Levi - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Special teams doom Sabres in loss to Bruins: ‘Achilles’ heel for us tonight’

BUFFALO – Chew on these ghastly, NHL-worst numbers: the Sabres have allowed a whopping 48 first-period goals and possess a minus-22 goal differential in the opening 20 minutes this season.

In Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Sabres trailed by the 4:19 mark and fell behind 2-0 at 13:42 before the capacity crowd of 19,070 fans in KeyBank Center.

When the Sabres had a four-minute man advantage after going down 1-0, they frittered ... Read the full article

Sabres must make roster move soon

BUFFALO – For the time being, everyone can stay. Twenty-five Sabres players participated in this morning’s skate. Twenty-four are on the active roster.

The Sabres are under the salary cap, so they’ve been able to carry an extra player through the NHL’s holiday roster freeze. But at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, they must reach the 23-man roster limit.

They don’t have make any moves before tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center, their first ... Read the full article

Sabres showcase emphatic response, annihilate Maple Leafs: ‘We took last game really personally’

BUFFALO – In the aftermath of the ugliest defeat of Don Granato’s tenure as Sabres coach, his players defended him more vigorously than they had their opponent that night.

But until they displayed more passion on the ice, showcased the pace and tenacity Granato demands, their words would carry some hollowness.

“We wanted to do more than just say we have his back, we wanted to go out there and prove it, and I think ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres implode in ugly loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We got to find it’

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo spoke firmly following Tuesday’s embarrassing 9-4 loss, the low point of the Kevyn Adams-Don Granato era.

The Sabres, the veteran said, did not quit during an ugly second period in which the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets scored four times and opened up a stunning 7-1 lead.

Moments later, when a question was asked about the Sabres listening to their coaches, an angry Okposo immediately shot it down.

“Listen, I’m ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner, other injured Sabres could play soon

BUFFALO – By the end of the week, the Sabres could have a healthy forward corps for the first time this season.

Winger Jack Quinn, out since tearing his Achilles tendon in late June, will make his season debut tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Quinn, 22, skated this morning at left wing alongside center Tyson Jost and Victor Olofsson. Coach Don Granato also said Quinn will also kill penalties.... Read the full article

After stint with Sabres, goalie Dustin Tokarski happy back with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Their first stint together lasted maybe six weeks. Dustin Tokarski participated in Seth Appert’s first training camp as an AHL coach and started two early-season games for the Americans. That’s it.

By late February in 2021, the veteran goalie was in Buffalo, where he would play 42 contests for the Sabres over the next season and a half.

Despite their limited time together, Appert and Tokarski, one of the most decorated goalies in ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Don Granato grateful for support as brother, Tony, battles cancer

BUFFALO – Having battled cancer in 2005, Sabres coach Don Granato understands what his older brother, Tony, is experiencing right now.

On Sunday, Tony, 59, announced in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that he has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and would be taking a temporary leave of absence from his job as an analyst with NBC Sports Chicago.

The last three or four weeks, Don Granato said, have been challenging.... Read the full article

‘Persistence’ helps Brett Murray earn recall from Sabres: ‘Lots of initiative’

BUFFALO – Sometimes, Sabres coach Don Granato explained, young players return to the minors and don’t get any better. As they wait for that next recall, they’re not focused on improving for when another chance materializes.

Then there are players like winger Brett Murray, who on Monday was recalled from the Rochester Americans.

“I’ve tried to keep myself ready and prepared for this moment,” he said prior Monday’s 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes, his ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch nears return from injury after birth of son; Mattias Samuelsson ‘sore’

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch called it “weirdly good timing.” While being away from the team was difficult, the hamstring injury he suffered allowed him to spend more time with his wife, Kylie, as they prepared for the birth of their son.

“It’s never a good time to get injured, but if I’m going to get injured and be able to 100 percent be there for the birth of my son, I’ll take it,” ... Read the full article

Despite missed chances, Sabres keep forging identity in loss to Canadiens

BUFFALO – The final result, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, stings. The Sabres squandered opportunities all night, pumping a season-high 48 shots on goal and failing to convert six power plays, including one that carried into overtime.

In Saturday’s shootout, they needed one stop to secure back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

Still, in losing for the sixth time in eight outings (2-5-1), the Sabres at least carried over ... Read the full article