Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson confident after ‘dark days;’ Zach Benson sidelined

BUFFALO – In the most trying season of his career, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson experienced what he called some “dark days.”

When he wasn’t injured, at times, he performed so poorly coach Lindy Ruff scratched him. In January, he was on the ice when the Sabres let New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen get away with hitting winger Tage Thompson in the head and concussing him.

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Samuelsson bore the brunt of the ... Read the full article

Sabres blow late lead, lose in OT again; Josh Dunne, fourth-liners wreak havoc

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ recent run – after Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, they’ve earned points in six of their last seven games – illustrates the significant improvements they’ve made in the last two weeks.

Following their wretched 0-3-0 start, they’ve recovered and positioned themselves in the thick of things at 4-4-2.

Still, if they hope to surge up the standings, they must start closing out games and burying their scoring ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson scores two goals as Sabres down Maple Leafs; Buffalo likely to make recall

BUFFALO – In his first 217 NHL games, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson scored seven times, an average of one goal every 31 outings.

He registered his first goal in his 64th appearance. He has never scored more than four times in a season.

So Samuelsson hasn’t enjoyed too many outings like his two-goal performance in Friday’s 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs before a bipartisan crowd of 17,211 fans in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Jack Quinn scoring goals, developing into one of Sabres’ offensive drivers

BUFFALO – Exactly one year ago, in the early stages of the roughest stretch of his career, Sabres winger Jack Quinn hadn’t scored a goal and had already been scratched.

Today, fresh off a slick one-goal, three-point outing, Quinn has scored three times – that’s as many goals as Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch have combined this season – and is tied for the team lead with six points.

Quinn’s outburst has helped ... Read the full article

Sabres recall two players from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday recalled defenseman Zac Jones and center Noah Ostlund from the Rochester Americans.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win, defenseman Jacob Bryson entered concussion protocol after Florida Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich hit him into the boards in the first period, knocking him out of the game.

The Sabres, who play a road game tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, did not practice Sunday. They had one extra forward, Josh Dunne, scratched against ... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Panthers with complete, heavy effort: ‘A lot of passion’

BUFFALO – Well, a lot can change in three days, huh? The Sabres, a laughingstock earlier in the week thanks to their dreadful 0-3-0 start, suddenly look like a contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

To wit: fresh off a four-goal victory, the Sabres showcased a complete and heavy effort throughout Saturday’s emotional 3-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers, setting an aggressive tone all afternoon and also standing up for themselves physically.

Goalie Alex Lyon, ... Read the full article

Sabres lose again, in trouble after loss to Avalanche: ‘This is not acceptable’

BUFFALO – Three straight losses to open the season. Two goals scored. One team going nowhere fast.

Less than a week into the season, the Sabres are in a heap of trouble.

Right now, they’re clearly feeling the heat. Players are already agitated and at a loss to explain their first 0-3-0 start since, well, last year.

To wit: as winger Tage Thompson spoke following Monday afternoon’s 3-1 loss, he grew more frustrated as questions ... Read the full article

Sabres shut out by Rangers in opener; Zach Benson hospitalized

BUFFALO – Don’t let the final score fool you. The Sabres’ 4-0 loss in Thursday’s season opener to the New York Rangers was closer than the score might indicate.

The Sabres trailed by one goal with less than six minutes remaining. Following a weak first period, they pumped 26 shots on Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin over the final 40 minutes.

Not that any of that mattered to the disgruntled capacity crowd of 19,070. Fans packed ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson joined Buffalo in 2018.

Tage Thompson has confidence in own talent, Sabres’ playoff chances: ‘We just expect that we’re just gonna do it’

BUFFALO – The adversity Sabres winger Tage Thompson endured on his way to becoming one of the NHL’s most dynamic threats makes each goal he scores feel a little sweeter and every win he celebrates alongside his teammates more satisfying.

At times after joining the Sabres seven years ago in a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Blues, it felt like he would never fulfill his vast potential. He sat out games as healthy scratch, ... Read the full article

Injuries sideline Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Michael Kesselring

BUFFALO – Injuries will likely keep Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Michael Kesselring from playing in Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Luukkonen and Kesselring, both of whom left Wednesday’s 5-3 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, are “kind of week to week.”

“It’s going to be more than day to day,” Ruff said following today’s pregame skate in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article