Boston Bruins - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Special teams doom Sabres in loss to Bruins: ‘Achilles’ heel for us tonight’

BUFFALO – Chew on these ghastly, NHL-worst numbers: the Sabres have allowed a whopping 48 first-period goals and possess a minus-22 goal differential in the opening 20 minutes this season.

In Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Sabres trailed by the 4:19 mark and fell behind 2-0 at 13:42 before the capacity crowd of 19,070 fans in KeyBank Center.

When the Sabres had a four-minute man advantage after going down 1-0, they frittered ... Read the full article

Sabres must make roster move soon

BUFFALO – For the time being, everyone can stay. Twenty-five Sabres players participated in this morning’s skate. Twenty-four are on the active roster.

The Sabres are under the salary cap, so they’ve been able to carry an extra player through the NHL’s holiday roster freeze. But at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, they must reach the 23-man roster limit.

They don’t have make any moves before tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center, their first ... Read the full article

No World Juniors, no problem: Sabres’ Zach Benson thrilled to be in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Earlier this month, having likely secured a spot with the Sabres for the rest of the season, rookie Zach Benson moved out of a hotel and into the basement of the spacious suburban home defenseman Rasmus Dahlin recently purchased.

“I have room and he needed a place to stay,” Dahlin said following Friday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “I just figured he’s such a great guy and he brings such a positive attitude, so ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Eric Robinson in trade with Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – In Eric Robinson, the Sabres on Wednesday traded for a third- or fourth-line winger capable of killing penalties and providing some much-needed energy.

Having lost four straight games and five of their last six, the reeling Sabres needed to make a move, and while the 6-foot-2, 201-pound Robinson is hardly a star, he can certainly help.

In recent games, they’ve looked soft, regularly losing battles and showcasing little pushback. With veteran winger Zemgus ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Bruins, star Tage Thompson to injury that will sideline him ‘significant time’

BUFFALO – The game, a 5-2 shellacking from the heavyweight Boston Bruins after the Sabres celebrated captain Kyle Okposo’s 1,000th NHL appearance, was bad enough.

But they also lost top center Tage Thompson on Tuesday to an upper-body injury coach Don Granato said will probably sideline their most dynamic scorer “significant time.”

Thompson, 26, left the game just over 11 minutes into the second period after blocking Charlie McAvoy’s shot with his left hand or ... Read the full article

Sabres hope brief NHL experience will help prospect Matt Savoie in junior

BUFFALO – In the heat of a close game, with two precious points at stake, Sabres coach Don Granato did not feel comfortable putting prospect Matt Savoie on the ice.

So in his NHL debut, Friday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, Savoie, 19, skated just 3 minutes, 55 seconds over five shifts. He did not play in the third period.

On Saturday, the Sabres sent Savoie, who missed all of training camp, back to ... Read the full article

Captain Kyle Okposo helped transform Sabres on way to 1,000 NHL games

BUFFALO – If Kyle Okposo had his way, there might not be any celebration. The captain is grateful, mind you. It’s just that the spotlight makes him a bit uncomfortable, and tonight he will be front and center as the Sabres celebrate his 1,000th NHL game.

“I understand it’s a big thing, it’s a big deal,” Okposo said following Monday’s practice. “It’s OK to get recognized, and I’m going to try to enjoy it as ... Read the full article

Injured Alex Tuch could play this week; Sabres send prospect to Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, could return for Friday’s road game against the Winnipeg Jets, coach Don Granato said.

“I mentioned from the outset, he’s day to day so the issue he’s dealing with could have resolved in, say, 48 hours,” Granato said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “… He is waiting for the results so he has full mobility and full ... Read the full article

Devon Levi joins Sabres, immigration paperwork must be finalized

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie prospect Devon Levi arrived in town Saturday night and watched Sunday afternoon’s 7-0 loss to the Boston Bruins from the press box.

So when will Levi, who signed his entry-level contract Friday, practice with his new teammates? Sabres coach Don Granato said Levi, who’s Canadian, is “doubtful” for today’s session because his immigration paperwork must be finalized.

On Friday, general Kevyn Adams said Levi, a decorated college goalie at Northeastern, will ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, get clobbered by Bruins: ‘We believe we’re still in it’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ regression over the past three weeks has been startling. After positioning themselves to compete for their first playoff spot in 12 years, they’ve imploded, dropping nine of their last 11 games.

The Sabres aren’t just losing; opponents are annihilating them. Sunday afternoon’s ugly 7-0 loss to the Boston Bruins marked the third time in their last 10 outings they’ve allowed seven or more goals and lost by at least six.

Since ... Read the full article