Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Following recall, Sabres’ Dennis Gilbert scores rare goal, displays tenacity

TORONTO – Two nights earlier in Montreal, Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff pointed out, defenseman Dennis Gilbert had walked right down the slot and missed the net.

If Gilbert, 29, got another opportunity with the puck, he would surely score, right?

“They say you give Dennis a second chance, and he’ll make the other team pay,” Ruff joked Thursday after Gilbert scored his first goal at any level in nearly three years.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Josh Norris and Jiri Kulich all progressing from injuries and illness

An upper-body injury will force Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin to miss his third straight game tonight, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Friday in Montreal.

“Progressing,” Ruff said of the defenseman’s status to reporters at the Bell Centre. “He’s feeling better today than yesterday.”

After shooting the puck in Monday afternoon’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers, Dahlin reached for his lower back and left the game.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Owen Power skating big minutes, becoming elite defenseman

TORONTO – In his five-year career, the Buffalo Sabres have never leaned more heavily on defenseman Owen Power.

Through seven games this season entering Thursday’s contest against the Maple Leafs, Power had averaged a whopping 26 minutes, 26 seconds of ice time.

Only five players – defensemen Zach Werenski, Thomas Chabot, Quinn Hughes and Lane Hutson – had skated more per outing.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Alex Lyon endures injury setback; Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker closer to playing

TORONTO – Had he kept recovering from the left shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said goalie Alex Lyon would’ve made his season debut Tuesday in Montreal.

Instead, as his teammates lost a 4-3 shootout to the Canadiens, Lyon, having suffered a setback in practice, was back in Buffalo.

“Now we’ll just see with rehab and stuff where he ends up,” Ruff said this morning in Scotiabank Arena.... Read the full article

Following trade, speedy Olen Zellweger making fast impact with Sabres

TORONTO – In his first game subbing for injured Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, Olen Zellweger performed splendidly, enjoying perhaps his best night in the NHL.

Skating alongside defenseman Mattias Samuelsson for much of Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Zellweger set career highs by scoring two goals and playing 25 minutes, 49 seconds.

No one, of course, can truly replace Dahlin, one of the NHL’s most dynamic defensemen, as he recovers from ... Read the full article

After losing Rasmus Dahlin to injury, Sabres recall defenseman

After losing captain Rasmus Dahlin to an upper-body injury, the Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Rochester Americans.

To create a roster spot, the Sabres placed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk on injured reserve.

Dahlin, the Sabres’ top defenseman, is expected to miss tonight’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens.... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shines in relief appearance, backstops Sabres to win over Panthers

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff loves goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s ability to fight through difficult situations.

Luukkonen looked a bit wonky in his first three appearances this season, posting a .782 save percentage. While a porous defense played a part in compiling that ghastly number, he hardly stood out.

In the past week, he has lost starts to Colten Ellis, who began Monday afternoon’s game against the Florida Panthers sporting a save percentage nearly 100 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin day to day with upper-body injury, will likely miss game against Canadiens

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin suffered an upper-body injury early in the second period of Monday afternoon’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers and will likely miss tonight’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Dahlin is day to day and wouldn’t accompany the Sabres when they left to begin their three-game road trip. He could join the team later in the trip.

“They treat him better here,” Ruff ... Read the full article

Struggling Sabres change lineup again by inserting young forwards

BUFFALO – After sitting out Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Utah Mammoth as healthy scratches, forwards Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich are in the lineup for this afternoon’s game against the Florida Panthers.

To make, room the Sabres scratched forwards Sam Carrick and Justin Danforth.

Update: Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin left the game with an upper-body injury in the second period and won’t return, according to the team. Dahlin did not take a shift after ... Read the full article

Sabres to scratch Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich; Colten Ellis to start in goal

BUFFALO – Fresh off Thursday’s embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, you expected the Sabres to change their lineup for tonight’s game against Utah Mammoth.

Sure enough, coach Lindy Ruff will be scratching young forwards Konsta Helenius, 20, and Jiri Kulich, 22, and inserting Sam Carrick and Tyson Kozak.

Meanwhile, goalie Colten Ellis is expected to start tonight. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who played three of the first four games, has a ghastly .782 save percentage.... Read the full article