Jokiharju - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Peyton Krebs thriving in first playoff action; Josh Norris misses another game

BUFFALO – As he rounded out his game, developing into a versatile, high-octane presence, Sabres winger Peyton Krebs wanted to tailor his style to meet the rigors of playoff hockey.

“That’s what I try to base my game off, you know?” Krebs told the Times Herald on Tuesday prior to Game 5 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins. “Compete, grit, get in battles, make plays under high pressure.”

Those qualities have ... Read the full article

Former Sabres found new jobs as free agents this offseason

A year ago, Jeff Skinner lasted less than a day on the open market after the Buffalo Sabres bought out the final three seasons of his eight-year, $72 million contract.

The Edmonton Oilers believed he could play alongside superstars Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, so they quickly signed the winger to a one-year, $3 million deal.

In late December, the Oilers scratched Skinner for the first time, and he sat out all but five of ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Sunday on Boston goalie Joonas Korpisalo.

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores hat trick in win over Bruins, aims for 50 goals

BUFFALO – Just like that, a 50-goal season might be attainable for scorching Sabres winger Tage Thompson. Six games are left. After scoring three times in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins, he has 43 goals.

Is it likely he will become the first Sabres player to score 50 goals in 32 years? No, but the prestigious mark is certainly within reach.

Right now, Thompson is the NHL’s hottest scorer, having registered eight goals ... Read the full article

Sabres land Erik Brannstrom in trade with Rangers, deal Henri Jokiharju

The Sabres made another trade before the 3 p.m. deadline, dealing winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has been playing for the Rochester Americans, to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Erik Brannstrom.

Brannstrom, 25, spent his brief tenure in the Rangers organization playing with the Hartford Wolf Pack, their AHL affiliate.

Incredibly, this is the third time he has been traded this season.... Read the full article

As trade deadline approaches, Sabres must make difficult roster decisions

BUFFALO – It’s over for this edition of Sabres. The same group of young talent that appeared to be on the precipice of something special two years ago will almost certainly be broken up in the coming days and months.

Expect some moves, possibly minor ones, to be made prior to Friday’s trade deadline. The last-place Sabres, after all, have players set to become unrestricted free agents following the season.

Significant deals, of course, usually ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson plays after sitting as healthy scratch

BUFFALO – After becoming a healthy scratch and recovering from a lower-body injury, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson seemed to recapture some of his old form and solidify a regular spot.

Well, Samuelsson, 24, briefly fell out of the lineup again.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reinserted him for Tuesday’s 6-2 setback to the San Jose Sharks after scratching him for Monday’s 4-3 overtime road loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

To create a spot, the Sabres scratched ... Read the full article

‘Brutal’ play late in second period costs Sabres in loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – In the waning seconds of Saturday’s second period, with skaters at four per side following coincidental minors, the Sabres went into penalty-mode killing mode.

The Sabres looked timid as the Montreal Canadiens passed the puck around their zone, acting as if the visitors had a power play.

As the final seconds ticked down, Montreal defenseman Mike Matheson skated from the point into the right circle in front of Sabres winger Alex Tuch.

Instead ... Read the full article

As trade deadline nears, Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju shaking off struggles

BUFFALO – In his seven-year NHL career, Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju has scored 19 goals, none prettier than Tuesday’s game winner.

As he carried the puck to the bottom of the right circle almost halfway through the third period, Jokiharju said he did not see Anaheim Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal was offering him a few inches above his left shoulder.

Jokiharju, whose Sabres play a road game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, said he was ... Read the full article

Sabres showcase maturity, roar back to beat Ducks: ‘You see the change’

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, a game like Tuesday’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Anaheim Ducks would’ve been a four-goal loss, Sabres winger Alex Tuch said.

By the third period, when the Sabres began roaring back from a 2-0 deficit, they would’ve been toast, having wilted earlier in the contest.

But they’ve matured over the last few months. Perhaps it’s too late to help them this season.

Even after earning their sixth win straight ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Quinn winning more battles, scoring goals

BUFFALO – These days, Sabres winger Jack Quinn is winning a heck of a lot more battles than just a few months ago when he struggled so badly he fell out of the lineup.

In turn, he has the puck more often and the ability to showcase his talent.

Quinn, 23, has transformed his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame a bit during his trying season, adding strength. So far, it has paid dividends.

“It’s that a little ... Read the full article