Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Josh Norris could play Game 5; Nikita Zadorov fined for cross-check

BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff said forwards Josh Norris, Tyson Kozak and Jason Zucker are all still being evaluated but probable tonight for Game 5 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.

The Sabres lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. If they win, they will clinch their first series since 2007.

Norris has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. Kozak and Zucker both left Sunday afternoon’s 6-1 win in Boston ... Read the full article

Sabres dominate Bruins, take 3-1 series lead: ‘Best period we played all year’

BOSTON – Just over four minutes into Sunday afternoon’s 6-1 annihilation of the Bruins, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson hectored an opponent along the wall, freeing the puck for linemate Alex Tuch to grab in the offensive zone.

When Tuch reached the right circle, he fed winger Peyton Krebs in the slot, and the winger quickly beat goalie Jeremy Swayman.

The goal at 4:17, the Sabres’ first in the opening 20 minutes during the Stanley Cup ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris out injured again

BOSTON – Josh Norris is scratched again this afternoon with an undisclosed injury for Game 4 of the Buffalo Sabres’ first-round playoff series against the Bruins.

Norris also missed Thursday’s 3-1 win in TD Garden. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following Saturday’s practice the center is day to day.

He played the first two games of the series, registering zero points in his first appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.... Read the full article

In Noah Ostlund, Sabres possess smart, special talent: ‘I belong here now’

BOSTON – Noah Ostlund figures by the second time the Buffalo Sabres recalled him this season, he started feeling comfortable in the NHL.

Not that the rookie looked out of the place in those early-season outings and during an eight-game look late last year, his first taste of the big leagues.

But after the Sabres summoned Ostlund from the Rochester Americans again in early November, he started scoring and earning more ice time. By later ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff’s evolution on display as he coaches young Sabres in playoffs

BOSTON – In the aftermath of the Buffalo Sabres’ 4-2 home loss in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series, coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged that on the outside, he downplayed his team’s dreary performance a bit.

On the inside, however, players knew they played poorly on Tuesday against the Bruins after winning Game 1.

Ruff, whose Sabres roared back on Thursday and beat the Bruins 3-1 in TD Garden, grabbing a 2-1 lead in ... Read the full article

Sabres warned prior to Game 3 to stop rough stuff; Ryan McLeod relied upon in faceoff dot

BOSTON – Before Thursday’s 3-1 win over the Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff said officials warned the Buffalo Sabres they “weren’t gonna put up with the after-the-whistle stuff.”

“They’re gonna take one guy,” he said of the what the teams were told. “And the first guy that puts the fist in the other guy’s face is gonna get called.”

As the longtime rivals split the first two games of the opening-round playoff series, scrums and melees ... Read the full article

Alex Lyon, Noah Ostlund and Alex Tuch help Sabres rally to defeat Bruins, take series lead

BOSTON – Mattias Samuelsson, having broken his stick, was essentially helpless as he tried to get the puck out of his own zone. The Buffalo Sabres defenseman tried kicking it out, but that only made matters worse.

Viktor Arvidsson quickly grabbed the puck and made a beeline for Sabres goalie Alex Lyon. As the Swede roared in, captain Rasmus Dahlin slashed him, giving the Bruins a penalty shot as they enjoyed a 1-0 lead 9:50 ... Read the full article

Alex Lyon played four postseason games with Florida.

Sabres notes: Buffalo turns to Alex Lyon versus Bruins; Josh Norris misses game

BOSTON – Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon has experienced this before. Three years ago, he started three games during the Florida Panthers’ stunning first-round upset of the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He later had a relief appearance in the final.

Turning to Lyon on Thursday for Game 3 of the Sabres’ opening-round series felt inevitable after goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed an 89-foot goal and later got pulled from Tuesday’s 4-2 home loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres will likely start goalie Alex Lyon, make lineup changes up front in Game 3 against Bruins

BOSTON – Goalie Alex Lyon is likely in for Game 3 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely out.

Lyon, 33, manned the net usually reserved for that night’s started during this morning’s pregame skate, meaning he’s expected to get the nod against the Bruins. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff refused to name his starter for tonight’s game.

Lyon hasn’t started a game since allowing three goals ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris to miss Game 3 against Bruins with injury

BOSTON – Oft-injured center Josh Norris will miss Game 3 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series tonight with an undisclosed injury and is day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said this afternoon.

Norris crashed into the boards in Tuesday’s 4-2 home loss to the Bruins but stayed in the game.

Ruff said he doesn’t know when Norris, 26, suffered his injury.... Read the full article