Clifton - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres, UPL can’t hold late lead against Jets; Buffalo scratches Erik Johnson with trade deadline approaching

BUFFALO – Don’t blame Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Sure, the Sabres goalie probably wants the tying and go-ahead goals back. Coach Don Granato said the Finn usually makes routine saves on those plays.

But Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, a game the Sabres led 2-1 after two periods, had nothing to do with Luukkonen, who started his second game in as many nights.

“He’s been great for us,” said Granato, whose Sabres were 19-0-1 when ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Owen Power returns from injury; Jacob Bryson playing regularly

BUFFALO – On Sunday morning, Sabres defenseman Owen Power did not take his usual spot on the second power-play unit, a sign he possibly needed more time to recover from his upper-body injury.

But following the pregame skate, coach Don Granato said the youngster could be ready for the Sabres’ contest against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Sure enough, Power, 21, returned their 3-2 shootout win, scoring the late tying goal and skating 23 ... Read the full article

Connor Clifton, Sabres score dirty goals in road wins

BUFFALO – Prior to both games during the Sabres’ fathers and mentors trip, Connor Clifton’s dad, Tim, addressed the team and colorfully called for some dirty goals.

In defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres wreaked havoc on goalies, scoring three times with bodies around the net creating traffic.

Fittingly, Connor Clifton scored Friday’s winner 3:05 into the third period, his first goal in his 55th outing with the Sabres.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson standing out following stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent defenseman Jacob Bryson to the minors for the first time in almost three years, he knew the assignment would be temporary.

Playing in the AHL could help Bryson, 26, find a groove after sitting out 29 of the first 32 games as a healthy scratch, and return to Buffalo ready to contribute.

“That was the plan,” he said prior to Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres defenseman Owen Power week to week with upper-body injury

BUFFALO – In recent weeks, Sabres defenseman Owen Power has shaken off a slow start and recaptured some of the form that helped him enjoy a dynamic rookie season.

“He’s just played with more confidence, a little bit more calm with the puck and little bit more assertiveness physically without it,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Tuesday morning after announcing Power will be sidelined week to week with an upper-body injury. “I think a combination ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner suffers injury; Sabres could make change on defense

BUFFALO – Winger Jeff Skinner, the Sabres’ leading goal scorer, suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken and could miss tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.

The Sabres are awaiting results of the imaging Skinner, 31, underwent Wednesday morning to determine how long he could be sidelined.

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to be long,” Sabres coach Don Granato following Wednesday’s practice.... Read the full article

After slow start, Connor Clifton quietly generating offense for Sabres

PITTSBURGH – Pop quiz, Buffalo Sabres fans. Since Dec. 7, which player is tied with winger Alex Tuch for the team lead with eight assists?

Is it one of the Sabres’ top centers, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens or Casey Mittelstadt? Or how about one of their high-scoring wingers, JJ Peterka or Jeff Skinner? What about their defenseman who piles up points like a first-line forward, Rasmus Dahlin?

If you guessed any of the above, you’re ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Devon Levi cherishes text message from Carey Price, childhood memories of Canadiens

BUFFALO – Once, when Sabres rookie Devon Levi was 10, he visited a restaurant in Montreal and had some pictures taken with his idol, Canadiens goalie Carey Price.

Another time, Levi’s girlfriend spotted Price at a basketball game and handed him the phone. The netminders ended up chatting on FaceTime for a bit.

Then prior to Levi’s fifth NHL start on April 10, Price texted him some words of advice before the Sabres beat the ... Read the full article

Sabres waive spare defenseman Jacob Bryson to create roster space

It felt inevitable. Defenseman Jacob Bryson has played just three games for the Buffalo Sabres this season, his last appearance coming Nov. 4.

Bryson, 26, began the season as Buffalo’s seventh defenseman before the emergence of rookie Ryan Johnson following a recall pushed him down the depth chart.

So on Monday, 44 days since he last played a game, the Sabres placed Bryson on waivers.

With wingers Jordan Greenway and Jack Quinn set to return ... Read the full article

After post-suspension slump, Sabres’ Connor Clifton playing aggressively, producing offense

BUFFALO – For weeks, the hit kept playing in the back of Connor Clifton’s head. The Sabres defensemen couldn’t let go of it.

“You’re going to make a hit, and then you’re like, ‘Oh, wait, I just got suspended for two games, right?’” Clifton said following Tuesday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

The affable Clifton, one of the NHL’s most aggressive hitters, had never been suspended before he thumped Devils captain Nico Hischier in the head ... Read the full article