Krueger - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Eichel’s dynamic four-goal game ends Sabres’ losing streak

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel, of course, had scored four goals in a game before his dynamic, career-best performance in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres captain just can’t remember the last time he did it.

“I don’t honestly know,” Eichel said after the Sabres ended their six game-losing streak.

Eichel, 23, said he never scored four goals with Boston University or the U.S. National Team Development Program, his stops before the NHL.... Read the full article

NHL debut will be emotional for Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund

BUFFALO – Rasmus Asplund knows it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check today. Not only is the Sabres center set to make his NHL debut, it’s also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at KeyBank Center.

“Cancer is something that’s close to my heart,” Asplund said this morning after the Sabres prepared for the Ottawa Senators.

Both of Asplund’s grandparents on his father’s side passed away from cancer.

“It’s going to be hard,” said ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jimmy Vesey happy with ‘reliable’ game despite lack of offense

BUFFALO – Throughout his first 15 outings this season, winger Jimmy Vesey has embraced whatever role the Sabres have cast him in.

Vesey, 26, has spent the bulk of his ice time skating beside center Casey Mittelstadt and killing penalties. That regular spot on a scoring line hasn’t materialized.

“Jimmy coming in here didn’t have a lot of expectations about his role, which is really positive,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

But Vesey probably expected ... Read the full article

Sabres summon Rasmus Asplund; Johan Larsson ‘possibility’ for Saturday

BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent center Rasmus Asplund to the Rochester Americans following an impressive training camp, it felt like he would return to the NHL soon.

Asplund, 21, turned heads during the preseason, earning a long look from the Sabres. The Swedish prospect figured to be in line for his first recall.

Sure enough, with center Johan Larsson nursing an upper-body injury, the Sabres summoned Asplund this morning.

Larsson is day-to-day, according to ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back against Hurricanes, lose game and cool

BUFFALO – Maybe Thursday’s 5-4 overtime loss, a rollicking game in which the Sabres roared back multiple times, can help them recapture some of their early-season form.

The Sabres looked dead at several points, including with 3:54 left, when winger Andrei Svechnikov’s power-play goal restored the Carolina Hurricanes’ lead after they had blown a 3-1 advantage.

Instead of wilting, the Sabres scored with 40.1 seconds left, getting the tying goal from center Johan Larsson.

While ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Marco Scandella’s return makes Colin Miller healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Colin Miller’s stint in the press box likely won’t last long. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Sabres defenseman returns to the lineup Saturday.

But Marco Scandella’s return from a lower-body injury Thursday forced Sabres coach Ralph Krueger to make a tough decision and sit out a regular defenseman.

Miller was the odd man out against for the 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Right now, the Sabres have eight healthy defensemen. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Johansson to miss at least next three games

BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline Sabres center Marcus Johansson through the weekend, coach Ralph Krueger said this morning.

So in addition to missing tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Johansson will be out Saturday versus the Ottawa Senators and Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“We think it’s better to give him a few days here to rehab so we’re not planning with him for the three games,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank ... Read the full article

Return from hip surgery makes Sabres’ Zach Bogosian emotional, excited

BUFFALO – Zach Bogosian couldn’t find the words to describe what he has experienced recovering from his second hip surgery.

Injuries have ravaged the Sabres defenseman throughout his five years here, costing him a whopping 148 games.

After undergoing surgery in April – Bogosian had his other hip repaired in early 2018 – he endured setbacks. A recovery expected to take about five or six months has lasted around eight.

Finally, Bogosian, 29, joined ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Curtis Lazar enjoys short trip to Buffalo

BUFFALO – The 70- or so mile drive from Rochester to KeyBank Center sure beats trying to get from Stockton, Calif., to Calgary. Just ask Sabres winger Curtis Lazar.

When the Flames would recall Lazar, 24, from the Heat, their AHL affiliate about 1,300 miles away, he would have to fly out of the San Francisco airport.

Stockton is about 83 miles from that airport.

Lazar enjoyed a much easier trip to Buffalo on ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian emotional after return to practice

BUFFALO – Zach Bogosian wasn’t about to let Henri Jokiharju skate by him today, even during a practice drill. So the Sabres defenseman rammed his teammate into the KeyBank Center glass, a move that looked better suited for a game.

“It was just the way the drill was going,” a smiling Bogosian said after practicing for the first time this season. “It was either that or he was going to go by me. That’s probably ... Read the full article