Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Mature effort helps Sabres rally to beat Blues in OT: ‘Learning the game’

BUFFALO – The competitive balance in the NHL has perhaps never been higher, meaning the difference between the top and bottom teams is slim.

There are no gimme games, as coaches will tell you. Still, this week, two teams – the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens – limped into KeyBank Center reeling and ripe to be exploited.

The Sabres nearly lost both games.

But forget the Sabres needed to late rally and overtime Thursday ... Read the full article

Sabres’ James Reimer geared up to be back; Tage Thompson, UPL out injured

BUFFALO – On Wednesday night, hours after the Sabres reclaimed him on waivers, goalie James Reimer told his wife, April, he’s looking forward to wearing some matching gear again.

After the Anaheim Ducks claimed him from Buffalo on Oct. 7, Reimer wore the black and red pads he planned on using when the Sabres sported their third jerseys. The red clashed with the Ducks’ orange color scheme.

Instead of a painted mask, he wore a ... Read the full article

Injured Sabres Tage Thompson and UPL could face Blues; Mattias Samuelsson out long-term

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen both missed Wednesday’s practice and are day to day with their respective injuries. Coach Lindy Ruff said they could play in tonight’s home game against the St. Louis Blues.

That’s the good news for the Sabres. The bad? Ruff said the lower-body injury defenseman Mattias Samuelsson suffered in Monday afternoon’s 7-5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens will sideline him “weeks.” The injury, however, isn’t season-ending.... Read the full article

Sabres boost goalie depth by claiming James Reimer on waivers

BUFFALO – Goalie James Reimer is back with the Sabres after a five-week stint playing for the Anaheim Ducks.

The Sabres on Wednesday reclaimed Reimer on waivers from the Ducks, who took the veteran Oct. 7 after Buffalo put him on the wire.

Anaheim goalie John Gibson’s recent return from an appendectomy made Reimer, 36, expendable. Reimer played two games for the Ducks, compiling a 0-2-0 mark with a 4.50 goals-against average and an .864 ... Read the full article

After strong stint with Sabres, prospect Jiri Kulich scoring goals in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich laughed. The Czech center possesses one of hockey’s most dynamic shots. In his career, he said he has scored twice by tipping the puck.

Kulich, 20, just happened to score his first NHL goal Oct. 17 by getting a piece of linemate Dylan Cozens’ shot.

“I don’t know if I’m really a tip guy,” a smiling Kulich said Friday prior to scoring in the Americans’ 6-3 win over ... Read the full article

‘Humbled’ Sabres lose ugly contest to Canadiens, Tage Thompson to injury

BUFFALO – Almost five minutes into Monday afternoon’s ugly 7-5 loss to the Canadiens, Sabres center Tage Thompson grabbed a pass from linemate Alex Tuch inside the Montreal blue line and skated down the left wing.

Thompson cut to the net from the left circle, using one hand to fend off Canadiens star Cole Caufield and the other to guide the puck. When he reached the crease, Thompson, who later left the game injured, scored ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earns NHL Third Star honors

BUFFALO – Compiling 1.30 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage while backstopping the Sabres to three consecutive wins has earned goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen NHL Third Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

Luukkonen dazzled throughout the week, stopping 86 of the 90 shots he faced.

He made 37 saves in Tuesday’s 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, tying his season high.... Read the full article

Sabres to make lineup change against Canadiens

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who sat out the last three games as a healthy scratch, will be playing in this afternoon’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“First pass and then kill plays,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center of what he wants to see from Samuelsson. “Big body, be physical when you have the moment to be physical.”

Update: Samuelsson and center Tage Thompson, who scored his ... Read the full article

As UPL tightens grip on No. 1 job, what do the Sabres do with Devon Levi?

BUFFALO – After rotating games with Devon Levi for two weeks, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has grabbed the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie job again, starting four straight games and nine of the last 10 contests.

Luukkonen’s emergence is hardly surprising. The Finn, 25, established himself as the Sabres’ backbone and one of the NHL’s elite goalies down the stretch last season, playing 36 of the last 43 games. He thrives with the consistent action.

Entering this ... Read the full article

Maturing Sabres extend winning streak by beating Flames in shootout

BUFFALO – In the recent past, the Sabres might’ve lost a game like Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 shootout win. They blew an early two-goal lead as the Calgary Flames roared back. They had to kill a penalty just to survive overtime.

“I’ve used the phrase, ‘You’ve got to be comfortable being uncomfortable,’” coach Lindy Ruff said following the Sabres’ third consecutive victory. “The game got uncomfortable, and you have to trust how you’re playing.”

That trust ... Read the full article