Carrick - Buffalo Hockey Beat

End-of-season injury updates on Owen Power, Tage Thompson, Sam Carrick, Justin Danforth and other Sabres

BUFFALO – When Owen Power crashed feet first into the boards last Thursday, it appeared the Sabres might lose the stud defenseman for the rest of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Power briefly left Game 5 before returning to the bench and testing the injury during breaks. Late in the contest, he played two shifts.

He kept gutting out the injury in the Sabres’ final two games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Monday’s ... Read the full article

After trade, long stretch sitting out as scratch, Luke Schenn adds to Sabres’ playoff run: ‘Just steady Eddie’

BUFFALO – In the press box recently, Sabres defenseman Luke Schenn said he was viewing his son Kingston’s hockey game in Kelowna, British, Columbia, on an app, when rookie Konsta Helenius asked who he was watching.

When Schenn, 36, told him his son, Helenius, 20, asked his age.

“I said, ‘9.’ He goes, ‘Well, I have a 10-year-old brother who I help out with hockey,’” Schenn said on Thursday prior to Game 5 of the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Konsta Helenius earns trust in playoff debut, generates offense: ‘Heck of a game’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 3-2 win in Montreal, with the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead against the Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff kept utilizing center Konsta Helenius at critical moments on hockey’s grandest stage.

Normally a rookie playing just his 10th NHL game and first in the Stanley Cup Playoffs would be nailed to the bench at that late juncture.

But Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, quickly earned Ruff’s trust ... Read the full article

In need of spark, Sabres turn to rookie Konsta Helenius versus Canadiens

MONTREAL – A week ago, shortly after center Konsta Helenius arrived in Buffalo to serve as a Black Ace, the Sabres promoted the rookie to the main practice group.

While the Sabres boast depth up front, Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, is a high-end young talent. By moving him up, they illustrated he could be an option during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Tuesday, in Game 4 of the Sabres’ second-round series, Helenius made ... Read the full article

Plenty of changes: Sabres expected to start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and insert veteran and rookie

MONTREAL – Based on their morning skate, the Buffalo Sabres plan to make three lineup changes tonight for Game 4 of their second-round series against the Canadiens, including switching goalies to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

After the losing the last two games by a combined score of 11-3, the Sabres, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, also plan to dress rookie center Konsta Helenius and veteran defenseman Luke Schenn, a two-time Stanley Cup winner who offers ... Read the full article

As struggling Sabres look for answers, Lindy Ruff could change lineup

MONTREAL – In October, just a few games into the season, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff might offer little or no information about his lineup. So right now, in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he’s not going to divulge anything.

The Sabres, having fallen behind 2-1 to the Canadiens in the best-of-seven series and been outscored 11-3 in losing the last two games, might be ready to change some things for Game 4 ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Buffalo changes lineup by inserting Sam Carrick; Beck Malenstyn keeps playing after cut

MONTREAL – Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick, who made his NHL debut way back in 2014-15, had only experienced the Stanley Cup Playoffs once prior to this season.

Two years ago, after Edmonton acquired him before the trade deadline, he played 10 games during the Oilers’ run to Game 7 of the Cup final.

Carrick served as a depth piece, moving in and out of the lineup.... Read the full article

Sabres expect Bell Centre atmosphere to be raucous; Buffalo could make one lineup change

MONTREAL – How crazy might it get tonight inside the Bell Centre?

The NHL’s largest rink becomes raucous on a weeknight in November. How loud might the more than 21,000 fans get for Game 3 of the second-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs between their beloved Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres?

“Our building’s been great,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this morning in the 4 Seasons Hotel Montreal. “I think theirs will be equal, ... Read the full article

After loss to Canadiens, Sabres regroup, change power play: ‘Shake it up’

MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres experienced this earlier in the postseason. Fresh off an emotional Game 1 win at home, they followed up with a lousy performance, allowing their opponent to tie the series before they hit the road.

Against the Bruins, the Sabres showcased an emphatic response following a tough loss, winning the next two games in Boston and seizing control of the series.

So, what might happen tonight and Tuesday against the Canadiens ... Read the full article

Sabres struggle as Canadiens tie series at 1; Tage Thompson has rough night

BUFFALO – Almost four minutes into Friday’s third period, with the Sabres trailing 3-1 and furiously trying to score, center Tage Thompson grabbed the puck inside the Montreal blue line and lost his balance as he began stickhandling.

As Thompson fell and spun around, Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier snagged the loose puck and zoomed down the ice on a two-on-one, beating Sabres goalie Alex Lyon from the left circle.

“Just fighting it tonight,” Thompson said ... Read the full article