Hagel - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Beck Malenstyn adding offense; Buffalo makes change on defense

BUFFALO – In their exit meeting last season, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff challenged Beck Malenstyn to convert more of the offensive opportunities his role as a heavy presence on the fourth line offered him.

Ruff told the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Malenstyn he saw about seven or eight opportunities “that were like, ‘Hey, you really need to execute that.’”

Showcasing subtle finish around the net or putting a softer touch on a pass would help him finish ... Read the full article

Sabres to make lineup change against Lightning

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres have a deep roster – 26 healthy bodies, to be exact – meaning a whopping six players must be scratched each game.

Coach Lindy Ruff has tried to keep the extras involved, moving guys in and out. Still, two players – defensemen Luke Schenn and Michael Kesselring – have recently sat out for weeks.

Tonight, Schenn, who arrived March 6 in trade with the Winnipeg Jets, is expected to ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen battles through chaos to earn win

BUFFALO – In a game he called the craziest of his life, as chaos enveloped around his crease and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored seven times, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen tried to forget about the score and simply focus on making the next save.

“At a certain point, you just have to think about, ‘We can win this game,’ and give the team a chance to kind of keep the score close and try to ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Logan Stanley displaying offensive growth; Brandon Hagel fined for punches

BUFFALO – The nine and 21 attached to Sabres newcomer Logan Stanley’s stat line this season jump right off the page.

After registering just one goal in each of his first five NHL campaigns, the 6-foot-7, 231-pound defenseman has already scored nine times. He had never surpassed the 14-point mark before recording 21 points in 59 games for the Winnipeg Jets.

Of course, Stanley, who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets before Friday’s trade deadline, ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres win fight-filled thriller over Lightning, move into first place: ‘I’m so fired up’

BUFFALO – Early in the second period of the most intense, meaningful and entertaining Sabres game in close to a generation, Brandon Hagel began bullying captain Rasmus Dahlin in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning net.

At that point in Sunday’s thrilling 8-7 come-from-behind win, which moved the Sabres past the Lightning into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division, the rivals had already fought five times and amassed 92 penalty minutes.

In ... Read the full article

Sabres start fast, beat Lightning in OT: ‘They earned it’

BUFFALO – For more than half of Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win, it felt like the Sabres might throttle the Tampa Bay Lightning and cruise to their first victory this season.

In opening up a 2-0 lead by the 15:28 mark, the Sabres had the Lightning on the ropes. But they let their Atlantic Division rival hang around, and the struggling heavyweight tied it with seven seconds left in regulation.

In the end, center Dylan Cozens’ ... Read the full article

Sabres implode late, fall to Lightning in OT: ‘We backed off’

BUFFALO – With less than six minutes left in Monday’s 6-5 overtime loss, winger Jeff Skinner grabbed the puck near the goal line and beat goalie Brian Elliott short side, giving the Sabres what felt like a commanding two-goal lead.

After falling behind 2-0 early to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Sabres roared back, tying the game before the first period ended and grabbing a second-period lead. When Brayden Point’s second-power play-goal knotted the game ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Former Buffalo prospect Brandon Hagel thriving with Lightning

BUFFALO – Over the past 10 years, five prospects the Sabres drafted in the sixth round or later have played NHL games. Just three have earned regular duty.

Winger Victor Olofsson has scored 11 goals for the Sabres this season, a total that trails only center Tage Thompson’s 13. Goalie Linus Ullmark, who departed Buffalo in 2021, has a stunning 13-1-0 record for the Boston Bruins.

The other? Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel, ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson embrace role as Sabres’ shutdown defenders

BUFFALO – At least 20 times tonight, Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson will hop over the boards together and be charged with trying to neutralize Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov and his linemates.

How stiff of a challenge will the Sabres’ top duo have? Well, Kucherov, who has been skating with center Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel, has registered 31 points this season, the NHL’s fifth-highest total. The Russian winger has ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin embraces spotlight, won’t acknowledge future with Sabres

BUFFALO – About 40 media members, including 20 cameramen, swarmed around Rasmus Dahlin, the presumptive first overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft.

Many youngsters might’ve showcased some nerves in the spotlight answering question after question. Dahlin, less than two months removed from his 18th birthday, reveled in all the attention Friday inside HarborCenter.

Dahlin, believe it or not, said he “loves” dealing with the media.... Read the full article