Ennis - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Dmitry Kulikov out against Bruins; Cody Franson set to return

BUFFALO – Back in June, when the Sabres acquired Dmitry Kulikov from the Florida Panthers, they envisioned the Russian as a minute-munching partner for No. 1 defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Six months later, Kulikov, thanks to a lower-back injury he has battled all season, has had little or no impact in only 20 appearances.

The injury will sideline Kulikov, 26, again for tonight’s tilt against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center.

“It’s something that Dmitry’s dealt ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner OK after stick to neck; Tyler Ennis progressing

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced this afternoon following Tuesday’s 4-3 win in Detroit:

– Goalie Robin Lehner, who took a stick to the throat against the Red Wings, and defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Jake McCabe all missed practice with maintenance days, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

Lehner, who has an abrasion on his neck from teammate Zach Bogosian’s stick, saw a doctor this morning “as more of a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo couldn’t wait to face Islanders

BUFFALO – Months ago, coach Dan Bylsma and Kyle Okposo talked about different scenarios for the Sabres’ big offseason acquisition in the upcoming season.

Bylsma said he wanted Okposo, 28, to understand he didn’t have to carry the load after signing a seven-year, $42 million contract.

During that conversation, Bylsma said Okposo only talked about one game on the 2016-17 schedule – Friday’s tilt against the New York Islanders, the winger’s first meeting against ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo excited to face Islanders

BUFFALO – A reflective Kyle Okposo couldn’t stop smiling this morning talking about the New York Islanders, a team he said he “grew up” with for nine years.

Okposo, who signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Sabres on July 1, will face his old team for the first time tonight.

“I left there and I was a veteran guy, I was one of the guys that had been there the longest,” an excited ... Read the full article

Sabres change up top lines

BUFFALO – When you rank last in the NHL in goals and are coming off your 12th one-goal outing this season, line changes are expected.

So Sabres coach Dan Bylsma switched the right wingers on his top two lines today, putting Kyle Okposo beside center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart with center Ryan O’Reilly and William Carrier.

“A little shakeup in the line combinations,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said inside HarborCenter.

Expect ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres playing close games

BUFFALO – When did we see this type of stretch from the Sabres – lots of dull, tight games they inevitably lose – before?

About three weeks ago, shortly after the season started, when they dropped four straight contests. After a brief turnaround, the Sabres are experiencing a similarly dreadful run entering tonight’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the start of a four-game home stand at KeyBank Center.

Having lost five straight games (0-3-2), ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly questionable for Lightning; Jack Eichel progressing

BUFFALO – Top Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly, out the last two games with a “mid-body” injury, is questionable for Thursday’s home tilt against Tampa Bay, coach Dan Bylsma said.

O’Reilly, who’s day-to-day, skated this morning on his own and is “progressing,” Bylsma said.

The Sabres held a team meeting today instead of practicing following Tuesday’s 4-1 loss in St. Louis, their fifth straight setback (0-3-2).

The 5-7-4 Sabres have six one-goal losses. In some ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Derek Grant finding ways to contribute

BUFFALO – Derek Grant’s rather unimpressive stat line – zero goals and just one assist through 14 games – doesn’t tell the whole story. At first glance, it appears the Sabres’ fourth-line center has endured a rough month.

After all, Grant, 26, was the Sabres’ best player throughout training camp, helping him vault from a depth player likely ticketed for the AHL into regular NHL duty.

“He adds more to our team than scoring ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Justin Falk for injured Dmitry Kulikov; Jack Eichel skating

BUFFALO – Down one day, up the next. Repeat for six months. For the last three seasons, Sabres newcomer Justin Falk has served as a depth defenseman for three organizations, constantly shuttling between the NHL and AHL.

“Over the last two or three years I’ve hopped back and forth quite a bit,” Falk, 28, said after the Sabres recalled him this morning. “Just another day for me to go about my business. It’s just a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis undergoes groin surgery, out weeks

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tyler Ennis underwent groin surgery this morning and will miss several weeks, the team has announced.

The Sabres’ longest-tenured player missed Wednesday’s 2-1 shootout loss to Ottawa with a “mid-body injury,” according to coach Dan Bylsma.

Ennis has battled injuries for the last year. Shortly after recovering from a concussion early last season, he suffered a season-ending concussion Dec. 30.

“It’s disappointing for Tyler, the situation he’s been dealing with ... Read the full article