Doan - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Following injury-plagued year, Sabres express belief in Michael Kesselring: ‘We’ve seen the potential’

“Honestly, I think it’s been pretty good for me, and whenever the next opportunity comes, I’ll be probably the most ready I’ve been all year.” – Michael Kesselring on March 25 prior to sitting out his sixth straight game as a healthy scratch

BUFFALO – As he morphed into a spare part down the stretch, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring tried to make the most of a difficult situation.

If the arrival of defensemen Logan ... Read the full article

After special season, Sabres understand success isn’t guaranteed next year

BUFFALO – The Sabres boast one of the NHL’s deepest, most talented and youngest rosters.

On paper at least, they look poised to enjoy success in the coming years following a breakout season in which they ended their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, won the Atlantic Division and came within one goal of reaching the Eastern Conference final.

“Just because you have success one year doesn’t mean that it guarantees that it translates to the next ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres rally from early deficit to stun Canadiens, force Game 7: ‘Our captain steps up’

MONTREAL – In the moment, the score meant nothing to the Buffalo Sabres. That they faced an early two-goal deficit after captain Rasmus Dahlin scored 32 seconds into the do-or-die contest, well, so be it.

If they maintained their focus on Saturday against the Canadiens, they told themselves, and kept doing the right things in the hostile Bell Centre, they would be rewarded.

“We actually liked our game to start,” winger Jason Zucker said after ... Read the full article

Sabres change lineup, mix up lines for Game 6 against Canadiens

MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres made one lineup change for tonight’s do-or-die contest against the Canadiens, inserting rookie defenseman Zach Metsa and scratching veteran Luke Schenn for Game 6 of the second-round series.

Metsa, 27, made his debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He sat out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has lauded Metsa’s decision-making ability and how he breaks the puck out.... Read the full article

Sabres blow leads in loss to Canadiens, on brink of elimination; Owen Power briefly leaves game injured

BUFFALO – Right now, things look bleak for the Sabres. After all, they’re staring down elimination following Thursday’s ugly 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

With a chance to go up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Sabres blew three leads before the game hit the halfway mark in KeyBank Center. One lasted nine seconds.

They imploded in the second period, allowing three goals and forcing coach Lindy Ruff to pull goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Konsta Helenius earns trust in playoff debut, generates offense: ‘Heck of a game’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 3-2 win in Montreal, with the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead against the Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff kept utilizing center Konsta Helenius at critical moments on hockey’s grandest stage.

Normally a rookie playing just his 10th NHL game and first in the Stanley Cup Playoffs would be nailed to the bench at that late juncture.

But Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, quickly earned Ruff’s trust ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff says Canadiens are ‘going down’ to sell penalties

BUFFALO – Whether the Sabres like it or not, coach Lindy Ruff said, officials will call what he described as “light penalties” both ways during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“We had some self-inflicted pain,” Ruff said after the Sabres gave the Montreal Canadiens six power plays in Tuesday’s 3-2 win in the Bell Centre. “And I think there’s a part of the game our players need to understand.”

Of course, Ruff also believes the Canadiens ... Read the full article

After loss to Canadiens, Sabres regroup, change power play: ‘Shake it up’

MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres experienced this earlier in the postseason. Fresh off an emotional Game 1 win at home, they followed up with a lousy performance, allowing their opponent to tie the series before they hit the road.

Against the Bruins, the Sabres showcased an emphatic response following a tough loss, winning the next two games in Boston and seizing control of the series.

So, what might happen tonight and Tuesday against the Canadiens ... Read the full article

Sabres pounce on Canadiens, win Game 1; Rasmus Dahlin OK after blocking shot

BUFFALO – The Sabres needed less than two periods against the Montreal Canadiens to accomplish what the Tampa Bay Lightning couldn’t in seven games.

Against a stingy opponent – the Canadiens allowed three or fewer goals in each contest versus the Lightning and just 15 total – the Sabres scored four times in the opening 29 minutes on Wednesday en route to a 4-2 win in Game 1 of the second-round series.

The Sabres, who ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson becoming one of NHL’s foremost agitators: ‘That insect that won’t go away’

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff likens diminutive winger Zach Benson’s ability to get under opponents’ skin to an annoying bug that keeps flying around you.

“He’s like that insect that won’t go away,” Ruff said following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “You keep swatting at it, but you just can’t quite get it, and it keeps landing on you.”

The tenacious Benson, 20, landed on the Boston Bruins’ you-know-what list during the first-round playoff ... Read the full article