WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Owen Power kept playing through an ankle sprain late in the postseason. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Owen Power crashed feet first into the boards last Thursday, it appeared the Sabres might lose the stud defenseman for the rest of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.
Power briefly left Game 5 before returning to the bench and testing the injury during breaks. Late in the contest, he played two shifts.
He kept gutting out the injury in the Sabres’ final two games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Monday’s ... Read the full article
The Sabres have become a tight-knit group. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres boast one of the NHL’s deepest, most talented and youngest rosters.
On paper at least, they look poised to enjoy success in the coming years following a breakout season in which they ended their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, won the Atlantic Division and came within one goal of reaching the Eastern Conference final.
“Just because you have success one year doesn’t mean that it guarantees that it translates to the next ... Read the full article
Zach Metsa sat out the first 11 games of the playoffs. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres find strength in numbers, as in they boast some of the NHL’s best depth, giving them intriguing choices to construct their lineup and tailor it to their opponent.
To wit: in Saturday’s come-from-behind 8-3 win in Montreal, rookie defenseman Zach Metsa made his debut, becoming the 27th player to skate for the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After sitting out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch, Metsa also ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin had five points in Buffalo’s win on Saturday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – In the moment, the score meant nothing to the Buffalo Sabres. That they faced an early two-goal deficit after captain Rasmus Dahlin scored 32 seconds into the do-or-die contest, well, so be it.
If they maintained their focus on Saturday against the Canadiens, they told themselves, and kept doing the right things in the hostile Bell Centre, they would be rewarded.
“We actually liked our game to start,” winger Jason Zucker said after ... Read the full article
Zach Metsa sat out the first 11 playoff games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres made one lineup change for tonight’s do-or-die contest against the Canadiens, inserting rookie defenseman Zach Metsa and scratching veteran Luke Schenn for Game 6 of the second-round series.
Metsa, 27, made his debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He sat out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has lauded Metsa’s decision-making ability and how he breaks the puck out.... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked sharp in Game 4. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – Last week, coach Lindy Ruff said he relayed a straightforward message to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as he patiently waited for his next opportunity to play.
“Your time will come, you got to be ready,” Ruff told him.
At the time, with goalie Alex Lyon performing so dynamically, Luukkonen might’ve felt his next start would materialize in the distant future. But Ruff has relied on two, sometimes three netminders all season.... Read the full article
Konsta Helenius played nine games for Buffalo earlier this season. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – A week ago, shortly after center Konsta Helenius arrived in Buffalo to serve as a Black Ace, the Sabres promoted the rookie to the main practice group.
While the Sabres boast depth up front, Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, is a high-end young talent. By moving him up, they illustrated he could be an option during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On Tuesday, in Game 4 of the Sabres’ second-round series, Helenius made ... Read the full article
Alex Tuch said the Sabres are “hungry.” ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres experienced this earlier in the postseason. Fresh off an emotional Game 1 win at home, they followed up with a lousy performance, allowing their opponent to tie the series before they hit the road.
Against the Bruins, the Sabres showcased an emphatic response following a tough loss, winning the next two games in Boston and seizing control of the series.
So, what might happen tonight and Tuesday against the Canadiens ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has a season-long seven game goal drought. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Almost four minutes into Friday’s third period, with the Sabres trailing 3-1 and furiously trying to score, center Tage Thompson grabbed the puck inside the Montreal blue line and lost his balance as he began stickhandling.
As Thompson fell and spun around, Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier snagged the loose puck and zoomed down the ice on a two-on-one, beating Sabres goalie Alex Lyon from the left circle.
“Just fighting it tonight,” Thompson said ... Read the full article
Josh Doan opened the scoring in Wednesday’s game. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres needed less than two periods against the Montreal Canadiens to accomplish what the Tampa Bay Lightning couldn’t in seven games.
Against a stingy opponent – the Canadiens allowed three or fewer goals in each contest versus the Lightning and just 15 total – the Sabres scored four times in the opening 29 minutes on Wednesday en route to a 4-2 win in Game 1 of the second-round series.
The Sabres, who ... Read the full article