Lyon - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Colten Ellis ready to start; Jiri Kulich ‘progressing’

BUFFALO – Following nearly a month on the sideline, Sabres goalie Colten Ellis is expected to start tonight’s road game against the New York Rangers, his first outing since suffering a concussion Dec. 9 in Edmonton.

A lot has happened since the rookie left the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime victory against the Oilers, a triumph that ignited a 10-game win streak.

Alex Lyon, who replaced Ellis, morphed into the NHL’s hottest goalie before suffering a lower-body ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa impressive in limited action; Buffalo adds defender

BUFFALO – In his first days here, Sabres defenseman Zach Metsa acknowledged his new surroundings felt “a little bit intimidating.”

“You come to a new spot, new group, new guys around you,” Metsa told the Times Herald prior to scoring his first NHL goal and point in Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in KeyBank Center.

As an older, under-the-radar prospect who played on an AHL contract for two seasons, Metsa, 27, usually spent ... Read the full article

Sabres recall high-scoring defenseman from Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled defenseman Zac Jones, whose 28 assists lead the AHL, from the Rochester Americans.

Having lost defenseman Michael Kesselring to a lower-body injury last Wednesday in Dallas, the Sabres have only six healthy defensemen.

The Sabres possibly summoned Jones, who did not play during two recalls earlier this season, to serve as an extra defender.... Read the full article

Expect Sabres rookie goalie Colten Ellis to play again soon

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start again tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, his third straight nod and fifth in the last seven games.

In the near future, expect the Finn, who has played every game since Alex Lyon suffered a lower-body injury, to earn a breather and take a backseat to Colten Ellis.

The Sabres play a road game Thursday against the New York Rangers before kicking off a five-game home stand Saturday ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Michael Kesselring progressing from injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Alex Lyon, who hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury late in last Monday’s 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues, is day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“It doesn’t look like anything too major,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

Ruff said Lyon and defenseman Michael Kesselring, who left Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury, are both “progressing” from their respective injuries.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Michael Kesselring out injured

COLUMBUS – For the third time this season, an injury will force Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring to miss action.

Kesselring, who suffered a lower-body injury late in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars, will sit out this afternoon’s game against the Blue Jackets.

Defenseman Jacob Bryson will replace Kesselring, who’s day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said.... Read the full article

Sabres send injured Alex Lyon back to Buffalo: ‘Going to be a bit of time’

Goalie Alex Lyon has returned to Buffalo to be examined by the Sabres’ doctors after suffering a lower-body injury late in Monday’s 4-2 road win over the St. Louis Blues, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Dallas.

“Right now, it’s going to be a bit of time,” Ruff said prior to tonight’s game against the Stars.

Ruff said rookie goalie Colten Ellis, who suffered a concussion Dec. 9 in Edmonton, will be activated from injured ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Alex Lyon misses practice with lower-body injury

Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon sat out Tuesday’s practice after suffering a lower-body injury late in Monday’s 4-2 road win over the St. Louis Blues, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Dallas.

“Really late in the game, which is unfortunate,” Ruff, whose Sabres carry a nine-game win streak into Wednesday’s game against the Stars, told reporters in Dallas.

Ruff said Lyon, 33, was being evaluated and the team would know more Wednesday.... Read the full article

Bowen Byram dynamic in OT victory as Sabres extend streak to seven, move closer to playoff spot

OTTAWA – Coach Lindy Ruff hardly wanted to criticize defensemen Bowen Byram, the best player on the ice in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime victory that extended their win streak to seven games and moved them within two points of a playoff spot.

Byram performed dynamically throughout the night in the Canadian Tire Centre, scoring twice and assisting on Buffalo’s other goal.

But when he released the puck from the top of the right circle – ... Read the full article

Once given up for dead, win streak has vaulted Sabres into thick of playoff race

OTTAWA – Two weeks ago, having just lost to the feeble Calgary Flames for the second time in three weeks, the Buffalo Sabres appeared to be barreling toward another postseason DNQ.

Their third consecutive defeat as they began a six-game road trip kept them mired in last place in the Eastern Conference, eight points out of the second wild card spot.

At that point, the Sabres had just two road wins all season, including zero ... Read the full article