Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ defensive woes continue in loss to Predators: ‘We will get through this’

BUFFALO – Ten losses in their last 12 games. A ghastly 59 goals allowed during that wretched stretch, the NHL’s worst figure. Four defeats by at least four goals.

Right now, the Sabres are a disaster. A month that began with so much promise – legitimate playoff hopes, a rarity in these parts – has become a nightmare.

Tuesday’s ugly 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators before a crowd of 13,043 fans at KeyBank Center ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, get clobbered by Bruins: ‘We believe we’re still in it’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ regression over the past three weeks has been startling. After positioning themselves to compete for their first playoff spot in 12 years, they’ve imploded, dropping nine of their last 11 games.

The Sabres aren’t just losing; opponents are annihilating them. Sunday afternoon’s ugly 7-0 loss to the Boston Bruins marked the third time in their last 10 outings they’ve allowed seven or more goals and lost by at least six.

Since ... Read the full article

If Sabres’ Alex Tuch returns from injury, Victor Olofsson could be scratched

TORONTO – Winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin both participated in the Buffalo Sabres’ well-attended optional skate this morning.

So, will they play tonight against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena? Sabres coach Don Granato said early this afternoon he hadn’t set the lineup.

“I don’t have any lineup decisions yet,” said Granato, whose Sabres have lost four straight games (0-3-1). “There’s a couple that need to be made.”

... Read the full article

Sabres make struggling Victor Olofsson healthy scratch against Maple Leafs

TORONTO – As the Buffalo Sabres split into two groups and began working on their power play hours before Monday’s 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs, winger Victor Olofsson took a knee and watched the units from the bench area.

It was an ominous sign that Olofsson, a staple of the power play for years, would be a healthy scratch against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

With winger Alex Tuch returning from a lower-body ... Read the full article

As Alex Tuch nears return, Sabres lose top D Mattias Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin to injuries

BUFFALO – Following a rough week in which they lost four straight games and their top two defensemen, the Sabres sorely needed a boost like the return of high-scoring winger Alex Tuch.

The Sabres have struggled without Tuch, losing six of the eight games he has missed recovering from a lower-body injury. They’re in danger of falling out of the playoff race, and now Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin have each suffered upper-body injuries.

So ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch returns to practice; Mattias Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin injured

BUFFALO – Just as Sabres winger Alex Tuch might be returning to the lineup, top defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin are injured.

Tuch, out the last eight games recovering from a lower-body injury, practiced in a regular jersey this morning in KeyBank Center. Meanwhile, Samuelsson and Dahlin missed the session with upper-body injuries, according to the team.

Samuelsson, who turns 23 on Tuesday, is week to week. He briefly left Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime ... Read the full article

Sabres end critical week with OT loss to Rangers: ‘We need to play that way’

BUFFALO – The Sabres ended the most critical week of their season having lost all four games and earned just a single point.

With barely a month left, they’ve dropped seven points behind out of a wild card spot and have two other teams ahead of them. Right now, the chances of them roaring up the standings and ending their 11-year playoff drought are slim.

Still, fresh off Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime loss, a game ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, implode late in ugly loss to Stars: ‘A little bit lifeless’

BUFFALO – About that playoff race and those meaningful late-season games. If the Sabres don’t snap out of their funk soon and tighten up defensively, they’re going to be in familiar territory playing out the string.

The Sabres looked downright awful throughout Thursday’s embarrassing 10-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, their third straight setback and fifth in the last six games.

As the season progresses and the stakes get higher, defenses usually stiffen. Well, Thursday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres maintain focus, bounce back by beating Lightning: ‘We needed that’

BUFFALO – Just over halfway into Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 5-3 win, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin appeared to have Anthony Cirelli lined up for an open-ice hit before both players suddenly moved.

Dahlin and Cirelli got tangled, and the Tampa Bay Lightning center quickly chased down his opponent, igniting a melee as the Sabres led 2-1. As Cirelli kept Dahlin pinned on the ice, Sabres winger Jeff Skinner zoomed in to help.

Skinner and Cirelli each ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Asplund traded; Injured Rasmus Dahlin practices

BUFFALO – Following his first season as an NHL regular and a standout performance at the World Championship, forward Rasmus Asplund was expected to become a big contributor to the Sabres this year.

Instead, Asplund, 25, lost his regular spot in the lineup in late November, quickly morphing into a spare part.

The Swede had played just two of the last 18 games and 27 overall this season when the Sabres dealt him to the ... Read the full article