WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Mattias Samuelsson blocked a shot in Tuesday’s win. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who briefly left Tuesday’s 5-2 win after blocking a shot, is questionable for tonight’s game against the St. Louis Blues with a lower-body injury, coach Don Granato said.
“Mattias is hour to hour, day to day,” Granato said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “He could potentially still (play). We can’t rule him out for tonight, but it’s day to day if he’s not in there tonight.”
Update: Samuelsson ... Read the full article
Buffalo defensemen Henri Jokiharju (10) and Owen Power (25) battles for position Tuesday in Toronto against Auston Matthews (34) and Michael Bunting (58). ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Winger Alex Tuch figures the Sabres set some sort of record in Tuesday’s 5-2 road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It’s got to be the youngest D corps to ever step on the ice tonight, I feel like,” Tuch said after defenseman Owen Power, 19, made his NHL debut in Scotiabank Arena. “The oldest guy’s Casey Fitzgerald at 25.”
Incredibly, the average age of the Sabres’ defense in Tuesday’s contest ... Read the full article
Buffalo rookie Owen Power looked comfortable throughout his NHL debut Tuesday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – Almost six minutes into his debut, Sabres rookie Owen Power faced his first stiff test as an NHL defenseman, a two-on-one with the Maple Leafs’ Mark Giordano and Auston Matthews roaring toward him.
Giordano, the puck carrier, won the Norris Trophy three years ago. Matthews is hockey’s most dynamic scorer, having potted a whopping 58 goals this season.
Power, the first overall pick in 2021, did not flinch.
During one of his first ... Read the full article
Owen Power participated in Buffalo’s optional skate this morning in Toronto. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – A lot has changed in the 30 days since the Buffalo Sabres and Maple Leafs met at the Heritage Classic.
The Sabres signed defenseman Owen Power, the first overall pick who will be making his highly anticipated NHL debut tonight. The Leafs, meanwhile, have morphed back into one of the league’s heavyweights, having won seven of their last eight games (7-0-1). They’ve scoring a whopping 43 goals in that stretch.
Since ... Read the full article
Owen Power drew a crowd following Monday’s practice. ©2022
TORONTO – No one understands the lofty expectations and accompanying pressure Buffalo Sabres rookie Owen Power must deal with better than Rasmus Dahlin.
Having also been drafted first overall, Dahlin possesses unique insight into the highs and lows and Power, 19, will endure as a young NHL defenseman.
“He’s a young kid, he’s here to learn,” Dahlin said of Power, who will be making his NHL debut tonight against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank ... Read the full article
Henri Jokiharju has a plum assignment beside Owen Power. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – Prior to Owen Power’s arrival, Buffalo Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Henri Jokiharju both let it be known they’d love to play with the rookie, the first overall pick in 2021.
The problem? Well, Dahlin and Jokiharju were partners at the time.
“Owen’s not here and they’re already talking about, ‘When Owen gets here, I want to play with him! And I want to play with him!’” Sabres coach Don Granato said ... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted goalie Erik Portillo in 2019. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Now that the Sabres have signed defenseman Owen Power to his entry-level contract, their attention can turn to two other top college prospects, goalie Erik Portillo and defenseman Ryan Johnson.
Kevyn Adams said he has already chatted with Portillo, 21, and Johnson, 20, both of whom suffered season-ending losses Thursday at the Frozen Four.
“You want to be respectful because these guys have put their heart and soul into something and trying to ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson and (left) and Rasmus Dahlin celebrate Olofsson’s go-ahead goal Tuesday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In his three-year NHL career, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has probably never been so wide open.
As the puck rimmed around the left boards with Tuesday’s game tied late, it appeared to be leaving the Carolina Hurricanes zone. But Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said he “fake pressured” one of the Hurricanes, forcing him to move the puck. Dahlin then batted it down inside the blue line before quickly spotting Olofsson in the right ... Read the full article
Alex Tuch tied Monday’s game late. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Monday’s thrilling 6-5 win, a game in which the Sabres roared back and erased a 4-0 second-period deficit against the Chicago Blackhawks, ranks as one of their most exciting and significant victories of the last decade.
It marked only the fourth time in franchise history and the first time since Jan. 21, 1989 the Sabres trailed by four or more goals and won a game.
How much have the Sabres grown over the ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin battles Rickard Rakell in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win against Pittsburgh. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It just happens sometimes, Rasmus Dahlin explained. The ultra-competitive defenseman has no real explanation for it. In the heat of the game, with his adrenaline pumping, he stands ups on the bench, leans over and yells to his Sabres teammates.
“Doesn’t it feel good to compete? Feels good to compete!” Sabres coach Don Granato said Dahlin has shouted. “(He does it) after a guy has a hard shift or he feels guys need ... Read the full article
