Crosby - Buffalo Hockey Beat

With lineup weakened, Sabres look to Josh Dunne, Tyson Kozak and others

BUFFALO – In Tuesday’s 3-2 win, Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker, two of the Sabres’ top wingers, each played about three minutes under their season averages.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said prior to the game against the Ottawa Senators he believed the virus that has recently run through the team was no longer a problem.

Two hours before the contest, the Sabres recalled center Josh Dunne from the Rochester Americans. Dunne and defenseman Jacob Bryson ... Read the full article

Upon return from Olympics, Pittsburgh fans greeted Sabres goalie and Team USA star Ryan Miller as hero

Fifteen years have passed since former Buffalo Sabres star Ryan Miller nearly backstopped Team USA to an Olympic gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

While the Americans fell short – Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby scored the iconic overtime goal for Team Canada – Miller was treated as a hero upon his return to the NHL.

This appeared in the March 3, 2010 paper after Miller rejoined the Sabres and received a rousing ovation ... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich’s return from injury will force Sabres to make lineup changes

BUFFALO – In rookie Jiri Kulich’s absence, the Sabres have filled some of the void by moving forwards around and recalling Tyson Kozak.

Kulich, who has been recovering from a lower-body injury, missed his fourth game Friday, a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When the Czech center is ready to play – he’s on track to return Monday afternoon against the Seattle Kraken, the start of a four-game road trip – Sabres coach Lindy ... Read the full article

Injury gave Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson chance to reset mentally, find game

BUFFALO – Looking back on it, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson considers the lower-body injury he suffered earlier this season to be a blessing in disguise.

A few months ago, Samuelsson, 24, acknowledged he was “just in my head about a lot of things.”

“Worrying about things we can’t control,” he told the Times Herald following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “When you’re like that, you’re obviously not playing your best and not playing free.”... Read the full article

Sabres blow leads as Sidney Crosby and Penguins spoil JJ Peterka’s return

PITTSBURGH – Where do you start with this one? The Buffalo Sabres blew an early two-goal lead before roaring back late to go up again after superstar Evgeni Malkin’s 500th goal put the Penguins ahead and seemingly seized all the momentum.

In the end, the Sabres earned one point for Wednesday’s wildly entertaining 6-5 overtime loss in PPG Paints Arena.

Still, the setback surely stings. The Sabres led 2-0 led by the 2:08 mark, 3-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Lafferty trades in youngster status for veteran role

PITTSBURGH – This is new for Sam Lafferty. In his previous four stops, the versatile Sabres newcomer was always one of the younger guys. He played his first NHL game barely five years ago.

But these days, Lafferty, 29, looks around Buffalo’s dressing room and mostly sees younger faces. Only winger Jason Zucker, 32, is older than Lafferty, who’s six weeks older than defenseman Connor Clifton.

At an average age of just 25.3, the ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund set to make debuts

BUFFALO – Fresh off two exhibition wins in which they dressed a regular-season lineup and throttled the competition, the Sabres will use minor leaguers for tonight’s road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Later today, about 25 or so Sabres will leave for the team’s season-opening trip to Europe. Meanwhile, the rest of the training camp roster will stay in Buffalo and complete the preseason schedule.

So tonight’s roster is filled with AHL and ECHL talent. ... Read the full article

Sabres sorely need grit, leadership and versatility veteran Jason Zucker offers

BUFFALO – During his four-year tenure in Pittsburgh, Sabres newcomer Jason Zucker regularly enjoyed plum assignments skating alongside legendary Penguins centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Zucker, who believes his speed and forechecking ability are his top assets, added grit to the future Hall of Famers’ lines, retrieving pucks and utilizing his 5-foot-11, 192-pound frame to wreak havoc around the net.

“If pucks end up in the corners, go get them back and let their ... Read the full article

2024-25 Sabres schedule features two visits from Panthers, long break

BUFFALO – Two early-season visits from the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are among the highlights of the Sabres’ 2024-25 schedule the NHL released Tuesday.

After beginning the season against the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia, on Oct. 4 and 5, the Sabres open their schedule at KeyBank Center versus the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 10. The Panthers, the Sabres’ Atlantic Division rival, visit Oct. 12.

The Sabres host the Panthers again Oct. ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back after Kyle Okposo talk, beat Penguins; Buffalo likely to recall forward from Amerks

BUFFALO – By the end of Friday’s second period, the Sabres had reached what captain Kyle Okposo acknowledged was a desperate situation.

Most of the season, they haven’t showcased the aggressive style that made their offense so lethal last year. They’ve struggled to score goals and find any consistency.

After 40 minutes against the Penguins, the Sabres trailed 2-0 and were in danger of losing for the fifth time in six outings.... Read the full article