Dunne - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Josh Dunne seizing chances in NHL as he heads home to St. Louis

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Dunne figures at least 50 supporters, perhaps as many as 100, will be on hand tonight at the Enterprise Center to watch him play his first NHL regular-season game in St. Louis.

Following Sunday’s practice, Dunne, 27, was still working on an exact number, reaching out to people and receiving texts.

“But that’s all part of the fun,” Dunne, whose Sabres carry an eight-game win streak into tonight’s contest against ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyson Kozak could play against Islanders; Conor Timmins ‘steady’ D before breaking leg

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tyson Kozak, who left Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers with an upper-body injury, is questionable for this afternoon’s home game against the New York Islanders, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Kozak, who did not practice Friday, will skate early today before the Sabres decide if he can play.

If Kozak, 22, can’t go, forward Josh Dunne will likely move into the lineup.

Update: Kozak is scratched. Dunne is ... Read the full article

After trade, injuries, Michael Kesselring ready to make impact for Sabres

BUFFALO – After hurrying back from a knee injury, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said the ankle sprain he suffered just nine games into his season offered him a chance to “reset a little.”

Not that Kesselring, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, wanted to miss more time. But when he went down again Nov. 15, he said he was still battling his first injury a bit and “putting a lot of pressure” on himself.

“I didn’t ... Read the full article

Trevor Kuntar ran with career-changing opportunity in Rochester to earn NHL contract and chance with Sabres

ROCHESTER – Winger Trevor Kuntar doesn’t lack confidence. The Williamsville native isn’t cocky, mind you. He’s grateful for the career-changing opportunity he has earned and the belief Americans coach Mike Leone and others in the Buffalo Sabres organization have shown in him.

Kuntar, who on Wednesday signed a two-way NHL contract, quickly morphed into the Amerks’ biggest surprise this season, scoring a team-high nine goals while providing critical depth, energy and grit before the ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Josh Norris, Colten Ellis to injuries before and during OT win

Shortly before Tuesday’s opening faceoff, the Buffalo Sabres pulled center Josh Norris from the lineup after he skated in the pregame warm-up.

What happened?

Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Edmonton following the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime win that the oft-injured Norris, who felt ill, tweaked something warming up.

At that point, the Sabres yanked Norris, who had played four straight games after an upper-body injury he suffered opening night sidelined him 24 contests.... Read the full article

Sabres veteran Jason Zucker sidelined with lower-body injury; Buffalo recalls prospect from Rochester

Winger Jason Zucker, the Buffalo Sabres’ oldest and most experienced player, will “miss some time” after suffering a lower-body injury in Monday’s 7-4 road loss to the Calgary Flames, coach Lindy Ruff told WGR this morning.

Zucker, 33, appeared to be injured when he hit an opponent into the boards in the second period. He briefly left the game but later returned.

His injury is the latest blow for the reeling Sabres, who have lost ... Read the full article

After strong stint in Buffalo, Isak Rosen scoring in Rochester, ready for another recall to Sabres

ROCHESTER – Eight of the nine skaters followed the puck to the corner boards, leaving Buffalo Sabres prospect Isak Rosen, the Americans’ top scoring threat, with half the ice to himself during a power play.

So when Amerks center Konsta Helenius dug the puck out and fed his linemate, it felt like Rosen had enough time and space to tie his skates before he shot it.

With no defenders around, Rosen, 22, moved from ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Peyton Krebs looking for first goal; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – As the goose egg attached to his stat line illustrates, Peyton Krebs doesn’t score much. The Sabres center has played 322 NHL games because he evolved and embraced a new identity as a tenacious checker and sandpaper presence.

Krebs, 24, had registered zero goals and seven assists in 25 games this season entering Monday’s contest against the Winnipeg Jets in KeyBank Center. Among regular Sabres forwards, only Krebs and winger Zach Benson, who ... Read the full article

With Josh Norris ready to play, Sabres must make lineup change, roster move

BUFFALO – The night before his first game in 53 days, Sabres center Josh Norris acknowledged he couldn’t sleep well – “I was a little anxious,” he said – and woke up early.

The oft-injured Norris, 26, hasn’t played since Oct. 9, opening night, when he suffered an upper-body injury in just his fourth appearance with the Sabres.

After missing the last 24 games, he’s ready to face the Winnipeg Jets tonight. Norris pivoted Zach ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colten Ellis likely to start again; Noah Ostlund uses ‘sick’ move

BUFFALO – Following a four-game break, goalie Colten Ellis looked sharp throughout Saturday’s 3-2 shootout victory in Minnesota, stopping 22 shots, including the last 14 he faced, as the Sabres ended the Wild’s seven-game winning streak.

Ellis, 25, received an early taste of Minnesota’s firepower, stopping superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s wraparound attempt barely a minute into the contest.

In overtime, the rookie calmly denied two shots from Brock Faber in close.... Read the full article