Malenstyn - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres score early in blowout win over Rangers; Alex Tuch leaves game injured

BUFFALO – The genesis of the Sabres’ five-goal, first-period outburst in Saturday afternoon’s 8-2 shellacking of the New York Rangers can be traced to their practice sessions earlier in the week.

When the Sabres reconvened Tuesday following a nine-day break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, coach Lindy Ruff began driving them hard, demanding pace. They practiced with purpose.

Their first two sessions were the longest of the season. After doing off-ice work Thursday, they had ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson can use 4 Nations for extra Olympic motivation

BUFFALO – Four days after Team Sweden finished its run at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin was still feeling the sting of his country’s third-place finish.

The Swedes played well throughout the ultra-competitive tournament, losing twice in overtime and beating Team USA. Still, that offered Dahlin little consolation when he tuned into Thursday’s final between the US and Team Canada, a memorable game the Canadians won 3-2 in overtime.

“It was tough ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen rejoins Sabres early; Tage Thompson added to Team USA at 4 Nations

BUFFALO – Instead of taking a day off he earned, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got back on the ice Wednesday, rejoining practice a day early following his return from the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“UPL was a surprise guest,” coach Lindy Ruff joked following the Sabres’ 70-minute practice in KeyBank Center.

Luukkonen, 25, served as Team Finland’s third goalie, watching games from the press box as Jusse Saros and Kevin Lankinen handled the netminding duties.

He ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Tage Thompson skates, Dylan Cozens misses practice

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson, who left Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win injured after New Jersey Devils pest Stefan Noesen hit him in the head, skated on his own Wednesday morning, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Had a good day,” Ruff said following Wednesday’ practice in KeyBank Center. “I mean, he’s got to go through the protocol, the testing, all that stuff. But really felt good, so encouraged.”

In other injury news, Ruff said goalie Ukko-Pekka ... Read the full article

Dennis Gilbert fights, creates goal as Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert offered little insight into how his fight just three seconds into Tuesday’s 3-2 win materialized.

There’s a code, you know.

“Off the cuff,” the local kid said of his scrap with Columbus Blue Jackets winger Mathieu Olivier, one of the NHL’s emerging heavyweights, immediately after the puck dropped.

Did Gilbert know when he saw Olivier’s name in the starting lineup they would be dropping their gloves?... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski thriving with Hurricanes

BUFFALO – About to turn 35, an advanced age for a goalie, and coming off a season in which he played just 24 games for the Rochester Americans, Dustin Tokarski found few suitors on the open market.

Finally, in September, Tokarski signed a tryout to attend the Ottawa Senators’ training camp.

When the Senators released the former Sabres backup at the end of camp, he went home to Saskatchewan.

“Just waiting for an opportunity, and ... Read the full article

Sabres blow another lead, implode late in loss to Kraken: ‘Hard one to explain’

BUFFALO – Don’t blame the Sabres’ problems on talent. They possess plenty of it. No, their sorry standing and penchant for blowing multi-goal leads can be traced to between the ears.

They’re fragile mentally, and at the first sign of adversity they often crumble.

Saturday afternoon’s embarrassing 6-2 loss to the hapless Seattle Kraken, a game in which the Sabres led 2-0 in the first period, only reinforced that.

“Mental, all mental,” captain Rasmus Dahlin ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson likely to miss game against Kraken

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is “still pretty sick” and likely won’t play in this afternoon’s home game against the Seattle Kraken.

Samuelsson missed Thursday’s 4-0 road win over the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres had him travel back to Buffalo separately from the team.

In other news, winger Beck Malenstyn, who has missed the last two games because of illness, practiced Friday but likely won’t play today.... Read the full article

With rookie Jiri Kulich injured, Sabres recall prospect from Rochester

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich, who left Monday’s 4-3 shootout win after suffering a lower-body injury, will be sidelined week to week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Kulich, 20, has showcased consistent development this season, earning trust from Ruff to be utilized for critical faceoffs and play center, his natural position.

“It’s a loss for us because of how well he had played in the middle and the speed he was generating,” Ruff said ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan McLeod looking for goals, linemates; Buffalo changes lineup

BUFFALO – For weeks, Sabres forward Ryan McLeod has moved around the lineup, skating on scoring lines and checking trios and playing center or even occasionally the wing.

McLeod, who displayed strong chemistry pivoting Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker on the third line earlier in the season, hasn’t found a fit.

Greenway is recovering from surgery to repair a mid-body injury and has missed the last 10 games and 22 of the past 26 contests. ... Read the full article