Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ streak hits 10 games with loss to Maple Leafs: ‘Toughest solve I’ve been around’

TORONTO – Lindy Ruff has coached 1,805 games over 24 seasons. He has led Buffalo Sabres teams that went bankrupt during the season and that came within two wins of a Stanley Cup victory.

Ruff, 64, has experienced just about everything during his long and distinguished career. He has won 875 games, the fifth-highest total in NHL history, and led three franchises to the playoffs.

He has always found a way to get his teams ... Read the full article

Injured Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin having difficult time sitting out; Jack Quinn could play soon

BUFFALO – On Thursday, a day off for the struggling Sabres, injured captain Rasmus Dahlin and Lindy Ruff had what the coach called “a long conversation” about the team.

Dahlin has missed the last four games after suffering back spasms Dec. 3. The Sabres’ top defenseman skated on his own again Friday and is progressing, according to Ruff.

Still, the Swede has been a bystander as the Sabres’ losing streak reached eight games, and it’s ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan Johnson skates big minutes; Rasmus Dahlin still sidelined

BUFFALO – Instead of easing Ryan Johnson into the lineup, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff tossed the defenseman headfirst into the fray, skating him nearly 21 minutes in his NHL season debut.

Not only did Johnson, 23, play the third-highest total of his short career (20:50), he earned a plum assignment playing alongside Bowen Byram throughout Monday’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

When Johnson’s turnover in the corner led to Alex DeBrincat’s tying ... Read the full article

Sabres stay off ice, likely to make lineup change against Rangers

BUFFALO – One reeling team will earn a much-needed win tonight.

The Sabres have lost seven straight contests (0-4-3) and could go winless during a season-long five-game home stand. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers, a team expected to contend for the Stanley Cup, have dropped two straight contests and eight of their last 10.

Some pregame updates from KeyBank Center, where they Sabres did not skate this morning, are below.... Read the full article

Despite losing streak, struggling Sabres still in thick of playoff chase

BUFFALO – In recent days, as the losses pile up and his frustration mounts, coach Lindy Ruff has often explained some of the Sabres’ problems in detail.

Sometimes as he goes on, occasionally pivoting to another area before he can be questioned about it, it almost sounds like Ruff’s venting.

Can you blame him? The Sabres take a seven-game losing streak (0-4-3) into tonight’s contest against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center, the end ... Read the full article

Sabres blow lead, lose seventh straight game: ‘We need to look in the mirror’

BUFFALO – In the most difficult of times, the reflex is to look for positives. But coach Lindy Ruff has stressed to his reeling Sabres that when they can’t notch victories in the standings, they can’t succumb to moral ones.

Ruff said everyone must do a little more. Nothing comes easy in the NHL.

The Sabres, having lost seven straight games (0-4-3) after imploding late again Monday’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings, ... Read the full article

James Reimer likely starter versus Red Wings; Sabres could make changes

BUFFALO – It appears veteran goalie James Reimer, who did not participate in the Sabres’ optional skate this morning, will start tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, one of his former teams.

No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen skated this morning and also stayed on the ice for extra work following Sunday’s practice.

“I’m not announcing the goalie today,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres have lost six straight games (0-4-2), said this morning in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Tyson Kozak scores first NHL goal with mother in rink; Buffalo could make lineup changes

BUFFALO – This one couldn’t be taken away from Sabres rookie Tyson Kozak, right? No one interfered with the goalie. No one was offside.

Early in his second NHL game Saturday afternoon, Kozak, 21, zoomed to the net and redirected linemate Beck Malenstyn’s pass behind Utah Hockey Club goalie Karel Vejmelka.

“I had a pretty good feeling it wouldn’t (be disallowed),” said Kozak, whose go-ahead goal in his big league debut Thursday was called ... Read the full article

Injured Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin still being evaluated

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin missed his second straight game with a back injury Saturday afternoon against the Utah Hockey Club.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Dahlin, the Sabres’ top defenseman, is still being evaluated.

The Swede left Tuesday’s 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche with back spasms.... Read the full article

Tyson Kozak has goal disallowed in NHL debut as Sabres lose to Jets in OT

BUFFALO – For a few moments, Tyson Kozak said he felt “pure joy and excitement.” In his NHL debut Thursday, with his family sitting in the stands, the center appeared to score the go-ahead goal in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

For Kozak, a Manitoba native, the entire day almost played out magically, starting when he ran into his parents in the hotel lobby in the morning. He had no idea ... Read the full article