Beaulieu - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres pumping loads of shots on net

BUFFALO – How rare is the Sabres’ current streak of 40 or more shots on goal in three straight games? Well, before pumping 40 on New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist in Sunday’s 3-1 road loss, they hadn’t done it since March 2009.

Prior to Sunday, they generated 41 shots in Saturday afternoon’s 9-2 win against the Ottawa Senators and a season-high 48 in last Thursday’s 4-2 loss in Ottawa.

So in Thursday’s road tilt ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Nathan Beaulieu returns feeling confident

BUFFALO – The sample size was small – just seven games before Nathan Beaulieu left the Sabres lineup. Still, in the first two weeks of 2018-19, the defenseman looked rejuvenated following a miserable season, showcasing a much calmer style.

“When I was playing, I thought I was playing with a lot more confidence,” Beaulieu said prior to returning for Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. “I wasn’t really worried about making mistakes. I ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Rasmus Dahlin has new partner; Tage Thompson to play again

BUFFALO – If you’re counting, Sabres veteran Rasmus Ristolainen will become rookie Rasmus Dahlin’s third defense partner in just his 12th NHL appearance.

Dahlin, 18, started with Jake McCabe before moving beside Casey Nelson, acquitting himself well with both.

So why move Dahlin for tonight’s tilt against the Calgary Flames? Wouldn’t some stability benefit the first overall pick?

Sabres coach Phil Housley said he partnered Dahlin with Ristolainen to give the talented neophyte “more of ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart looking better beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart began Thursday’s 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens enjoying the best nine-game start of his career.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hadn’t exactly experienced a rollicking October before his first goal this season tied Thursday’s contest at 13:07 into the third period. So far, he has six points.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 games, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart generating more offense beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, this is the best start of Sam Reinhart’s career. In his first nine outings of a season, the Sabres winger had never hit the five-point mark.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hasn’t exactly enjoyed a rollicking October. He has zero goals and five assists entering tonight’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Rasmus Dahlin scores first NHL goal

It should surprise no one Rasmus Dahlin scored his first goal because he zoomed to the net. In his early days in the NHL, the slick Buffalo Sabres rookie already showcases an aggressiveness few defensemen possess.

Dahlin, 18, joins the rush so much he often looks like a forward.

So it was fitting 2:45 into Saturday’s 3-0 road win, Dahlin, who was trailing the play, moved in from the slot and buried winger Jeff Skinner’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner moves to line with Casey Mittelstadt

BUFFALO – The tenacity Sabres winger Jeff Skinner has showcased early this season impresses coach Phil Housley.

“I really like the way he’s working, his forechecking,” Housley said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “He steals pucks and he strips pucks. (I like) the way he’s coming back into our zone. There’s just nothing evolving from that point.”

Skinner, 26, is pointless in first four outings with the Sabres. So Housley moved the left winger, an ... Read the full article

Sabres implode early, get blown out by Avalanche

BUFFALO – About 32 hours before the Sabres began Thursday’s ugly 6-1 loss, veteran winger Kyle Okposo saw some ominous signs of trouble during practice.

Throughout the short season, the Sabres had been dialed in and ready, according to Okposo. But fresh off two straight wins, he said they looked sloppy during Wednesday’s session.

“It was a lot like how we played the first period,” an agitated Okposo said after the Colorado Avalanche shellacked the ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton instilling confidence, becoming leader

BUFFALO – In just a few weeks, goalie Carter Hutton has already instilled loads of confidence in the Sabres and established himself as one of the team’s strongest voices.

How has Hutton, 32, done it so quickly?

Well, for starters, Hutton often looked dynamic making 43 saves against the New York Rangers in Saturday’s 3-1 win. He even stymied a three-on-zero break, a stop that will probably be remembered in these parts for a long ... Read the full article

New-look Sabres excited to open season: ‘A lot of enthusiasm’

BUFFALO – The first glimpse of the new-look Sabres comes tonight, 180 days after they ended perhaps the worst season in franchise history.

Seven new faces will dress against the Boston Bruins, including first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin and winger Jeff Skinner, a two-time 30-goal scorer. The optimism surrounding the Sabres is well-deserved.

They’re a much different team than the dreadful one that finished in 31st place six months ago.

“They’re excited,” Sabres coach ... Read the full article