Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres lose game to Bruins in OT, Noah Ostlund to injury: ‘It doesn’t look good’

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres morphed into an NHL heavyweight almost five months ago, they’ve lost three consecutive games just once.

Their ability to quickly put away games – good and bad – has helped them showcase remarkable consistency.

For the Sabres to lose their first-round playoff series, they would have to drop three straight games.

The postseason, of course, is a different animal. Still, since early December, the Sabres, who on Tuesday lost 2-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris could play Game 5; Nikita Zadorov fined for cross-check

BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff said forwards Josh Norris, Tyson Kozak and Jason Zucker are all still being evaluated but probable tonight for Game 5 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.

The Sabres lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. If they win, they will clinch their first series since 2007.

Norris has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. Kozak and Zucker both left Sunday afternoon’s 6-1 win in Boston ... Read the full article

Sabres dominate Bruins, take 3-1 series lead: ‘Best period we played all year’

BOSTON – Just over four minutes into Sunday afternoon’s 6-1 annihilation of the Bruins, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson hectored an opponent along the wall, freeing the puck for linemate Alex Tuch to grab in the offensive zone.

When Tuch reached the right circle, he fed winger Peyton Krebs in the slot, and the winger quickly beat goalie Jeremy Swayman.

The goal at 4:17, the Sabres’ first in the opening 20 minutes during the Stanley Cup ... Read the full article

Sabres warned prior to Game 3 to stop rough stuff; Ryan McLeod relied upon in faceoff dot

BOSTON – Before Thursday’s 3-1 win over the Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff said officials warned the Buffalo Sabres they “weren’t gonna put up with the after-the-whistle stuff.”

“They’re gonna take one guy,” he said of the what the teams were told. “And the first guy that puts the fist in the other guy’s face is gonna get called.”

As the longtime rivals split the first two games of the opening-round playoff series, scrums and melees ... Read the full article

Alex Lyon, Noah Ostlund and Alex Tuch help Sabres rally to defeat Bruins, take series lead

BOSTON – Mattias Samuelsson, having broken his stick, was essentially helpless as he tried to get the puck out of his own zone. The Buffalo Sabres defenseman tried kicking it out, but that only made matters worse.

Viktor Arvidsson quickly grabbed the puck and made a beeline for Sabres goalie Alex Lyon. As the Swede roared in, captain Rasmus Dahlin slashed him, giving the Bruins a penalty shot as they enjoyed a 1-0 lead 9:50 ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson ignites late comeback in wild playoff win over Bruins: ‘This team doesn’t quit’

BUFFALO – Lack of experience? No way, Sabres center Tage Thompson responded after scoring two late goals to ignite one of the most memorable comebacks in franchise history.

The Sabres, Thompson noted, played plenty of games that prepared them for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Sunday’s wild 4-3 victory, a game in which they scored three goals in less than five minutes to erase a late 2-0 deficit against Boston Bruins.

As Game 1 of ... Read the full article

After second trade, ex-Sabres standout Casey Mittelstadt might have home with Bruins

BUFFALO – For the next two weeks or so, the lasting friendships Boston Bruins winger Casey Mittelstadt made over his six years here are on hold.

Mittelstadt, 27, said he loved his time with the Sabres and is happy they ended their NHL-record 14-year drought and cracked the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“But I’m on the other side of it now,” he said prior to Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 1 of their ... Read the full article

During lean years, Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson never lost belief Sabres would make playoffs

BUFFALO – During those dark days, when doubt and negativity could creep in, Sabres stars Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch would often stay positive by talking about the talent that surrounded them.

They had too much of it for the losing to drag on forever. Players possessed maturity – a strong work ethic and desire to improve – to complement their skill.

Sooner or later, the Sabres had to start winning, right?... Read the full article

Sabres rest top players against Stars as attention turns to Bruins in playoffs

BUFFALO – The outcome of Wednesday’s regular-season finale, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, is irrelevant.

The Sabres, having clinched the Atlantic Division and locked into a first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scratched five of their best players and dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Tyson Kozak, a fourth-line center or spare forward, pivoted the Sabres’ top line. Coach Lindy Ruff used three defensemen on the second ... Read the full article

Sabres buying into Jarmo Kekalainen’s message; Buffalo changes lineup for regular-season finale

BUFFALO – In his introductory remarks as Sabres general manager in mid-December, Jarmo Kekalainen stressed how much he values character.

Before he fielded a question, he said he wanted a talented team to develop a competitive and relentless identity.

Today, the Sabres rank among the NHL’s elite, having enjoyed a torrid four-month run and clinched the Atlantic Division. They’ve showcased remarkable consistency, adding tenacity to complement their skill.... Read the full article