Metsa - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen battles through chaos to earn win

BUFFALO – In a game he called the craziest of his life, as chaos enveloped around his crease and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored seven times, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen tried to forget about the score and simply focus on making the next save.

“At a certain point, you just have to think about, ‘We can win this game,’ and give the team a chance to kind of keep the score close and try to ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich likely out for season; Justin Danforth, Jordan Greenway both ‘progressing slowly’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich, who hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of blood clot issues, will most likely miss the rest of the season.

Kulich, 21, recently underwent testing to determine if he could resume a higher fitness level.

“He’s continuing to get treatment,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Friday in KeyBank Center. “Our main concern, obviously, is his well-being and long-term health, and second, when he can be back as a ... Read the full article

As trade deadline nears, Colton Parayko rumors show Sabres could load up

PITTSBURGH – Having ascended to the the ranks of the NHL’s elite, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves in the rare position of buying as Friday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches.

Since Dec. 9, they’ve won 25 of their 32 games, earning an NHL-high 52 points and establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the crowded and ultra-competitive Eastern Conference.

If they beat the Penguins tonight at PPG Paints Arena and the Tampa Bay Lightning lose ... Read the full article

Sabres recall defenseman from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning recalled rookie defenseman Zach Metsa, who returned to the AHL during the Olympic break, from the Rochester Americans.

Metsa, 27, played two games during the break, his first appearances with the Amerks since early December. After being summoned that month, he enjoyed semi-regular duty with the Sabres, often skating short minutes on the third defense pair.

He practiced with the Sabres this morning in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

After first taste of NHL, Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius can help Rochester

ROCHESTER – In his last outing before the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the Americans, rookie Konsta Helenius shared the ice with Pittsburgh Penguins superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, two hockey icons.

“I watched their highlight videos (growing up), so it was pretty cool,” Helenius said prior to Friday’s game against the Springfield Thunderbirds in Blue Cross Arena.

Earlier in his first trip to the NHL, Helenius, 19, faced Los Angeles Kings defenseman defenseman ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.

Sabres look sloppy in loss to Penguins; Buffalo makes roster moves

BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.

Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.

The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

On most nights, that ... Read the full article

Sabres scratched Michael Kesselring to ‘just take a breath’

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.

Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.

In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Josh Norris out, Jordan Greenway examining options

BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres center Josh Norris won’t return to the lineup before the Olympic break.

Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that Norris, who has missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury, will sit out tonight’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Norris began practicing again last week.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa feeling more comfortable in NHL; Michael Kesselring happy to record first point

TORONTO – Zach Metsa’s first tour around the NHL has given him a special opportunity to visit come of hockey’s most hallowed rinks and soak in each unique experience.

“I’ve been fired up for it,” the Buffalo Sabres rookie told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs. “I’m lucky.”

Metsa, 27, made his big league debut in Montreal’s Bell Centre and earlier this month played his first game at New York’s ... Read the full article

As he battles injuries, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring ‘starving’ to make impact

MONTREAL – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring said it three times.

“I’m starving,” he said this afternoon following the Sabres’ pregame skate in the Bell Centre. “I’m starving. I’m starving.”

The oft-injured Kesselring, having played just 17 games this season, is starving for some action and to make an impact. More than three months into his first campaign with Buffalo, he’s starving to simply record his first point.

Following a two-game absence, Kesselring, 25, could ... Read the full article