Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres blanked again by Lightning

BUFFALO – Winger Evander Kane paused for a moment following the Sabres’ second straight shutout loss. The veteran wanted to collect his thoughts, not mince any words.

With Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lighting, the Sabres have been blanked in back-to-back games for the first time since Oct. 17 and 18, 2014, some of the franchise’s darkest days.

Back then, the Sabres fielded the NHL’s weakest lineup. Winning wasn’t a priority.

These days, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson positive through tough stretch

BUFFALO – Long before practice begins most days, Sabres winger Matt Moulson can be found on the ice, smiling and shooting pucks or working on something else.

Instead of pouting over becoming a healthy scratch, Moulson, 34, has tried to quietly go about his business.

“It (stinks),” Moulson said of sitting out. “I think it’s not fun when you’re not playing, not helping contribute in games, it’s a tough position. You got a couple choices ... Read the full article

Summer regimen helped Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov raise game

BUFFALO – As the summer wore on, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper started getting worried.

His young superstar, winger Nikita Kucherov, arrived in town in July – “Nobody comes to Tampa in July,” Cooper said – and seemingly wouldn’t stop working out.

Kucherov, 24, rented ice five days a week until training camp started.

... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson to return against Lightning

BUFFALO – When you’ve lost 18 of your 24 games like the Sabres have this season, including eight of the last nine, you keep trying different things.

So veteran winger Matt Moulson, a healthy scratch the last six games, will return tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“We sit where we are, we’re going to continue to make changes,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center.

... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges moving in and out of lineup

BUFFALO – The past two months have been difficult for Josh Gorges. The Sabres defenseman last sat out games 11 years ago, his second NHL season. The uncertainty that accompanies being a healthy scratch has taken its toll on the proud veteran.

“The adjustment is just trying to keep your mind right,” Gorges said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “Every day you don’t know if you’re in or out of the lineup, so that can ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jacob Josefson out 4 to 6 weeks; Seth Griffith sent to Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jacob Josefson is out four to six weeks after tweaking the ankle that recently sidelined him, coach Phil Housley said. Winger Seth Griffith, meanwhile, cleared waivers today and was assigned to the AHL.

So, does that mean a forward will be recalled from the Rochester Americans? Housley said that would be decided Tuesday.

For now, winger Matt Moulson, a healthy scratch the last six games, is slotted to return for ... Read the full article

Reports: Sabres waive Seth Griffith after 18 games

BUFFALO – The Sabres waived Seth Griffith today, according to multiple reports, possibly ending the winger’s 18-game career with the club.

Following a strong training camp in which he earned an NHL roster spot, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Griffith mustered two goals and three points.

Griffith was a healthy scratch four the last seven games before playing in Saturday’s 3-0 loss in Montreal.

... Read the full article

All-around effort helps Sabres beat Oilers, end losing streak

BUFFALO – By Jack Eichel’s standards, the shot the Sabres center pumped on Edmonton Oilers goalie Laurent Brossoit 43 seconds into the third period of Friday’s 3-1 win was pretty weak.

Eichel possesses a lethal wrist shot, a weapon the Sabres sorely want the slick youngster to utilize more frequently. Of course, plenty of players must develop a shooting mentality.

Following the second period of a victory that ended the Sabres’ seven-game losing streak, coach ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nathan Beaulieu struggling in first weeks with team

BUFFALO – Nathan Beaulieu never envisioned beginning his Sabres career this poorly. Sixteen games into his season, the defenseman has struggled offensively and often looks weak defensively.

So far, Beaulieu, 24, has compiled zero goals, three assists and a minus-7 rating. An upper-body injury also sidelined him seven games.

Beaulieu has played in just two of the Sabres’ six wins.

“I haven’t been satisfied whatsoever,” Beaulieu said prior to Friday’s 3-1 win against the ... Read the full article

Kyle Criscuolo comfortable with Sabres

BUFFALO – For Sabres rookie Kyle Criscuolo, one of his welcome-to-the-NHL moments came during his second shift last Friday in Detroit, when he took a faceoff against Red Wings star Henrik Zetterberg.

Criscuolo played last season for Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, so he skated with Zetterberg during training camp practices.

Still, for Criscuolo to line up against Zetterberg in his NHL debut was special.

... Read the full article