Metsa - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres respond after streak ends, beat Canucks before energetic crowd

BUFFALO – For about the first 50 minutes of Tuesday’s 5-3 victory, the Sabres showcased a near-perfect response following the end of their 10-game win streak, pouncing on the Vancouver Canucks and just about burying them.

A 4-0 lead well into the third period usually does the trick. But the Canucks mounted a ferocious comeback, scoring three times in a span of 5:38, including two goals 39 seconds apart to move them within one.

After ... Read the full article

After win streak ends, Sabres to change lineup by inserting Jason Zucker

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently rattled off 10 consecutive wins, they utilized the same 18 skaters most nights, only making changes for injuries.

If it’s working, why mess with it, right?

Coach Lindy Ruff explained the performance within that lineup, not so much the victories – “Just how well the individuals were playing,” he said – forced the Sabres to keep things consistent.

When Ruff, his staff and even general manager Jarmo Kekalainen sat ... Read the full article

Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin won’t play versus Bruins; Buffalo makes recall

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin returned to Sweden over the Christmas break to be with his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, and will miss tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“He’s just attending to his fiancée in Sweden, should be back shortly,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.

Dahlin missed three games in November to visit Matovac, who has been rehabbing after experiencing major heart failure and undergoing a heart transplant ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund scoring big goals, earning keep after latest recall

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund was within earshot across the visiting dressing room in the Canadian Tire Centre, waiting to be interviewed after scoring again in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win, so winger Alex Tuch joked he shouldn’t heap too much praise on his linemate.

“I don’t want to give him too many props,” Tuch said in Ottawa after assisting on Ostlund’s third goal in five games since the Sabres recalled him for the third ... Read the full article

Alex Lyon, hot Sabres beat Islanders to extend season-long win streak

BUFFALO – If Colten Ellis hadn’t suffered a concussion and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made a few more saves, then Sabres goalie Alex Lyon might still be waiting for his next opportunity.

But Ellis took a hit in the crease and Luukkonen struggled, so the Sabres turned to Lyon again last week, a move that has ignited their season.

Contributions up and down the lineup have buoyed the Sabres throughout to a five-game win streak, none bigger ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyson Kozak could play against Islanders; Conor Timmins ‘steady’ D before breaking leg

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tyson Kozak, who left Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers with an upper-body injury, is questionable for this afternoon’s home game against the New York Islanders, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Kozak, who did not practice Friday, will skate early today before the Sabres decide if he can play.

If Kozak, 22, can’t go, forward Josh Dunne will likely move into the lineup.

Update: Kozak is scratched. Dunne is ... Read the full article

After trade, injuries, Michael Kesselring ready to make impact for Sabres

BUFFALO – After hurrying back from a knee injury, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said the ankle sprain he suffered just nine games into his season offered him a chance to “reset a little.”

Not that Kesselring, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, wanted to miss more time. But when he went down again Nov. 15, he said he was still battling his first injury a bit and “putting a lot of pressure” on himself.

“I didn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect from Rochester, send forward back to Amerks

Center Noah Ostlund has returned to Buffalo Sabres following a one-game stint with the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres this afternoon recalled the prospect and assigned winger Trevor Kuntar, who made his NHL debut in Thursday’s 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, back to the AHL club.

The Sabres close their six-game road trip Sunday against the Seattle Kraken.... Read the full article

Trevor Kuntar ran with career-changing opportunity in Rochester to earn NHL contract and chance with Sabres

ROCHESTER – Winger Trevor Kuntar doesn’t lack confidence. The Williamsville native isn’t cocky, mind you. He’s grateful for the career-changing opportunity he has earned and the belief Americans coach Mike Leone and others in the Buffalo Sabres organization have shown in him.

Kuntar, who on Wednesday signed a two-way NHL contract, quickly morphed into the Amerks’ biggest surprise this season, scoring a team-high nine goals while providing critical depth, energy and grit before the ... Read the full article

Sabres send forward back to Rochester, recall defenseman

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday sent center Noah Ostlund back to the Rochester Americans so they could create a roster spot and recall defenseman Zach Metsa from their AHL affiliate.

The Sabres returned Metsa, 27, to Rochester last week to make rook for center Josh Norris on the 23-man roster, leaving them with just six defensemen.

Coach Lindy Ruff said on Tuesday the Sabres, who play the Flames tonight in Calgary, wanted to add an ... Read the full article