WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Post-Deadline Edition
Konsta Helenius showcased growth in Rochester last season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – With less than a minute remaining in Monday’s 4-0 road win in Columbus, Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius grabbed a pass at the blue line and skated down the right wing toward Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves.
A scoring opportunity in the waning seconds of the preseason opener hardly seems important, especially when you’re up 3-0.
Still, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wanted Helenius, 19, to convert his prime chance.... Read the full article
Zach Benson wore No. 9 for two seasons. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In late July, Sabres center Josh Norris texted his teammate, Zach Benson, and asked what it would take for him to give up No. 9.
Benson said he thought Norris, who wore No. 13 in his first three games with the Sabres before a torn oblique muscle ended his season, was joking.
“I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not,” Benson said Saturday after throwing out the first pitch before the ... Read the full article
Josh Norris played just three games wearing No. 13 for Buffalo. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris made teammate Zach Benson an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Benson, who wore No. 9 throughout his first two NHL campaigns, has allowed Norris, who sported No. 13 in his first three outings with the Sabres before a torn oblique muscle ended his season, to take the digit. Benson will now be wearing No. 6.
“Nine’s just been a number that I’ve liked and worn for a lot of my career,” ... Read the full article
Josh Norris played three games for Buffalo before leaving the lineup. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On March 12 in Detroit, center Josh Norris scored his first goal for the Sabres in their 7-3 loss to the Red Wings.
No one knew it then, but that game, his third with the Sabres after arriving in a trade with the Ottawa Senators, would be his last of the season.
Norris, 25, revealed Saturday a torn oblique muscle he suffered with the Senators on Feb. 1 sidelined him for the final ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs has set new career highs this season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Six and a half months ago, Peyton Krebs sat out the Sabres’ season opener as a healthy scratch. In Thursday’s finale, his 81st consecutive appearance, he centered Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker on a scoring line.
Krebs’ consistent effort and willingness to embrace any task quickly earned him coach Lindy Ruff’s trust. It can be argued Krebs, 24, grew more than any player during Ruff’s first season back behind Buffalo’s bench.
His short-handed ... Read the full article
Connor Clifton scored his first goal Sunday. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – By his 71st appearance, Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton couldn’t get that goose egg attached to his name out of his head.
As a defender the Sabres value for his gritty play, they don’t expect him to produce much offense. Still, he wanted to score at least one goal this season.
“I was thinking about it, trying to get that zero to one,” he said prior to Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple ... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich registered a nifty assist Sunday. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If someone had told Jiri Kulich a few months ago he would be centering Tage Thompson on the Sabres’ top line later in his rookie season, he said he probably would’ve laughed at them.
“I didn’t even expect that,” Kulich told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.
Few expected Kulich, 20, would ascend so quickly up the lineup.
The Czech began the season moving ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Sunday on Boston goalie Joonas Korpisalo.
BUFFALO – Just like that, a 50-goal season might be attainable for scorching Sabres winger Tage Thompson. Six games are left. After scoring three times in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins, he has 43 goals.
Is it likely he will become the first Sabres player to score 50 goals in 32 years? No, but the prestigious mark is certainly within reach.
Right now, Thompson is the NHL’s hottest scorer, having registered eight goals ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson hit the 40-goal mark Saturday. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over the final weeks of a disappointing season in which they will add to their NHL-record playoff drought, the Sabres have quietly been establishing an identity, showcasing a more consistent and sturdier style while defeating some heavyweight opponents.
Saturday’s 3-2 come-from-behind shootout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center extended their winning streak to three games. They’ve won nine of their last 13 games and are 11-2-0 in their last 13 ... Read the full article
Tyson Kozak has played 21 games for Buffalo. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Center Tyson Kozak’s season with Sabres could be over.
Coach Lindy Ruff said Friday the rookie will be sidelined week to week with a hip strain that forced him to leave Tuesday’s 5-2 road win over the Ottawa Senators.
The Sabres have eight games left this season, starting with tonight’s contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center. They play their final contest April 17.... Read the full article