Dustin Tokarski has played 18 games for Rochester this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres recall goalie from Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled veteran goalie Dustin Tokarski from the Rochester Americans to give them some insurance in net.

Granato said the Sabres have been dealing with illness. They did not practice Wednesday as a precaution.

“With how certain guys felt, we needed to make sure we were covered for this morning in the event more flared up,” Granato told reporters in St. Petersburg.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start tonight’s road game ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has scored 16 goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres coach Don Granato confident in Tage Thompson: ‘Inevitable he’ll score’

BUFFALO – In Sunday’s 3-2 shootout win, Sabres center Tage Thompson wreaked havoc all night, utilizing his size and skill to generate a game-high 10 scoring chances, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Thompson, 26, performed like the aggressive, dynamic goal scorer from last season as he pumped five shots on net and attempted 11.

The American might’ve been the best player on the ice against the Carolina Hurricanes.

... Read the full article
Erik Johnson (6) battles Carolina’s Jack Drury on Sunday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres veteran Erik Johnson anxious as trade deadline approaches

BUFFALO – Having never experienced this in his 17-year NHL career, Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson acknowledged that, yes, these days he feels a little anxious.

In signing Johnson, 35, to a one-year, $3.25 million contract, the Sabres added a much-needed veteran presence to a blue line filled with 20-somethings. But they’ve stumbled this season, and instead of maturing into a playoff team, they’ve fallen out of the race.

So the graying Johnson could be moved ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner has scored a team-high 19 goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Jeff Skinner leaves practice injured; Sabres make roster move

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jeff Skinner, whose 19 goals are tied for the team lead this season, left Monday’s practice with an undisclosed injury.

Coach Don Granato said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter that Skinner, 31, would undergo imaging before the Sabres left for their two-game road trip, which begins tonight against the Florida Panthers.

Early Monday afternoon, the Sabres recalled forward Tyson Jost, a sign Skinner could be unavailable.

... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt scores the shootout-winning goal Sunday on Carolina goalie Spencer Martin. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Casey Mittelstadt, UPL lead Sabres to emotional win over Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt smiled and laughed. You see, he stole the slick move he utilized to score the shootout winner in Sunday’s thrilling 3-2 victory from teammate Owen Power.

As luck would have it, Power, who tied the game late in regulation, went ahead of him. In stopping the defenseman and two other Sabres, Mittelstadt noticed Carolina Hurricanes goalie Spencer Martin kept coming out of the crease to challenge shooters.

So armed ... Read the full article

Owen Power was injured Feb. 12. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Owen Power returns from injury; Jacob Bryson playing regularly

BUFFALO – On Sunday morning, Sabres defenseman Owen Power did not take his usual spot on the second power-play unit, a sign he possibly needed more time to recover from his upper-body injury.

But following the pregame skate, coach Don Granato said the youngster could be ready for the Sabres’ contest against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Sure enough, Power, 21, returned their 3-2 shootout win, scoring the late tying goal and skating 23 ... Read the full article

Connor Clifton hadn’t scored a goal since last season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Connor Clifton, Sabres score dirty goals in road wins

BUFFALO – Prior to both games during the Sabres’ fathers and mentors trip, Connor Clifton’s dad, Tim, addressed the team and colorfully called for some dirty goals.

In defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres wreaked havoc on goalies, scoring three times with bodies around the net creating traffic.

Fittingly, Connor Clifton scored Friday’s winner 3:05 into the third period, his first goal in his 55th outing with the Sabres.

... Read the full article
Devon Levi has played 10 games for Rochester. ©2024, Micheline Veluolu, Rochester Americans

After assignment by Sabres, Devon Levi thriving in Rochester: ‘It’s been great’

ROCHESTER – In the minors, far away from the glaring lights of the NHL, goalie Devon Levi can simply focus on his development.

What’s going on in Buffalo, sure, he cares and pays attention. But his feet are here with the Americans. He’ll worry about winning games for the Sabres when his next opportunity materializes.

“The pressure situation is different here from there,” Levi told the Times Herald after making 32 saves in Wednesday’s 4-1 ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin has been playing nearly half of the game. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Injuries force Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin to handle more responsibility, ice time

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s instincts tell him to get after it, not to settle for the simplest play.

After all, the Swede possesses the talent to make dazzling moves and take over the ice.

“When he touches the puck, he tries to go, he tries to make the ideal play happen and he competes and fights to make the ideal play happen on each puck touch,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Tuesday’s ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) skates by former teammate Ilya Lyubushkin on Monday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres can’t put Ducks away in awful loss: ‘Gave them free chances’

BUFFALO – Almost halfway through Monday afternoon’s embarrassing 4-3 loss, the Sabres had the Anaheim Ducks on the ropes.

At that point, the Sabres had dominated the Ducks, outshooting them by about 20 as they generated a slew of prime scoring chances, including some breakaways.

Fourteen seconds after center Tage Thompson’s power-play goal put the Sabres’ up 2-1, the Ducks took another penalty.

... Read the full article