Nashville Predators - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After defeating Predators, Sabres have first-place showdown versus Lightning: ‘Going to have incredible energy’

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres last appeared in the playoffs, they have played 1,138 regular-season games, none as big as tonight’s contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

If the Sabres defeat the Lightning at KeyBank Center, they will own sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division at the latest point in a season since April 10, 2010.

Right now, the teams, having each earned 82 points, are tied for the top spot.

Over ... Read the full article

By adding assets before trade deadline, Jarmo Kekalainen shows strong belief in Sabres

BUFFALO – In taking a big swing earlier this week and reportedly trying to land St. Louis Blue defenseman Colton Parayko, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen illustrated he would aggressively add assets to the NHL’s hottest team before Friday’s trade deadline.

After the potential Parayko deal fell through – he refused to waive his no-trade clause, according to multiple reports – Kekalainen kept pursuing trades.

By Friday, he had made three of them, showing his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson named NHL’s First Star; Michael Kesselring injured

A dynamic stretch in which Sabres center Tage Thompson scored three goals and an NHL-high nine points in four games has earned him First Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

Thompson, 28, enjoyed one of the best outings of his career in Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens, scoring his ninth career hat trick and hitting the five-point mark for the third time.

The American registered his 200th career goal and his 22nd ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson practices, likely ready to play after suffering concussion

BUFFALO – On Monday, a day after New Jersey Devils pest Stefan Noesen hit Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win, the winger said he was starting to feel the effects of the concussion he suffered.

In the dressing room following the hit and later that night at home, Thompson, who returned to practice Friday, said he felt “totally fine.”

“Then second day it kind of hit me pretty ... Read the full article

On Rob Ray’s special night, Sabres get two goals from Jiri Kulich, beat Preds

BUFFALO – Early in Friday’s 4-3 come-from-behind win, it appeared the Sabres might ride the emotion of Rob Ray’s induction into the team’s hall of fame to a convincing victory.

As Ray gave a heartfelt pregame speech on the KeyBank Center ice, the Sabres, all sporting blue shirts of the legendary tough, watched from the bench.

Then they pounced on the Nashville Predators, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead with owners Terry and Kim ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Rob Ray developed into much more than fighter

BUFFALO – Forget about all of those fights. In his prime, legendary Sabres tough guy Rob Ray often impacted games with more than his fists.

Ray, who was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame in an emotional ceremony prior to Friday’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators, played a fearless and heavy style as a winger. He could be relentless and wear opponents out.

“Robby was a really good skater,” said John Van Boxmeer, ... Read the full article

Sabres Hall of Fame: Despite pleas from coach, Rob Ray fought Dave Brown, became NHL heavyweight

BUFFALO – John Muckler’s voice cut through the din of the crowd that night 32 years ago as Sabres tough guy Rob Ray squared off with hulking Philadelphia Flyers heavyweight Dave Brown.

Muckler, having coached Brown with the Edmonton Oilers, knew him well. He feared Ray could be in way over his head.

The 6-foot-5 Brown, after all, ranked among the NHL’s most feared and punishing fighters. Few dared to challenge him.

So from the ... Read the full article

Jordan Greenway skates with Sabres, happy to be healthy

BUFFALO – After playing Dec. 15 in Toronto, Sabres winger Jordan Greenway finally had enough. Instead of trying to play through the discomfort, he decided to undergo surgery to repair his mid-body injury.

Greenway, 27, wasn’t just gutting things out.

“Other things, I would say, started to be impacted,” Greenway said after participating in this morning’s optional pregame skate in KeyBank Center. “It was almost just going to be maybe sort of a domino effect. ... Read the full article

Sabres believe trade gives them special person, player in Bowen Byram

TORONTO – Over the years, Sabres center Dylan Cozens said he and his close friend, defenseman Bowen Byram, had talked about someday playing on the same team again.

Cozens, 23, and Byram, 22, go way back, having played Midget hockey together and represented Team Canada in four tournaments as teenagers.

During the recent NHL All-Star break, they vacationed in Cancun, and Cozens said Byram, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres lose game to Predators, Alex Tuch to injury

BUFFALO – Things keep getting worse for the Sabres. Not only did they lose again Sunday, their third straight setback and fourth in the last five games, winger Alex Tuch appeared to suffer a hamstring injury chasing down Filip Forsberg on a breakaway.

Tuch departed the 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators about 7:34 into the third period and did not return. As Forsberg zoomed in on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tuch grabbed his hamstring and ... Read the full article