Byram - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Alex Lyon, Noah Ostlund and Alex Tuch help Sabres rally to defeat Bruins, take series lead

BOSTON – Mattias Samuelsson, having broken his stick, was essentially helpless as he tried to get the puck out of his own zone. The Buffalo Sabres defenseman tried kicking it out, but that only made matters worse.

Viktor Arvidsson quickly grabbed the puck and made a beeline for Sabres goalie Alex Lyon. As the Swede roared in, captain Rasmus Dahlin slashed him, giving the Bruins a penalty shot as they enjoyed a 1-0 lead 9:50 ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allows long goal, gets replaced by Alex Lyon as Bruins tie series

BUFFALO – In the early going of Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen picked up where he left off in the series opener, stopping two breakaways to keep the game tied at 0.

For months, Luukkonen has stood tall in net, making him the easy choice to start the first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But the Finn’s struggles in Game 2 – he allowed ... 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

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

While clinching the Atlantic Division is nice, the Sabres have a much bigger goal in mind

BUFFALO – No one saw this coming. Sure, securing that elusive spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and ending their NHL-record 14-year drought certainly felt like a possibility for the Sabres this season, at least before they fell into last place.

But a division championship?

Heck, after Monday’s 5-1 road win over the Chicago Blackhawks clinched the Atlantic, even coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged he’s surprised how far the Sabres, who ranked last in the Eastern ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres win fight-filled thriller over Lightning, move into first place: ‘I’m so fired up’

BUFFALO – Early in the second period of the most intense, meaningful and entertaining Sabres game in close to a generation, Brandon Hagel began bullying captain Rasmus Dahlin in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning net.

At that point in Sunday’s thrilling 8-7 come-from-behind win, which moved the Sabres past the Lightning into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division, the rivals had already fought five times and amassed 92 penalty minutes.

In ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa feeling more comfortable in NHL; Michael Kesselring happy to record first point

TORONTO – Zach Metsa’s first tour around the NHL has given him a special opportunity to visit come of hockey’s most hallowed rinks and soak in each unique experience.

“I’ve been fired up for it,” the Buffalo Sabres rookie told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs. “I’m lucky.”

Metsa, 27, made his big league debut in Montreal’s Bell Centre and earlier this month played his first game at New York’s ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson scores rare goal; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – From his spot on the bench, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he could see the puck would hit the top right corner of the net past the screened goalie as soon as it left defenseman Jacob Bryson’s stick.

“Basically, he had eyes up, he saw his mark and hit it,” Ruff said of Bryson’s wrist shot from the left point early in Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Bryson’s goal, just his ... Read the full article

Injury could shelve Sabres’ Josh Dunne; Michael Kesselring close to playing

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Dunne was evaluated Tuesday for a mid-body injury and “may miss a little bit of time,” coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Dunne wasn’t injured fighting Florida Panthers defenseman Donovan Sebrango in Monday’s 4-3 loss.

“It’s been something that has been bothering him a little bit,” he said following practice in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Ducks for 13th win in 14 games, move into playoff spot

BUFFALO – Some of the snapshots from the Sabres’ 13th win in their last 14 games, Saturday’s 5-3 victory over the reeling Anaheim Ducks, illustrate a confident team whose infectious energy runs up and down the lineup.

To wit: in the second period, winger Josh Doan’s dogged backcheck as Ducks center Tim Washe tried to exit his zone created the Sabres’ second goal.

“That’s part of the game I take a lot of pride in ... Read the full article