WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Alex Tuch said the Sabres are “hungry.” ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres experienced this earlier in the postseason. Fresh off an emotional Game 1 win at home, they followed up with a lousy performance, allowing their opponent to tie the series before they hit the road.
Against the Bruins, the Sabres showcased an emphatic response following a tough loss, winning the next two games in Boston and seizing control of the series.
So, what might happen tonight and Tuesday against the Canadiens ... Read the full article
Bowen Byram has been an offensive stud early in the postseason. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In watching Bowen Byram elevate his play and morph into one of the most dynamic performers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin has noticed the defenseman possesses a special attitude.
“You just see he’s got that F-you mentality on the ice,” Dahlin said. “He’s a hell of a competitor. … He just goes in to every game with no respect, just doing his own thing, and team is kind of ... Read the full article
Tyson Kozak has made his presence known during the postseason. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If the Sabres had a seventh and deciding game tonight, you likely would see center Sam Carrick return from his left arm injury.
“I think you’d look at it that you’d probably put him in,” coach Lindy Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center after the Sabres prepared for Game 2 of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.
But it’s still early in the series. Tyson Kozak, 23, has filled in ... Read the full article
These days, Rasmus Dahlin often has a smile on his face. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson plays alongside Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on the ice and sits next to him in the dressing room. The 26-year-old defensemen, who have been teammates for six seasons, know each other well.
Since the Sabres began their resurgence this season, Samuelsson has noticed a positive change in his close friend.
“I think you can tell it’s definitely helped his mood,” Samuelsson told the Times Herald.... Read the full article
Alex Lyon won three games in the first round. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It can be easy to forget now. Goalie Alex Lyon just performed dynamically while winning three games and backstopping the Sabres to their first postseason series win in 19 years.
But a few weeks ago, Lyon, 33, was a bit of an afterthought as the Sabres entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011.
In his last three starts of the regular season, he struggled mightily, posting a ghastly 6.24 ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs recorded at least one point in each of his first four playoff appearances. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – As he rounded out his game, developing into a versatile, high-octane presence, Sabres winger Peyton Krebs wanted to tailor his style to meet the rigors of playoff hockey.
“That’s what I try to base my game off, you know?” Krebs told the Times Herald on Tuesday prior to Game 5 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins. “Compete, grit, get in battles, make plays under high pressure.”
Those qualities have ... Read the full article
Josh Norris was injured in Game 2. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that forwards Josh Norris, Tyson Kozak and Jason Zucker are all available to play tonight in Game 5 as the Sabres try to clinch their first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.
But will they all play?
Norris did not take any line rushes during the morning skate and was one of the last Sabres off the ice, meaning he will likely miss his third straight game ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs opened the scoring Sunday afternoon. ©2026, Micheline Velovolu
BOSTON – Just over four minutes into Sunday afternoon’s 6-1 annihilation of the Bruins, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson hectored an opponent along the wall, freeing the puck for linemate Alex Tuch to grab in the offensive zone.
When Tuch reached the right circle, he fed winger Peyton Krebs in the slot, and the winger quickly beat goalie Jeremy Swayman.
The goal at 4:17, the Sabres’ first in the opening 20 minutes during the Stanley Cup ... Read the full article
Alex Lyon played four postseason games with Florida.
BOSTON – Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon has experienced this before. Three years ago, he started three games during the Florida Panthers’ stunning first-round upset of the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He later had a relief appearance in the final.
Turning to Lyon on Thursday for Game 3 of the Sabres’ opening-round series felt inevitable after goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed an 89-foot goal and later got pulled from Tuesday’s 4-2 home loss to ... Read the full article
Alex Lyon struggled late in the season. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BOSTON – Goalie Alex Lyon is likely in for Game 3 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely out.
Lyon, 33, manned the net usually reserved for that night’s started during this morning’s pregame skate, meaning he’s expected to get the nod against the Bruins. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff refused to name his starter for tonight’s game.
Lyon hasn’t started a game since allowing three goals ... Read the full article