WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Alex Tuch busted out of a slump Friday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Alex Tuch’s estimate was just a bit off. Following his slick three-goal performance in Friday’s 6-2 annihilation of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Sabres winger said scoring his first goal at home in “several months” took a monkey off his back.
In reality, Tuch had last scored Nov. 29 in KeyBank Center. Given the Sabres’ recent 13-game winless skid and his own struggles, that probably feels like months ago.
“Doing it in front of ... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich has scored six goals for Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The genesis of Sabres center Jiri Kulich’s second goal in Monday’s 7-1 win illustrates how much the rookie has matured over the past three months.
The Czech, 20, put the finishing touches on the Sabres’ first victory in one month by utilizing his lethal shot to beat New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin from the left circle.
But 10 seconds earlier in his own zone, Kulich knocked the puck away from Mat Barzal ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might have a busy stretch of work coming up. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The goal outburst that helped the Sabres end their 13-game winless skid overshadowed goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar performance heading into the Christmas break.
Luukkonen, 25, quietly enjoyed one of his strongest outings this season in Monday’s 7-1 road win against the New York Islanders, stopping 27 shots and allowing one goal or less for just the fifth time in 24 games.
If the Sabres make an unlikely climb up the standings – they ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks for the puck Thursday between Ryan Johnson (33) and Reese Johnson (52). ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
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
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
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.
Chicago’s Colin Blackwell skates between Kyle Okposo (21) and Dylan Cozens (24) last season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
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.
Don Granato lasted three full seasons as coach. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
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
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
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