Dahlin - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres rookie Ryan Johnson exceeding expectations, sticking in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Ryan Johnson figured his first trip to the NHL would be brief. Having lost defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to injury, the Sabres summoned the rookie on Nov. 4 for some insurance.

“I didn’t expect to be here longer than that game,” Johnson said prior to returning to the lineup for Thursday’s 9-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in KeyBank Center. “I didn’t expect to be here at all.”

Johnson, 22, played that night ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres implode in ugly loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We got to find it’

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo spoke firmly following Tuesday’s embarrassing 9-4 loss, the low point of the Kevyn Adams-Don Granato era.

The Sabres, the veteran said, did not quit during an ugly second period in which the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets scored four times and opened up a stunning 7-1 lead.

Moments later, when a question was asked about the Sabres listening to their coaches, an angry Okposo immediately shot it down.

“Listen, I’m ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson latest player to start wearing neck guard

BUFFALO – On Nov. 14, a skate blade sliced the through the top of Sabres center Tage Thompson’s skate through the tongue and his cut-resistant sock.

“Cut pretty deep, cut a tendon in my foot,” Thompson said prior to Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens in KeyBank Center. “Figured if a blade could through all that stuff, the more layers the better.”

So Thompson, who returned to that game last month before suffering ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Eric Robinson scores in win, making fast impact in Buffalo

BUFFALO – In Eric Robinson’s first days here, the Sabres have started playing a more tenacious, direct style. It’s no coincidence.

High compete, Sabres coach Don Granato said, rubs off.

“We haven’t had enough of that, we’ve had it intermittent,” Granato said following Monday’s 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes, a game in which Robinson scored one goal and three points.

With Robinson, the Sabres have possessed it regularly. They’re 2-0-1 since they traded a ... Read the full article

Despite missed chances, Sabres keep forging identity in loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – The final result, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, stings. The Sabres squandered opportunities all night, pumping a season-high 48 shots on goal and failing to convert six power plays, including one that carried into overtime.

In Saturday’s shootout, they needed one stop to secure back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

Still, in losing for the sixth time in eight outings (2-5-1), the Sabres at least carried over ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin to return from injury; UPL skates with teammates

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin made it clear he’s ready to play.

“I’m feeling really, really, really, really good today, so it’s all good,” said Dahlin, who missed Thursday’s 3-1 road win over the Boston Bruins with a nagging lower-body injury.

When Dahlin spoke this morning, he said he still needed approval to return tonight against the Montreal Canadiens. Coach Don Granato later confirmed he will play.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin day to day; Jack Quinn makes step in injury recovery

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who’s battling a lower-body injury, missed today’s practice but is “a possibility” for Saturday’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Don Granato said.

Granato said Dahlin and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who has been sick, are both day to day. Luukkonen will miss Saturday’s game.

Dahlin sat out Thursday’s 3-1 road win over the Boston Bruins.... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Eric Robinson in trade with Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – In Eric Robinson, the Sabres on Wednesday traded for a third- or fourth-line winger capable of killing penalties and providing some much-needed energy.

Having lost four straight games and five of their last six, the reeling Sabres needed to make a move, and while the 6-foot-2, 201-pound Robinson is hardly a star, he can certainly help.

In recent games, they’ve looked soft, regularly losing battles and showcasing little pushback. With veteran winger Zemgus ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early again, lose to Red Wings: ‘I didn’t like our game’

BUFFALO – Well, it’s hard to say the Sabres lack consistency. Their win-one, lose-one start feels like a distant memory. These days, count on them falling behind early and losing.

In Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, their fourth straight setback and fifth in the last six games, the reeling Sabres trailed 2-0 by the 8:25 mark.

If you’re keeping track, opponents have outscored the Sabres an astounding 13-1 in the first period ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson ready to return from injury; Sabres to make roster moves

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson said he originally expected the left hand injury he suffered on Nov. 14 would sideline him four to six weeks.

“Things progressed a little quicker,” Thompson said after skating with his teammates this morning in KeyBank Center. “X-rays came back good.”

Thompson’s injury healed so quickly that he will return ahead of schedule for tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.

“Happily surprised,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “We ... Read the full article