Greenway - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Dylan Cozens scores early, but mistakes doom Sabres in loss to Islanders

BUFFALO – The New York Islanders limped into town in a tailspin, having lost three straight games and scored just one goal in their last eight periods. They departed Friday filled with confidence after handing the Sabres a troubling 4-3 defeat.

Following two season-opening losses, the Sabres had found a groove, compiling a 4-2-1 mark in their next seven games. Sure, they hardly set the NHL on fire, but in these parts, a record like ... Read the full article

Sabres hope shifting struggling Dylan Cozens to wing can ignite him

BUFFALO – History says Dylan Cozens’ position change will be temporary. Shifting him from center to right wing is a slump-busting move by Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.

Centers, of course, are always at a premium and Cozens, 23, has been entrenched as the Sabres’ second-line pivot for years. It’s just that 10 games into the season, having scored zero goals, he’s in a rut.

Ruff needs to ignite the Yukon native, so in Thursday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nicolas Aube-Kubel close to playing; Zach Benson out injured

BUFFALO – After winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel suffered a lower-body injury, believed to be a knee sprain, in the season opener Oct. 4, the Sabres said he would be sidelined three to six weeks.

On Tuesday morning, 18 days after going down, Aube-Kubel rejoined his teammates on the KeyBank Center ice prior to their 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars.

“I’m actually shocked,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “I’m really impressed that he’s back.”

Aube-Kubel, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan McLeod scoring, earning trust from Lindy Ruff after trade

BUFFALO – This isn’t the hottest stretch of Ryan McLeod’s career. No, 10 months ago as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, the Sabres newcomer scored four times and compiled six points during a three-game goal streak.

Following a pointless night, he registered one goal and two points in his next outing.

Right now, McLeod has scored one goal in each of the last three games entering tonight’s contest against the Dallas Stars at ... Read the full article

Sabres blow leads as Sidney Crosby and Penguins spoil JJ Peterka’s return

PITTSBURGH – Where do you start with this one? The Buffalo Sabres blew an early two-goal lead before roaring back late to go up again after superstar Evgeni Malkin’s 500th goal put the Penguins ahead and seemingly seized all the momentum.

In the end, the Sabres earned one point for Wednesday’s wildly entertaining 6-5 overtime loss in PPG Paints Arena.

Still, the setback surely stings. The Sabres led 2-0 led by the 2:08 mark, 3-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jordan Greenway becoming big asset: ‘An incredibly smart player’

PITTSBURGH – Early in Saturday’s 5-2 win, Buffalo Sabres winger Jordan Greenway spotted 30-goal scorer Carter Verhaeghe on his radar and leveled him, knocking off his helmet before he fell to the ice.

Later in the first period against the Florida Panthers, Greenway grabbed a loose puck at the net and backhanded it under the crossbar, tying the game at 1.

Overall, he enjoyed perhaps the finest of his 88 outings with the Sabres, playing ... Read the full article

Sabres start scoring, beat Panthers for first win: ‘A stress-reliever’

BUFFALO – It felt like things might be turning for the Sabres when late in Saturday’s first period, having just answered the Florida Panthers and tied the game, center Tage Thompson roared down the right wing and unleashed the puck toward the net.

During the Sabres’ three season-opening losses, the opposing goalie would’ve stopped a shot like that. This time, however, they enjoyed a little puck luck that had been non-existent.

Panthers goalie Spencer Knight, ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka could return from injury next week; Devon Levi to start for Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff expects winger JJ Peterka to return from his concussion for Wednesday’s road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Peterka skated in the Sabres’ optional this morning as they prepared for tonight’s game against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. He will miss his second straight contest.

The German suffered a concussion when New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon hit him in the head early in last Saturday’s 3-1 loss.... Read the full article

As Sabres stumble out of gate, veteran Jason Zucker’s experience can help

BUFFALO – Right now, as the Sabres try to avoid losing their first four games and a full-blown crisis, they might be wise to lean on veteran newcomer Jason Zucker a bit.

Having played 700 NHL games – he reached the milestone in Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings – the winger has experienced a lot over the years.

“Games played in this league is always a great thing, kind of shows longevity,” ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Ryan McLeod set to debut; Rasmus Dahlin skates again

BUFFALO – Two exhibition games, two regular-season lineups.

The Sabres will mostly utilize their top players again for this afternoon’s preseason contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets in KeyBank Center. They dressed most of their NHL talent for Saturday’s 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game in which JJ Peterka scored three goals.

The complete lineup is below. Three notable offseason acquisitions – center Ryan McLeod, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and winger Jason Zucker – ... Read the full article