Columbus Blue Jackets - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Weary Sabres miss injured Rasmus Dahlin, implode against Blue Jackets

The Buffalo Sabres weathered the Columbus Blue Jackets’ early onslaught Sunday, escaping the opening 15 minutes with a 1-0 deficit despite being outshot 16-1.

Then defenseman Mark Pysyk scored on the Sabres’ second shot on goal, igniting his weary teammates. Center Tage Thompson followed at 17:14, scoring his 20th goal.

That lead lasted 10 seconds.

Boone Jenner tied it, and Dean Kukan’s second goal of the night – he entered the game with one all ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin to miss game against Blue Jackets with injury

Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin suffered a lower-body injury Saturday afternoon and will miss tonight’s road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, coach Don Granato said.

Granato said he doesn’t expect to injury to sideline Dahlin, 21, long-term.

“He was sore after a play that occurred last night and we’re going to hold him back to get some more observation,” Granato said on a Zoom call this afternoon. “Didn’t feel too good with it this morning.”... Read the full article

Sabres blow late lead to Blue Jackets, lose in OT: ‘We started changing’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ blueprint for success is no secret. For about 20 minutes against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they played confidently and loosely, opening up what felt like a commanding two-goal lead early in the third period.

“We got that 3-1 lead, we had a couple of good shifts afterward and then we started changing the way we were playing,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said following Thursday’s 4-3 loss, a game Jakub Voracek clinched ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Linus Weissbach showing ‘immense’ growth with Amerks

BUFFALO – In the third period of Rochester’s 5-2 loss last Friday, rookie winger Linus Weissbach hit defenseman Matt Kiersted hard into the end boards, freeing the puck.

A second later, winger JJ Peterka scored, moving the Americans within one goal of the Charlotte Checkers.

The assist wasn’t exactly pretty or the type of play the speedy Weissbach’s known for making. The Sabres prospect fell to the ice after hitting Kiersted, and it appeared he ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Craig Anderson could be coveted before trade deadline

BUFFALO – At 40, an advanced age where most goaltenders have long been retired, Craig Anderson could be coveted before the upcoming NHL trade deadline.

For now, Anderson is the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, an incredible accomplishment in his 19th season. During his limited action this season – an upper-body injury recently sidelined him 32 games – the veteran has been the Sabres’ backbone, giving the rebuilding team a calming, consistent presence in the crease.... Read the full article

COVID-19 impacting Sabres; Vinnie Hinostroza placed in protocol

As COVID-19 began tearing through the NHL again earlier this month, the Buffalo Sabres remained relatively unscathed, placing just one player in protocol while continuing their schedule uninterrupted.

But as positive tests skyrocketed throughout the league, game postponements piled up. Team after team was forced to pause its season.

Sooner or later, it felt like the Sabres would be impacted. Sure enough, all three of their games scheduled for this week have been shelved.

Late ... Read the full article

NHL postpones Sabres games versus Blue Jackets due to COVID-19

Tonight’s Buffalo Sabres home game against the Blue Jackets and Thursday’s contest in Columbus have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, the NHL announced late this morning.

Wednesday’s Sabres home game against the Colorado Avalanche was postponed last week, so they’re not scheduled to play again until next Monday versus the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. The Sabres last played Friday in Pittsburgh, losing 3-2 to the Penguins in overtime.

The Blue Jackets ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch to fulfill dream by playing for Sabres: ‘Excited as anybody I’ve seen’

BUFFALO – What makes winger Alex Tuch’s passion for the Sabres so unique is that he possessed it long before the team acquired him Nov. 4.

Tuch, 25, grew up in Baldwinsville, about 150 miles from KeyBank Center, rooting for his beloved Sabres. He attended games, owned jerseys and reveled in their success.

So from the get-go, Tuch, who’s scheduled to make his Sabres debut tonight, fit right in. He feels the same excitement as ... Read the full article

Blue Jackets’ COVID-19 problems could put Monday’s Sabres game in jeopardy

BUFFALO – As the Sabres were wrapping up this morning’s practice, Monday’s opponent, the Columbus Blue Jackets, announced three players had entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

The Blue Jackets canceled today’s practice and plan to fly to Buffalo on Monday after holding their morning skate at Nationwide Arena, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

But if more Blue Jackets players or staff enter protocol, the game at KeyBank Center could be postponed.

Blue Jackets captain ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores twice in loss: ‘Starting to come together’

BUFFALO – At times over three tumultuous seasons, it felt like Tage Thompson would never reach this point, at least with the Sabres.

Right now, Thompson, 24, is their No. 1 center and leading goal scorer and point producer. After scoring twice in Monday’s 7-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he has already recorded eight goals and 13 points in 18 games, equaling last season’s career-high goal total in 20 fewer outings.

The 6-foot-7 ... Read the full article