Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres still leaning heavily on Rasmus Ristolainen

BUFFALO – Rasmus Ristolainen celebrated another birthday Friday, and if you thought the Sabres defenseman was a bit older than his 23 years, you’re probably not alone.

Having cracked the NHL at 18, Ristolainen is already in his fifth season. This afternoon’s tilt against the San Jose Sharks will be his 285th appearance with the Sabres.

It feels like the Finn has been around forever.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Falk close to playing

BUFFALO – For the first week and a half of his injury, Sabres defenseman Justin Falk said he couldn’t do anything.

“So that was the worst,” Falk, who has missed the first 11 games, said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center.

Then the Sabres went on a four-game western road trip. Falk, meanwhile, stayed at home nursing his injury.

“You wait around all day until 10 o’clock at night to watch a hockey game,” he said.... Read the full article

Sabres, goalie Robin Lehner shut out Red Wings for first home win

BUFFALO – For once, Robin Lehner enjoyed a pretty quiet night. In fact, of the 32 saves the Sabres goalie made in Tuesday’s 1-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings, only a few would be considered difficult.

“When we needed a save, Robin delivered it for us,” coach Phil Housley said following the Sabres’ second straight win and first victory at home this season.

For almost three weeks, as the Sabres stumbled out of the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jordan Nolan beat odds to reach 300 NHL games

BUFFALO – Almost six years later, Sabres winger Jordan Nolan remembers nearly every detail of his first day in the NHL, from the early-morning knock on his door informing him the Los Angeles Kings needed him in Long Island, to his linemates that night.

However, one important part of Nolan’s NHL debut Feb. 11, 2012 has escaped his mind.

“I don’t remember if we won or lost, to tell you the truth,” Nolan said Tuesday ... Read the full article

Memories of NHL debut fresh as Sabres’ Jordan Nolan hits 300 games

However, one important part of Nolan’s NHL debut Feb. 11, 2012 has escaped his mind.

“I don’t remember if we won or lost, to tell you the truth,” Nolan said this ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Benoit Pouliot moving around

BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed Benoit Pouliot to a one-year contract July 1, it was expected they would utilize the veteran as a utility winger all over the lineup.

Sure enough, nine games into the season, Pouliot has already skated on a slew of lines.

In Saturday’s 5-4 come-from-behind overtime win in Boston, Pouliot mostly played at left wing with center Ryan O’Reilly and Jason Pominville, a top scoring trio. Pouliot scored his ... Read the full article

Goalies Robin Lehner, Chad Johnson playing ‘great’ despite Sabres’ struggles

BUFFALO – Through nine games, the Sabres have allowed a whopping 35 goals, the NHL’s second-highest number.

In this defensive era, a figure even approaching three goals a game usually means a team is struggling. The Sabres, who roared back Saturday in Boston to stun the Bruins 5-4 in overtime, have allowed 3.89 an outing.

No wonder they’re 2-5-2 and winless at home in three tries entering tonight’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings at ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Cliff Pu to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed Cliff Pu, one of their top forward prospects, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

Pu, 19, has 52 goals and 132 points in 178 career Ontario Hockey League games with the London Knights and Oshawa Generals.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo responds to benching

BUFFALO – A day after getting benched, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo was noticeably better in Saturday’s 5-4 come-from-behind overtime win in Boston.

Okposo looked engaged and more like the veteran who usually averages more than 20 goals and 50 points a season.

After the Sabres roared back from three goals against the Bruins, Okposo nearly won it in the final minutes, hitting the crossbar from the slot.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Redmond overcame stroke, severed artery to play in NHL

ROCHESTER – When Kim Howser spotted her son, Buffalo Sabres newcomer Zach Redmond, stretching on the family’s dining room table that day almost five years ago, she said “pure panic” overwhelmed her.

Just weeks earlier, as some Winnipeg Jets extras skated prior to their Feb. 21, 2013 road game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Redmond nearly died in a harrowing accident on the PNC Arena ice.... Read the full article