Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ home woes continue in loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We were not sharp’

BUFFALO – Call it a classic trap game. As the Sabres battle for their first playoff berth in 12 years, they have a loaded schedule in the coming days.

Contests against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, superstar Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, and the New York Islanders, a team they’re chasing, are on the horizon.

First, however, the Sabres had Tuesday’s game against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets who rank dead last in ... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza happy to be back

BUFFALO – After clearing waivers and reporting for his first stint in the minors in more than five years, a much-needed opportunity quickly materialized for Sabres winger Vinnie Hinostroza.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Hinostroza, 28, wouldn’t have been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“Vinnie went to Rochester on circumstance, not on play,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Sunday. “… He’s an NHL hockey player.”

But for about a month, Hinostroza, who signed ... Read the full article

After acquiring Riley Stillman in trade, Sabres intrigued to see newcomer

BUFFALO – Through parts of five NHL seasons, Sabres defenseman Riley Stillman has bounced around a bit, playing 140 games for three teams. A young player like him has spent much of his career simply trying to survive and conform to the coach’s and organization’s expectations, Don Granato said.

“Through that process, you’re accumulating a lot of experience but you’re playing to almost not make a mistake because you’ve moved around a little bit,” Granato ... Read the full article

With Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin injured, Dylan Cozens dazzles in Sabres’ win

BUFFALO – Above the din of the capacity crowd, Sabres winger Jack Quinn could hear center Dylan Cozens calling for the puck as they skated through the neutral zone.

Quinn and Cozens, who have showcased terrific chemistry as linemates this season, did not play together for most of Sunday afternoon’s 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Sabres, having lost top-line winger Alex Tuch to a lower-body injury for at least a few weeks, promoted ... Read the full article

Sabres injuries: Alex Tuch out at least few weeks; Rasmus Dahlin day to day

BUFFALO – For months, the Sabres stayed remarkably healthy, especially up front, where the forward corps remained almost intact.

But now, they’ll be without first-line winger Alex Tuch for at least a few weeks after he suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 3-1 road win over the Florida Panthers. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch, 26, is week to week and he expects him to return before the end of the regular season.

To make ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson offers Sabres intriguing goaltending option down the stretch

BUFFALO – For five months, the Sabres have carefully managed goalie Craig Anderson’s workload, giving the NHL’s oldest player ample time to recover following his outings.

Only once this season has Anderson, 41, started back-to-back games. The Sabres have essentially limited his appearances to one per week.

Coach Don Granato often attributes Anderson’s success at such an advanced age – as of Saturday afternoon, his .920 save percentage ranked sixth among goalies with at ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato sensed Ilya Lyubushkin would score OT goal

Ilya Lyubushkin had scored zero goals in his first 41 games with the Buffalo Sabres. In his five-year NHL career, the gritty Russian defenseman had scored just three goals in 252 contests, his last coming 10 months ago.

But when Lyubushkin grabbed the puck from Lightning captain Steven Stamkos in overtime Thursday and set off on a rare short-handed breakaway, Sabres coach Don Granato knew something special was about to happen.

“It was weird in ... Read the full article

After pulling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Sabres could utilize other goalies

BUFFALO – After Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen recently endured a career-worst outing, coach Don Granato decided the rookie needed a break.

So for the next two games, Granato utilized his other netminders, Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie. The rest offered Luukkonen, 23, a chance to focus on practice and rebound from an ugly 7-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Feb. 11.

When Granato turned to him again Saturday in San Jose, he responded ... Read the full article

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