Cozens - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After battling injuries, Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson mentally stronger

BUFFALO – The days and weeks after Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery took a mental toll on him.

He wore a sling for six weeks, forcing him to use just his left arm. When the team traveled for road games, he stayed in Buffalo.

It made for a frustrating and lonely time.

“It was some hard days there, for sure,” Samuelsson said Thursday as the Sabres held end-of-season meetings in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Capitals, finish strong at home: ‘Need to do that next season’

BUFFALO – In a season filled with disappointment, the Sabres improved in at least one critical area down the stretch, becoming a tough team to beat at home.

To wit: Thursday’s 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals in the home finale was their third straight victory at KeyBank Center and boosted their record to 9-3-0 in their last 12 outings.

Overall, the Sabres finished 21-19-1 in their building this season, the first time they finished ... Read the full article

Expect trades, significant changes after Sabres’ playoff drought hits 13 years

BUFFALO – That’s it. Having been eliminated from playoff contention for the 13th consecutive year, the Sabres are playing out the string of a bitterly disappointing season. Three games are left, starting with tonight’s home finale against the Washington Capitals.

How might the Sabres be received? Well, based on recent contests at KeyBank Center, those who bother showing up to “Fan Appreciation Night” might be in a surly mood.

You can bet a crowd beaten ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn finding ‘mojo’ after return from injury

BUFFALO – When Sabres winger Jack Quinn made a fast impact upon his return from a torn Achilles in mid-December, he had been skating for two months.

Despite a six-month recovery, Quinn, 22, looked fresh and in mid-season form, scoring two goals in his first three games.

But when Quinn returned last week from a lower-body injury he suffered Jan. 27, he had been skating just a week and a half and practiced once.... Read the full article

Maple Leafs beat Sabres as Toronto fans take over Buffalo: ‘We have to earn it’

BUFFALO – There’s a lot to unpack from Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, a defeat that likely extinguishes the Sabres’ faint hopes of making a miracle run to the playoffs.

Mathematically, yes, the Sabres are alive. But forget about it. There are five points to make up and five teams to climb and just seven games left.

Saturday’s defeat illustrates how far the Sabres have fallen during a record-setting playoff drought about ... Read the full article

Sabres know Jack Quinn’s return from injury can give them boost

BUFFALO – When the Sabres announced the lower-body injury winger Jack Quinn suffered two months ago could sideline him six to eight weeks, it appeared his trying season might be over.

The Sabres have just 10 games left, starting with tonight’s home contest against the Ottawa Senators. If Quinn experienced any setbacks, he could’ve run out of time.

In early March, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams wouldn’t rule out Quinn’s return this season, although he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn practices, close to returning from injury

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jack Quinn, who has missed the last 23 games after suffering a lower-body injury Jan. 27, returned to practice this morning and could play in Wednesday’s home contest against the Ottawa Senators.

Sabres coach Don Granato said Quinn, 22, is day to day.

“He’s very close, meaning it could be tomorrow,” Granato said after Quinn skated in a contact role during the session in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

UPL stars as Sabres blank Islanders, move toward playoff spot

BUFFALO – OK, now goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and the surging Sabres are making things really interesting.

Thursday’s 4-0 win over the New York Islanders moved them to within three points of the Isles, who own the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot.

Who would’ve thought last week, when the Sabres dealt leading scorer Casey Mittelstadt and captain Kyle Okposo during their three-game losing streak, they’d suddenly vault into the thick of the playoff chase?... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin sad to see Casey Mittelstadt leave in trade, excited by Bowen Byram’s arrival

BUFFALO – It stinks, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said, using a stronger word to describe his feelings. His close friend, center Casey Mittelstadt, is gone, having been traded to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.

Make no mistake, Dahlin likes the addition of Bowen Byram, his new defense partner, and is happy for Mittelstadt, who joined a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

Still, it hasn’t been easy. On Monday, following the Sabres’ first practice without Mittelstadt, a ... Read the full article

Sabres respond after trades, beat Oilers in overtime and shootout

BUFFALO – The game ended dramatically, with Sabres defenseman Owen Power scoring with 2.0 seconds left in overtime as the capacity crowd implored him to shoot.

The giddy Sabres jumped over the boards to celebrate Saturday afternoon’s much-needed 3-2 triumph over the heavyweight Edmonton Oilers, saluted the fans in KeyBank Center and left the ice.

In the dressing room, players began taking off their equipment. Oilers general manager Ken Holland and some Sabres coaches left ... Read the full article