John Hayden skates in front of Boston’s Jake DeBrusk on Wednesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres melt down early, fall to Bruins; Aaron Dell yanked after one period

BUFFALO – In explaining why Aaron Dell would start against the Boston Bruins, coach Don Granato called him the Sabres’ “hotter” goalie.

Dell, of course, wasn’t exactly lighting it up – he began the night winless and sporting an awful .874 save percentage – this season.

But having pulled goalie Dustin Tokarski from his last two starts, Granato said he wanted to give him a chance to “sit back and breathe and get back to ... Read the full article

Aaron Dell also started Sunday and relieved Dustin Tokarski on Monday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres goalie Aaron Dell to start for slumping Dustin Tokarski

BUFFALO – In his last two starts, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski has compiled an 8.66 goals-against average and a .743 save percentage in just under 61 minutes.

Sabres coach Don Granato, of course, yanked him from both games.

In the first outing, Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Calgary Flames, Tokarski received little help, often getting abandoned by his teammates. But in Monday’s 7-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tokarski wasn’t his normal self, allowing ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt hasn’t played since opening night. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Casey Mittelstadt joins Sabres on ice, finally close return: ‘A huge step’

BUFFALO – After a 17-game absence, center Casey Mittelstadt joined his teammates this morning, donning a gold non-contact jersey and skating with the Sabres as they prepared for tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Now, when will Mittelstadt, who suffered an upper-body injury opening night, be able to play again? He won’t return tonight.

The Sabres also play Friday, Saturday and Monday. Practice time is limited. They’re scheduled to have Thursday off.

“We haven’t really ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has already reached last season’s goal output. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores twice in loss: ‘Starting to come together’

BUFFALO – At times over three tumultuous seasons, it felt like Tage Thompson would never reach this point, at least with the Sabres.

Right now, Thompson, 24, is their No. 1 center and leading goal scorer and point producer. After scoring twice in Monday’s 7-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he has already recorded eight goals and 13 points in 18 games, equaling last season’s career-high goal total in 20 fewer outings.

The 6-foot-7 ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson scored Sunday and had the puck in the waning seconds. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres allow late goal, suffer painful loss to Rangers: ‘It stings’

For the second time in nine days, overtime felt imminent. After blowing three leads against the Rangers, the Buffalo Sabres would leave New York with at least a small reward, a well-deserved point, or perhaps a victory.

Sabres center Tage Thompson just had to keep the puck pinned against the boards behind his net for another half second or so.

“Everybody in the building knew the scenario and the clock, the situation,” Sabres coach Don ... Read the full article

Aaron Dell has played two games for Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

After slow start, Sabres goalie Aaron Dell beginning to find groove

BUFFALO – Since the start of last season, Sabres goalie Aaron Dell has played just 13 games, including nine in the NHL. The veteran has often struggled in his limited action, failing to recapture what made him one of the league’s top backups a few years ago.

After a shaky preseason in which he quickly lost the No. 2 job, Dell allowed a fluky goal minutes into his NHL season debut last Saturday, losing sight ... Read the full article

Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau scores on Buffalo goalie Dustin Tokarski on Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres implode during second period, lose to Flames: ‘Embarrassing effort’

BUFFALO – After years of futility, there’s no denying the Sabres have started moving forward this season.

They entered Thursday a game over .500. At times, they’ve showcased a fast, aggressive style and executed a rigid system. They’re competitive most nights.

Still, the Sabres, as they did throughout Thursday’s ugly 5-0 loss to the Calgary Flames, can remind you they’re a rebuilding team short on talent.

The Sabres looked downright awful. After a weak first ... Read the full article

Dustin Tokarski (31) loves being around his Buffalo teammates. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Craig Anderson, Dustin Tokarski giving Sabres some of NHL’s best goaltending

BUFFALO – Fresh off a scintillating, career-best effort, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski will likely earn another start tonight, his sixth nod in the last seven games.

Tokarski, 32, has performed superbly handling the load for injured goalie Craig Anderson, helping the Sabres emerge from a five-game winless skid.

The 13-year pro has won two straight starts entering tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center, posting a 1.50 goals-against average and a .963 ... Read the full article

Dustin Tokarski made a career-high 45 saves Tuesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski performs brilliantly in win: ‘It was Ticker’s show’

PITTSBURGH – When the Buffalo Sabres signed Dustin Tokarski last year, he was expected to offer them depth, most likely in the minors. He hadn’t played an NHL game since a brief relief appearance in 2016. He hadn’t earned a win since 2015.

Few figured Tokarski, a decorated AHL netminder, would receive significant action with the Sabres, let alone become one of their most important players. But incredibly, Tokarski, 32, is starting to emerge as ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner recorded three points Saturday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres roar back, fall to Maple Leafs; Jeff Skinner enjoys best game in years

BUFFALO – There were at least three points in Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs – the fluky first-period score and two-goal deficits in the second and third – the Sabres would’ve never recovered from in the not-so-distant past.

Each time, the Sabres roared back, tying it. When they knotted the game at 4, scoring twice in a 59-second span during midway through the third period, it felt like they would earn at ... Read the full article