WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Post-Deadline Edition
Jack Quinn scores his third goal in Tuesday’s win. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – To coach Lindy Ruff, the Sabres’ long win streaks this season – for the first time in franchise history, they have two of at least eight games – illustrate the high level of consistency they’ve showcased over a torrid three-month stretch.
“That’s the reason you can win that number of games,” Ruff said after Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks in noisy KeyBank Center pushed their latest run to eight games.... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen defended Rasmus Dahlin on Sunday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In a game he called the craziest of his life, as chaos enveloped around his crease and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored seven times, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen tried to forget about the score and simply focus on making the next save.
“At a certain point, you just have to think about, ‘We can win this game,’ and give the team a chance to kind of keep the score close and try to ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin fights Darren Raddysh early in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay Lightning. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Early in the second period of the most intense, meaningful and entertaining Sabres game in close to a generation, Brandon Hagel began bullying captain Rasmus Dahlin in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning net.
At that point in Sunday’s thrilling 8-7 come-from-behind win, which moved the Sabres past the Lightning into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division, the rivals had already fought five times and amassed 92 penalty minutes.
In ... Read the full article
Colton Parayko won the Stanley Cup in 2019. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
PITTSBURGH – Having ascended to the the ranks of the NHL’s elite, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves in the rare position of buying as Friday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches.
Since Dec. 9, they’ve won 25 of their 32 games, earning an NHL-high 52 points and establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the crowded and ultra-competitive Eastern Conference.
If they beat the Penguins tonight at PPG Paints Arena and the Tampa Bay Lightning lose ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.
BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.
Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.
The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
On most nights, that ... Read the full article
Michael Kesselring sat out Tuesday’s game. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.
Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.
In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article
Josh Norris has missed the last 11 games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres center Josh Norris won’t return to the lineup before the Olympic break.
Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that Norris, who has missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury, will sit out tonight’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Norris began practicing again last week.... Read the full article
Zach Metsa began the season in Rochester. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – Zach Metsa’s first tour around the NHL has given him a special opportunity to visit come of hockey’s most hallowed rinks and soak in each unique experience.
“I’ve been fired up for it,” the Buffalo Sabres rookie told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs. “I’m lucky.”
Metsa, 27, made his big league debut in Montreal’s Bell Centre and earlier this month played his first game at New York’s ... Read the full article
Josh Doan has enjoyed a breakout season. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – Skill is just one part of Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan’s repertoire and why he earned a long-term contract extension during his breakout season.
At 23, barely 100 games into his NHL career, Doan possesses maturity that belies his age and limited experience.
“I think character sets him apart,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Thursday, a day after Doan signed a seven-year, $48.75 million extension. “His work ethic, he comes to ... Read the full article
Michael Kesselring has played just 17 times this season. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said it three times.
“I’m starving,” he said this afternoon following the Sabres’ pregame skate in the Bell Centre. “I’m starving. I’m starving.”
The oft-injured Kesselring, having played just 17 games this season, is starving for some action and to make an impact. More than three months into his first campaign with Buffalo, he’s starving to simply record his first point.
Following a two-game absence, Kesselring, 25, could ... Read the full article