Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Maple Leafs throttle Sabres early in victory: ‘Horrendous start’

BUFFALO – The barrage mercifully ended about 12 minutes into the first period, when the Sabres, having been torched for four goals by the Toronto Maple Leafs, settled down and started stopping their opponent.

Much of the buzz prior to Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at KeyBank Center centered on the Sabres, one of the NHL’s up-and-coming young teams, and their pursuit of a playoff spot.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Sabres ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly happy with Maple Leafs, impressed by Tage Thompson, Sabres

BUFFALO – Four days into his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, ex-Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly has played three games and practiced zero times.

O’Reilly, 32, joined the Leafs during a dizzying stretch, so other than participating in a Tuesday’s brief optional pregame skate, he has only been on the ice with his new teammates in games.

“It’s kind of weird just jumping right into the games,” O’Reilly said prior to scoring a hat trick ... Read the full article

Sabres, Maple Leafs renew rivalry with biggest meeting in years; Buffalo changes goalie plan

BUFFALO – Captain Kyle Okposo understands the Toronto Maple Leafs, tonight’s opponent, are the Sabres’ biggest rival.

Of course, that’s based on geography, not anything the teams have recently done on the ice. The Atlantic Division foes haven’t made the playoffs in the same season since 2001.

“To really cement a rivalry you’ve got to play a playoff series against somebody,” Okposo said following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “That’s what kind of really ratchets ... Read the full article

Sabres start fast before Flames roar back: ‘Punched us in the face’

BUFFALO – Following a 10-day break, the Sabres showcased some early jump Saturday afternoon, grabbing a 2-0 lead against the Calgary Flames.

But scoring on two of their first three shots masked signs of trouble. The Flames, who had played twice earlier in the week, outshot them 11-3 in the first period. Coach Don Granato said the Sabres overpassed, looked for the pretty play and complicated simple things.

By about the 15-minute mark, after goals ... Read the full article

Special mentality helped Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earn No. 1 job

BUFFALO – The burden of expectations could’ve weighed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen down. After all, shortly after the Sabres drafted him in the second round in 2017, he was labeled as their goalie of the future.

At times in the minors, the Finn seemed to be developing a bit slowly. Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic limited his playing time. He sometimes struggled or performed inconsistently.

“There’s been ups and downs to it,” Luukkonen said of his ... Read the full article

GM Kevyn Adams believes strongly in Sabres, won’t compromise future

BUFFALO – The Sabres have arrived about a year ahead of schedule, moving themselves in the into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase and putting general manager Kevyn Adams in an interesting situation.

So far, his plan to reshape the Sabres through drafting and development has paid off, as they began Thursday’s slate of games three points out of the final playoff spot. They have three games in hand on the New York ... Read the full article

Sabres injury update: Tage Thompson progressing, expected to practice

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson, who suffered an upper-body injury last week and missed the NHL All-Star Game, skated on his own Thursday and is expected to practice today.

Sabres coach Don Granato believes Thompson can play Saturday afternoon against the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center.

Thompson has enjoyed a dynamic season, compiling 34 goals and 68 points, both team highs, in 50 games.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin replaces injured Tage Thompson in NHL All-Star Game

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will replace injured teammate Tage Thompson on the Atlantic Division roster for Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game, the league announced this morning.

Thompson, 25, left Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes after the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Coach Don Granato did not have an update following the game.

Of course, Dahlin, 22, is a worthy replacement for Thompson, a center whose 34 goals and ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Hurricanes, Tage Thompson to injury

BUFFALO – Forget about Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that could’ve moved the Sabres into a playoff spot. Right now, having lost No. 1 center and leading scorer Tage Thompson to an upper-body injury, they have bigger concerns.

Thompson, who’s supposed to represent the Sabres in Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida, left Wednesday’s contest after the second period and did not return.

The TNT broadcast showed Thompson wincing in ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Quinn’s goal shows growth; Jeff Skinner hits milestone

BUFFALO – A few months ago, Sabres rookie Jack Quinn wouldn’t have possessed the confidence to score a highlight-reel goal like he did Saturday.

“Probably not, no,” Quinn said prior to Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Quinn, 21, didn’t merely roar down the slot and beat goalie Marc-Andre Fleury early in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild. He held onto the puck about 10 seconds, moving from the ... Read the full article