Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After assignment to Rochester, Devon Levi could return to Sabres soon

MONTREAL – On Saturday afternoon in Belleville, hours before the Rochester Americans defeated the Senators 8-2, a black SUV picked up goalie Devon Levi and drove him about two hours across Ontario to Toronto.

The night before, Levi had made 27 saves in Rochester’s 7-4 win, improving his record to 7-1-1 with the Amerks. He has performed dynamically in the AHL, so the struggling Buffalo Sabres summoned him to spell No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.... Read the full article

Sabres’ streak hits 10 games with loss to Maple Leafs: ‘Toughest solve I’ve been around’

TORONTO – Lindy Ruff has coached 1,805 games over 24 seasons. He has led Buffalo Sabres teams that went bankrupt during the season and that came within two wins of a Stanley Cup victory.

Ruff, 64, has experienced just about everything during his long and distinguished career. He has won 875 games, the fifth-highest total in NHL history, and led three franchises to the playoffs.

He has always found a way to get his teams ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Devon Levi; Buffalo to make lineup change in Toronto

TORONTO – Goalie Devon Levi is back with the Buffalo Sabres.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Levi, 22, will start this afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs after being recalled today from the Rochester Americans.

Levi, of course, began the season with the Sabres, compiling a 2-5-0 record with a 3.95 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage in seven games.... Read the full article

Sabres’ losing streak hits eight games; Owen Power, JJ Peterka benched

BUFFALO – If you’re counting, after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, the Sabres have six-one goal losses during their bizarre eight-game skid.

They’ve blown multi-goal leads and had a couple of wretched outings over the last two weeks. Still, during a stunning stretch in which they’ve lost seven times at home following a 3-0-0 trip to California, they’ve played well enough to win several games.

“What, six one-goal games?” said Sabres winger ... Read the full article

James Reimer likely starter versus Red Wings; Sabres could make changes

BUFFALO – It appears veteran goalie James Reimer, who did not participate in the Sabres’ optional skate this morning, will start tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, one of his former teams.

No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen skated this morning and also stayed on the ice for extra work following Sunday’s practice.

“I’m not announcing the goalie today,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres have lost six straight games (0-4-2), said this morning in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres fall apart, lose to Utah: ‘Mentally one of the weakest games’

BUFFALO – The same Sabres team that recently won 10 times in a 15-game stretch now has trouble executing the simplest of plays. The same team that briefly surged into a playoff spot often can’t stay onside or complete a short pass.

As they illustrated throughout Saturday afternoon, the Sabres, who extended their losing streak to six games (0-4-2), are a complete mess.

In a downright embarrassing effort, they endured a 5-2 shellacking from noted ... Read the full article

Tyson Kozak has goal disallowed in NHL debut as Sabres lose to Jets in OT

BUFFALO – For a few moments, Tyson Kozak said he felt “pure joy and excitement.” In his NHL debut Thursday, with his family sitting in the stands, the center appeared to score the go-ahead goal in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

For Kozak, a Manitoba native, the entire day almost played out magically, starting when he ran into his parents in the hotel lobby in the morning. He had no idea ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, UPL named to 4 Nations tournament rosters

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be representing their respective countries at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

The NHL and NHLPA on Wednesday announced Dahlin as one Team Sweden’s seven defensemen and Luukkonen as one of Team Finland’s three netminders.

Sabres center Tage Thompson (USA), winger Alex Tuch (USA) and defenseman Henri Jokiharju (Finland), all of whom were believed to be in the mix to represent their respective countries, did ... Read the full article

Sabres implode in third period, suffer stunning loss to Avalanche; Rasmus Dahlin leaves game injured

BUFFALO – The onslaught ended 11:49 into the game, when Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn grabbed linemate Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s pass at the edge the slot, skated in and tucked a backhander past Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev.

Malenstyn’s goal on the Sabres’ eighth shot extended their lead to 4-0 and put the wonky Georgiev on the bench for the rest of Tuesday’s contest.

Even with 48 minutes remaining against one of the NHL’s heavyweights, it felt ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens sparks Sabres’ rally in OT loss to Canucks: ‘Heck of a point’

BUFFALO – After the Vancouver Canucks capitalized on Dylan Cozens’ penalty early in Friday afternoon’s third period, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff knew his center would take ownership for his actions.

Cozens is notoriously hard on himself, and sometimes his intensity gets the best of him.

The Canucks grabbed the lead during the first of Cozens’ two penalties. He also earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by letting an official know just how much disliked his holding ... Read the full article