New Jersey Devils - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres lose JJ Peterka to concussion, Zach Benson to lower-body injury

Three injured forwards. Two losses. One struggling team.

Any early-season optimism surrounding the Buffalo Sabres vanished during back-to-back season-opening setbacks to the New Jersey Devils in Prague, Czechia.

In Saturday’s 3-1 loss, Sabres winger JJ Peterka suffered a concussion when New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon hit him in the head as he skated through the neutral zone, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Prague.... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Nicolas Aube-Kubel injured in season opener

Buffalo Sabres winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel suffered a lower-body in Friday’s 4-1 season-opening loss to the New Jersey Devils and will miss today’s rematch, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Prague, Czechia.

Ruff had no other update on Aube-Kubel. The newcomer was wearing a brace on his leg as he exited the dressing room following the game, according to The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski.... Read the full article

Tage Thompson, Devon Levi dazzle as Sabres roar back to beat Devils

BUFFALO – As Sabres center Tage Thompson recently began to showcase his slick, often dominant form again, a dynamic night like Friday’s four-goal performance felt inevitable.

Following an underwhelming four months, Thompson has looked like the budding superstar who scored 47 goals and 94 points last season.

In Friday’s come-from-behind 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, Thompson buoyed the Sabres, scoring a natural hat trick – two goals in the second period and the ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: JJ Peterka earning keep on top line; Michael Houser injured with Rochester

BUFFALO – Before JJ Peterka moved up last week, the left wing spot on the Sabres’ top line alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch had been a revolving door.

Jeff Skinner, who usually occupies that spot, has struggled and moved around the lineup. So coach Don Granato has utilized Jordan Greenway, Zemgus Girgensons and even Eric Robinson there this month.

Peterka, who scored an empty-net goal in Friday’s 5-2 win over the New Jersey ... Read the full article

How Sabres’ Devon Levi seized chance in Rochester, became better goalie

BUFFALO – Instead of chasing the highest levels growing up, Sabres goalie Devon Levi chose to play where he would enjoy the best opportunity to develop his craft.

For example: in 2019-20, his draft season, he tended goal in the Central Canada Hockey League, a circuit that produces some NHL talent but is overshadowed by the major junior Canadian Hockey League.

“It’s a good league, but it wasn’t up there on the radar,” Levi said ... Read the full article

Sabres to begin 2024-25 season against Devils in Czechia

BUFFALO – The Sabres will open the 2024-25 season in Europe as part of the NHL Global Series, the league announced this morning.

The team will play games against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 4 and 5 at O2 Arena in Prague, Czechia.

Prior to beginning the regular season, the Sabres will finish their training camp in Munich, Germany, and play an exhibition game against Red Bull Munich, a team in Deutsche Eishockey Liga, ... Read the full article

Sabres recall top prospects Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen from Amerks

Buffalo Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen this afternoon both earned their first recalls to the NHL.

The forwards have enjoyed terrific seasons with the Rochester Americans, establishing themselves as two of the AHL’s top young scorers.

Kulich, 19, has registered a team-high 11 goals – the league’s third-highest total – and 17 points in 16 games this season. Meanwhile, Rosen, 20, has recorded eights goals and a team-high 19 points – the league’s ... Read the full article

Eric Comrie injured in road loss, leaving Sabres with one healthy goalie

Remember when the Buffalo Sabres had too many goalies? Well, eight games into the season, they’ve already lost two of the three to injury.

Eric Comrie suffered a lower-body injury halfway through Friday’s 5-4 road loss to the New Jersey Devils and did not return to the game, leaving Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the Sabres’ only healthy goalie.

Coach Don Granato told reporters at the Prudential Center the Sabres would have more information on Comrie today.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch starting to score, bust out of early-season slump: ‘I thought I let my teammates down’

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato loved the emotion and energy winger Alex Tuch displayed while fighting twice in the last week.

Tuch, 27, quickly made New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech pay for trying to knee linemate Jeff Skinner late in Saturday’s 3-1 win. Then when surly Ottawa Senators star Brady Tkachuk challenged Tuch following a trip late in Tuesday’s 6-4 victory, he accepted.

“I’m not going to say no, he’s already got (his ... Read the full article

Injured Sabres goalie Devon Levi still sore, hasn’t regressed

BUFFALO – Goalies Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have performed well in their first action this season, so the Sabres want to give rookie Devon Levi more time to recover from his lower-body injury.

Levi, who started the first four games, hasn’t played since last Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.

Sabres coach Don Granato said Levi, 21, is still experiencing soreness but hasn’t regressed.... Read the full article