Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks for the puck Thursday between Ryan Johnson (33) and Reese Johnson (52). ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posts another shutout win, Sabres stay hot: ‘Playing with mojo right now’

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar goaltending is just one part of the Sabres’ improved defense.

Right now, Luukkonen, 24, is the NHL’s hottest goalie, having posted back-to-back shutouts after making 19 saves in Thursday’s 3-0 win over the hapless Chicago Blackhawks.

The Finn’s current shutout streak of 157:55 is the longest by a Sabres netminder since Ryan Miller blanked opponents for 161:35 from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7, 2010. Only five goalies in franchise history ... Read the full article

Devon Levi has played 21 total games this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Devon Levi waiting for next chance; Sabres recall defenseman

BUFFALO – Rookie Devon Levi took a backseat to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen again Thursday, backing up the new No. 1 goalie during the Sabres’ 3-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Levi, 22, has watched four straight contests, his last outing coming Jan. 9. Other than the time he spent recovering from a lower-body injury in October, it’s his longest stretch between outings this season (counting two games he played in the minors).

After Levi returned from ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens was injured Monday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens injured; Mattias Samuelsson, Jeff Skinner progressing

BUFFALO – By Saturday, the Sabres could have all of their injured players back in the lineup.

Center Dylan Cozens, winger Jeff Skinner and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, all of whom are day to day with upper-body injuries, will miss tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center.

The Sabres close their six-game home stand Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

... Read the full article

Chicago’s Colin Blackwell skates between Kyle Okposo (21) and Dylan Cozens (24) last season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

NHL postpones Sabres game against Blackhawks until Thursday

The NHL has postponed tonight’s Sabres game against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center because of travel restrictions implemented as a snowstorm batters Buffalo and the surrounding areas.

The game will be made up Thursday at 7 p.m.

KeyBank Center falls within the area of Buffalo affected by a driving ban. Seven other municipalities in Erie Country have also issued bans.

... Read the full article

Don Granato said it felt like a COVID game preparing this morning. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres await word on status of game against Blackhawks as snowstorm pummels Buffalo

As a snowstorm batters Buffalo and the surrounding areas, the Sabres are awaiting word whether they’ll play the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.

Coach Don Granato said every player made it to KeyBank Center this morning for the Sabres’ pregame skate. Instead of going home for the afternoon, players have rooms at a downtown hotel.

“So we’re sitting and waiting to see really what’s going to transpire,” Granato said on a Zoom call. “But we’re planning on ... Read the full article

Zach Benson has played just 34 NHL games. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Hockey smarts help Sabres rookie Zach Benson solidify top line

BUFFALO – Early in Monday afternoon’s 3-0 win, Sabres coach Don Granato shuffled his lines to give them more directness.

Most notably, he shifted Casey Mittelstadt from left wing on the top line, where he had been subbing for Jeff Skinner, to center, his natural position, between Jordan Greenway and captain Kyle Okposo.

To replace Mittelstadt alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, he promoted 18-year-old rookie Zach Benson, who began the game playing with ... Read the full article

Anders Bjork played 74 games for Buffalo. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres give Anders Bjork fresh chance with trade to Blackhawks

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday traded winger Anders Bjork to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations.

The deal possibly gives Bjork, 26, an opportunity to resume his NHL career. In October, the Sabres waived him and assigned him to Rochester, where he began his first stint in the AHL since 2019-20.

Shortly after the deal was announced, the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s AHL affiliate, sent center Carson Gicewicz, an Orchard Park native, to Rochester ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson’s celebrates his game-tying goal Saturday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores twice, buoys OT win: ‘Just a matter of time’

BUFFALO – Hours before Tage Thompson’s clutch two-goal performance in Saturday’s 4-3, come-from-behind overtime victory, Sabres coach Don Granato gave his struggling center a simple message: relax.

Thompson, fresh off a breakout 38-goal season, admittedly demands a lot from himself. After scoring just once in the first seven games, he began feeling pressure to produce.

So Granato told Thompson, who turns 25 today, to stop trying to score the perfect goal and overthinking things. Just ... Read the full article

Kale Clague, who began the season in Rochester, joined Buffalo as a free agent. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochster Americans

Defense injuries offer Kale Clague early opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – Having shuttled between the NHL and minors for four seasons, Sabres newcomer Kale Clague understand his role as a depth defenseman.

Despite enjoying a strong training camp, Clague, 24, started the season with the Rochester Americans as the eighth or ninth defenseman in the organization.

Given the rugged nature of the position, it seemed likely the Sabres would need Clague at some point, and sure enough, the Sabres recalled him on Sunday after ... Read the full article

Owen Power has played 15 NHL games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres rookie Owen Power acclimating to NHL, making special plays

BUFFALO – As the seconds ticked down and the crowd grew restless, Sabres rookie Owen Power stayed calm, displaying poise that belies his age.

Power, 19, said he initially wanted to shoot when winger Victor Olofsson passed him the puck above the left circle. But he had a little space, and when he saw a seam open up, he adroitly fed Rasmus Dahlin, his defense partner, in the right circle.

“So many guys feel ... Read the full article