WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Rasmus Dahlin had two goals and five points on Saturday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – By the end of one of the most brilliant performances by a Sabres defenseman in their 53-year history, Rasmus Dahlin was exhausted.
Dahlin, having surpassed a minute on the ice, desperately wanted to get to the bench for a breather late in Saturday’s frantic overtime against the Minnesota Wild.
“I was going to, but I have to play defense,” Dahlin said following his dynamic two-goal, five-point performance in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-5 win. ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo recorded his first hat trick with the Sabres on Thursday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The symbolism wasn’t lost on coach Don Granato. In Thursday’s emotional 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, the Sabres’ first game since a devastating blizzard ravaged the region, captain Kyle Okposo led the way, scoring a hat trick.
Okposo, the Sabres’ heart and soul, has embedded himself and his family in the community, Granato said, making his year-round home here.
“This is life and lots of people in life and death situations, ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt had to spend a night in Ohio. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Casey Mittelstadt said he panicked a little bit. Having returned home to Minnesota to celebrate Christmas as a blizzard began walloping Buffalo last week, the Sabres winger needed to find a way back.
The ferocious storm forced the Buffalo/Niagara International Airport to close, and the Sabres had a game scheduled for Tuesday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.
Of course, Mittelstadt, 24, wasn’t alone. The inclement weather had a few Sabres scrambling to ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has scored just one goal at even strength this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Casey Mittelstadt’s gig on the top line is only temporary.
Center Tage Thompson and wingers Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch form one of the NHL’s most lethal scoring trios. When Skinner returns from his three-game suspension for cross-checking, he will likely assume his regular role as the left wing beside Thompson and Tuch.
“I don’t think I’m taking Skinny’s spot,” Mittelstadt joked following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs has scored two goals in the last three games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
PITTSBURGH – With the Buffalo Sabres trailing by one goal in the waning minutes of Saturday’s 3-1 loss, winger JJ Peterka set up a splendid scoring chance for linemate Jack Quinn at the top of the right circle.
But instead of unleashing a shot on goalie Casey DeSmith, the rookie quickly passed to center Dylan Cozens, who couldn’t handle the puck in the left circle.
“Everybody watching wishes Jack Quinn would have taken that shot ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner was ejected from Friday’s game. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The edge Jeff Skinner possesses makes him one of the NHL’s most unique talents. Not only is the Sabres winger a top scorer, he’s also willing to go hard after opponents.
To wit: with 22 seconds left in the third period of Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jake Guentzel hit Sabres goalie Craig Anderson’s hand as he froze the puck. Skinner took umbrage and went after Guentzel.
Guentzel slashed Skinner ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens has been on a tear over the past few weeks. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Forget about Dylan Cozens’ skill set for a moment. What makes the Sabres center such a unique talent and one of the NHL’s burgeoning young stars are the intangibles he possesses.
Cozens, 21, plays a mature, tenacious style that belies his limited experience.
“He competes for the right reason being in a team sport,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Tuesday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “He brings guys in with him, he drags ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs returned to the lineup Thursday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres inserted center Peyton Krebs for Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, just his second appearance in the last six games.
To make room for Krebs, a healthy scratch the previous three contests, the Sabres sat out winger Vinnie Hinostroza.
That Krebs, 21, had been bumped out of the lineup wasn’t surprising. He sat out two games in late October when the Sabres briefly began rotating forwards. He had mustered zero ... Read the full article
Tyson Jost as played four games for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The struggles and other experiences Sabres center Tyson Jost has endured since entering the NHL as a teenager have helped him develop a unique perspective.
Jost has already played 358 NHL games, the fourth-highest total among Sabres skaters. Having been drafted 10th overall in 2016, the Colorado Avalanche initially cast him in a scoring role. When that didn’t work out, he fell down the lineup and was traded last season.
He lasted only ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs has scored zero goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres recently stopped their forward rotation, so anyone who sits out as a healthy scratch these days has likely been ineffective, not caught in a numbers game.
Down the stretch as a rookie last season, center Peyton Krebs, 21, established himself as one of the Sabres’ top young forwards. But through 17 outings this year, he has struggled, mustering zero goals, three assists and just 10 shots on goal. He has ... Read the full article
