New York Rangers - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Despite losing streak, struggling Sabres still in thick of playoff chase

BUFFALO – In recent days, as the losses pile up and his frustration mounts, coach Lindy Ruff has often explained some of the Sabres’ problems in detail.

Sometimes as he goes on, occasionally pivoting to another area before he can be questioned about it, it almost sounds like Ruff’s venting.

Can you blame him? The Sabres take a seven-game losing streak (0-4-3) into tonight’s contest against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center, the end ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson ready to play after recovering from injury

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who has missed the last 12 games with a lower-body injury, is expected to return for tonight’s game against the New York Rangers, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Samuelsson, 24, practiced again Tuesday as the Sabres, who have lost seven straight contests (0-4-3), prepared to close their five-game home stand.

The American struggled earlier this season, sitting out three games as a healthy scratch before getting injured in his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson must ‘raise the standard’ after healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson knew it could happen. The Sabres defenseman has struggled from the get-go this season, losing ice time under new coach Lindy Ruff.

Still, he figured he would be playing Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as the Sabres tried to end their three-game losing streak.

“I wouldn’t say it was a complete shock, but no, I didn’t expect it yesterday,” Samuelsson said of being a healthy scratch for the Sabres’ 5-1 win... Read the full article

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo enjoying offensive resurgence, among NHL’s hottest scorers

BUFFALO – The zero attached to Sabres captain Kyle Okposo’s name wouldn’t go away, looming larger and larger as the weeks went on.

Two weeks quickly turned into a month and then five weeks. On Thanksgiving, at the 19-game mark, nearly one-quarter of the season, Okposo hadn’t scored a goal.

“It’s not a fun feeling, for sure, that zero,” the veteran winger said following Friday’s practice in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres fall in early hole, lose opener; Zach Benson sharp in NHL debut

BUFFALO – A 2-0 deficit early in the first period. Just nine shots on goal more than halfway through the game.

At times, Thursday’s highly anticipated season opener felt like a throwback to the Sabres’ dreary days of the not-so-distant past.

They got going a bit as the game progressed, scoring late in the second period and making things interesting against the New York Rangers. Still, it was too little, too late, and they fell ... Read the full article

In locking up Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres put two ‘pillars in place’

BUFFALO – Scan through each NHL roster and try to pick out every so-called franchise defenseman. Most teams don’t have one.

In Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin, the Sabres possess two.

This week, Power and Dahlin each signed long-term contract extensions, ensuring two foundational pieces can remain teammates through the 2030-31 season.... Read the full article

In rookie Devon Levi, Sabres hope they have coveted franchise goalie

BUFFALO – Seven late-season games, that’s it. Just two weeks of NHL action following his arrival from college. That small sample size helped convince the Sabres rookie Devon Levi could be their No. 1 goalie.

While they haven’t officially named Levi, 21, their starter, he’s expected to earn the nod for tonight’s season opener against the New York Rangers, a team he beat twice last season, and carry the load throughout the season.

On Wednesday, ... Read the full article

Sabres to honor Rick Jeanneret with special uniform patch

BUFFALO – The Sabres will be wearing special “RJ” patches on their jersey this season to honor legendary broadcaster Rick Jeanneret, the team announced Wednesday.

Jeanneret, who called games for 51 years before retiring in 2022, died Aug. 17 at 81.

In addition, the Sabres and Buffalo Common Council will be dedicating a trailblazing sign to Jeanneret at 4 p.m. outside Alumni Plaza prior to tonight’s season opener against the New York Rangers at ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Youngstown’s Joseph Cecconi to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday re-signed defenseman Joseph Cecconi, a Youngstown native, to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL.

Cecconi, 26, became a mainstay on the Rochester Americans’ blue line following his arrival in a trade Dec. 15, giving them a more defensive defender to complement some of their offensive threats.

In the regular season, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Cecconi registered three goals and eight points in 41 games. In the ... Read the full article

Report: Michael Peca leaves Rochester Amerks for job with Rangers

The Rochester Americans must find two new assistant coaches.

Michael Peca, who has been instrumental in developing JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn and some of the Buffalo Sabres’ other forward prospects, has taken a job on coach Peter Laviolette’s staff with the New York Rangers, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek.

Peca, a popular former Sabres captain and center, has strong ties to Laviolette, who was named the Rangers’ new coach last week.

... Read the full article