Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ James Reimer becomes NHL’s hottest goalie at end of odd season

BUFFALO – Following a one-game rest, the Sabres could turn to goalie James Reimer again tonight, awarding him his seventh start in the last nine contests.

After serving as a backup all season, Reimer, 37, has morphed into the NHL’s hottest netminder, winning six straight starts while compiling a 2.80 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

If he plays tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center, Reimer can set a career-best win ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Sunday on Boston goalie Joonas Korpisalo.

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores hat trick in win over Bruins, aims for 50 goals

BUFFALO – Just like that, a 50-goal season might be attainable for scorching Sabres winger Tage Thompson. Six games are left. After scoring three times in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins, he has 43 goals.

Is it likely he will become the first Sabres player to score 50 goals in 32 years? No, but the prestigious mark is certainly within reach.

Right now, Thompson is the NHL’s hottest scorer, having registered eight goals ... Read the full article

Sabres keep improving, beat Lightning to extend win streak; Tage Thompson hits 40-goal mark

BUFFALO – Over the final weeks of a disappointing season in which they will add to their NHL-record playoff drought, the Sabres have quietly been establishing an identity, showcasing a more consistent and sturdier style while defeating some heavyweight opponents.

Saturday’s 3-2 come-from-behind shootout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center extended their winning streak to three games. They’ve won nine of their last 13 games and are 11-2-0 in their last 13 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Beck Malenstyn not surprised Alex Ovechkin rejected chance to score record-breaking goal into empty net

BUFFALO – Having spent parts of four seasons as Alex Ovechkin’s teammate, Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn is hardly surprised the superstar rejected a chance to break the all-time goals record Friday after the Chicago Blackhawks pulled their goalie.

During their days together on the Washington Capitals, Malenstyn said when the Russian approached milestones, he wasn’t too interested in scoring empty-net goals.

“There were instances last year where unless it was a clear-cut look at an ... Read the full article

As Noah Ostlund develops into star for Rochester, Sabres give him chance

BUFFALO – After Noah Ostlund scored in his sixth straight game, an empty-net goal that sealed another win and the Rochester Americans’ spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, coach Mike Leone stood in front of his team and told them the Sabres prospect would be going to the NHL.

Teammates hooted and hollered. Someone shouted, “It’s about time!”

“Everyone got excited,” Ostlund said of learning the Sabres would recall him for the first time. “And ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Tyson Kozak likely out for rest of NHL season; Josh Norris skates on own after injury

BUFFALO – Center Tyson Kozak’s season with Sabres could be over.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Friday the rookie will be sidelined week to week with a hip strain that forced him to leave Tuesday’s 5-2 road win over the Ottawa Senators.

The Sabres have eight games left this season, starting with tonight’s contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center. They play their final contest April 17.... Read the full article

Sabres assign prospect to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday sent winger Isak Rosen back to the Rochester Americans.

Rosen, 22, registered one assist, his first NHL point, in three games during his recall. He sat out the last two contests as a healthy scratch.

The Swedish prospect had scored 27 goals and 54 points, both team highs, in 55 appearances for the Amerks this season entering Wednesday’s home game against the Springfield Thunderbirds.

The Sabres had Wednesday off following ... Read the full article

Sabres win again, sweep season series from Senators; Tyson Kozak injured

OTTAWA – The Buffalo Sabres’ recent victories – Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Senators was their second straight and fifth in their last six games – come with a caveat. They fell out of playoff contention long ago, meaning the contests, at least standings-wise, are meaningless.

The pressure has been off the Sabres for weeks. Playing looser surely helps them.

Still, these wins illustrate coach Lindy Ruff’s message is sinking in. While it took months, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn on torrid streak, still disappointed in season: ‘Pretty brutal’

OTTAWA – In the midst of a career-best stretch, fresh off consecutive three-point outings, Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn’s disappointment is still evident.

Quinn, 23, entered Tuesday’s game against the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on a tear, having scored four goals and eight points in his last four outings.

But in what was expected to be a breakout season, he has struggled at both ends of the ice – he began Tuesday’s game ... Read the full article

Sabres expected to go with hot goalie again, start James Reimer

OTTAWA – Right now, Buffalo Sabres veteran James Reimer, having won four straight starts, is one of the NHL’s hottest goalies.

So forget the Sabres signed Reimer to occasionally spell Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He gives them their best chance to win, so he’ll keep playing over Luukkonen, who has been struggling.

Reimer, 37, is expected to start for the sixth time in eight games tonight against the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.... Read the full article