Jeff Skinner had one previous suspension. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

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

Peyton Krebs recently sat out four games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

After slow start and scratches, Sabres’ Peyton Krebs contributing again

BUFFALO – When the Sabres scratched Peyton Krebs four out of five games late last month, Tage Thompson texted his teammate one night and reminded him of what he experienced not long ago.

By now, Thompson’s story is well known. The center struggled for years to make a mark. Less than two seasons ago, he was a healthy scratch. Today, of course, he’s one of the NHL’s most prolific goal scorers.

“When he was my ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner (left) and Rasmus Dahlin (right) celebrate a goal in Sunday’s win. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres beat Sharks, get more scoring from ‘Kid Line’: ‘A lot of chemistry’

BUFFALO – If the struggling Sabres couldn’t fix some of their recent problems and earn a much-needed win against the lowly San Jose Sharks, well, you had to wonder when they’d ever get on track.

The Sharks limped into town Sunday to close a four-game road trip having lost four of their last five contests, including a defeat a night earlier in Ottawa.

They were ripe to be beaten and the Sabres, as their 6-3 ... Read the full article

Tyson Jost as played four games for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Tyson Jost finding home with Sabres: ‘He brings an awful lot’

BUFFALO – The struggles and other experiences Sabres center Tyson Jost has endured since entering the NHL as a teenager have helped him develop a unique perspective.

Jost has already played 358 NHL games, the fourth-highest total among Sabres skaters. Having been drafted 10th overall in 2016, the Colorado Avalanche initially cast him in a scoring role. When that didn’t work out, he fell down the lineup and was traded last season.

He lasted only ... Read the full article

Buffalo drafted Brandon Hagel in 2016. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Former Buffalo prospect Brandon Hagel thriving with Lightning

BUFFALO – Over the past 10 years, five prospects the Sabres drafted in the sixth round or later have played NHL games. Just three have earned regular duty.

Winger Victor Olofsson has scored 11 goals for the Sabres this season, a total that trails only center Tage Thompson’s 13. Goalie Linus Ullmark, who departed Buffalo in 2021, has a stunning 13-1-0 record for the Boston Bruins.

The other? Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel, ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo has played 15 games this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Kyle Okposo returns from injury; Tyson Jost providing depth

BUFFALO – Peyton Krebs’ return to the lineup lasted one game.

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo, out six straight games recovering from a lower-body injury, played Friday 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 prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss at KeyBank Center. “But feeling better, ramped it up over ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo has missed six games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

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

Mattias Samuelsson was injured Oct. 22. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Mattias Samuelsson skates with Sabres, nearing return from injury

BUFFALO – On some teams, injured players are rarely seen. They do their work before many of their teammates arrive at the rink and quietly leave.

Then there’s Mattias Samuelsson. For more than three weeks, as the Sabres defenseman has rehabbed from a lower-body injury he suffered Oct. 22, he remained a visible presence in the dressing room and during practice.

“You saw him every day sitting on the bench in practice and around ... Read the full article

Vegas’ Jack Eichel celebrates Thursday with goalie Logan Thompson. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel hears boos, has hat trick against Sabres: ‘Felt good’

BUFFALO – Sabres fans didn’t even wait for Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel to touch the puck Thursday. As soon as his skates hit the ice, they began booing loudly. When he gained possession, the jeering intensified.

The season-high crowd of 15,757 fans at KeyBank Center booed when the ex-Sabres captain lost a faceoff and again when goalie Eric Comrie stymied him on two breakaways. When the video boards showed replays of the saves, ... Read the full article

Buffalo goalie Eric Comrie tries to stop Arizona’s Jack McBain on Tuesday. ©2022, Micheine Veluvolu

Sabres look sluggish in loss to Coyotes: ‘We wanted an easier game’

BUFFALO – Barely 20 seconds into Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes, Sabres defenseman Owen Power left the puck behind the net, and his partner, Kale Clague, overskated it, creating an easy goal for Lawson Crouse.

The gaffe turned out to be a harbinger for the Sabres, who looked disjointed and sluggish throughout the night, often drawing the ire of the announced crowd of 10,296 fans at KeyBank Center.

The Sabres’ third straight loss ... Read the full article