Housley - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Nathan Beaulieu returns feeling confident

BUFFALO – The sample size was small – just seven games before Nathan Beaulieu left the Sabres lineup. Still, in the first two weeks of 2018-19, the defenseman looked rejuvenated following a miserable season, showcasing a much calmer style.

“When I was playing, I thought I was playing with a lot more confidence,” Beaulieu said prior to returning for Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames. “I wasn’t really worried about making mistakes. I ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Rasmus Dahlin has new partner; Tage Thompson to play again

BUFFALO – If you’re counting, Sabres veteran Rasmus Ristolainen will become rookie Rasmus Dahlin’s third defense partner in just his 12th NHL appearance.

Dahlin, 18, started with Jake McCabe before moving beside Casey Nelson, acquitting himself well with both.

So why move Dahlin for tonight’s tilt against the Calgary Flames? Wouldn’t some stability benefit the first overall pick?

Sabres coach Phil Housley said he partnered Dahlin with Ristolainen to give the talented neophyte “more of ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo producing offense with limited minutes

BUFFALO – In his 12-year career, Kyle Okposo has never played so little over a four-game stretch. The Sabres winger hasn’t even cracked the 12-minute mark.

Okposo, 30, received more minutes as a teenage rookie in 2007-08 and in 2012-13, when he struggled so badly he scored just four goals in the lockout-shortened season.

Of course, Okposo’s recent ice time hasn’t hurt his production. In fact, he’s producing more.

Despite averaging only 11 minutes, 13 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jake McCabe day-to-day with upper-body injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe is day-to-day after suffering an upper-body injury in Saturday’s 5-4 overtime road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, coach Phil Housley said.

With McCabe absent from this morning’s practice inside HarborCenter, rookie defenseman Rasmus Dahlin skated in his spot beside Rasmus Ristolainen.

Housley said McCabe’s status for Tuesday’s home tilt against the Calgary Flames won’t be decided until later.... Read the full article

Sabres aim to extend winning streak to four games

BUFFALO – It has been a really long time since the Sabres won four consecutive games. Exactly how long? Try December 2014.

Back then, in the midst of a wretched 23-win, 54-point season, the Sabres suddenly emerged, rattling off four straight victories from Dec. 9 to 15.

Incredibly, the Sabres earned 17 percent of their 2014-15 win total over a seven-day stretch. Shortly after the hot streak, they lost 14 consecutive games in regulation, cementing ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back, beat Canadiens

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, the Sabres would’ve wilted in a game like Thursday’s wild 4-3 comeback victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

The upstart Sabres fell behind by one goal three times, including just 77 seconds into the tilt and again early in the third period. Each time, however, they rallied, refusing to deviate from their game plan.

“You just stay calm, composed, collected and good things happen,” said winger Kyle Okposo, whose power-play ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart looking better beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart began Thursday’s 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens enjoying the best nine-game start of his career.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hadn’t exactly experienced a rollicking October before his first goal this season tied Thursday’s contest at 13:07 into the third period. So far, he has six points.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 games, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart generating more offense beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, this is the best start of Sam Reinhart’s career. In his first nine outings of a season, the Sabres winger had never hit the five-point mark.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hasn’t exactly enjoyed a rollicking October. He has zero goals and five assists entering tonight’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 ... Read the full article

‘Little pest’ Jeff Skinner scoring, feeling comfortable with Sabres

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres newcomer Jeff Skinner annoyed defenseman Jake McCabe.

Skinner constantly hounds the puck, forechecking and backchecking ferociously. The shifty winger often escapes defenders who believe they have him stymied.

When the diminutive Skinner grabs the puck, you can be sure he will beeline to the net. And after the whistle, the three-time 30-goal scorer loves talking a little trash.

“He’s just a little pest,” McCabe said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “Yeah, ... Read the full article

Sabres must showcase speed against upstart Canadiens

BUFFALO – Early in this morning’s practice, the Sabres’ first full session since winning two road games over the weekend, coach Phil Housley did not like his team’s pace.

So Housley, who rarely raises his voice, briefly ripped into the Sabres as they prepared for Thursday’s home tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

“We’re too (expletive) slow right now!” Housley shouted on the HarborCenter ice. “We got to attack with speed!”... Read the full article