Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres start slowly, get blanked by Flyers: ‘Emotionally drained’

BUFFALO – In a span of two days, the Sabres won a thrilling come-from-behind overtime contest before a raucous capacity crowd and got shut out in front of about 9,000 empty seats.

The ebb and flow of a grueling six-month season can create some real clunkers, and the Sabres clearly experienced a letdown on Monday in losing 4-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Saturday’s exciting 6-5 triumph against the Minnesota Wild, ... Read the full article

After sending Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Amerks, expect more moves as Sabres try to keep three goalies

BUFFALO – By loaning goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the Rochester Americans to create a roster spot for Eric Comrie, the Sabres bought themselves some time.

Right now, the Sabres have a full 23-man roster. If they wanted to activate Comrie from injured reserve and keep Luukkonen, they might’ve had to waive a young defenseman and risk losing him.

The Sabres can send Luukkonen, 23, to the AHL without waivers, so his assignment on Monday ... Read the full article

Sabres send Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Rochester, activate Eric Comrie

BUFFALO – The Sabres late this afternoon assigned goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the Rochester Americans, a move that allows them activate Eric Comrie from injured reserve.

Comrie, 27, has missed the last 20 games recovering from a lower-body injury he suffered on Nov. 16. He will likely dress as Craig Anderson’s backup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.

Given Luukkonen’s hot streak – he has won six straight starts and eight of his ... Read the full article

Five-point game helps Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin earn NHL Third Star honors

BUFFALO – A dynamic five-point outing, the Sabres’ first by a defenseman since 1989, has earned Rasmus Dahlin NHL Third Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

Dahlin, 22, performed dominantly in Saturday’s thrilling 6-5 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild, recording two goals and three assists. His second goal tied the game late regulation before he assisted on winger Victor Olofsson’s game-winning score.

A Sabres defenseman hadn’t recorded a five-game game since Phil ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Eric Comrie set to return from conditioning stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres convene for their pregame skate this morning, Eric Comrie will likely be one of three goalies on the ice as they prepare for the Philadelphia Flyers.

On Friday, Comrie made the third and likely final start of his conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans, stopping 24 shots in a 3-2 home loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

He did not dress for Saturday’s 4-3 road win over the Syracuse Crunch.... Read the full article

Brilliant outing by Rasmus Dahlin leads Sabres past Wild in OT: ‘He was a force’

BUFFALO – By the end of one of the most brilliant performances by a Sabres defenseman in their 53-year history, Rasmus Dahlin was exhausted.

Dahlin, having surpassed a minute on the ice, desperately wanted to get to the bench for a breather late in Saturday’s frantic overtime against the Minnesota Wild.

“I was going to, but I have to play defense,” Dahlin said following his dynamic two-goal, five-point performance in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-5 win. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju nears return from lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju, sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 9, could play in about a week, coach Don Granato said.

Jokiharju, 23, joined his teammates this morning and skated in a contact role as they prepared for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild. The Finn has missed the last nine games.

“When a player gets back into practice, that window is really short at this point, as long as he ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence gives Sabres good goalie problem

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie has created a good problem the team will likely have to address in the coming days.

Luukkonen, having won five straight starts and seven of his last eight entering tonight’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, has possibly entrenched himself in the NHL. The Finn, 23, has developed into the Sabres’ backbone and one of their biggest difference-makers over the past month.

His splendid ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson reflective after NHL All-Star selection: ‘A tough journey’

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Tage Thompson learned he had earned his first selection to the NHL All-Star Game, he reflected on his long, arduous journey to one of hockey’s premier events.

While Thompson, 25, made his big league debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2017, he struggled for years to secure regular duty and reach his vast potential. He endured demotions, a season-ending injury and other setbacks before enjoying a 38-goal breakout campaign ... Read the full article

After Damar Hamlin injury, Sabres had open dialogue, knew they had special opportunity: ‘We owed it to … Buffalo’

BUFFALO – In those first hours after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati, general manager Kevyn Adams sensed the Sabres needed to have some open dialogue.

Tuesday wouldn’t be a normal game day as the Sabres prepared for the Washington Capitals. Many players were watching “Monday Night Football” when Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. The Bills and Sabres are both owned ... Read the full article