Ellis - Buffalo Hockey Beat

As Sabres struggle before playoffs, visit from Lightning could help ignite them

BUFFALO – A visit from the heavyweight Tampa Bay Lightning tonight might be enough to shake the Sabres out of their recent funk.

In losing consecutive games in regulation for the first time since early December, the Sabres often looked uninterested, failing to match the desperation and tenacity of opponents fighting to get into the postseason.

The Sabres, of course, have been firmly entrenched in a playoff spot for months. They officially clinched their first ... Read the full article

The Sabres have had a loaded roster since the trade deadline. How can Lindy Ruff utilize that depth?

BUFFALO – In the coaches’ room each day, the Sabres’ depth dominates the discussion.

“It’s the main topic,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said earlier this week.

Inside those walls, Ruff and his staff deliberate how to best utilize that depth and keep everyone involved.

The Sabres, having compiled a 33-6-4 record in their last 43 games entering tonight’s contest against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, have a pretty darn good thing going.... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon forming dynamic tandem

BUFFALO – After sitting out last game, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start tonight against the Boston Bruins, his eighth nod in the last 16 contests.

Meanwhile, crease mate Alex Lyon, whose franchise-record 10-game road win streak ended Sunday, will likely get a full night off – that means not even dressing – like Luukkonen did for Sunday’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

Right now, as Luukkonen and Lyon alternate starts, ... Read the full article

After trades, recalls, newcomers Sam Carrick, Noah Ostlund and others play huge roles in Sabres’ success

BUFFALO – As Sabres center Sam Carrick warmed up prior to Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a placard along the glass featuring a drawing of his head grabbed his attention.

Other than the length of his hair – “I’ve had a snip since then,” the newcomer said – the portrait accurately depicted Carrick.

“Yeah, it was pretty impressive,” he told the Times Herald following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres bounce back after rare loss, beat Maple Leafs in shootout

BUFFALO – You must go back more than three months – 97 days and 38 games, to be exact – to find the last time the Sabres lost two consecutive contests in regulation.

A heck of lot has gone into their stunning 30-6-2 run that has vaulted them into first place in the Atlantic Division. They’ve excelled in essentially every facet of the game.

Their ability to quickly bounce back and handle the mental gymnastics ... Read the full article

Conor Timmins skates with Sabres after breaking leg; Alex Tuch likely to return from injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins said when he and teammate Jordan Greenway got their skates tangled and he fell to the ice almost three months ago, he could feel his leg break.

“When I fell there, it became unbearable,” Timmins said of the pain experienced Dec. 18 late in the Sabres’ 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Earlier that night, Timmins, 27, said he had blocked a shot that “did a little damage.” Still, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch could play Saturday; Mattias Samuelsson might miss game with injury

BUFFALO – If the Sabres were in the playoffs right now, winger Alex Tuch would likely be playing. But they want to be prudent dealing with his lower-body injury, so they held him out of Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Tuch said he felt “really good” after practicing today in LECOM Harborcenter. Coach Lindy Ruff said “it’s a possibility” the veteran could return for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in KeyBank ... Read the full article

After injury costs him Olympics, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen focused on earning playoff spot

BUFFALO – When reality set in and Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen realized his lower-body injury would force him to miss the Olympics, he felt crushed.

Luukkonen had long hoped he could represent Team Finland at the Milano Cortina Games, and early last month, he earned a coveted roster spot.

Then on Jan. 27 in Toronto, nine days before the NHL paused its season for the tournament, he tweaked something early in the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi happy with Rochester, no longer feels ‘rushed’

BRIGHTON – These days, Devon Levi possesses a narrow focus. Naturally, the Buffalo Sabres prospect thinks about his future. But by embracing what the present offers him, he believes he can achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an elite NHL goalie.

Almost three years after nearly backstopping the Sabres to an unlikely playoff berth just weeks out of college, Levi, 24, has spent all season with the Rochester Americans.

“I know that over time I’ll ... Read the full article

After tying 49-year-old record, Sabres goalie Alex Lyon enjoys special chat with Gerry Desjardins

BUFFALO – Early Sunday, less than a day after Sabres goalie Alex Lyon tied the franchise’s all-time record for most consecutive wins, his phone rang. On the other end, Gerry Desjardins, who had owned the mark for 49 years, wanted to chat.

For about the next 20 minutes, Lyon, 33, and Desjardins, 81, talked about the craft of goaltending and the unique mentality needed to play hockey’s most demanding position.

“It was interesting that we ... Read the full article