Jokiharju - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson can use 4 Nations for extra Olympic motivation

BUFFALO – Four days after Team Sweden finished its run at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin was still feeling the sting of his country’s third-place finish.

The Swedes played well throughout the ultra-competitive tournament, losing twice in overtime and beating Team USA. Still, that offered Dahlin little consolation when he tuned into Thursday’s final between the US and Team Canada, a memorable game the Canadians won 3-2 in overtime.

“It was tough ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen rejoins Sabres early; Tage Thompson added to Team USA at 4 Nations

BUFFALO – Instead of taking a day off he earned, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got back on the ice Wednesday, rejoining practice a day early following his return from the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“UPL was a surprise guest,” coach Lindy Ruff joked following the Sabres’ 70-minute practice in KeyBank Center.

Luukkonen, 25, served as Team Finland’s third goalie, watching games from the press box as Jusse Saros and Kevin Lankinen handled the netminding duties.

He ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson set to play after breaking bone in foot

BUFFALO – In his last outing on Feb. 2, Mattias Samuelsson blocked a shot, something he has done 55 times this season. This time, however, the puck hit the oft-injured Sabres defenseman in just the right spot, breaking a bone in his foot.

“So the foot just blew up,” Samuelsson said following Tuesday’s practice in KeyBank Center, his first session since going down. “I couldn’t really put it in my skate.”

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson ... Read the full article

Sabres eke out win over Devils, don’t go after Stefan Noesen following illegal hit on Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cut off a reporter, refusing to let him finish the question.

“Bull(crap). Bull(crap),” an agitated Ruff interjected when asked about the perception his team did not respond properly Sunday afternoon when New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen hit leading scorer Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win. “Let’s go. Next question.”

Ruff said Thompson, who scored one goal and three points as the ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson heating up after position change, feeling healthier

BUFFALO – Sabres star Tage Thompson’s recent exploits illustrate he must be feeling a heck of a lot better these days.

To wit: in Monday’s 4-3 shootout win, his one-timer that beat goalie Charlie Lindgren was clocked at 103.7 mph, the hardest shot that resulted in a goal since NHL Edge began its tracking in 2021-22.

Thompson, 27, pumped six shots on goal and played a season-high 23 minutes, 48 seconds against the Washington Capitals, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan McLeod looking for goals, linemates; Buffalo changes lineup

BUFFALO – For weeks, Sabres forward Ryan McLeod has moved around the lineup, skating on scoring lines and checking trios and playing center or even occasionally the wing.

McLeod, who displayed strong chemistry pivoting Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker on the third line earlier in the season, hasn’t found a fit.

Greenway is recovering from surgery to repair a mid-body injury and has missed the last 10 games and 22 of the past 26 contests. ... Read the full article

Nifty goal illustrates Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich becoming two-way player

BUFFALO – The genesis of Sabres center Jiri Kulich’s second goal in Monday’s 7-1 win illustrates how much the rookie has matured over the past three months.

The Czech, 20, put the finishing touches on the Sabres’ first victory in one month by utilizing his lethal shot to beat New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin from the left circle.

But 10 seconds earlier in his own zone, Kulich knocked the puck away from Mat Barzal ... Read the full article

Sabres scratch Rasmus Dahlin following return from injury

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin’s absence from Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Bruins was planned, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Boston following Buffalo’s 13th consecutive defeat.

Dahlin returned Friday after missing seven games because of back spasms, skating 27 minutes, 33 seconds in the Sabres’ 6-3 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While the Sabres leaned on their top defenseman heavily – he played his second-highest total this season – they apparently want to ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wants Zach Benson to take fewer penalties

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reshuffled his lines earlier this week, he awarded winger Zach Benson a plum assignment alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

Barely six minutes into Tuesday’s 6-1 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens, his second game on the line, Benson, 19, was whistled for holding.

“He was going to be in that top line,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in KeyBank Center. “As soon as he took a ... Read the full article

Sabres to make lineup changes; Devon Levi ‘could be an option’ for Bruins

BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan McLeod, who has an undisclosed injury, participated in this morning’s optional skate and will be a game-time decision tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Lindy Ruff.

McLeod missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance.

The Sabres, who own an 11-game winless streak (0-8-3), will receive some much-needed help tonight, as captain Rasmus Dahlin is ready to play. Their top defenseman missed eight games battling back spasms.... Read the full article