Johnson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Eichel’s nifty goal helps Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Dan Bylsma knows Jack Eichel’s second NHL goal, a scintillating wrist shot from the left circle the rookie center created with some dogged determination and slick moves, will be replayed over and over again.

Three games into his career, Eichel, 18, has already scored a phenomenal goal.

Get used to seeing every last part of it.

“You will see that goal again,” Bylsma said Monday following the Sabres’ 4-2 win against ... Read the full article

Sabres have goaltending options with Robin Lehner out 6-10 weeks

BUFFALO – The news on Robin Lehner, as expected, was bad. A high ankle sprain will sideline the starting goalie six to 10 weeks, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Sunday.

“It’s not a complete surprise to get the results and have that be the timeframe,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center.

So Lehner, who has been wheeling around the rink on a cart with his No. 40 and a Sabres logo, could possibly ... Read the full article

Sabres lose to Lightning, fall to 0-2

BUFFALO – The eye test shows the Sabres have already improved this season. The games are cleaner and more exciting. They often operate as a cohesive unit and carry the play.

Still, the Sabres, who added a new coaching staff and about 10 players during a wild offseason, are a work in progress.

A 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning before 17,739 fans Saturday afternoon inside the First Niagara Center dropped them to 0-2. ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma constantly tinkering with lines

BUFFALO – After some fourth-line duty in the season opener, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma rewarded Jamie McGinn with a plum assignment as the right winger beside rookie center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane early Saturday afternoon.

McGinn, however, didn’t last long on the second line.

Bylsma moved Marcus Foligno up beside Eichel early. Zemgus Girgensons, who practiced with Eichel on Friday, also received some time. So did Tyler Ennis and Sam Reinhart. Then McGinn went ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Nathan Lieuwen; Linus Ullmark to start for Amerks

BUFFALO – With No. 1 goalie Robin Lehner injured, the Sabres have recalled Nathan Lieuwen, 24, from Rochester to back up starter Chad Johnson this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“He won the opportunity with his play in training camp,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said about Lieuwen, who played two preseason games.

Johnson could receive most of the action in the coming days, but the Sabres might use some of their young goalies, too, ... Read the full article

Sabres confident in goalie Chad Johnson

BUFFALO – Considering Chad Johnson is the only healthy goalie on the roster, it can be assumed the backup will start this afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

“Let’s go with that,” Bylsma said sarcastically Friday.

Goaltending was arguably the Sabres’ biggest question mark before new starter Robin Lehner suffered a lower-body injury about halfway through the season opener Thursday.

Now, the Sabres might be forced to lean heavily on ... Read the full article

Sabres turn to goalie Chad Johnson with Robin Lehner out

BUFFALO – For the time being at least, career backup Chad Johnson is the Sabres’ new starting goalie with Robin Lehner sidelined.

Lehner, who was hurt almost midway through Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Ottawa, was evaluated today and will be examined again Saturday. The Sabres will know more then, coach Dan Bylsma said.

As the Sabres practiced this morning inside the First Niagara Center, Lehner, who was wearing a walking boot on his right foot ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel scores in NHL debut

BUFFALO – For the first two periods of his NHL debut, Jack Eichel blended in among the other 10 skaters on the ice. The slick Sabres center looked like, well, a rookie playing against superior competition.

Then suddenly, like he somehow matured over a brief intermission, Eichel, 18, morphed into the best player on the ice late in the Sabres’ 3-1 opening-night loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.

“You didn’t see him skate in ... Read the full article

Sabres plan to use defense by committee

BUFFALO – With zero stars, minute-munchers or big scorers on their blue line right now, the Sabres plan to utilize a defense by committee early this season.

So expect to see ice time spread out evenly. Trying to distinguish between the first and third pairs might be tough.

“We’re going to rely on all six guys,” defenseman Josh Gorges said Thursday prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. “Some nights you’re going ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson confident after tough season

BUFFALO – A season in which he morphed from arguably the NHL’s best backup goalie into one of its least reliable hasn’t shaken Sabres newcomer Chad Johnson’s confidence.

After all, Johnson, 29, landed another good gig prior to the March 2 trade deadline, getting dealt from the upstart New York Islanders to the rebuilding Sabres, who planned to play him regularly.

That was, of course, before Johnson suffered a season-ending ankle injury the morning of ... Read the full article