Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres end critical week with OT loss to Rangers: ‘We need to play that way’

BUFFALO – The Sabres ended the most critical week of their season having lost all four games and earned just a single point.

With barely a month left, they’ve dropped seven points behind out of a wild card spot and have two other teams ahead of them. Right now, the chances of them roaring up the standings and ending their 11-year playoff drought are slim.

Still, fresh off Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime loss, a game ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie in midst of unusual winning streak

BUFFALO – Eric Comrie’s unusual four-game winning streak began 15 games and 42 days ago, when the Sabres awarded him a rare start Jan. 26 against the Winnipeg Jets.

The goalie had been used sparingly following his return from a lower-body injury that sidelined him seven weeks. After playing Jan. 10, he sat out eight straight games before earning the nod against his old team. He stopped 19 shots that night, helping the Sabres extend ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Asplund traded; Injured Rasmus Dahlin practices

BUFFALO – Following his first season as an NHL regular and a standout performance at the World Championship, forward Rasmus Asplund was expected to become a big contributor to the Sabres this year.

Instead, Asplund, 25, lost his regular spot in the lineup in late November, quickly morphing into a spare part.

The Swede had played just two of the last 18 games and 27 overall this season when the Sabres dealt him to the ... Read the full article

Sabres trade rights to goalie prospect Erik Portillo to Kings

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday traded the rights to goalie prospect Erik Portillo to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Sabres’ old regime drafted the Swede in the third round in 2019, 67th overall.

There had been speculation that Portillo, 22, would pass on signing with the Sabres and elect for free agency this summer.... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza happy to be back

BUFFALO – After clearing waivers and reporting for his first stint in the minors in more than five years, a much-needed opportunity quickly materialized for Sabres winger Vinnie Hinostroza.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Hinostroza, 28, wouldn’t have been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“Vinnie went to Rochester on circumstance, not on play,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Sunday. “… He’s an NHL hockey player.”

But for about a month, Hinostroza, who signed ... Read the full article

Sabres sign goalie Michael Houser to NHL contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday signed goalie Michael Houser, who has spent all season with the Rochester Americans, to an NHL contract and placed him on waivers.

This is the third straight year the Sabres have awarded Houser, 30, an NHL deal during the season. Each time, he had been playing on an AHL contract.

His new contract is worth a prorated $750,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the minors, according to capfriendly.com.... Read the full article

With Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin injured, Dylan Cozens dazzles in Sabres’ win

BUFFALO – Above the din of the capacity crowd, Sabres winger Jack Quinn could hear center Dylan Cozens calling for the puck as they skated through the neutral zone.

Quinn and Cozens, who have showcased terrific chemistry as linemates this season, did not play together for most of Sunday afternoon’s 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Sabres, having lost top-line winger Alex Tuch to a lower-body injury for at least a few weeks, promoted ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson offers Sabres intriguing goaltending option down the stretch

BUFFALO – For five months, the Sabres have carefully managed goalie Craig Anderson’s workload, giving the NHL’s oldest player ample time to recover following his outings.

Only once this season has Anderson, 41, started back-to-back games. The Sabres have essentially limited his appearances to one per week.

Coach Don Granato often attributes Anderson’s success at such an advanced age – as of Saturday afternoon, his .920 save percentage ranked sixth among goalies with at ... Read the full article

After pulling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Sabres could utilize other goalies

BUFFALO – After Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen recently endured a career-worst outing, coach Don Granato decided the rookie needed a break.

So for the next two games, Granato utilized his other netminders, Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie. The rest offered Luukkonen, 23, a chance to focus on practice and rebound from an ugly 7-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Feb. 11.

When Granato turned to him again Saturday in San Jose, he responded ... Read the full article

Maple Leafs throttle Sabres early in victory: ‘Horrendous start’

BUFFALO – The barrage mercifully ended about 12 minutes into the first period, when the Sabres, having been torched for four goals by the Toronto Maple Leafs, settled down and started stopping their opponent.

Much of the buzz prior to Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at KeyBank Center centered on the Sabres, one of the NHL’s up-and-coming young teams, and their pursuit of a playoff spot.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Sabres ... Read the full article