Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After win streak ends, Sabres to change lineup by inserting Jason Zucker

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently rattled off 10 consecutive wins, they utilized the same 18 skaters most nights, only making changes for injuries.

If it’s working, why mess with it, right?

Coach Lindy Ruff explained the performance within that lineup, not so much the victories – “Just how well the individuals were playing,” he said – forced the Sabres to keep things consistent.

When Ruff, his staff and even general manager Jarmo Kekalainen sat ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Michael Kesselring progressing from injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Alex Lyon, who hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury late in last Monday’s 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues, is day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“It doesn’t look like anything too major,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

Ruff said Lyon and defenseman Michael Kesselring, who left Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury, are both “progressing” from their respective injuries.... Read the full article

Sabres’ win streak shows they might be starting something special

COLUMBUS – Hours before a 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets ended the Buffalo Sabres’ win streak at 10 games, coach Lindy Ruff revealed some of the superstitions that materialized during one of the hottest stretches in franchise history.

For example, Ruff said assistant coach Marty Wilford refused to change his bench attire, so he wore the same brown suit each game.

Meanwhile, as the Sabres got on a tear and Owen Power kept reading ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Michael Kesselring out injured

COLUMBUS – For the third time this season, an injury will force Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring to miss action.

Kesselring, who suffered a lower-body injury late in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars, will sit out this afternoon’s game against the Blue Jackets.

Defenseman Jacob Bryson will replace Kesselring, who’s day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson, UPL thrilled to be selected to Olympics

COLUMBUS – In the NHL, Tage Thompson is the Buffalo Sabres’ No. 1 center and most dynamic offensive threat, having scored 178 goals since the start of the 2021-22 season.

But on Team USA’s Olympic entry at the upcoming Milano Cortina Games, which Thompson, 28, was named to on Friday, what kind of role could he be cast in? Third-line winger? Fourth-line grinder?

Thompson, whose surging Sabres carry a 10-game win streak into this afternoon’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson named to Team USA’s Olympic roster

When Team USA left Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson off its roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago, the snub fueled him.

Over the final 36 games of the season, he scored an NHL-high 25 goals. He carried that dynamic scoring prowess into the World Championship in Europe, where his overtime goal clinched the Americans’ first gold medal at the tournament in 92 years.

Thompson, 28, seemed like a sure bet to represent ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Stars to extend win streak to 10 games, move into playoff spot

Wednesday’s 4-1 road victory against the Dallas Stars ranks as one of the Buffalo Sabres’ most impressive outings during their 10-game win streak.

In tying the franchise record for most consecutive wins and moving into the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Sabres disposed of one of the NHL’s heavyweights.

“It was like a playoff game,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters following the game. “It was two good teams playing hockey.”... Read the full article

Sabres send injured Alex Lyon back to Buffalo: ‘Going to be a bit of time’

Goalie Alex Lyon has returned to Buffalo to be examined by the Sabres’ doctors after suffering a lower-body injury late in Monday’s 4-2 road win over the St. Louis Blues, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Dallas.

“Right now, it’s going to be a bit of time,” Ruff said prior to tonight’s game against the Stars.

Ruff said rookie goalie Colten Ellis, who suffered a concussion Dec. 9 in Edmonton, will be activated from injured ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Alex Lyon misses practice with lower-body injury

Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon sat out Tuesday’s practice after suffering a lower-body injury late in Monday’s 4-2 road win over the St. Louis Blues, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Dallas.

“Really late in the game, which is unfortunate,” Ruff, whose Sabres carry a nine-game win streak into Wednesday’s game against the Stars, told reporters in Dallas.

Ruff said Lyon, 33, was being evaluated and the team would know more Wednesday.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris displays desperation after breaking stick against Bruins

BUFFALO – The desperation began as soon as Sabres center Josh Norris broke his stick in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins and lasted about 10 seconds.

As the Bruins buzzed around the Buffalo zone early in the second period, a stickless Norris immediately sacrificed his body, dropping to the ice to thwart his opponent and keep the puck out of his net.

When the puck went down low, he dove next the crease ... Read the full article