Matthews - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Owen Power, Auston Matthews add intrigue to Sabres-Maple Leafs rivalry

TORONTO – A lot has changed in the 30 days since the Buffalo Sabres and Maple Leafs met at the Heritage Classic.

The Sabres signed defenseman Owen Power, the first overall pick who will be making his highly anticipated NHL debut tonight. The Leafs, meanwhile, have morphed back into one of the league’s heavyweights, having won seven of their last eight games (7-0-1). They’ve scoring a whopping 43 goals in that stretch.

Since ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Why was Henri Jokiharju picked as Owen Power’s partner?

TORONTO – Prior to Owen Power’s arrival, Buffalo Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Henri Jokiharju both let it be known they’d love to play with the rookie, the first overall pick in 2021.

The problem? Well, Dahlin and Jokiharju were partners at the time.

“Owen’s not here and they’re already talking about, ‘When Owen gets here, I want to play with him! And I want to play with him!’” Sabres coach Don Granato said ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson earning trust, big minutes from Sabres: ‘An athletic giant’

BUFFALO – The poise Mattias Samuelsson possesses belies his experience. Barely 30 games into his NHL career, the Sabres consistently utilize the rookie against the opposition’s top talent.

On Thursday, Samuelsson faced Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. In Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the defenseman was often tasked with shutting down Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, one of the NHL’s elite duos.

At one point Sunday, with Marner roaring toward him, ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens, Terry Pegula and what it means for the Sabres

BUFFALO – Dylan Cozens only remembers Terry Pegula mentioned the cross-check on Rasmus Dahlin. The rest of his interaction with the Sabres owner following his ejection from the Heritage Classic is a little fuzzy.

“I’m gonna be honest, I had a lot of adrenaline going so I don’t really remember too much,” the center said following Tuesday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter.

The maturation of a young team is often filled with seminal moments, and the ... Read the full article

Heritage Classic win showcases bond Sabres have formed this season

HAMILTON, Ont. – Rookie Peyton Krebs was beginning to explain how the maturing Buffalo Sabres have started closing out tight games when goalie Craig Anderson interrupted his friend.

“Great goaltending,” Anderson chimed in under his breath following Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, offering his take as he “coughed.”

Anderson’s antics elicited laughs from Krebs and the media while further illustrating how close the Sabres have grown this season.... Read the full article

Auston Matthews suspended for cross-checking Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin

The NHL this aftenoon suspended Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews two games for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the neck late in Sunday afternoon’s Heritage Classic.

Following a shoving match between the stars around the Buffalo net, Matthews got up after being knocked down and retaliated with what the NHL Department of Player Safety called “a high, forceful cross-check.”... Read the full article

Sabres display growing maturity in win over Maple Leafs at Heritage Classic

HAMILTON, Ont. – If the Buffalo Sabres crack the postseason in the near future, the last four days, punctuated by Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 victory in the Heritage Classic, will be remembered as a significant stretch in their maturation.

Before a capacity, pro-Toronto crowd of 26,119 fans outdoors at chilly Tim Hortons Field, the Sabres scored three third-period goals to down the playoff-bound Maple Leafs.

It was a game, just like Thursday’s 3-1 win over ex-captain ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Dahlin, Auston Matthews battle at Heritage Classic

HAMILTON, Ont. – After absorbing a vicious cross-check in the neck from Auston Matthews, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin did not need much time to cool off.

“About two minutes in the box,” Dahlin said following Sunday afternoon’s win 5-2 over Matthews’ Toronto Maple Leafs in the Heritage Classic at Tim Hortons Field.

After the Leafs fell behind, they lost their cool in the waning minutes, and Matthews and Dahlin shoved each other near the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jacob Bryson elevating game to new level

BUFFALO – Three weeks ago, as the Sabres began rotating defensemen, coach Don Granato told general manager Kevyn Adams he believed watching a game would help Jacob Bryson.

Getting scratched wasn’t a punishment for poor play. Granato simply wanted to utilize his entire blue line, so for a seven-game stretch, four defensemen – Bryson, Robert Hagg, Mark Pysyk and Mattias Samuelsson – moved in an out.

When Bryson, 24, sat out Feb. 10, he ... Read the full article

Sabres throttle Maple Leafs, end losing streak: ‘They got rewarded’

TORONTO – Prior to Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over the Maple Leafs, the Buffalo Sabres had been mired in a season-worst rut, losing six straight games in regulation. For all the optimism they’ve generated at times this year, the cold reality they’re a rebuilding team destined for another lottery pick has been hitting home.

It hardly felt like they’d snap of their funk against the Leafs, one of the NHL’s hottest and most potent teams. The ... Read the full article