Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Rasmus Dahlin added to COVID-related absences list; Sabres plan to practice

On Monday morning, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin became the ninth Buffalo Sabres player added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol-related absences list. Hours later, the league postponed two more of the team’s games.

In a best-case scenario, if the Sabres can play their next scheduled contest in six days, they will have gone 15 days between games and have six they must make up.

Of course, that is a big if. So far, the league has removed ... Read the full article

Why did Ralph Krueger hide Sabres’ lines from Lindy Ruff, Devils?

BUFFALO – In Sunday afternoon’s pregame warm-up, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger showcased the same lines he had utilized the previous day against the New Jersey Devils, with one exception.

Casey Mittelstadt, who was replacing Tage Thompson, skated at left wing beside top center Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson.

Then when Sunday’s contest started, Krueger changed three of four Sabres’ lines. Only one trio from warm-ups – center Cody Eakin, left wing ... Read the full article

Sabres keep living dangerously, fall to Devils after comeback

BUFFALO – In winning three out of four games last week, the Sabres couldn’t buck some disturbing trends: they kept living dangerously, falling behind and often playing loosely.

Sooner or later, it was going to bite them.

The Sabres, at least by their standards, have enjoyed a decent start this season. Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils inside KeyBank Center dropped them to 4-4-2.

They’re just one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Ristolainen wreaking havoc on power play

BUFFALO – As a defenseman, Rasmus Ristolainen understands how a big body in front of the net can be a weapon during a power play.

“If some other teams, they have some good net-front presence, I know how hard it is to play when there’s guys standing in front of the net screening (the) goalie all the time,” the Sabres veteran said after scoring a power-play goal in Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss to the New ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Carter Hutton practices, says ‘stubbornness’ made him stay in game

BUFFALO – When Ivan Provorov hit Carter Hutton in the head Jan. 19 in Philadelphia, the Sabres goalie said he felt the effects of it right away.

Still, Hutton stayed in the game. Stubbornness, he said, took over.

“I’m competitive and I want to play,” Hutton said on a Zoom call this morning. “I kept communicating with (head athletic trainer Rich Stinziano), but I definitely didn’t put him in an easy spot, too, because I ... Read the full article

Sabres need struggling Rasmus Dahlin to bounce back after benching

In Friday’s 4-3 shootout loss, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger benched Rasmus Dahlin, playing the struggling defenseman just one 73-second shift over the game’s final 32 minutes.

Dahlin, 20, looked lost around Buffalo’s net, allowing the Capitals to convert two easy chances he could’ve nullified. After Jakub Vrana scored 13:07 into the second period, a frustrated Dahlin smashed his stick into the ice.

His night was just about done. He only played one more ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens scores pretty first goal in loss; Rasmus Dahlin benched

It ranks as one of the prettiest first goals scored by a Buffalo Sabres rookie in recent memory. Not only did winger Dylan Cozens unleash a wicked wrist shot from the right circle, he created his own goal by stripping the puck from Brian Pinho at center ice.

When Cozens, 19, scored 10:23 into second period, tying Friday’s game at 2, it appeared the Sabres had seized the momentum from the depleted Washington Capitals.

“It ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark to start against Capitals; Kyle Okposo likely out

Buffalo Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark, who missed two games earlier this week following the death of his father, will start tonight’s road game against the Washington Capitals, coach Ralph Krueger said.

“We really want him to get a win here, to play well not thinking about what’s happened,” Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said on a Zoom call this afternoon. “We just got to make him feel comfortable everywhere.”

Ullmark, 27, faced the Capitals ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Flyers, goalie Carter Hutton to injury

Shortly after Ivan Provorov collided with Carter Hutton during the second period Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres goalie stymied James van Riemsdyk’s point-blank opportunity.

Despite taking a hit to the head from Provorov, who was checked into the crease by Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour, Hutton stayed in the game and remained sharp.

But when Hutton returned to the dressing room following the period, he started feeling the effects of the hit, so third-string goalie Jonas Johansson... Read the full article

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger wanted suspension for hit on Rasmus Dahlin

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who left Monday’s 6-1 win over the Flyers after Nicolas Aube-Kubel hit him in the head, will play tonight in Philadelphia, coach Ralph Krueger said.

Still, Krueger isn’t pleased. The NHL Department of Player Safety did not suspend Aube-Kubel for what Krueger called a “deliberate hit to the head.”

Instead, the department fined the winger $4,633.62, the maximum amount the collective bargaining agreement allows.

“We were hoping for a ... Read the full article