WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has spent this season developing in Rochester. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Not since Ryan Miller arrived here in 2002 has a goaltender’s debut been so highly anticipated. After less than two seasons in the minors, top Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is verge of starting his first NHL game.
Luukkonen, of course, likely won’t stick in the big leagues for long. Most goalies take years to mature, and the Finn, 22, has only played 25 AHL games.
Just look at Miller, the Sabres’ all-time ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson was recalled Sunday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – A month ago, recalling defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and giving one of their top prospects a taste of the NHL wasn’t an option for the Sabres.
They were in the midst of their marathon 18-game winless skid, and the defense corps, like every aspect of the team, was struggling. They couldn’t expose a rookie to that environment.
But the defense has been thriving under interim coach Don Granato and interim assistant Dan Girardi, ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin loved playing in Tuesday’s game. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In his three-year career, Rasmus Dahlin has never experienced the NHL postseason. But in Tuesday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins, the Buffalo Sabres defenseman received a taste of what heavy playoff hockey feels like.
“I haven’t been in a playoff game, but it didn’t feel like a regular-season game,” said Dahlin, whose goal 11:53 into the third period tied the game at 2.
Tuesday’s game inside TD Garden was the Sabres’ most physical ... Read the full article
Anders Bjork spent his entire career in Boston’s organization before Monday’s trade. ©2021, Providence Bruins
Four seasons into his NHL career, Buffalo Sabres newcomer Anders Bjork said he is still trying to establish an identity.
Two shoulder surgeries and a brutal concussion stymied the 6-foot, 197-pound winger’s development with the Boston Bruins. This year, he fell out of the lineup, becoming a healthy scratch.
So when the Bruins traded Bjork, 24, to the Sabres on Monday in the Taylor Hall deal, he welcomed a change of scenery.
“I was ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo scored Buffalo’s second goal Saturday afternoon. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres performed much better in their 17th consecutive loss than they had in the previous 16.
They took an early lead Saturday afternoon – winger Sam Reinhart scored their first power-play goal in 16 games just 2:01 into the game – and later snatched it back after the Boston Bruins tied it.
Having been shut out seven times this season, simply scoring a goal or two can be measured as progress. That’s the ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark has missed the last 13 games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Having been sidelined the last 13 games, Linus Ullmark must keep testing his lower-body injury in practice. So as badly as the Buffalo Sabres need their No. 1 goalie back, he needs more than one session before he can play again.
“For now, there’s no set timetable for me; it’s more of a day-to-day basis,” Ullmark said on a Zoom call Tuesday after practicing for the first time since getting injured Feb. 23.
So on ... Read the full article
Ralph Krueger’s Sabres have suffered a stunning decline. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Everything was set up nicely Tuesday for the Buffalo Sabres to end their marathon losing steak.
In the New Jersey Devils, the hapless Sabres faced another reeling team they have earned three of their six wins against this season.
The Devils, who also endured a long COVID-19 pause last month, had 11 lost straight games at Prudential Center. Overall, they had dropped four straight contests and 12 of their last 14.
But the Sabres, who ... Read the full article
Rich Stinziano, Buffalo’s head athletic trainer, helps Dylan Cozens off the ice Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Colin Miller went right after Zach Aston-Reese, dropping the gloves for the first time in more than three years.
Miller doesn’t fight often, but after watching the Pittsburgh Penguins center hit rookie Dylan Cozens about six feet from the boards Thursday, he needed to stick up for his teammate.
Cozens’ head bit the boards hard and he got up slowly as Miller fought Aston-Reese 2:27 into the third period of the ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin has taken on a larger role this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Ralph Krueger knows defenseman Rasmus Dahlin allowed the Philadelphia Flyers to score an easy goal in Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout loss.
Dahlin, 20, showcased an alarming lack of awareness early in the second period, never reacting to Scott Laughton, the puck carrier, or Kevin Hayes, his closest opponent.
When Laughton backhanded a pass from the right circle across the slot, Dahlin, who was focused elsewhere, never moved his head. Hayes, meanwhile, ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel, shown here battling the New York Islanders’ Anders Lee earlier this season, will be sidelined at least another week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel traveled out of state to seek a “deeper assessment” of his upper-body injury, coach Ralph Krueger said.
Krueger said Eichel will be sidelined at least another seven to 10 days.
“We hope to have a complete assessment here within the next couple of days,” Krueger said on a Zoom call this morning.
Eichel appeared to hurt his neck when Casey Cizikas hit him behind the net late in ... Read the full article