Granato - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Parents of Sabres’ Casey Fitzgerald nervous watching son fight

For 22 anxious seconds Friday, Kerry Fitzgerald watched her son, Casey, a Buffalo Sabres defenseman, trade punches with Sam Lafferty.

Throughout the day, Kerry acknowledged she was a “nervous wreck” waiting for Casey, 24, to make his NHL debut at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. But after the puck dropped against the Penguins, she said it felt like watching any hockey game.

Then about five minutes into the second period, Casey took umbrage with ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson receives ‘good news’ after undergoing MRI

General manager Kevyn Adams said center Tage Thompson, the Buffalo Sabres’ leading goal scorer this season, received “good news” after undergoing an MRI.

“Which we were thankful to hear,” Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday.

Thompson, 24, missed Sunday’s practice with what Sabres coach Don Granato called “soreness.”

If Monday’s contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets hadn’t been postponed because of COVID-19 concerns, Adams said Thompson would’ve been a game-time decision. The Sabres’ ... Read the full article

COVID-19 impacting Sabres; Vinnie Hinostroza placed in protocol

As COVID-19 began tearing through the NHL again earlier this month, the Buffalo Sabres remained relatively unscathed, placing just one player in protocol while continuing their schedule uninterrupted.

But as positive tests skyrocketed throughout the league, game postponements piled up. Team after team was forced to pause its season.

Sooner or later, it felt like the Sabres would be impacted. Sure enough, all three of their games scheduled for this week have been shelved.

Late ... Read the full article

NHL postpones Sabres games versus Blue Jackets due to COVID-19

Tonight’s Buffalo Sabres home game against the Blue Jackets and Thursday’s contest in Columbus have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, the NHL announced late this morning.

Wednesday’s Sabres home game against the Colorado Avalanche was postponed last week, so they’re not scheduled to play again until next Monday versus the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. The Sabres last played Friday in Pittsburgh, losing 3-2 to the Penguins in overtime.

The Blue Jackets ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch to fulfill dream by playing for Sabres: ‘Excited as anybody I’ve seen’

BUFFALO – What makes winger Alex Tuch’s passion for the Sabres so unique is that he possessed it long before the team acquired him Nov. 4.

Tuch, 25, grew up in Baldwinsville, about 150 miles from KeyBank Center, rooting for his beloved Sabres. He attended games, owned jerseys and reveled in their success.

So from the get-go, Tuch, who’s scheduled to make his Sabres debut tonight, fit right in. He feels the same excitement as ... Read the full article

Blue Jackets’ COVID-19 problems could put Monday’s Sabres game in jeopardy

BUFFALO – As the Sabres were wrapping up this morning’s practice, Monday’s opponent, the Columbus Blue Jackets, announced three players had entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

The Blue Jackets canceled today’s practice and plan to fly to Buffalo on Monday after holding their morning skate at Nationwide Arena, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

But if more Blue Jackets players or staff enter protocol, the game at KeyBank Center could be postponed.

Blue Jackets captain ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch set to make Sabres debut; Tage Thompson misses practice

BUFFALO – The date Sabres winger Alex Tuch underwent shoulder surgery is seared in his mind.

“Two days less than five months since surgery,” Tuch said following this morning’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “It’s been a long road.”

That road is about to end. Coach Don Granato said today that Tuch will play his first game with the Sabres, the team he adored growing up in Baldwinsville, on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“He’s ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Malcolm Subban had no idea he made brilliant save

PITTSBURGH – When Sabres goalie Malcolm Subban skated to the bench Friday after making perhaps the most brilliant save in the NHL this season, backup Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen asked him if he stopped the puck with his glove.

Subban, 27, had no idea his penchant for swinging his left arm behind his back, something he called a “bad habit,” resulted in a dynamic stop.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know it happened,” Subban said of his behind-the-back ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Malcolm Subban dazzles in OT loss; Casey Fitzgerald strong in debut

PITTSBURGH – Having spent his entire NHL career as a backup, Sabres goalie Malcolm Subban is conditioned for busy stretches like he experienced early in Friday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Penguins.

Playing second fiddle means often receiving the worst assignments. On Friday, the Sabres completed a back-to-back and closed a dizzying stretch of three road games in four nights. After beating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in a shootout Thursday, they arrived in Pittsburgh at ... Read the full article

Sabres being careful with two players sidelined by non-COVID illness

PITTSBURGH – The concern over the growing number of positive COVID-19 cases forced the NHL on Friday to postpone games involving the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers through Dec. 26.

So Wednesday’s Buffalo Sabres home game against the Avalanche has been shelved. No makeup date has been announced for the Sabres’ first COVID-related postponement this season.

The NHL on Friday also extended the Calgary Flames’ postponements through Thursday.

COVID is tearing through the NHL. The ... Read the full article