Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres want to feed off energy from crowd on ‘Ryan Miller Night’

BUFFALO – Over the past year, the Sabres have thrived off the energy the raucous home crowd creates for special occasions. Think of Jack Eichel’s return and “RJ Night.”

Expect them to get a boost tonight against the New York Islanders after the Sabres retire legendary goalie Ryan Miller’s No. 30 and induct him into their Hall of Fame.

The ceremony, of course, promises to be very emotional.... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen emerging as Sabres’ No. 1 goalie: ‘Edge is to him right now’

BUFFALO – Following his strong 30-save effort in Monday afternoon’s ugly 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will likely rest tonight, giving way to Craig Anderson or Eric Comrie.

For the past week, Luukkonen’s emergence has forced the Sabres to make roster moves nearly every day, shuffling players to the AHL in paper transactions. Keeping three goalies in play has been difficult, and they clearly can’t do it much longer.

Luukkonen, ... Read the full article

Sabres rookies Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka look like stars in return to lineup

BUFFALO – Well, it did the trick, right?

Following a brief absence that offered slumping rookies Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka a chance to step back and reset, they performed splendidly in their return, helping the Sabres end a three-game losing streak.

Quinn scored the final goal in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators and also created center Dylan Cozens’ second-period score from deep in the Buffalo zone. Peterka, meanwhile, earned the primary assist ... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen embracing difficult situation

BUFFALO – So far, the Sabres’ jam-packed schedule has helped them make the best of a difficult situation and accommodate three goalies.

This week, Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have all earned starts. Luukkonen remained on the roster following Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, a sign he could play tonight’s road game against the Nashville Predators.

The Sabres also play Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and next Saturday. They have ... Read the full article

Sabres generate offense, fall to Jets, Connor Hellebuyck: ‘Like a sumo wrestler with athleticism’

BUFFALO – At 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, Connor Hellebuyck can be an imposing presence in net. The Winnipeg Jets goalie, the 2019-20 Vezina Trophy winner, plays even bigger than his hulking size might indicate.

Just ask Sabres coach Don Granato.

“Hellebuyck looked like a sumo wrestler with athleticism,” Granato said following Hellebuyck’s stellar 39-save effort in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Jets. “He was good. He was big and solid.”... Read the full article

When will Sabres rookies Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka play again?

BUFFALO – For a day or two, rookie Jack Quinn is technically a member of the Rochester Americans again. In a paper move on Thursday morning, the Sabres loaned the winger to their AHL affiliate to create room to recall goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Quinn, 21, isn’t going anywhere. The Sabres needed a roster spot and he can be assigned to the minors without waivers.

General manager Kevyn Adams said on Monday the Sabres would ... Read the full article

Sabres loan Jack Quinn to Rochester to create spot for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

BUFFALO – For a day or two, Sabres rookie Jack Quinn is technically a member of the Rochester Americans again. In a paper move on Thursday morning, they loaned the winger to their AHL affiliate to create room to recall goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Quinn, 21, isn’t going anywhere. The Sabres needed a roster spot and he can be assigned to the minors without waivers.

General manager Kevyn Adams said on Monday the Sabres would have ... Read the full article

Sabres generate offense again, still fall to Kraken; Eric Comrie returns to net

BUFFALO – For the first time in six weeks, the Sabres have hit a bit of a rut, losing two straight games in regulation.

The good news is they got some of their mojo back in Tuesday’s 4-3 setback, generating offense again while taking the Seattle Kraken down to the wire. They looked much better than they did in Monday’s dreadful 4-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Sabres, however, couldn’t capitalize on chances they ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka sit as healthy scratches; UPL misses start

BUFFALO – In the nine games prior to Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Seattle Kraken, Sabres winger Jack Quinn registered zero points. JJ Peterka, his linemate, wasn’t much better during that stretch, mustering just two assists.

On Tuesday, the Sabres scratched the struggling rookies. Rasmus Asplund and Vinnie Hinostroza, both of whom had sat out nine straight games, replaced the youngsters on a line with center Dylan Cozens.

Peterka had played every ... Read the full article

Sabres start slowly, get blanked by Flyers: ‘Emotionally drained’

BUFFALO – In a span of two days, the Sabres won a thrilling come-from-behind overtime contest before a raucous capacity crowd and got shut out in front of about 9,000 empty seats.

The ebb and flow of a grueling six-month season can create some real clunkers, and the Sabres clearly experienced a letdown on Monday in losing 4-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Saturday’s exciting 6-5 triumph against the Minnesota Wild, ... Read the full article