Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jordan Greenway has impact in return following surgery

BUFFALO – Fourteen seconds into his first shift in nine weeks, Sabres winger Jordan Greenway signaled he would be a factor all afternoon by knocking New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider into the boards.

“I’m always trying to find a way to get engaged,” Greenway said following the Sabres’ 8-2 win in KeyBank Center. “Typically for me, it’s playing physical, finishing hits. It’s the easiest way for me to get into the game. I felt ... Read the full article

Sabres score early in blowout win over Rangers; Alex Tuch leaves game injured

BUFFALO – The genesis of the Sabres’ five-goal, first-period outburst in Saturday afternoon’s 8-2 shellacking of the New York Rangers can be traced to their practice sessions earlier in the week.

When the Sabres reconvened Tuesday following a nine-day break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, coach Lindy Ruff began driving them hard, demanding pace. They practiced with purpose.

Their first two sessions were the longest of the season. After doing off-ice work Thursday, they had ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson can use 4 Nations for extra Olympic motivation

BUFFALO – Four days after Team Sweden finished its run at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin was still feeling the sting of his country’s third-place finish.

The Swedes played well throughout the ultra-competitive tournament, losing twice in overtime and beating Team USA. Still, that offered Dahlin little consolation when he tuned into Thursday’s final between the US and Team Canada, a memorable game the Canadians won 3-2 in overtime.

“It was tough ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen rejoins Sabres early; Tage Thompson added to Team USA at 4 Nations

BUFFALO – Instead of taking a day off he earned, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got back on the ice Wednesday, rejoining practice a day early following his return from the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“UPL was a surprise guest,” coach Lindy Ruff joked following the Sabres’ 70-minute practice in KeyBank Center.

Luukkonen, 25, served as Team Finland’s third goalie, watching games from the press box as Jusse Saros and Kevin Lankinen handled the netminding duties.

He ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson set to play after breaking bone in foot

BUFFALO – In his last outing on Feb. 2, Mattias Samuelsson blocked a shot, something he has done 55 times this season. This time, however, the puck hit the oft-injured Sabres defenseman in just the right spot, breaking a bone in his foot.

“So the foot just blew up,” Samuelsson said following Tuesday’s practice in KeyBank Center, his first session since going down. “I couldn’t really put it in my skate.”

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson ... Read the full article

In D Bowen Byram and Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres have unique, high-end tandem

BUFFALO – Defensemen the caliber of Sabres studs Bowen Byram and Rasmus Dahlin rarely skate together as a tandem. Coaches typically pair a puck-rusher alongside a more stay-at-home defender.

Heck, most NHL teams don’t have one defenseman that talented, let alone two. It’s unique that coach Lindy Ruff had the option to put the slick blueliners together.

In moving Byram, 23, up with Dahlin, 24, around Christmastime, Ruff put a lot of aggressiveness on his ... Read the full article

Dennis Gilbert fights, creates goal as Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert offered little insight into how his fight just three seconds into Tuesday’s 3-2 win materialized.

There’s a code, you know.

“Off the cuff,” the local kid said of his scrap with Columbus Blue Jackets winger Mathieu Olivier, one of the NHL’s emerging heavyweights, immediately after the puck dropped.

Did Gilbert know when he saw Olivier’s name in the starting lineup they would be dropping their gloves?... Read the full article

Sabres eke out win over Devils, don’t go after Stefan Noesen following illegal hit on Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cut off a reporter, refusing to let him finish the question.

“Bull(crap). Bull(crap),” an agitated Ruff interjected when asked about the perception his team did not respond properly Sunday afternoon when New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen hit leading scorer Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win. “Let’s go. Next question.”

Ruff said Thompson, who scored one goal and three points as the ... Read the full article

On Rob Ray’s special night, Sabres get two goals from Jiri Kulich, beat Preds

BUFFALO – Early in Friday’s 4-3 come-from-behind win, it appeared the Sabres might ride the emotion of Rob Ray’s induction into the team’s hall of fame to a convincing victory.

As Ray gave a heartfelt pregame speech on the KeyBank Center ice, the Sabres, all sporting blue shirts of the legendary tough, watched from the bench.

Then they pounced on the Nashville Predators, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead with owners Terry and Kim ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Rob Ray developed into much more than fighter

BUFFALO – Forget about all of those fights. In his prime, legendary Sabres tough guy Rob Ray often impacted games with more than his fists.

Ray, who was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame in an emotional ceremony prior to Friday’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators, played a fearless and heavy style as a winger. He could be relentless and wear opponents out.

“Robby was a really good skater,” said John Van Boxmeer, ... Read the full article