WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
2026-27 Season Edition
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
Mattias Samuelsson set career highs across the board this season. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It was never a question of skill. Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson possesses loads of it.
At his best, he ranks among the NHL’s top shutdown defenders.
“He’s got every tool in the toolbox,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said Monday in KeyBank Center. “He’s big, he skates well, he’s got the long stick, he’s got the hockey IQ. And then when he’s physical like that, he’s just horrible to play against.
“I mean, I ... Read the full article
Josh Dunne (44) is a heavy presence. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Sabres center Josh Dunne learned he would suit up for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he said he had to pinch himself.
After the Sabres beefed up their forward depth before the trade deadline, Dunne, 27, mostly served as an extra, sitting out 17 of the final 21 regular-season games as a healthy scratch.
But with center Sam Carrick injured (left arm) and the heavy Boston Bruins the Sabres’ first-round ... Read the full article