Mittelstadt - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo skates; Danny O’Regan, Scott Wilson to play

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo, out since suffering a concussion last Friday, skated this morning, coach Phil Housley said.

“That’s a great sign,” Housley said inside KeyBank Center. “He’s got a smile on his face. So those are all good signs for us.”

Okposo, 30, has a concerning history of concussions. The veteran hasn’t played since suffering another one fighting New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo.

Housley believes Okposo will play again this season.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo OK after fight, will go on road trip

BUFFALO – Winger Kyle Okposo, who left Friday’s 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers after fighting defenseman Tony DeAngelo, will accompany the Sabres on their three-game road trip, coach Phil Housley said.

Okposo, 30, did not practice this morning inside Harborcenter. Housley said Okposo, who has a concerning history of concussions, did not suffer another one.

“Kyle’s doing well,” Housley said inside KeyBank Center. “We just kept him off the ice as ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Evan Rodrigues grew under Rangers’ David Quinn

BUFFALO – Sabres center Evan Rodrigues figured David Quinn would stay put at Boston University until the coach guided the Terriers to a national championship.

Quinn’s success at the NCAA level, of course, generated plenty of interest from the NHL. Still, Rodrigues, whose dynamic exploits nearly helped BU win a title in 2015, enjoys a close relationship with Quinn.

“You can always go into his office and talk about anything to him,” Rodrigues said prior ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian set to return; Casey Mittelstadt out again

BUFFALO – Defenseman Zach Bogosian, who ranks second on the Sabres in ice time, will return tonight after a lower-body injury sidelined him two games.

To make room, defenseman Matt Hunwick will be scratched against the New York Rangers.

A lower-body injury, meanwhile, will force center Casey Mittelstadt to miss his second straight game. The rookie skated this morning and is day-to-day, Sabres coach Phil Housley said.... Read the full article

Injured Sabres Zach Bogosian, Casey Mittelstadt practice

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian and center Casey Mittelstadt practiced today for the first time since suffering lower-body injuries over the weekend.

Now, will the regulars be ready to play Friday against the New York Rangers, the end of a seven-game home stand?

“Not ruling either one out,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said inside KeyBank Center.

Both players said they responded well to the session. Neither, however, skated on a regular pair or line.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt game-time decision for Islanders

BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt suffered a “little bang” and is game-time decision for tonight’s tilt against the New York Islanders, coach Phil Housley said.

If Mittelstadt can’t play, another rookie, winger C.J. Smith, will move in. Mittelstadt left the ice a little early this morning.

Update: A lower-body injury will force Mittelstadt to miss tonight’s game.

Having compiled two goals and seven points over the last 10 games, Mittelstadt, 20, is enjoying ... Read the full article

Defensive-minded Sabres respond after rough loss, beat Red Wings

BUFFALO – See, the Sabres can still showcase a strong defense. It’s just that sometimes, most notably throughout the disturbing 10-game stretch that preceded their tight 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, they rarely showed much interest in it.

“Mentality, we wanted to defend,” Sabres center Evan Rodrigues said of what changed Saturday afternoon, two days after an ugly 6-5 overtime loss. “We didn’t want to the other day. Today, we made a conscious ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Conor Sheary scores, keeps building confidence

BUFFALO – Barely a minute into Saturday afternoon’s second period, Sabres winger Conor Sheary intercepted Justin Abdelkader’s weak backhand pass outside the opposing blue line and zoomed into the slot before beating goalie Jimmy Howard.

The slick goal, just Sheary’s third in the last 34 outings, served as another reminder the diminutive UMass product ranks among the Sabres’ most talented forwards.

“Once I got the turnover, I think I just tried to attack quick,” Sheary ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Marcus Foligno enjoying tenure with Wild

BUFFALO – This trip was more relaxing. A year ago, Marcus Foligno said he experienced “a lot of nerves” visiting here as an opponent.

“Now it’s just another road game,” said the Buffalo-born Foligno, who’s in his second season with the Minnesota Wild after spending six years with the Sabres.

He added: “It’s always special to come back to Buffalo. You get a little bit excited.”

Foligno, 27, has settled in nicely with the Wild, ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres hope new lines, defense pairs can help ignite them

BUFFALO – Sooner or later, coach Phil Housley needed to make some significant changes, right? The Sabres have fallen from first overall to three points out of a playoff spot.

Having compiled an awful 8-14-4 mark in their last 26 games, their marathon slump has surpassed the two-month mark. In their last 10 outings, they’re a dreadful 3-7.

In recent games, the Sabres have often shown little interest in playing defense and struggled to score ... Read the full article