Housley - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Matt Moulson positive through tough stretch

BUFFALO – Long before practice begins most days, Sabres winger Matt Moulson can be found on the ice, smiling and shooting pucks or working on something else.

Instead of pouting over becoming a healthy scratch, Moulson, 34, has tried to quietly go about his business.

“It (stinks),” Moulson said of sitting out. “I think it’s not fun when you’re not playing, not helping contribute in games, it’s a tough position. You got a couple choices ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson to return against Lightning

BUFFALO – When you’ve lost 18 of your 24 games like the Sabres have this season, including eight of the last nine, you keep trying different things.

So veteran winger Matt Moulson, a healthy scratch the last six games, will return tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“We sit where we are, we’re going to continue to make changes,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges moving in and out of lineup

BUFFALO – The past two months have been difficult for Josh Gorges. The Sabres defenseman last sat out games 11 years ago, his second NHL season. The uncertainty that accompanies being a healthy scratch has taken its toll on the proud veteran.

“The adjustment is just trying to keep your mind right,” Gorges said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “Every day you don’t know if you’re in or out of the lineup, so that can ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jacob Josefson out 4 to 6 weeks; Seth Griffith sent to Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jacob Josefson is out four to six weeks after tweaking the ankle that recently sidelined him, coach Phil Housley said. Winger Seth Griffith, meanwhile, cleared waivers today and was assigned to the AHL.

So, does that mean a forward will be recalled from the Rochester Americans? Housley said that would be decided Tuesday.

For now, winger Matt Moulson, a healthy scratch the last six games, is slotted to return for ... Read the full article

All-around effort helps Sabres beat Oilers, end losing streak

BUFFALO – By Jack Eichel’s standards, the shot the Sabres center pumped on Edmonton Oilers goalie Laurent Brossoit 43 seconds into the third period of Friday’s 3-1 win was pretty weak.

Eichel possesses a lethal wrist shot, a weapon the Sabres sorely want the slick youngster to utilize more frequently. Of course, plenty of players must develop a shooting mentality.

Following the second period of a victory that ended the Sabres’ seven-game losing streak, coach ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nathan Beaulieu struggling in first weeks with team

BUFFALO – Nathan Beaulieu never envisioned beginning his Sabres career this poorly. Sixteen games into his season, the defenseman has struggled offensively and often looks weak defensively.

So far, Beaulieu, 24, has compiled zero goals, three assists and a minus-7 rating. An upper-body injury also sidelined him seven games.

Beaulieu has played in just two of the Sabres’ six wins.

“I haven’t been satisfied whatsoever,” Beaulieu said prior to Friday’s 3-1 win against the ... Read the full article

Kyle Criscuolo comfortable with Sabres

BUFFALO – For Sabres rookie Kyle Criscuolo, one of his welcome-to-the-NHL moments came during his second shift last Friday in Detroit, when he took a faceoff against Red Wings star Henrik Zetterberg.

Criscuolo played last season for Detroit’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, so he skated with Zetterberg during training camp practices.

Still, for Criscuolo to line up against Zetterberg in his NHL debut was special.... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres lacking accountability among players

BUFFALO – Jordan Nolan grew up in a winning culture. The Sabres winger won two Stanley Cups in his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.

To Nolan, the Kings’ accountability helped buoy their success. If you made a mistake or needed a push, someone would tell you.

“If I made a mistake in my fifth year, a higher guy was telling me, ‘You need to work harder, you need to get that puck ... Read the full article

Sabres defensemen Zach Bogosian, Rasmus Ristolainen close to playing

BUFFALO – It can be argued no one was more excited about Phil Housley taking over the Sabres than defenseman Zach Bogosian.

Throughout training camp, Bogosian looked refreshed by the coach’s presence. Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman, would finally help Bogosian unleash his potential, right?

Then Bogosian said he “just felt a tweak” in the third period of the preseason finale Sept. 29. The Massena native hasn’t played since suffering the lower-body injury.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jason Pominville, Marco Scandella learned from Wild tenure

BUFFALO – While perhaps a step slower at 34 years old, Sabres winger Jason Pominville still showcases many of the talents that have helped him score 267 goals and once made him an NHL All-Star.

Wednesday against his old team, the Minnesota Wild, Pominville will likely be reunited with center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane. At an age when most players are retired or graying, Pominville is still playing on a top scoring line.... Read the full article