Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Victor Olofsson, Sabres continue hot streaks in win over Hurricanes

BUFFALO – In his three-year NHL career, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has probably never been so wide open.

As the puck rimmed around the left boards with Tuesday’s game tied late, it appeared to be leaving the Carolina Hurricanes zone. But Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said he “fake pressured” one of the Hurricanes, forcing him to move the puck. Dahlin then batted it down inside the blue line before quickly spotting Olofsson in the right ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi wants to ‘feel that pressure’ at Northeastern

BUFFALO – When goalie Devon Levi told Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams he would be returning to Northeastern, the prospect explained how another season in college could offer him what he craves.

“He’s such a mature kid the way he looks at it,” Adams said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “And one of the things he said that I found interesting is that, ‘I wanted to feel that pressure every day of people looking at ... Read the full article

As 34th birthday nears, Sabres’ Kyle Okposo having remarkable season

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo’s ability to remain an impactful NHL player in his mid-30s can be traced to his willingness to keep reinventing himself and evolving.

Two seasons ago, after battling a string of scary concussions, he revived his career by embracing a new checking role and thriving in it. That comeback turned out to be a harbinger for this year.

Following an injury-riddled 2020-21 campaign, Okposo might be enjoying his most impressive ... Read the full article

Sabres can’t generate enough energy, lose to Panthers: ‘Didn’t have … jump’

BUFFALO – During Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss, coach Don Granato said he heard very little chatter on the bench, an indicator the Sabres, two days removed from an emotional victory, did not feel fresh.

“Entirety of the game, we just couldn’t get the emotional energy,” Granato said after a 5-3 setback to the Florida Panthers ended the Sabres’ eight-game point streak. “It was low. I give our guys some credit for trying to find it ... Read the full article

Energy from crowd on Rick Jeanneret’s night gave Sabres ‘chills’

BUFFALO – In the third period of Friday’s emotional win, as the raucous capacity crowd celebrating Rick Jeanneret and the upstart Sabres began doing the wave, winger Kyle Okposo said he saw his teammates looking around and soaking up the excitement.

“Guys got chills,” Okposo said following Saturday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “They hadn’t seen it.”

Then Okposo, a 15-year veteran, turned to center Dylan Cozens, who’s in his second season.... Read the full article

On Rick Jeanneret’s night, Sabres ride wave of emotion, beat Predators

BUFFALO – It felt like it was 1999 or 2006 again. A chance to honor Rick Jeanneret filled KeyBank Center for the first time this season, and crowd started buzzing long before the legendary Sabres play-by-play man walked on the ice.

Once Jeanneret’s banner raising ceremony started Friday, one of the most emotional nights in the building’s 26-year history got underway.

The capacity crowd roared for Jeanneret, giving him a prolonged standing ovation and chanting ... Read the full article

Memories of listening to Rick Jeanneret special for Sabres’ Alex Tuch

BUFFALO – When Sabres winger Alex Tuch met legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret earlier this season, he knew his father, Carl, would be jealous.

The Tuchs, proud Sabres fans from Baldwinsville, watched a lot of games together back in the day, and Jeanneret is a big deal to them.

“I told him that my dad was really jealous when I got to meet him one of my first games here,” Tuch said of Jeanneret, who ... Read the full article

Despite shootout loss to Jets, Sabres enjoy best month in years

BUFFALO – Forget that the Sabres blew two leads Wednesday. Forget that they lost a 3-2 shootout to the Winnipeg Jets. Forget that they’ve dropped three of their last four games.

The Sabres just ended their most successful and significant month in years, finishing March 8-3-3. They’ve earned at least one point in seven consecutive outings, their longest stretch since their 10-game winning streak in November 2018.

Every team they faced in March was either ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Asplund learning rigors of NHL, grateful for Don Granato’s belief

BUFFALO – The grind of an unforgiving seventh-month, 82-game NHL season has at times been difficult for Sabres winger Rasmus Asplund to handle.

Asplund, 24, said he felt tired, mentally and physically, when he hit the 30-game mark. He has also had trouble adjusting to time changes during road trips and playing back-to-back contests.

So the Swede said his first full NHL season – he played 28 games last year and 29 times in 2019-20... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Mattias Samuelsson injured, likely out against Jets

BUFFALO – An undisclosed injury will likely keep Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson out of tonight’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, coach Don Granato said.

“He’s day-to-day,” Granato said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “He could be potential for tonight, but I don’t expect him tonight.”

The rookie did not skate this morning.

Update: Samuelsson is out tonight.

Granato said Samuelsson played through the injury and finished Monday’s 6-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Defenseman Mark ... Read the full article