Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres Notes: Lawrence Pilut excited about first NHL recall

BUFFALO – Defense prospect Lawrence Pilut’s first trip to the Sabres was more about experiencing the NHL life than receiving playing time.

The Sabres recalled Pilut, the AHL’s leading scorer, for insurance before sending him back late Friday. With Marco Scandella battling a lower-body injury, they wanted to have an extra defenseman.

The Sabres have also been winning, so coach Phil Housley hasn’t tinkered much with his lineup.

So Pilut, 22, sat out ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Lawrence Pilut won’t play today; Carter Hutton to start

BUFFALO – Lawrence Pilut’s NHL debut will come at a later date. The slick Swedish defenseman, who was summoned from the AHL on Wednesday, won’t play this afternoon against the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres coach Phil Housley said.

The Sabres, however, could make one change on defense. Housley said Marco Scandella, out with a lower-body injury since blocking a shot Monday, will be a game-time decision.

Update: Scandella will play, meaning defenseman Casey Nelson is ... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Carter Hutton, Linus Ullmark forming strong tandem

BUFFALO – After earning his 10th win this season, the scorching Sabres will likely turn to goalie Carter Hutton again for this afternoon’s home tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

Right now, having registered six victories during the Sabres’ seven-game winning streak, Hutton is enjoying a career-best stretch. In his first weeks as a regular NHL starter, the affable veteran has morphed into one of the league’s hottest netminders.

But considering the Sabres also play ... Read the full article

Sabres extend winning streak, get huge assist from crowd

BUFFALO – The Sabres sensed it right away, before the game even started. After about 8,000 fans watched them warm up, they knew it could be a special night inside KeyBank Center.

“It was talked about coming off the warm-up,” center Johan Larsson said following Wednesday’s exciting 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, the Sabres’ seventh consecutive win. “We had a little feeling it was going to be buzzing.”

The rink buzzed like it hasn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Nathan Beaulieu looking to build on recent success

BUFFALO – Despite sitting out two straight games as a healthy scratch, Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu returned for Wednesday’s 5-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers possessing plenty of confidence.

Beaulieu, 25, began generating offense before leaving the lineup, scoring his second goal this season before his first two-assist effort with the Sabres. The former first-round pick was also playing beside rookie Rasmus Dahlin, the first overall pick.

But after winning four straight games with Beaulieu, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nathan Beaulieu starting to showcase old form

BUFFALO – Despite sitting out the last two games as a healthy scratch, Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu will return tonight possessing plenty of confidence.

But after winning four straight games with Beaulieu, Sabres coach Phil Housley ... Read the full article

Sabres recall rookie Lawrence Pilut from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres made their first recall of the season this afternoon, summoning high-scoring defense prospect Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans.

Pilut, 22, has quickly become an AHL star, recording 19 assists and 22 points, both league highs, in his first 15 games. It only seemed to be a matter of time before the Sabres recalled him.

It’s unclear if Pilut will play tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. Given the Swede ... Read the full article

Sabres have developed ‘a little bit of cockiness’ during winning streak

BUFFALO – How dramatically have things changed for the Sabres in a year?

Last season, the Sabres carried an ugly six-game losing skid into their annual Thanksgiving Eve home tilt. The Minnesota Wild beat them 5-4 before they finally won again two nights later.

Right now, the Sabres are enjoying their first six-game winning streak in almost nine years. A win tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers inside KeyBank Center will give them their first seven-game ... Read the full article

Sabres have grown close, don’t want to let each other down

BUFFALO – Early in Monday’s come-from-behind victory in Pittsburgh, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo knew he was struggling.

As the Penguins built a 4-1 lead, Okposo was on the ice for the second and third goals.

“I wasn’t having a very good game,” Okposo acknowledged Tuesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers inside KeyBank Center.

A slew of factors have contributed to the Sabres’ thrilling six-game winning streak, a run that ... Read the full article

Upstart Sabres generating buzz

BUFFALO – For the first time in years, the upstart Sabres are generating buzz. Their six-game winning streak has ignited a fan base beaten down by season after season of losing.

Sure, it’s still early, just 21 games into the season. But the 13-6-2 Sabres seem legit. Right now, their 28 points rank third in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division and fourth overall.

During their run, they’ve knocked off some NHL heavyweights, roaring back from deficits ... Read the full article