Benson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Maturing Sabres extend winning streak by beating Flames in shootout

BUFFALO – In the recent past, the Sabres might’ve lost a game like Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 shootout win. They blew an early two-goal lead as the Calgary Flames roared back. They had to kill a penalty just to survive overtime.

“I’ve used the phrase, ‘You’ve got to be comfortable being uncomfortable,’” coach Lindy Ruff said following the Sabres’ third consecutive victory. “The game got uncomfortable, and you have to trust how you’re playing.”

That trust ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson made most of time as scratch; Connor Clifton must ‘elevate his play’

BUFFALO – As he morphed from a regular into the Sabres’ seventh or eighth defenseman over the past two years, Jacob Bryson developed a unique skill.

Bryson believes he can be scratched for long stretches – in the most recent instance, he went 42 days between playing games – and rejoin the lineup ready to contribute, no easy task.

“I honestly think it’s a skill I’ve brought to my game over the last couple years,” ... Read the full article

Sabres create roster spot by loaning rookie Jiri Kulich to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon sent rookie forward Jiri Kulich to the Rochester Americans, creating a roster spot for winger Zach Benson.

Coach Lindy Ruff said following this morning’s skate he would talk to Benson, who has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, to see how he felt.

Kulich, 20, compiled one goal in eight games as he moved in and out of the lineup over the last month. In ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson a ‘possibility’ to return from injury against Senators

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zach Benson, out the last five games with a lower-body injury, is a “possibility” to return for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Benson, 19, practiced Monday at left wing alongside center Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, his first full session since leaving the lineup Oct. 22. He also skated on the second power-play unit.

Update: Ruff said following this morning’s pregame skate he would see how ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Lindy Ruff could utilize depth to change Buffalo’s lineup

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres’ depth offers coach Lindy Ruff some intriguing options. He has been scratching three healthy players each game, meaning he has fresh bodies he can plug into the lineup.

With another game tonight in Detroit, he can infuse some jump in a team that will likely feel fatigued following Friday’s 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders in KeyBank Center.

“In back-to-back games, we’ll have depth to put fresh bodies ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson close to returning from injury; Devon Levi set to start

BUFFALO – For six games, winger Zach Benson gutted out a lower-body injury that hindered his performance before the Sabres yanked him from the lineup.

“It’s hard to tell a player not to play,” Sabres Lindy Ruff said this morning after Benson participated in the Sabres’ optional pregame skate in KeyBank Center. “… There’s a lot of guys that aren’t 100 percent. There’s something that might be bothering a lot of different players right now. ... Read the full article

Sabres hope shifting struggling Dylan Cozens to wing can ignite him

BUFFALO – History says Dylan Cozens’ position change will be temporary. Shifting him from center to right wing is a slump-busting move by Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.

Centers, of course, are always at a premium and Cozens, 23, has been entrenched as the Sabres’ second-line pivot for years. It’s just that 10 games into the season, having scored zero goals, he’s in a rut.

Ruff needs to ignite the Yukon native, so in Thursday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jiri Kulich scratched as Nicolas Aube-Kubel returns

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres have a good problem. Winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel has recovered from a lower-body injury, giving them 13 forwards.

So if they remain healthy up front, that depth they’ve built up will force coach Lindy Ruff to make some difficult decisions.

Ruff made room for Aube-Kubel in Monday’s lineup for the Sabres’ 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers by scratching rookie Jiri Kulich. They placed winger Zach Benson, who’s battling a ... Read the full article

Goal-scoring struggles frustrate Sabres’ Dylan Cozens: ‘Just keep shooting’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes Tuesday, as the Stars pressed for another goal, Sabres center Dylan Cozens grabbed the puck inside the Dallas blue line with a chance to seal a victory and generate some much-needed confidence.

Cozens simply had to deposit it into the empty net 63 feet away to register his first goal this season. Instead, his shot hit the right side of the cage. Play continued, and winger Alex Tuch’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nicolas Aube-Kubel could play Monday; Zach Benson misses practice

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, out since suffering a lower-body injury in the season opener Oct. 4, practiced again Friday and will be available to play Monday against the Florida Panthers, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Aube-Kubel, who’s wearing a knee brace, could be an option for this afternoon’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, although Ruff likely wants to give him more practice time. He rejoined his teammates Tuesday but has had just one ... Read the full article