Boston Bruins - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres play Bruins tough, lose again; Rasmus Dahlin escapes injury

BUFFALO – Right now, having lost five straight games, the Sabres need to find silver linings and take solace in any small steps they make.

So while they’re ticked off about Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, they know if they keep replicating that effort, they’ll start winning again.

Against one of the NHL’s heavyweights, the Sabres grabbed any early lead and kept generating offense while keeping the Bruins in check before a capacity ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo to miss game against Bruins

BUFFALO – A lower-body injury will force captain Kyle Okposo to miss tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins, according to the Sabres.

Okposo, 34, is day to day.

With Okposo sidelined, rookie winger Jack Quinn, 21, will return following a one-game absence.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt producing despite struggles at even strength

BUFFALO – Late in the second period of Thursday’s 7-4 loss, Casey Mittelstadt grabbed a short pass in the left circle and darted to the net. When the Sabres center approached the crease on his forehand, it briefly appeared he would shoot.

But Mittelstadt held the puck and, a split second later, he lifted a quick backhander past Vegas Golden Knights goalie Logan Thompson, tying the game at 2.

The slick goal, his second power-play ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo enjoying terrific comeback season, at forefront of Sabres’ revival

BUFFALO – On Wednesday, the Sabres, a team two days away from finishing its season, had a group of players on the KeyBank Center ice 25 minutes before their final practice started.

To veteran winger Kyle Okposo, 34, the Sabres’ oldest and most experienced player, that speaks volumes about the group’s passion. The Sabres will miss the playoffs for a record-setting 11th straight year, yet no one seems to want the season to end.... Read the full article

Peyton Krebs’ nifty assist creates Alex Tuch’s first goal with Sabres

Having previously played with Peyton Krebs, winger Alex Tuch said he knew a pass was coming before the center’s nifty no-look backhand created his first goal with the Sabres.

“I’m not really surprised that he did that,” Tuch said on a Zoom call following Saturday’s afternoon’s 4-3 overtime loss at TD Garden in Boston. “I saw it coming the whole way.”

Tuch, however, might’ve been the only one in the building who thought Krebs ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato leaves NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, travels to Boston

Don Granato’s Saturday began in the predawn hours in Buffalo. The coach knew he was close to clearing the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. So receiving good test results meant he join the Sabres in Boston for their matinee.

“I was waiting literally minute by minute in hopes of being here,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins at TD Garden.

When Granato received clearance, he hopped on ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Don Granato, two players return from NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato has left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and will be behind the bench for this afternoon’s road game against the Boston Bruins.

In addition, wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner will return to the lineup after leaving protocol Friday and practicing.

Granato, who missed two games after testing positive Sunday, said he feels “really good.”

... Read the full article

Report: Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner leave COVID-19 protocol

Sabres wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner have left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and could play in this afternoon’s road game against the Boston Bruins, according to The Buffalo News.

Hinostroza, 27, and Skinner, 29, practiced with the Sabres on Friday in Boston.

“Both will be available, if that’s the direction we decide,” assistant Matt Ellis, who’s subbing for head coach Don Granato, told the paper.

... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Early-season upper-body injury difficult for Casey Mittelstadt

BUFFALO – After a six-week absence, center Casey Mittelstadt joined his teammates Wednesday morning, donning a gold non-contact jersey and skating with the Sabres as they prepared for their game against the Boston Bruins.

Now, when will Mittelstadt, who suffered an upper-body injury opening night, be able to play again? Wednesday’s game was the 18th straight he has missed.

The Sabres also play Friday, Saturday and Monday. Practice time is limited. They’re scheduled to have ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Aaron Dell to start for slumping Dustin Tokarski

BUFFALO – In his last two starts, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski has compiled an 8.66 goals-against average and a .743 save percentage in just under 61 minutes.

Sabres coach Don Granato, of course, yanked him from both games.

In the first outing, Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Calgary Flames, Tokarski received little help, often getting abandoned by his teammates. But in Monday’s 7-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tokarski wasn’t his normal self, allowing ... Read the full article