Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Brilliant outing by Rasmus Dahlin leads Sabres past Wild in OT: ‘He was a force’

BUFFALO – By the end of one of the most brilliant performances by a Sabres defenseman in their 53-year history, Rasmus Dahlin was exhausted.

Dahlin, having surpassed a minute on the ice, desperately wanted to get to the bench for a breather late in Saturday’s frantic overtime against the Minnesota Wild.

“I was going to, but I have to play defense,” Dahlin said following his dynamic two-goal, five-point performance in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-5 win. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju nears return from lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju, sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 9, could play in about a week, coach Don Granato said.

Jokiharju, 23, joined his teammates this morning and skated in a contact role as they prepared for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild. The Finn has missed the last nine games.

“When a player gets back into practice, that window is really short at this point, as long as he ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence gives Sabres good goalie problem

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie has created a good problem the team will likely have to address in the coming days.

Luukkonen, having won five straight starts and seven of his last eight entering tonight’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, has possibly entrenched himself in the NHL. The Finn, 23, has developed into the Sabres’ backbone and one of their biggest difference-makers over the past month.

His splendid ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson reflective after NHL All-Star selection: ‘A tough journey’

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Tage Thompson learned he had earned his first selection to the NHL All-Star Game, he reflected on his long, arduous journey to one of hockey’s premier events.

While Thompson, 25, made his big league debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2017, he struggled for years to secure regular duty and reach his vast potential. He endured demotions, a season-ending injury and other setbacks before enjoying a 38-goal breakout campaign ... Read the full article

After Damar Hamlin injury, Sabres had open dialogue, knew they had special opportunity: ‘We owed it to … Buffalo’

BUFFALO – In those first hours after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati, general manager Kevyn Adams sensed the Sabres needed to have some open dialogue.

Tuesday wouldn’t be a normal game day as the Sabres prepared for the Washington Capitals. Many players were watching “Monday Night Football” when Hamlin collapsed after tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. The Bills and Sabres are both owned ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs developing with Zemgus Girgensons, Kyle Okposo

BUFFALO – In the second period of Thursday’s 6-3 win, Sabres center Peyton Krebs zoomed into the Detroit zone to chase down a loose puck and drove Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider into the boards behind the net.

Krebs, who’s four inches shorter and 17 pounds lighter than Seider, gained possession. A split-second later, linemate Zemgus Girgensons fed captain Kyle Okposo in front for the first of his three goals in the Sabres’ fifth ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo scores hat trick in emotional win following blizzard

BUFFALO – The symbolism wasn’t lost on coach Don Granato. In Thursday’s emotional 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, the Sabres’ first game since a devastating blizzard ravaged the region, captain Kyle Okposo led the way, scoring a hat trick.

Okposo, the Sabres’ heart and soul, has embedded himself and his family in the community, Granato said, making his year-round home here.

“This is life and lots of people in life and death situations, ... Read the full article

After blizzard ravages Buffalo, Sabres return to work with heavy hearts

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams’ mother-in-law lives about a half mile from him in Clarence, so on Christmas Eve, as a devastating blizzard ravaged the region, he decided to brave the elements and check on her.

“Wrapped up and got out there,” the general manager said prior to Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ first game since Dec.

The short walk ended up taking Adams two hours there and ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo trying to find groove in ‘up and down’ season

BUFFALO – Twenty-five games into his season, Kyle Okposo has beaten a goalie just once. While the Sabres captain has scored three goals, two have gone into empty nets.

The veteran winger started slowly after getting injured at the end of training camp. He has also left the lineup twice because of injuries, missing seven total games.

A year after scoring 21 times, his highest output since 2015-16, Okposo said his 16th NHL season has ... Read the full article

At 30, resurgent Jeff Skinner enjoying one of Sabres’ greatest seasons ever

BUFFALO – It’s one thing to recapture your old form as Sabres winger Jeff Skinner did last year, scoring 33 goals during a remarkable comeback season.

But players Skinner’s age, 30, rarely showcase much growth. At that stage, they’re often nearing the end of their prime or past it.

Well, in Skinner’s case, maybe he’s just entering it.... Read the full article