WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Matt Hunwick has missed 31 games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – On April 1, defenseman Matt Hunwick made his 521st NHL appearance, skating just over 12 minutes in Pittsburgh’s 3-1 loss in Washington.
More than eight months later, Hunwick, 33, hasn’t played another game. That should, however, change tonight for the Sabres newcomer, who has missed the first 31 contests this season recovering from a neck injury.
The Sabres plan to have Hunwick start an AHL rehab assignment with the Rochester Americans, Sabres coach ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark will make his third straight start tonight. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Since goalie Carter Hutton is healthy enough to back up Linus Ullmark tonight against the Los Angeles Kings, the Sabres sent Scott Wedgewood to the AHL this morning.
Hutton, who played 21 times this season, missed Saturday afternoon’s 6-2 loss to Philadelphia.
“He had a really good day yesterday,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “I just want to get him in one more practice before he plays.”... Read the full article
Carter Hutton has missed one game. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – After an upper-body injury forced him to miss Saturday afternoon’s 6-2 home loss to Philadelphia, Sabres goalie Carter Hutton was back practicing this morning inside HarborCenter.
Coach Phil Housley said he “definitely” expects his No. 1 netminder to return this week. The Sabres host Los Angeles on Tuesday and Arizona on Thursday before playing road games Saturday and Sunday.
“It was good to see him back battling,” Housley said inside KeyBank Center. “He ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo felt a game like Saturday afternoon’s coming. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When you rattle off win after win, especially in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion, the euphoria of victory can often overshadow any problems that materialize.
The Sabres morphed into a powerhouse during their recent 10-game winning streak, earning nine one-goal victories and roaring back from late deficits again and again.
Those thrilling wins probably hid some of their deficiencies and allowed other problems to creep into their game.
“We just probably should’ve done a better ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark has played nine games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The No. 2 goalie often plays the second of back-to-back games, meaning the team in front of him isn’t exactly fresh.
Still, in his first season as an NHL backup, Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark has thrived, starting 5-0-3 with a 2.71 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage in nine games.
With No. 1 goalie Carter Hutton day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Ullmark, 25, will start this afternoon’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers ... Read the full article
Matt Tennyson just returned to Rochester. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled goalie Scott Wedgewood and defenseman Matt Tennyson from the Rochester Americans this morning.
Stay tuned for more details. The Sabres practice at 11 a.m.
Goalie Carter Hutton missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance, Sabres coach Phil Housley said.... Read the full article
Casey Nelson was injured Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Defensemen Jake McCabe and Casey Nelson are both week-to-week with upper-body injuries, the Sabres announced this morning.
Coach Phil Housley said McCabe’s injury, originally pegged as day-to-day, is worse than the Sabres originally thought.
McCabe has missed three games since leaving last Thursday’s 5-4 road loss to the Tampa Bay early.... Read the full article
Conor Sheary has missed four games. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Suddenly, the Sabres have a three-game losing streak. Sure, they lost three road contests by one goal. It should also be noted the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators, the NHL’s top two clubs points-wise, beat them.
So the Sabres’ 0-2-1 run – they earned a point in Friday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers – isn’t a normal losing skid.
Still, the Sabres, who have another stiff test tonight against the ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton stops San Jose’s Joe Thornton on Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Considering they endured a seven-year run of futility before their recent resurgence, the Sabres haven’t exactly played a lot of big games lately.
That’s why tonight’s road tilt against the heavyweight Tampa Bay Lightning, which, believe it or not, trails the Sabres for the first time in, umm, a long time, is so meaningful.
The Sabres, who tied a franchise record Tuesday by winning their 10th straight tilt, ranked first in the 31-team ... Read the full article
Nathan Beaulieu beats San Jose goalie Martin Jones on Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Shortly after the Sabres’ 10th straight win, Tuesday’s thrilling 3-2 overtime triumph, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin still seemed in awe of Rasmus Ristolainen’s highlight-reel goal earlier in the night.
“It was one of the coolest goals I’ve ever seen,” Dahlin said after Jeff Skinner’s NHL-best 19th goal helped the Sabres tie the franchise record for most consecutive victories.
Almost 15 minutes into the second period, Ristolainen undressed former Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns down ... Read the full article
