Tage Thompson scored his team-leading 11th goal Monday afternoon before getting injured. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

‘Humbled’ Sabres lose ugly contest to Canadiens, Tage Thompson to injury

BUFFALO – Almost five minutes into Monday afternoon’s ugly 7-5 loss to the Canadiens, Sabres center Tage Thompson grabbed a pass from linemate Alex Tuch inside the Montreal blue line and skated down the left wing.

Thompson cut to the net from the left circle, using one hand to fend off Canadiens star Cole Caufield and the other to guide the puck. When he reached the crease, Thompson, who later left the game injured, scored ... Read the full article

Zach Benson (right) celebrates his first-period goal Saturday afternoon with Jack Quinn and Dylan Cozens. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Maturing Sabres extend winning streak by beating Flames in shootout

BUFFALO – In the recent past, the Sabres might’ve lost a game like Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 shootout win. They blew an early two-goal lead as the Calgary Flames roared back. They had to kill a penalty just to survive overtime.

“I’ve used the phrase, ‘You’ve got to be comfortable being uncomfortable,’” coach Lindy Ruff said following the Sabres’ third consecutive victory. “The game got uncomfortable, and you have to trust how you’re playing.”

That trust ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson might have to wait to play again. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson must ‘raise the standard’ after healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson knew it could happen. The Sabres defenseman has struggled from the get-go this season, losing ice time under new coach Lindy Ruff.

Still, he figured he would be playing Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as the Sabres tried to end their three-game losing streak.

“I wouldn’t say it was a complete shock, but no, I didn’t expect it yesterday,” Samuelsson said of being a healthy scratch for the Sabres’ 5-1 win... Read the full article

Bowen Byram celebrates one of his goals Tuesday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres raise standard, defeat Senators; Henri Jokiharju, Mattias Samuelsson scratched

BUFFALO – Hours before the Sabres ended their three-game losing streak Tuesday by shellacking the Ottawa Senators 5-1, coach Lindy Ruff demanded more of his goalies, saying his team needed bigger saves at critical times.

Ruff wasn’t pinning the Sabres’ recent struggles on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. In the same breath, said he needed his scorers to finish. He has been asking more of everyone as he tries to raise the Sabres’ standard.

But ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson has struggled this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres scratch Henri Jokiharju, Mattias Samuelsson against Senators

BUFFALO – The struggling Sabres shook up their lineup for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators by scratching defensemen Henri Jokiharju and Mattias Samuelsson.

Both players participated in the team’s optional morning skate in KeyBank Center and are believed to be healthy.

This marks the second straight game coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres have a three-game losing streak, has scratched at least one regular defenseman. He benched Connor Clifton for Saturday’s 2-1 road loss to ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson (center) and his Buffalo teammates celebrate his goal Saturday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres start scoring, beat Panthers for first win: ‘A stress-reliever’

BUFFALO – It felt like things might be turning for the Sabres when late in Saturday’s first period, having just answered the Florida Panthers and tied the game, center Tage Thompson roared down the right wing and unleashed the puck toward the net.

During the Sabres’ three season-opening losses, the opposing goalie would’ve stopped a shot like that. This time, however, they enjoyed a little puck luck that had been non-existent.

Panthers goalie Spencer Knight, ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin was injured Wednesday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres preseason: Ryan McLeod set to debut; Rasmus Dahlin skates again

BUFFALO – Two exhibition games, two regular-season lineups.

The Sabres will mostly utilize their top players again for this afternoon’s preseason contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets in KeyBank Center. They dressed most of their NHL talent for Saturday’s 7-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game in which JJ Peterka scored three goals.

The complete lineup is below. Three notable offseason acquisitions – center Ryan McLeod, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and winger Jason Zucker – ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka (77) skates to the bench after scoring Saturday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

JJ Peterka scores hat trick, shows star qualities as Sabres throttle Penguins

BUFFALO – Let’s temper any excitement over the Sabres’ 7-3 win and winger JJ Peterka’s hat trick in Saturday’s preseason opener by noting the Pittsburgh Penguins brought their B or C squad to KeyBank Center.

The Sabres, meanwhile, dressed what resembled a regular-season lineup featuring perhaps their top two lines and No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

An emphatic victory was almost expected. Following a slow start, the Sabres began annihilating the visitors, scoring five times ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start tonight. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres preseason: Buffalo to dress most of regulars, give Jiri Kulich first chance

BUFFALO – When coach Lindy Ruff said most of the Sabres’ regulars would dress for the preseason opener, he wasn’t kidding.

Tonight’s roster resembles a regular-season lineup, with perhaps the entire first and second lines playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center.

Assistant coach Seth Appert said No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start and go the distance.

While the lineup mostly features established talent, rookie winger Jiri Kulich will receive his first action ... Read the full article

Henri Jokiharju led Buffalo in plus-minus last season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

After strong campaign, Sabres re-sign Henri Jokiharju to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday re-signed defenseman Henri Jokiharju to a one-year, $3.1 million contract.

Jokiharju, 25, can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Sabres now have three unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, center Peyton Krebs and winger Beck Malenstyn.

Luukkonen and Malenstyn on Friday filed for salary arbitration. If a player files, a contract can still be worked out. Hearings run from July 20 to Aug. 4.... Read the full article