Boston Bruins - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Mattias Samuelsson’s memorable goal in Sabres’ playoff opener result of skill and luck

BUFFALO – With about 3:30 left in the third period of Sunday’s Stanley Cup Playoffs opener and the game tied at 2, the Sabres shot the puck in the Boston Bruins zone and went to work creating the go-ahead goal in their thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 victory.

After goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped the puck for Hampus Lindholm behind the net, Sabres winger Jack Quinn expected the defenseman to rim it around the boards.

But Lindholm broke ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson ignites late comeback in wild playoff win over Bruins: ‘This team doesn’t quit’

BUFFALO – Lack of experience? No way, Sabres center Tage Thompson responded after scoring two late goals to ignite one of the most memorable comebacks in franchise history.

The Sabres, Thompson noted, played plenty of games that prepared them for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Sunday’s wild 4-3 victory, a game in which they scored three goals in less than five minutes to erase a late 2-0 deficit against Boston Bruins.

As Game 1 of ... Read the full article

After second trade, ex-Sabres standout Casey Mittelstadt might have home with Bruins

BUFFALO – For the next two weeks or so, the lasting friendships Boston Bruins winger Casey Mittelstadt made over his six years here are on hold.

Mittelstadt, 27, said he loved his time with the Sabres and is happy they ended their NHL-record 14-year drought and cracked the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“But I’m on the other side of it now,” he said prior to Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 1 of their ... Read the full article

Long-awaited trip to playoffs brings out fans’ rabid enthusiasm; Sabres refuse to jab back at Bruins’ Marco Sturm

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff sees it and feels it everywhere. Sabres flags flap on cars and proudly hang on porches. Signs are plastered all over town. Some, the coach pointed out, tell fans to honk for their beloved team.

Off-the-charts-enthusiasm has accompanied the Sabres’ first trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011.

In Ruff’s first stint here, the excitement never reached this level. Sure, fans showed their passion. But the Sabres, who host the ... Read the full article

Injured Sabres Noah Ostlund, Alex Lyon return to practice; Buffalo could make lineup change for Game 1 of playoffs

BUFFALO – Expect to see rookie forward Noah Ostlund return from his upper-body injury during the Sabres’ first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ostlund, 22, practiced as an extra Saturday, his first session since going down March 25 late in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

The best-of-seven series starts tonight at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

During lean years, Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson never lost belief Sabres would make playoffs

BUFFALO – During those dark days, when doubt and negativity could creep in, Sabres stars Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch would often stay positive by talking about the talent that surrounded them.

They had too much of it for the losing to drag on forever. Players possessed maturity – a strong work ethic and desire to improve – to complement their skill.

Sooner or later, the Sabres had to start winning, right?... Read the full article

NHL releases schedule for Sabres’ first-round playoff series against Bruins

It’s finally out. The NHL early this morning released the schedule for the Buffalo Sabres’ best-of-seven first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The complete schedule is below.

– Game 1, Sunday, 7:30 p.m, KeyBank Center, Buffalo

– Game 2, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m, KeyBank Center, Buffalo... Read the full article

Sabres to face Boston Bruins in opening round of playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres will be renewing their longtime rivalry with the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Bruins’ 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday secured the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, locking in a meeting with the Sabres, the Atlantic Division champions.

The series will start this weekend in Buffalo. A schedule will be released in the coming days.... Read the full article

As he waits for another chance, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring trying to make most of time as healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Long after most of his Sabres teammates had departed the dressing room Wednesday morning, a sweaty Michael Kesselring walked in and sat down on a plastic chair.

A surplus of healthy bodies – Kesselring is one of nine defensemen – has forced the Sabres to create a new dressing area in the middle of the room.

So Kesselring, having lost his spot on the arguably the NHL’s deepest blue line, doesn’t have a ... Read the full article

Sabres grab late lead after shaky start, lose to Bruins in OT: ‘I don’t think we were very good’

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres began their torrid run up the Eastern Conference standings in early December, they’ve played 143 periods. The first two in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins rank as their worst of the memorable stretch.

“Those first two periods are probably our poorest periods of the last three months,” coach Lindy Ruff said following the Sabres’ second consecutive overtime loss.

Fresh off a four-game road trip in which they ... Read the full article