Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Sabres’ Jacob Bernard-Docker earning regular duty after trade; Noah Ostlund honored for hot stretch

OTTAWA – In the time he spent earlier this season recovering from a high ankle sprain and also regularly watching games as a healthy scratch, Buffalo Sabres newcomer Jacob Bernard-Docker tried to reflect and understand why he had lost his spot in the lineup.

Bernard-Docker, a right-shot defenseman the Sabres acquired March 7 in the trade that sent center Dylan Cozens to the Senators, said he realized he needed to be harder to play against.... Read the full article

With Rasmus Dahlin sick, Sabres recall defenseman from Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon recalled defenseman Jack Rathbone from the Rochester Americans prior to their road game against the Washington Capitals.

Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters on Saturday captain Rasmus Dahlin, the Sabres’ top defenseman, will likely miss his second straight game this afternoon because of illness.

Dahlin was a late scratch for Saturday afternoon’s 7-4 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenseman Jacob Bryson replaced him him.... Read the full article

Illness will likely force Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin to miss another game

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will likely have to wait at least a couple of more days to play his 500th NHL game.

Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Philadelphia he expects the illness that forced Dahlin to miss Saturday’s 7-4 loss to the Flyers will keep him out of this afternoon’s game against the Washington Capitals.

“He was sick,” Ruff said of why Buffalo’s top defenseman was a surprise scratch Saturday afternoon. “Same thing ... Read the full article