close a three-game road trip.
He hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury when he crashed into the boards Feb. 2 in Florida.... Read the full article
Alex Lyon has won nine straight road games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
After inking a two-year, $3 million contract, Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon has quietly emerged as one of the NHL’s best bargains and perhaps the top free agent signing of last summer.
To wit: for $1.5 million this season, Lyon has compiled a 15-8-3 record with a 2.69 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games.
Lyon dazzled in Friday’s 3-2 triumph over the Florida Panthers, stopping 27 shots to register ... Read the full article
Zach Benson has missed four games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
Winger Zach Benson has joined the Buffalo Sabres on their road trip and could play tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Florida.
“He was good enough that we got him down here last night,” Ruff said prior to Friday’s game against the Panthers.
Benson, who skated Friday morning, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury when he crashed into the boards Feb. 2 in Florida.... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin has never played an NHL playoff game. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – As captain Rasmus Dahlin, still in full practice gear and sweaty from a long session, stood behind a podium fielding questions, the topic turned to the Sabres’ upcoming stretch of 25 games in 50 days to close the regular season.
For the first time in Dahlin’s career – he and center Tage Thompson, having both arrived in 2018-19, are the team’s longest-tenured players – the Sabres are in the driver’s seat for ... Read the full article
Assistant coach Vinny Prospal talks to Anton Wahlberg on Friday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – After Konsta Helenius’ first NHL recall last month left the Americans thin at center, coach Mike Leone shifted Buffalo Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg up to pivot the Americans’ top line.
Normally, a neophyte about 100 games into his AHL career wouldn’t have been thrust into such a high-profile role.
“It’s extremely difficult to do what he’s doing right now as a young player,” Leone said last month of the 20-year-old.... Read the full article