Gilbert - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ UPL, Tage Thompson won’t play versus Flyers; Jordan Greenway injured

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence against the St. Louis Blues, centers Ryan McLeod and Dylan Cozens picked up the slack for the Sabres’ leading scorer.

McLeod scored once and created linemate Alex Tuch’s late tying goal in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win by deftly feeding him from behind the net.

Earlier in the third period, Cozens knocked down Oskar Sundqvist before racing to the net and converting a rebound. While officials overturned the goal because ... Read the full article

Sabres’ James Reimer geared up to be back; Tage Thompson, UPL out injured

BUFFALO – On Wednesday night, hours after the Sabres reclaimed him on waivers, goalie James Reimer told his wife, April, he’s looking forward to wearing some matching gear again.

After the Anaheim Ducks claimed him from Buffalo on Oct. 7, Reimer wore the black and red pads he planned on using when the Sabres sported their third jerseys. The red clashed with the Ducks’ orange color scheme.

Instead of a painted mask, he wore a ... Read the full article

‘Humbled’ Sabres lose ugly contest to Canadiens, Tage Thompson to injury

BUFFALO – Almost five minutes into Monday afternoon’s ugly 7-5 loss to the Canadiens, Sabres center Tage Thompson grabbed a pass from linemate Alex Tuch inside the Montreal blue line and skated down the left wing.

Thompson cut to the net from the left circle, using one hand to fend off Canadiens star Cole Caufield and the other to guide the puck. When he reached the crease, Thompson, who later left the game injured, scored ... Read the full article

Sabres to make lineup change against Canadiens

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who sat out the last three games as a healthy scratch, will be playing in this afternoon’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“First pass and then kill plays,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center of what he wants to see from Samuelsson. “Big body, be physical when you have the moment to be physical.”

Update: Samuelsson and center Tage Thompson, who scored his ... Read the full article

Maturing Sabres extend winning streak by beating Flames in shootout

BUFFALO – In the recent past, the Sabres might’ve lost a game like Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 shootout win. They blew an early two-goal lead as the Calgary Flames roared back. They had to kill a penalty just to survive overtime.

“I’ve used the phrase, ‘You’ve got to be comfortable being uncomfortable,’” coach Lindy Ruff said following the Sabres’ third consecutive victory. “The game got uncomfortable, and you have to trust how you’re playing.”

That trust ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson must ‘raise the standard’ after healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson knew it could happen. The Sabres defenseman has struggled from the get-go this season, losing ice time under new coach Lindy Ruff.

Still, he figured he would be playing Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as the Sabres tried to end their three-game losing streak.

“I wouldn’t say it was a complete shock, but no, I didn’t expect it yesterday,” Samuelsson said of being a healthy scratch for the Sabres’ 5-1 win... Read the full article

Sabres raise standard, defeat Senators; Henri Jokiharju, Mattias Samuelsson scratched

BUFFALO – Hours before the Sabres ended their three-game losing streak Tuesday by shellacking the Ottawa Senators 5-1, coach Lindy Ruff demanded more of his goalies, saying his team needed bigger saves at critical times.

Ruff wasn’t pinning the Sabres’ recent struggles on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. In the same breath, said he needed his scorers to finish. He has been asking more of everyone as he tries to raise the Sabres’ standard.

But ... Read the full article

Sabres scratch Henri Jokiharju, Mattias Samuelsson against Senators

BUFFALO – The struggling Sabres shook up their lineup for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators by scratching defensemen Henri Jokiharju and Mattias Samuelsson.

Both players participated in the team’s optional morning skate in KeyBank Center and are believed to be healthy.

This marks the second straight game coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres have a three-game losing streak, has scratched at least one regular defenseman. He benched Connor Clifton for Saturday’s 2-1 road loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Lindy Ruff could utilize depth to change Buffalo’s lineup

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres’ depth offers coach Lindy Ruff some intriguing options. He has been scratching three healthy players each game, meaning he has fresh bodies he can plug into the lineup.

With another game tonight in Detroit, he can infuse some jump in a team that will likely feel fatigued following Friday’s 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders in KeyBank Center.

“In back-to-back games, we’ll have depth to put fresh bodies ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jiri Kulich scratched as Nicolas Aube-Kubel returns

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres have a good problem. Winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel has recovered from a lower-body injury, giving them 13 forwards.

So if they remain healthy up front, that depth they’ve built up will force coach Lindy Ruff to make some difficult decisions.

Ruff made room for Aube-Kubel in Monday’s lineup for the Sabres’ 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers by scratching rookie Jiri Kulich. They placed winger Zach Benson, who’s battling a ... Read the full article