Anderson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jeff Skinner knows cross-checking Jake Guentzel hurt Sabres

BUFFALO – Winger Jeff Skinner understands that by cross-checking Jake Guentzel in the face and receiving a match penalty late in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, he cost the Sabres an opportunity to win the game.

With Skinner ejected and the Sabres forced to kill off a five-minute major penalty in overtime, Jeff Carter scored the winner, depriving them of a precious point.

“It’s unfortunate timing and probably cost us a point ... Read the full article

NHL suspends Sabres’ Jeff Skinner three games for cross-checking

PITTSBURGH – The NHL this afternoon suspended Sabres winger Jeff Skinner three games for cross-checking Penguins winger Jake Guentzel in the face late in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Buffalo.

Skinner, whose 13 goals and 32 points are both tied for second on the Sabres, will miss tonight’s game against the Penguins, Tuesday’s home contest against the Los Angeles Kings and Thursday’s road game versus the Colorado Avalanche.

“It does disrupt the lineup, obviously, when ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner’s match penalty costs Sabres in OT loss to Penguins

BUFFALO – The edge Jeff Skinner possesses makes him one of the NHL’s most unique talents. Not only is the Sabres winger a top scorer, he’s also willing to go hard after opponents.

To wit: with 22 seconds left in the third period of Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jake Guentzel hit Sabres goalie Craig Anderson’s hand as he froze the puck. Skinner took umbrage and went after Guentzel.

Guentzel slashed Skinner ... Read the full article

Sabres learn firsthand how good Devils have become: ‘A lot of swagger’

BUFFALO – For years, the Sabres had company at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in the New Jersey Devils.

A season ago, when the Sabres missed the playoffs for an NHL-record setting 11th consecutive season, they earned 12 more points than the Devils.

But the Devils, who are coached by old friend Lindy Ruff, have roared past the Sabres this season, establishing themselves as one of the league’s heavyweights.... Read the full article

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo to return against Devils; Jacob Bryson injured

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo, out the last six games recovering from a lower-body injury, will play tonight against the New Jersey Devils, his first action since Nov. 10.

“Just some wear and tear I’ve been dealing with and had to give it some time to calm down,” Okposo said this morning at KeyBank Center. “But feeling better, ramped it up over the past few days.”

Okposo, 34, recently began skating on his ... Read the full article

With Eric Comrie injured, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might have career-changing opportunity

TORONTO – Earlier this year, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen reached a crossroads in his career. The Sabres, having Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie entrenched in Buffalo, decided the Finnish prospect would begin his fourth pro season in the minors.

If Luukkonen, 23, embraced another stint in the AHL, he could buoy his development. If he pouted, well, who knows what might happen?

Right away, he decided he would use his time with the Rochester Americans to ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to replace injured Eric Comrie

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday recalled goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from the Rochester Americans to replace Eric Comrie, who suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Coach Don Granato told reporters in Ottawa following the Sabres’ seventh straight loss Comrie, 27, will “be out for a little bit.” The Sabres did not practice on Thursday, so he hasn’t offered a fresh update on Comrie.

Luukkonen, a prospect labeled as the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie leaves game injured, will miss time

Buffalo Sabres goalie Eric Comrie suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday’s 4-1 road loss to the Ottawa Senators and will “be out for a little bit,” coach Don Granato said.

“We obviously have to get a further look on him,” Granato told reporters in Ottawa following the Sabres’ seventh straight loss.

Comrie, 27, was injured when Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin checked Mathieu Joseph into him as the Senators forward charged to the net 9:43 into ... Read the full article

Sabres searching for answers after loss to lowly Canucks: ‘It has to change’

BUFFALO – This long Sabres losing streak felt a bit different than previous ones prior to Tuesday’s 5-4 loss to the hapless Vancouver Canucks.

The Sabres dropped four games to legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, playing each of them tough. Even their one loss to a non-playoff team, Arizona, didn’t look so bad after the Coyotes defeated some formidable opponents following their visit.

But losing to the Canucks, who limped into town having lost 12 of ... Read the full article

Rest helping Sabres’ Craig Anderson thrive as backup to Eric Comrie

BUFFALO – Following a terrific 27-save outing, Sabres goalie Craig Anderson will likely return to the bench tonight, backing up Eric Comrie against the Vancouver Canucks.

At 41, Anderson, the NHL’s oldest player, has tended some remarkable goal during the first month of the season, defying his advanced age.

Among goalies who have played at least five times this season, his 2.40 goals-against average ranks 13th in the NHL and .922 save percentage 11th. Despite ... Read the full article